Dr. Kong Chong studies the role of host factors in chronic diseases. Current projects include both basic science and translational research on several debilitating conditions that are associated with persistent microbial infection. One such research area focuses on human papillomavirus induced host defense mechanism in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis - a condition in which excessive growth of laryngeal papillomas can lead to acute life-threatening obstruction of the airway.

Another area of interest is airway mucosal defense to invading microbes. Dr. Chong studies innate mucosal defense mediators such as defensin expression induced by respiratory viruses including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. Sinonasal infection can predispose the host to the development of chronic sinusitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the nose and sinus cavity. The condition is associated with significant morbidity and affects an estimated 37 million people in the United States.

For the investigation of immune and inflammatory mediators, Dr. Chong's laboratory employs techniques such as cell culture, animal models, immunohistochemistry, cell and molecular biology.

Figure.
Laryngeal papillomas. Immunostained for β-Defensins-2 (green) and β-defensin-1 (red). A merged picture was shown in (D). http://www.virologyj.com/content/3/1/75.