The University of Western Australia

W/Prof Lee Yong Lim

Winthrop Professor
Division of Pharmacy

Contact details

Address

Division of Pharmacy
The University of Western Australia (M315)
35 Stirling Highway
CRAWLEY WA 6009
Australia

Phone

6488 4413

Fax

6488 7532

Email

lee.lim@uwa.edu.au

Personal homepage

http://www.uwa.edu.au/people/lee.lim

Location

Room 2.06A, Curnow Building, Crawley campus

Qualifications

BSc(Pharm) Sing., PhD Manc.

Biography

Professor Lee Yong Lim completed her Bachelor of Science with honours in pharmacy at the National University of Singapore. She did her PhD at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom before returning to the National University of Singapore to work in the Pharmacy Department. Professor Lim moved to UWA in 2005.

Key research

Professor Lim’s laboratory is known for using nanotechnology to develop drug delivery systems. Drug delivery platforms based on polymer nanoparticles, liposomes and plant viral protein cages have been developed, some with targeting capability for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to cancer cells. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms and constraints of drug delivery across absorptive epithelia, and the modulation of intestinal drug transport and metabolism by indigenous dietary components. Professor Lim’s laboratory also has a reputation for the biomedical applications of chitin and chitosan.

As principal members of the UWA Centre for Strategic Nano-fabrication, the laboratory is actively building up expertise and resources for the synthesis of biomedical nanomaterials through the spinning disc processing technology, and the safety assessment of biomedical nanomaterials.

Publications

Weeden C, KJ Hartlieb, LY Lim, Preparation and physicochemical characterization of a novel paclitaxel-loaded amphiphilic aminocalixarene nanoparticle platform for anticancer chemotherapy, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, accepted 2012

Khor E, H Wu, LY Lim, CM Guo, Chitin methacrylate: preparation, characterization and hydrogel formation, Materials, 4: pp 1728-1746 (2011)

Loh JW, G Yeoh, M Saunders, LY Lim, Uptake and cytotoxicity of chitosan nanoparticles in human liver cells, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 249: pp 148–157 (2010)

Wang CX, PCL Ho, LY Lim, Wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced intracellular delivery of paclitaxel to colon cancer cells, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 400: pp 201–210 (2010)

Ren YP, SM Wong, LY Lim, Application of Plant Viruses as Nano Drug Delivery Systems, Pharmaceutical Research, 27: pp 2509–2513 (2010)

Loh JW, J Schneider, M Carter, M Saunders, LY Lim, Spinning disc processing technology: potential for large-scale manufacture of chitosan nanoparticles, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 99: pp 4326 – 4336 (2010)

Cheng WQ, LY Lim, Design, synthesis, characterization and in vivo activity of a novel salmon calcitonin conjugate containing a novel PEG-lipid moiety. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 62: pp 296–304 (2010)

Zhang W, Y Han, SL Lim, LY Lim, Dietary regulation of P-gp function and expression, Expert Opinion On Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, 5: pp 789 – 801 (2009)

Cheng WQ, LY Lim, Lipeo-sCT: a novel reversible lipidized salmon calcitonin derivative, its biophysical properties and hypocalcemic activity. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 37: pp 151 – 159 (2009)

Cheng, W.Q., Lim, L.Y. Synthesis, characterization and in vivo activity of salmon calcitonin co-conjugated with lipid and polyethylene glycol, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 98: pp 1438 – 1451 (2009)

Zhang, W., Lim, L.Y. Effects of spice constituents on P-gp-mediated transport and CYP3A4-mediated metabolism in vitro, Drug Metabolism and Disease, 36: pp 1283-1290 (2008)

Cheng, W.Q., Lim, L.Y. Comparison of reversible and non-reversible aqueous soluble lipidized conjugates of salmon calcitonin, Molecular Pharmaceutics, 5: pp 610-621 (2008)

Han, Y., Tan, T.M.C., Lim, L.Y. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the effects of piperine on P-gp function and expression, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 230: pp 283-289 (2008)

Cheng, W.Q., Lim, L.Y. Peroral delivery of peptide drugs, American Pharmaceutical Review, 11: pp 33-41 (2008)

Cheng, W.Q., Jois, S.D.S., Lim, L.Y. Aqueous-soluble, non-reversible lipid conjugate of salmon calcitonin: synthesis, characterization and in vivo activity, Pharmaceutical Research, 24: pp 99-101 (2007)

Zhang, W., Tan, T.M.C., Lim, L.Y. Impact of curcumin-induced changes in P-gp and CYP3A expression on the pharmacokinetics of the peroral celiprolol and midazolam in rats, Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 35: pp 110-115 (2007)

Ren, Y.P., Wong, S.M., Lim, L.Y. Folic-acid conjugated protein cages of a plant virus: a novel delivery platform for doxorubicin, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 18: pp 836-843 (2007)

Ren, Y.P., Wong, S.M., Lim, L.Y. In vitro reassembled plant virus-like particles for loading of polyacids, Journal of General Virology, 87: pp 2749 – 2754 (2006)

Han, Y., Tan, T.M.C., Lim, L.Y. Effects of capsaicin on P-gp function and expression in Caco-2 Cells, Biochemical Pharmacology, 71: pp 1727 – 1734 (2006)

Lim, S.L., Lim, L.Y. Effects of citrus fruit juices on cytotoxicity and drug transport pathways of Caco-2 cell monolayers, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 307: pp 42 – 50 (2006)

Mo, Y., Lim, L.Y. Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: Potentiation of anticancer activity by surface conjugation with wheat germ agglutinin, Journal of Controlled Release, 108: pp 244 – 262 (2005)

Mo, Y., Lim, L.Y. Preparation and in vitro anticancer activity of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel and isopropyl myristate, Journal of Controlled Release, 107: pp 30 – 42 (2005)

Luangtana-anan, M., Opanasopit, P., Ngawhirunpat, T., Nunthanid, J., Sriamornsak, P., Limmatvapirat, S., Lim, L.Y. Effect of chitosan salts and molecular weight on a nanoparticulate carrier for therapeutic protein, Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 10: 189 – 196 (2005)

Huang, M., Fong, C.W., Khor, E., Lim, L.Y. Transfection efficiency of chitosan vectors: effect of polymer molecular weight and degree of deacetylation, Journal of Controlled Release, 106: pp 391 – 406 (2005)

Ma, Z.S., Lim, T.M., Lim, L.Y. Pharmacological activity of peroral chitosan-insulin nanoparticles in diabetic rats, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 293: pp 271 – 280 (2005)

Zhou, S., Chan, E., Lim, L.Y., Boelsterli, U.A., Li, S.C., Wang, J., Zhang, Q., Huang, M., Xu, A. Therapeutic drugs that behave as mechanism-based inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4, Current Drug Metabolism, 5: pp 415 – 442 (2004)

Nealda Leila, M.Y., Lim, L.Y., Khor, E. Flexible chitin films: structural studies, Carbohydrate Research, 339: pp 2701-11 (2004)

Nunthanid, J., Luangtana-anan, M., Sriamornsak, P., Limmatvapirat, S., Puttipipatkhachorn, S., Lim, L.Y., Khor, E. Characterization of chitosan acetate as a binder for sustained release tablets, Journal of Controlled Release, 99: pp 15-26 (2004)

Cheng, W.Q., Lim, L.Y. Insulin-loaded calcium pectinate nanoparticles: effects of pectin molecular weight and formulation pH, Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 30: pp 359-367 (2004)

Huang, M., Khor, E., Lim, L.Y. Uptake and cytotoxicity of chitosan molecules and nanoparticles: effects of molecular weight and degree of deacetylation, Pharmaceutical Research, 21: pp 344-353 (2004)

Zhou, S., Lim, L.Y. Chowbay, B. Herbal modulation of P-glycoprotein, Drug Metabolism Reviews, 36: pp 1-48 (2004)

Ge, Z., Baguenard, A.S., Lim, L.Y., Wee, A., Khor, E. Hydroxyapatite-chitin materials as potential tissue engineered bone substitute, Biomaterials, 25: pp 1049-1058 (2004)

Mo, Y., Lim, L.Y. Mechanistic study of the uptake of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles by A549 cells, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 93: pp 20-28 (2004)

Funding received

Phosphonated calixarenes for the targeted intracellular delivery of anticancer agents, $311,175, Jan 2012 – Dec 2014, LY Lim, CL Raston, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, APP1028339
Calixarenes - tuneable nanoscale platforms for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, $140,000, Jan 2008 – Dec 2010, LY Lim, M Makha, Cancer Council of Western Australia.
In vitro cytotoxicity of chitosan nanoparticles prepared by spinning disc reactor technology, $6,000, 2005, UWA small grants.
Anti-tumour mechanisms of action and prophylactic activity of tea tree oil, PRJ-005131, M Beilharz, TV Riley, SJ Greay, DJ Ireland, PH Hart, LY Lim, CF Carson, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, 1/8/10 – 30/9/12, $377,128.
Nanotechnology for Healthcare, M de Planque, C Backhouse, LY Lim, C Wälti, Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund, 2010, £17,600.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Microimaging and Relaxometry Facility (LE0989788), TG St Pierre, RN Martins, SM Smith, SJ Berners-Price, SA Dunlop, AR Harvey, CL Raston, D Robertson, GC Yeoh, BA Corry, L Fitzgerald, MJ House, GA Koutsantonis, LY Lim, M Makha, D Meyrick, G Plant, J Rodger, M Ruitenberg, KL Swaminatha-Iyer, G Verdile, VP Wallace, RC Woodward, 2008, $108,481, Australian Research Council, LIEF funding.
Targeted process development for drug delivery (LP0883914), Raston CL, Swaminatha-Iyer KL, Lim LY, Bosch B, 2008, A$297,364, Australian Research Council Linkage funding with iCeutica.
Integrated Process Intensification Facility (LE0882634), Raston, Pareek, Bond, Burcham, Chua, Flematti, Gao, Swaminatha-Iyer, Lim, Makha, Norret, Polomska, P Price, I Price, St Pierre, Stewart, Wild, Yeoh, Bakker, Brown, De Marco, Gale, Li, Lou, Tade, Wang, Wright, 2008, A$220,000, Australia Research Council, LIEF funding.
Cellular and molecular modulation of drug transport by common spices in the South East Asian diet, $326,150, July 2002 to June 2005, Biomedical Research Council, Singapore.
Wound dressings with sustained antimicrobial capability, $50,000, Mar 1997 – Mar 1999, Defence Science Organisation (co-CI)
Survey on consumer assessment of novel tablet formulation, $5,000, May 1998 – Sept 1998, Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corporation, Singapore.
Nano-systems to facilitate site-specific drug delivery and enhance cellular drug uptake, $116,500, Apr 2003 – Mar 2006, NUS Academic Fund.
Dietary modulation of drug transport, $124,900, Nov 2001 – Oct 2004, NUS Academic Fund.
Polymer nanospheres for drug delivery, $123,300, Feb 2000 – Jan 2003, NUS Academic Fund.
Chitosan-Alginate Membranes, $82,700, Jan 1999 – Dec 2001, NUS Academic Fund.
Drug Information Centres, $6,500, Jul 1996 – Aug 1998, NUS Academic Fund.
Effects of sterilization on chitosan and chitosan-based drug delivery systems, $153,500, Apr 1996 – Mar 1999, NUS Academic Fund.
Development of novel injectable bone substitute material, $76,000, May 2004 to April 2007, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Chitin-hydroxyapatite materials as bone substitutes, $59,180, Jul 2000 – Jun 2003, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Packaging enzymes for cyanogens analysis, $79,600, Jan 1999 – Dec 2000, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Design and development of transdermal therapeutic systems for peri-operative applications, $175,866, Apr 1997 – Mar 2001, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
The development of chitin based materials for tissue engineering, $391,300, Dec 1996 – Jul 2000, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Interaction of halofantrine with phospholipids vesicles, $12,700, Feb 1996 – Feb 1999, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Stability studies of extemporaneously prepared formulations used in hospitals, $86,800, Dec 1994 – Dec 1997, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.
Water-soluble polymer carriers to deliver pharmaceuticals and chemicals, $24,000, Apr 1992 – Apr 1995, co-CI, NUS Academic Fund.

Memberships

Controlled Release Society
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
Australian Research Council Nanotechnology Network
Nanosafe Australia
UWA Centre for Strategic Nanofabrication

Honours and awards

Pharmacy Teaching Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore- 1995, 1996, 2005
Excellent Teacher Award, National University of Singapore- 2004
Teaching Excellence Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore- 1997, 2002, 2004, 2005
Meritorious Teaching Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore- 1999, 2000
Science Teaching Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore 1997

Patents

A Bone and/or Dental Cement Composition and Uses Thereof, WO 2009/029049, 5 March 2009, Eugene Khor, Chang Ming Guo, Hong Wu, Lee Yong Lim.

Teaching

Professor Lim is Unit Co-ordinator for the following subjects:
PHCY8605 Clinical Science for Pharmacy I
PHCY8617 Clinical Science for Pharmacy II
PHCY8610 Pharmaceutics
PHCY8614 Pharmacy Research Project
PHCY3301 Therapeutic Product Formulation

She delivers lectures for PHCY8610 Pharmaceutics, PHCY3301 Therapeutic Product Formulation and PHCY8609 Current Developments in Nutrition, Health and Biotechnology, and conducts extemporaneous compounding practical classes for PHCY8610 Pharmaceutics and PHCY8603 Pharmacotherapy and Medication Review.

Current projects

Design and evaluation of calixarenes as carriers for the targeted delivery of anticancer agents
Physical and biological evaluation of curcumin nanoparticles
Development and evaluation of resveratrol nanoparticles for anticancer chemotherapy
Transdermal formulations of tea tree oil for anticancer chemotherapy

RFCD

320501

Research profile

Research profile and publications