Chow Lee

Dr. Chow Lee is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). He holds a PhD from Flinders University and a BSc (Hons I) from the University of New South Wales. His research focuses on cancer biology, RNA biochemistry, natural products drug discovery, and polysaccharide science. He has pioneered biochemistry and molecular biology programs at UNBC and collaborates extensively on isolating bioactive compounds from BC’s fungal resources.

Research Interests:

• Cancer biology and oncogenic RNA-protein interactions
• Discovery of medicinal compounds from BC mushrooms (e.g., anti-proliferative, immunostimulatory agents)
• Role of APE1 in RNA metabolism and DNA repair
• Zebrafish models for studying RNA granules and drug mechanisms

Publications Trends: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 1998, with recent emphasis on natural products from fungi (e.g., Echinodontium tinctorium, Inonotus obliquus) and RNA-protein interactions in cancer pathways. Key contributions include identifying APE1’s role in RNA processing and discovering polysaccharide-based anti-inflammatory agents.

Supervision & Grants: Actively mentors students in MSc/PhD programs in Biochemistry and Health Sciences. Served on grant review panels for national/international agencies. Collaborates with UNBC colleagues in cross-disciplinary drug discovery projects.

Labs & Teams: Leads a research lab investigating RNA metabolism and natural product pharmacology. Engages with BC’s biodiversity to identify novel therapeutic compounds, particularly from northern BC mushrooms.