- Y837
- +852 3400 8709
- wm.kwok@polyu.edu.hk
ORCID ID
SCOPUS ID
Research IDResearch Overview
Our research focuses on developing ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopic techniques and applying them to investigate the dynamics and structures of photo-generated, short-lived transient species. By doing so, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying key photophysical and photochemical reactions.
1. Ultrafast Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Development
2. DNA Photostability and Photodamage
3. Dynamics and Reactivity of Transient Molecules in Prototype Photochemical Reactions
In summary, our research advances both the methodology and application of ultrafast spectroscopy, offering new perspectives on the mechanisms of photochemical and photophysical processes in biological and material systems.
Research Interests
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong
Professional Qualifications
- Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry
Academic and Professional Experience
- Member, The American Chemical Society (2012 – Present)
Achievements
- Croucher Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (1998)
- Xiong, Q.; Zeng, X.; Law, A. T.; Huang, Y.; Wang, M.; Ma, C.; Kwok, W. M. Origin of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorescence dynamics in solution and DNA minor groove binding: Unveiled by femtosecond broadband fluorescence, transient absorption, and theoretical calculations. J Chem Phys 2025, 163. DOI: 10.1063/5.0282267
- Xiong, Q.; Wang, P.; Ma, C.; Law, A. T.-K.; Wang, M.; Kwok, W. M. Superior Photostability of the Unnatural Base 6-Amino-5-nitropyridin-2-ol: A Case Study Using Ultrafast Broadband Fluorescence, Transient Absorption, and Theoretical Computation. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2024, 15, 11553–11561. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c02751
- Yersin, H.; Czerwieniec, R.; Monkowius, U.; Ramazanov, R.; Valiev, R.; Shafikov, M. Z.; Kwok, W. M.; Ma, C. Intersystem crossing, phosphorescence, and spin-orbit coupling. Two contrasting Cu(I)-TADF dimers investigated by milli- to micro-second phosphorescence, femto-second fluorescence, and theoretical calculations. Coordination Chemistry Reviews 2023, 478, 214975. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214975
- Ma, C.; Chow, J. C.-L.; Wong, A. K.-W.; Xiong, Q.; Chomchoei, J.; Kwok, W. M. Excited-State Charge Transfer, Proton Transfer, and Exciplex Formation Revealed by Ultrafast Time-Resolved Spectroscopy in Human Telomeric Ribonucleic Acid Quadruplex. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2023, 14, 5085–5094. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00806
- Chan, R. C.-T.; Ma, C.; Wong, A. K.-W.; Chan, C. T.-L.; Chow, J. C.-L.; Kwok, W. M. Dual Time-Scale Proton Transfer and High-Energy, Long-Lived Excitons Unveiled by Broadband Ultrafast Time-Resolved Fluorescence in Adenine–Uracil RNA Duplexes. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2022, 13, 302–311. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03553
- Ma, C.; Chan, R. C. T.; Chan, C. T. L.; Wong, A. K. W.; Kwok, W. M. Real-time Monitoring Excitation Dynamics of Human Telomeric Guanine Quadruplexes: Effect of Folding Topology, Metal Cation, and Confinement by Nanocavity Water Pool. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 2019, 10, 7577–7585. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b02932
- Zou, T.; Liu, J.; Lum, C. T.; Ma, C.; Chan, R. C.-T.; Lok, C.-N.; Kwok, W. M.; Che, C.-M. Luminescent Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complex Forms Emissive Intercalating Adducts with Double-Stranded DNA and RNA: Differential Emissions and Anticancer Activities. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2014, 53, 10119–10123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201405384
- Lee, S. H.; Chan, C. T.; Wong, K. M.; Lam, W. H.; Kwok, W. M.; Yam, V. W. Design and synthesis of bipyridine platinum(II) bisalkynyl fullerene donor-chromophore-acceptor triads with ultrafast charge separation. J Am Chem Soc 2014, 136, 10041–10052. DOI: 10.1021/ja5040073
- To, W.-P.; Chan, K. T.; Tong, G. S. M.; Ma, C.; Kwok, W. M.; Guan, X.; Low, K.-H.; Che, C.-M. Strongly Luminescent Gold(III) Complexes with Long-Lived Excited States: High Emission Quantum Yields, Energy Up-Conversion, and Nonlinear Optical Properties. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2013, 52, 6648–6652. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201301149
- Chow, P. K.; Ma, C.; To, W.-P.; Tong, G. S. M.; Lai, S.-L.; Kui, S. C. F.; Kwok, W. M.; Che, C.-M. Strongly Phosphorescent Palladium(II) Complexes of Tetradentate Ligands with Mixed Oxygen, Carbon, and Nitrogen Donor Atoms: Photophysics, Photochemistry, and Applications. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2013, 52, 11775–11779. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201305590
- Chung, P.Y.; Chui, C.H.; Tang, J.C.O.; Kwok, W.M.; Lam, K.H.‘Recent Advances in the Research of Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives as Bioactive Molecules: Anticancer and Sensing Agents’ in Advances in Chemistry Research, Taylor, J.C. ed., Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2019, vol.47, pp.93-132.
- Phillips, D.L.; Kwok, W.M.; Ma, C.‘An introduction to time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy and its application to reactive intermediates’ in Reviews of Reactive Intermediate Chemistry, Platz, M.S.; Moss, R.A.; Jones Jr., M. ed., John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2007, pp.123-182.
- Towrie, M.; Grills, D.C.; Dyer, J.; Weinstein, J.A.; Matousek, P.; Barton, R.; Bailey, P.D.; Subramaniam, N.; Kwok, W.M.; Ma, C.; Phillips, D.; Parker, A.W.; George, M.W. ‘Development of a broadband picosecond infrared spectrometer and its incorporation into an existing ultrafast time-resolved resonance raman, UV/visible, and fluorescence spectroscopic apparatus’ in The Life and Scientific Legacy of George Porter, Phillips, D.; Barber, J. ed., Imperial College Press: London, 2006, pp.454-467.
