Dr Zhou Lei

Biography

Dr. Zhou Lei is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and heads the Ocular Proteomics Platform in Singapore Eye Research Institute. He was trained as a bio-analytical chemist. He applies cutting-edge mass spectrometry and proteomics/metabolomics technologies for eye research. He joined Singapore Eye Research Institute after completed his Ph.D. in Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore in 1998.

Research Interest

Biological mass spectrometry, proteomics, metabolomics, multi-dimensional liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (MDLC-MS/MS), quantitative proteomics including iTRAQ, high resolution MRM, and MS/MSALL with SWATHacquisition, characterization of post-translational modifications (PTMs). Areas of particular interests include: (a) discover new biomarkers for ocular diseases, e.g. tear fluid biomarkers for dry eye, lacrimal gland tumor, thyroid eye disease; understand the pathogenesis of ocular diseases, e.g. myopia, dry eye, pterygium, diabetic retinopathy, etc; (b) Ocular metabolomics using LC-MS/MS, e.g. serum metabolomics in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy; (c) Antimicrobial peptides: developing new peptide antibiotics for ocular infections, defensin-based cationic antimicrobial peptide design, synthesis, characterization and purification; (d) Ocular drug pharmacokinetics: quantify drug levels in ocular fluids and tissues using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS).