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Gang Niu, Ph.D.

Group Leader
Biological Molecular Imaging Section
Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Nanomedicine
Building 10, Room B3B25
Tel: 301-402-4486
E-mail: niug@mail.nih.gov

Contents

Photo of Dr. Gang Niu

Biography

Dr. Niu received his M.D. in Radiation Medicine in 1994 and M.S. degree in 1997 from the Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences in Changchun, China. In 2001, he came to the U.S. to pursue his Ph.D. degree and joined the Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program at the Radiation Oncology Department at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.  Dr. Niu’s Ph.D. project involved multiple modality molecular imaging of gene transfer with the Sodium Iodid Symporter (NIS) reporter gene under the supervision of Dr. Feriderick E. Domann. After graduation in December 2005, Dr. Niu joined Dr. Xiaoyuan Chen’s group in the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS). During that period, Dr. Niu actively involved in several research projects including identification and validation of molecular imaging targets, syntheses and characterization of the imaging probes, as well as exploration of the biological and preclinical applications of molecular imaging. In August 2009, he moved with Prof. Chen to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). Dr. Niu’s research is now focused on (1) new imaging target identification and probe development; (2) multimodality and multiplexing imaging; (3) molecular therapy of malignant diseases.

Areas of Expertise

  • Proficient molecular imaging techniques in PET, SPECT, CT, BLI, fluorescence microscope, phosphor autoradiography, gamma camera, fluorescent dyes and radiometals labeling for both proteins and small molecular peptides, imaging processing and analysis.
  • Comprehensive skills in cellular and molecular biology experimental techniques: vectors construction, gene transfer and expression, DNA/RNA and protein analysis, cell and tissue culture, transient and stable transfection, Aptamer SELEX, Phage display, protein engineering and purification.
  • Clinical nuclear medicine services and research on radionuclide imaging and therapy.

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Selected Publications

Journal Articles

2011

Cao Q, Liu S, Niu G, Yan Y, Liu Z, and Chen X. Phage display peptide probes for imaging early response to Bevacizumab treatment. Amino Acids, 41(5):1103-1112, 2011.

Gao H, Niu G, Yang M, Quan Q, Ma Y, Murage EN, Ahn JM, Kiesewetter DO, Chen X. PET of insulinoma using 18F-FBEM-EM3106B, a new GLP-1 analogue. Mol Pharm, 8(5):1775-1782, 2011.

Gu D, Ma Y, Niu G, Yan Y, Lang L, Aisaand HA, Gao H, Kiesewetter KO, and Chen X. LC/MS Evaluation of Metabolism and Membrane Transport of Bombesin Peptides. Amino Acids, 40(2):669-675, 2011.

Jacobson O, Weiss ID, Niu G, Li W, Balboni G, Kiesewetter DO, Negri L, and Chen X. Prokineticin receptors antagonist PC-10 as a biomarker for imaging inflammatory pain. J Nucl Med, 52(4):600-607, 2011.

Jacobson O, Weiss ID, Szajek LP, Niu G, Ma Y, Kiesewetter DO, Peled A, Eden HS, Farber JM, Chen X. Improvement of CXCR4 tracer specificity for PET imaging. J Control Release. 2011 Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print].

Jacobson O, Zhu L, Ma Y, Weiss ID, Sun X, Niu G, Kiesewetter DO, and Chen X. A rapid and simple one-step F-18 labeling of peptides. Bioconjugate Chem, 22(3):422-428, 2011.

Jacobson O, Zhu L, Niu G, Weiss ID, Szajek L, Ma Y, Sun X, Yan Y, Kiesewetter DO, Liu S, and Chen X. MicroPET imaging of integrin αvβ3 expressing tumors using 89Zr-RGD peptides. Mol Imaging Biol, 13(6):1224-1233, 2011.

Karam JA, Huang S, Fan J, Stanfield J, Schultz RA, Pong RC, Sun X, Mason RP, Xie XJ, Niu G, Chen X, Frenkel EP, Sagalowsky AI, and Hsieh JT. Upregulation of TRAG3 gene in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Int J Cancer, 128(12):2823-2832, 2011.

Lang L, Li W, Guo N, Ma Y, Zhu L, Kiesewetter DO, Shen B, Niu G, Chen X. Comparison Study of [(18)F]FAl-NOTA-PRGD2, [(18)F]FPPRGD2, and [(68)Ga]Ga-NOTA-PRGD2 for PET Imaging of U87MG Tumors in Mice. Bioconjug Chem, 2011 Nov 3. [Epub ahead of print].

Lang L, Li W, Jia HM, Fang DC, Zhang S, Sun X, Zhu L, Ma Y, Shen B, Kiesewetter DO, Niu G, Chen X. New Methods for Labeling RGD Peptides with Bromine-76. Theranostics, 1:341-353, 2011.

Lin X, Xie J, Niu G, Zhang F, Gao H, Yang M, Lee S, and Chen X. Chimeric ferritin nanocages for multiple function loading and multimodal imaging. Nanoletter, 11(2): 814-819, 2011.

Lin X, Xie J, Zhu L, Seulki L, Niu G, Ma Y, Kim K, and Chen X. Hybrid ferritin cages as activatable probes for tumor imaging. Angew Chem Int Edit, 50(7): 1569-1572, 2011.

Liu G, Niu G*, Zhang X, and Chen X*. Molecular Imaging of Cell-based Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecular BioSystems, 7(4): 993-1003, 2011.

Liu G, Xie J, Zhang F, Wang Z, Luo K, Zhu L, Quan Q, Niu G, Lee S, Ai H, Chen X. N-Alkyl-PEI-functionalized iron oxide nanoclusters for efficient siRNA delivery. Small, 7(19):2742-2749, 2011.

Niu G and Chen X. Why integrin as a primary target for imaging and therapy. Theranostics, 2011 1:30-47.

Niu G, Chen X. Size effect in molecular imaging of vascular endothelial growth factor. Chem Biol. 18(7):819-820, 2011.

Quan Q, Yang M, Gao H, Zhu L, Lin X, Guo N, Zhang G, Eden HS, Niu G*, Chen X*. Imaging tumor endothelial marker 8 using an 18F-labeled peptide. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 38(10):1806-1815, 2011.

Sun X, Niu G*, Chan N, Shen B, and Chen X*. Tumor Hypoxia Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol, 13(3):399-410, 2011

Sun X, Yan Y, Liu S, Cao Q, Yang M, Neamati N, Shen B, Niu G*, and Chen X*. 18F-FPPRGD2 and 18F-FDG PET imaging of Abraxane therapy response. J Nucl Med, 52(1):140-146, 2011.

Wang F, Niu G, Chen X, Cao F. Molecular imaging of microRNAs. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 38(8):1572-1579, 2011.

Yang M, Gao H, Sun X, Yan Y, Zhang W, Mohamedali K, Rosenblum M, Quan Q, Niu G*, and Chen X*. Multiplexed PET Probes for Imaging Breast Cancer Early Response to VEGF121/rGel Treatment. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 8(2):621-628, 2011.

Yang M, Gao H, Yan Y, Sun X, Chen K, Quan Q, Niu G*, and Chen X*. PET Imaging Early Response to a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor ZD4190. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 38(7):1237-1247, 2011.

Yang M, Gao H, Zhou Y, Ma Y, Quan Q, Lang L, Chen K, Niu G*, Yan Y, Chen X*. F-Labeled GRPR Agonists and Antagonists: A Comparative Study in Prostate Cancer Imaging. Theranostics, 1:220-229, 2011.

Ye Y, Zhu L, Ma Y, Niu G, and Chen X. Synthesis and evaluation of new iRGD peptide analogs for tumor optical imaging. Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 21(4):1146-1150, 2011.

Zhang F#, Niu G#, Lin X, Jacobson O, Ma Y, Eden HS, He Y, Lu G, Chen X. Imaging tumor-induced sentinel lymph node lymphangiogenesis with LyP-1 peptide. Amino Acids, 2011 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print].

Zhang F, Niu G*, Lu G, and Chen X*. Preclinical Lymphatic Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol, 13 (4): 599-612, 2011.

Zhang F, Zhu L, Liu G, Hida N, Lu G, Eden HS, Niu G*, Chen X*. Multimodality imaging of tumor response to doxil. Theranostics, 1:302-309, 2011.

Zhu L, Wang H-L, Wang L, Wang Y, Jiang K, Li Cheng, Ma Q, Gao S, Wang L, Li W, Cai M-J, Wang D-H, Niu G, Lee S, Yang W, Fang XX, and Chen X. High-affinity peptide against MT1-MMP for in vivo tumor imaging. J Control Release, 150(3):248-55, 2011.

Zhu L, Xie J, Swierczewska M, Zhang F, Lin X, Fang X, Niu G, Lee S, Chen X. Dual-functional, receptor-targeted fluorogenic probe for in vivo imaging of extracellular protease expressions. Bioconjug Chem, 22(6):1001-1005, 2011.

Zhu L, Xie J, Zhang F, Quan Q, Ma Y, Niu G, Kim K, Lee S, and Chen X. Real-time video imaging of protease expression in vivo. Theranostics, 1:18-27, 2011.

2010

Liu Z, Liu S, Niu G, Wang F, Liu S, and Chen X. Optical imaging of integrin αvβ3 expression with near-infrared fluorescent RGD dimer with tetra(ethylene glycol) linkers. Mol Imaging, 9(1):21-29, 2010.

Niu G and Chen X. Vascular endothelial growth factor as an anti-angiogenic target for cancer therapy. Curr Drug Targets, 11(8):1000-1017, 2010.

Niu G* and Chen X*. Apoptosis Imaging: Beyond Annexin V. J Nucl Med, 51(11):1659-1662, 2010.

Niu G, Sun X, Cao Q, Courter D, Koong A, Le QT, Gambhir SS, and Chen X. Immunotherapy and radioimmunotherapy of head-neck squamous cell carcinoma with Cetuximab. Clin Cancer Res, 16(7):2095-2105, 2010 (Cover feature).

Sun X, Niu G, Yan Y, Yang M, Chen K, Ma Y, Chan N, Shen B, and Chen X. Phage display-derived peptides for osteosarcoma imaging. Clin Cancer Res, 16(16):4268-4277, 2010.

Xie J, Wang J, Niu G, Huang J, Chen K, Li X, and Chen X. Human serum albumin coated iron oxide nanoparticles for effiicient cell labeling. Chem Comm, 46(3):433-435, 2010.

Zhu L, Niu G*, Fang X, and Chen X*. Preclinical Molecular Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis. Q J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 54:3-15, 2010.

2009

Liu Z, Niu G, Shi J, Liu S, Wang F, Liu S, and Chen X. 68Ga-labeled cyclic RGD dimers with Gly3 and PEG4 linkers: promising agents for tumor integrin αvβ3 PET imaging. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 36(6):947-57, 2009.

Liu Z, Niu G, Wang F, and Chen X. 68Ga-labeled NOTA-RGD-BBN peptide for dual integrin and GRPR targeted tumor imaging. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 36(9):1483-94, 2009.

Niu G and Chen X. PET imaging of angiogenesis. PET Clinics, 4(1):17-38, 2009.

Niu G and Chen X. Noninvasive visualization of microRNA by bioluminescence imaging. Mol Imaging Biol. 11(2):61-63, 2009.

Niu G and Chen X. From protein-protein interaction to therapy response: molecular imaging of heat shock proteins. Eur J Radiol, 70(2):294-304, 2009.

Niu G, Li ZB, Cao Q, and Chen X. Monitor therapeutic response of human ovarian cancer to 17-DMAG by non-invasive PET imaging with 64Cu-Trastuzumab. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 36(9):1510-9, 2009.

Niu G, Li ZB, Xie J, Le T, and Chen X. Imaging antibody delivery with microPET in EGFR positive head-neck squamous cell carcinoma models. J Nucl Med, 50(7):1116-23, 2009.

Ren C, Gao X, Niu G, Yan Z, Chen X, and Zhao H. From rapid to delayed postconditioning, a new avenue to protect against brain injury and the deteriorating effect of t-PA after stroke. PloS ONE, 3(12): e3851, 2009.

Wang H, Chen K, Liu Z, Niu G, and Chen X. Site-specifically biotinylated VEGF121 for near-infrared fluorescence imaging of tumor angiogenesis. Mol Pharm, 6(1):285-94, 2009.

2008

Cao Q, Cai W, Niu G, He L, and Chen X. Multimodality imaging of IL-18bp-Fc therapy of experimental lung metastasis. Clin Cancer Res, 14(19):6137-6145, 2008.

Cai W, Niu G, and Chen X. Multimodality imaging of the HER-kinase axis in cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 35(1):186-208, 2008.

Cai W, Niu G, and Chen X. Imaging of integrins as biomarkers for tumor angiogenesis. Curr Pharm Design, 14(28):2943-73, 2008.

Li Z*, Niu G *, Wang H, He L, Xing L, and Chen X. microPET imaging of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor expression using 64Cu-labeled peptide. Clin Cancer Res, 14(15):4758-66, 2008.

Niu G and Chen X. Has molecular and cellular imaging enhanced drug discovery? Drugs R&D, 9(6):351-68, 2008.

Niu G, Cai W, Chen K, and Chen X. Non-invasive PET imaging of EGFR degradation induced by a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor. Mol Imaging Biol, 10(2):99-106, 2008.

Niu G, Cai W, and Chen X. Molecular imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression. Front Biosci, 13:790-805, 2008.

2007

Gaut AW, Niu G, Krager KJ, Graham MM, Trask DK, and Domann FE. Genetically targeted radiotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). Head Neck, 26(3):265-271, 2004.

Niu G, Anderson RD, Madsen MT, Graham MM, Oberley LW, and Domann FE. Dual-expressing adenoviral vectors encoding the sodium iodide symporter for use in noninvasive radiological imaging of therapeutic gene transfer. Nucl Med Biol. 33(3):391-8, 2006.

Niu G, Gaut AW, Ponto LL, Hichwa RD, Madsen MT, Graham MM, and Domann FE. Multimodality noninvasive imaging of gene transfer using the human sodium iodide symporter. J Nucl Med, 45(3):445-449, 2004.

Niu G, Krager KJ, Graham MM, and Domann FE. Non-invasive radiological imaging of pulmonary gene transfer and expression using the human sodium iodide symporter. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 32(5):534-540, 2005.

Niu G, Xiong Z, Cheng Z, Cai W, Gambhir SS, Xing L, and Chen X. In vivo bioluminescence tumor imaging of RGD peptide-modified adenoviral vector encoding firefly luciferase reporter gene. Mol Imaging Biol, 9(3):126-34, 2007.

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Book Chapters

Domann FE and Niu G. Detection of Pulmonary Gene Transfer Using Iodide-124/Positron Emission Tomography. In Cancer Imaging, M.A. Hayat (ed.), Elsevier Science/Academic Press, December 2007.

Beer A, Niu G, Chen X, and Schwaiger M. Tumor Vascular Imaging. In Molecular Imaging: Principles and Practice, Ralph Weissleder, Sanjiv S. Gambhir, Brian D. Ross, Alnawaz Rehemtulla (ed.), McGraw Hill, April 2010.

Niu G and Chen X. Radiopharmaceuticals and Medical Imaging in Drug Development. In Development of Therapeutic Agents, Shayne C. Gad (ed.), John Wiley and Sons.

Niu G and Chen X. Application of Small Animal Molecular Imaging in Drug Development. In Multimodality Molecular Imaging of Small Animals: Instrumentation and Applications, Habib Zaidi (ed.), Springer.

Veeravagu A, Liu Z, Niu G, Chen K, Jia B, Cai W, Connolly AJ, Tse V, Wang F, and Chen X. Integrin-αvβ3 targeted radioimmunotherapy of glioblastoma multiforme. Clin Cancer Res, 14(22):7330-9, 2008.

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Last Updated On 10/12/2011