个人简介

陶谦，香港大学博士毕业，研究员，博士生导师，国家自然基金杰青(海外) , 海南省医学科学院资深课题组长，学校B类人才。国际表观遗传学会 (The Epigenetics Society) 常务副主席, 中国病理生理学会委员, 中国病毒肿瘤学会常务委员。

主要从事人类恶性肿瘤表观遗传学、抑癌基因、肿瘤标志物的基础和应用研究。建立了国际领先的表观遗传学研究体系(dRRBS双酶解简化甲基化测序法); 并建立多个肿瘤的CpG甲基化组学谱; 国际上首次鉴定了20多个被启动子甲基化失活的新抑癌基因, 包括RASAL1, PCDH10, ZNF382, DLEC1, ZBTB28, ZDHHC1, KIAA0495/TUSC6等, 并阐明其在多种肿瘤中的功能及作为肿瘤标志物的潜力。国际上首次揭示无Ras突变肿瘤的Ras信号异常激活的表观遗传机制; 阐明了多个新抑癌基因在肿瘤发生发展过程中的重要作用和分子机制。已获2项表观遗传标志物美国专利; 也参与多项表观遗传药物临床试验。担任美国IARC, 英国MRC, 新加坡BMRC, 香港RGC和HMRF, 及国家自然基金委和科技部评委。发表SCI论文199篇(总引用>15800次)和 5 本专业书籍的章节。承担国家级和省市级科研项目29项(共计¥ 9600万），包括国家科技部重点研发计划和杰青项目。其学术成果获香港中文大学医学院青年学者最优成果奖、国家癌症中心研究论文奖等荣誉，并入选斯坦福大学“全球前2%顶尖科学家”榜单。

教育经历

1995-1999 年 博士后研究员, 美国约翰霍普金斯大学医学院Sidney Kimmel 癌症中心

1991-1995 年 分子病理学/病毒学博士学位，香港大学病理学系

1989年3-5月 访问学者，上海第二医科大学分子生物学重点实验室

1985-1988 年 遗传学硕士学位，厦门大学，福建，中国

1981-1985 年 生物学学士学位，湖南师范大学，中国

工作经历

2008－2026年 香港中文大学肿瘤学系，终身教授，博导

2004－2008 年 香港中文大学肿瘤学系，副教授，博导

2004－2006 年 约翰霍普金斯医学院新加坡分校，顾问

2001－2004 年 新加坡国立大学微生物学系，副教授 (兼) , 博导

1999－2004年 美国约翰霍普金斯大学医学院Sidney Kimmel 癌症中心肿瘤学系助理教授; 约翰霍普金斯大学新加坡研究中心肿瘤表观遗传学实验室PI

1990－1991 年 汕头大学医学院分子生物学和肿瘤学，讲师

1988－1990 年 汕头大学医学院肿瘤学，研究实习员

主要获奖情况

1.香港大学医学院 KP Stephen Chang 博士最佳博士论文金奖 (1995-1996)

2.中国国家自然科学基金委杰出海外青年科学家 (国家杰青 B 类) 2009年

3.2009 年青年研究员奖 (香港中文大学医学院最佳研究奖)

4.2010 年中国北京国家癌症中心研究论文二等奖

5.2010年重庆市卫生局医学科技成果一等奖

6.2011年重庆市科学技术奖自然科学一等奖

7.2019 年重庆市科学技术奖科技进步奖二等奖

研究方向

恶性肿瘤表观遗传学、抑癌基因、肿瘤标志物的基础和应用研究。

代表性论著

已发表198篇期刊论文和5个书目章节; 引用: >15560；h-index: 76 (谷歌学术).

被列入斯坦福大学世界前2%科学家名单.

1.X Chai, L Meng, S Bao, Y Chen, Y Li, KY Wong, N Liu, BB Ma, AT Chan, Q Tao*, L Li*.Oncogenic reprogramming of tumor cell metabolism through epigenetic disruption of a novel RING finger protein tumor suppressor. Cell Death & Differentiation 2026; in revision.

2.L Li*, KM Ng, X Shu, X Chai, KY Wong, G Srivastava, ATC Chan, WY Chan, Q Tao*.The E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 RINES is a broad tumor suppressor whose disruption by CpG methylation releases STAT3 and MYC to drive tumorigenesis. Advanced Science 2026; in press.

3.Z Du^#, L Li^#,*, X Shu, C Li, Q Tao*.RSPO4 exerts tumor suppression through antagonizing canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling. Int J Biol Sci 2026; 22:1016-1035.

4.Tao Q, Zhang Q.Translating the m6A epitranscriptome for prostate cancer. Nature Review Urology 2025; doi: 10.1038/s41585-025-01054-2.

5.L Li*, XS Shu, H Geng, J Ying, L Guo, J Luo, T Xiang, L Wu, BB Ma, AT Chan, XF Zhu, RF Ambinder, Q Tao*.A 1p36.3 lncRNA codes a novel small phosphoinositide-binding protein acting as a tumor suppressor repressing AKT signaling and promoting autophagy. Cell Death & Differentiation 2023; doi: 10.1038/s41418-023-01129-w.

6.Y Ying, M Wang, Y Chen, M Li, C Ma, J Zhang, X Huang, M Jia, J Zeng, Y Wang, L Li, X Wang, Q Tao, X Shu.Zinc finger protein 280C contributes to colorectal tumorigenesis by maintaining epigenetic repression at H3K27me3-marked loci. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2022; 119:e2120633119.

7.Wong KC, Hui EP, Lo KW, Lam WK, Johnson D, Li L, Tao Q, Chan KC, To KF, King AD, Ma BB*, Chan AT*.Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Evolving Paradigm. Nature Reviews Clin Oncol 2021; 18:679-695.

8.T Xiang, J Tang, L Li, W Peng, Z Du, X Wang, Q Li, H Xu, L Xiong, C Xu, X Le, X Wei, F Yu, S Li, Q Xiao, B Luo, X Xiang, A Huang, Y Lin, G Ren, Q Tao. Tumor suppressive BTB/POZ zinc-finger protein ZBTB28 inhibits oncogenic BCL6/ZBTB27 signaling to maintain p53 transcription in multiple carcinogenesis. Theranostics 2019; 9:8182-8195.

9.L Li, J Xu, G Qiu, J Ying, Z Du, T Xiang, KY Wong, G Srivastava, XF Zhu, TS Mok, AT Chan, FK Chan, RF Ambinder, Q Tao.Epigenomic characterization of a p53-regulated 3p22.2 tumor suppressor that inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation via protein docking and is frequently methylated in esophageal and other carcinomas. Theranostics 2018; 8:61-77.

10.Wang S, Cheng Y, Du W, Lu L, Zhou L, Wang H, Kang W, Li X, Tao Q*, Sung JJ, Yu J*.Zinc-finger protein 545 is a novel tumor suppressor that acts by inhibiting ribosomal RNA transcription in gastric cancer. Gut 2013; 62:833-41.

11.Cheng Y, Geng H, Cheng SH, Liang P, Bai Y, Li J, Srivastava G, Ng MH, Fukagawa T, Wu X, Chan AT, Tao Q.KRAB zinc finger protein ZNF382 is a proapoptotic tumor suppressor that represses multiple oncogenes and is commonly silenced in multiple carcinomas. Cancer Res 2010; 70:6516-26.

12.Yu J, Tao Q*, Cheung KF, Jin H, Poon FF, Wang X, Li H, Cheng YY, Ebert MP, Röcken C, Chan AT, Sung JJ*. (*Corresp authors).Epigenetic identification of UCHL1 as a functional tumor suppressor and biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma and other digestive tumors. Hepatol 2008; 48(2):508-18.

13.Jin H, Wang X, Ying J, Wong AHY, Cui Y, Srivastava G, Shen ZY, Li EM, Zhang Q, Jin J, Kupzig S, Chan AT, Cullen PJ, Tao Q.Epigenetic silencing of a Ca(2+)-regulated Ras GTPase-activating protein RASAL defines a new mechanism of Ras activation in human cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2007; 104:12353-8.

14.Ying J, Li H, Chen YW, Srivastava G, Gao Z, Tao Q.WNT5A is epigenetically silenced in hematologic malignancies and inhibits leukemia cell growth as a tumor suppressor. Blood 2007; 110:4130-2.

15.Ying J, Li H, Cui Y, Wong AHY, Langford C, Tao Q.Epigenetic disruption of two proapoptotic genes MAPK10/JNK3 and PTPN13/FAP-1 in multiple lymphomas and carcinomas through hypermethylation of a common bidirectional promoter. Leukemia 2006; 20:1173-5.

16.Chan AT^#, Tao Q^#, Robertson KD, Flinn IW, Mann RB, Klencke B, Leung T, Johnson PJ, Ambinder RF (^#: co-first author).Azacitidine Induces Demethylation of the Epstein-Barr Virus Genome in Tumors. J Clin Oncol 2004; 22:1373-1381. (Editorial by Dowell JE & Minna JD. JCO 2004; 22: 1353–1355).

17.Tao Q, Huang H, Geiman TM, Lim CY, Fu L, Qiu GH, Robertson KD.Defective de novo methylation of viral and cellular DNA sequences in ICF syndrome cells. Hum Mol Genet 2002; 11:2091-2102.

18.Srivastava G, Wong KY, Chiang AK, Lam KY, Tao Q.Coinfection of multiple strains of Epstein-Barr virus in immunocompetent normal individuals: reassessment of the viral carrier state. Blood 2000; 95:2443-2445.

19.Tao Q, Robertson KD, Manns A, Hildesheim A, Ambinder RF.Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma: molecular analysis of primary tumor tissue. Blood 1998; 91:1373-1381.

20.Tao Q, Srivastava G, Chan AC, Ho FC.Epstein-Barr virus-infected nasopharyngeal intraepithelial lymphocytes. Lancet 1995; 345:1309-1310.

成果转化

已获得美国专利

1.Tumor suppressor TET1 and uses thereof. Q Tao, L Li. US Patent no. 11,207,340 B2. Date of Patent: Dec 28, 2021.

2.Biomarker DLEC1 for Cancer. Q Tao, L Li. US Patent no. 11,746,383. Date of Patent: Sept 5, 2023.

承担项目

1.Molecular studies on the epigenetic/genetic abnormalities of EBV-associated tumors including NPC and EBV pathogenesis

(Johns Hopkins Singapore/Singapore A*STAR grant, 1999-2004. PI, HK$19,800,000)

2.Identification of novel tumor suppressor genes at 16q in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through a combination of genetic and epigenetic approaches

(Michael Kadoorie Cancer Genetics Research Fund, PI, 2005-2007. HK$940,500)

3.Identification of novel tumor suppressor genes at 16q in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through a combination of genetic and epigenetic approaches

(CUHK Matching Fund, PI, 2005-2007. HK$940,500)

4.Epigenetic and functional characterization of a novel putative tumor suppressor KS2 (KRAB-zinc finger suppressor protein 2) which is frequently silenced in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. (Hong Kong GRF, 2007-2010. #474407, PI, HK$1,085,729)

5.Regulatory and functional studies of a novel tumor suppressor TUSC8 (tumor suppressor candidate 8) in the pathogenesis of Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its potential diagnostic application. (HK GRF, 2008-2010. #473908, PI, HK$649,765)

6.Integrative cancer epigenomics identifies methylated novel tumor suppressor genes as biomarkers for common Hong Kong tumors. CUHK Focused Investment Scheme C (HK$1,000,000, 2009-2010, PI)

7.Study of the epigenetic mechanism of aberrant RhoA-signaling activation using a unique HCT116 colorectal cancer model with double knock-out of DNMT1 and DNMT3B. (Hong Kong GRF, 2009-2011. #475009, PI, HK$760,483)

8.Identification of epigenetic changes and novel tumor suppressor genes in renal cancer as early tumor markers. (NSFC National Outstanding Young Scholar Overseas type B) 2009, China. PI. 2010-2011, ¥200,000)

9.Characterizing the NPC epigenome and further analysis of a novel epigenetic master gene in nuclear signaling. (Hong Kong GRF, 2010-11. #474710, PI, HK$986,000)

10.CDH11 as a tumor suppressor regulating WNT signaling in carcinogenesis and its methylation as a biomarker for head and neck cancers. (NSFC 2011, China. PI. 2012-2015, ¥550,000)

11.Epigenomic study of viral-associated tumors important to Hong Kong. (CUHK Group Research Scheme, PI, 2013/2015. HK$500,000)

12.Systematic Development of Molecular Targets for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. (co-PI. RGC TRBS grant T12-401/13R, HK$55,610,000; 1/2014-12/2018)

13.Modulation of host cell CpG methylation machinery by EBV infection in carcinomas and its clinical application. (PI. HMRF #13120082, HK$890,000; 5/2014-5/2016)

14.Epigenomic study of EBV-associated tumors in Hong Kong. (CUHK Group Research Scheme, PI, 2014/2015. HK$500,000)

15.Breast cancer epigenetics (NSFC 2014, China. co-PI. 2014-2017; ¥3,000,000)

16.Systematic Development of Molecular Targets for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. (PI. T12-401/13R. CUHK VC's One-off Discretionary Fund. Dec 2014-Nov 2018; HK$2,000,000)

17.Mechanism study of a new RhoA-signaling antagonist in esophageal cancer pathogenesis (NSFC 2015, China. PI. 2016-2019; ¥570,000)

18.Genome-wide study of CpG methylation of EB virus-associated nasal lymphoma identifies disrupted transcription program derived from silencing of tumor suppressor PAX5. (PI. HMRF #16151042, HK$1,015,032; 9/2017-8/2019).

19.From basic science to clinical application- Molecular study of common tumors prevalent in south China华南地区常见肿瘤-从基础到临床. (PI. China MOST National Key Research and Development Program; #2017YFE0191700, HK$1,173,250; 7/2018-6/2020).

20.Regulation of tumor cell invasion/metastasis and EMT/stemness by a new Ras antagonist which is silenced by CpG methylation in esophageal cancer. (HK-GRF, #14118118, PI, HK$929,280; 2019-2020.)

21.Functional study of an epigenetically inactivated regulator of cancer cell stemness targeting OCT4/NANOG in head and neck cancer metastasis. (HK-GRF, #14115920, PI, HK$829,415; 2021-2022.)

22.Mechanism of inflammasome activation by SARS-CoV-2.

(co-PI. RGC CRF grant C7142-20GF, HK$8,431,247; 6/2021-6/2024)

23.Possible regulation of epigenetic machinery by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 proteins -implications to viral subclinical infection and transmission.

(PI. HMRF #21200842, HK$1,086,920; 11/2022-10/2024).

24.Study of stem cell malignant transformation using breast cancer (co-PI. Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation廣東省基礎與應用基礎研究基金-粵港澳研究團隊項目. ¥ 2,000,000; Nov 2023-Oct 2027).

25.Functional and mechanistic characterization of a novel long non-coding RNA in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer. (HK-GRF, #14102923, PI, HK$1,272,000; 11/2023-10/2026).

26.Functional characterization of a novel 19q13 KRAB-zinc-finger repressor in regulating cancer stemness and metastasis of esophageal cancer. (HK-GRF, #14111924, PI, HK$1,543,984; 11/2024-10/2027).

        27.A novel zinc-finger tumor suppressor functions as a nuclear master regulator of cell signaling during ESCC pathogenesis. (HK-GRF,#14122625, PI, HK$1,208,830; 9/2025-8/2028).