Date: Wednesday, 29 September 2021

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 1, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Speaker:  Dr. Simon Chi-Chin SHIU (Post-doctoral Fellow)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Julian TANNER
Presentation Title: Da-Vinci inspired DNA polyhedra for next generation drug delivery
Abstract: There is always concern about safety and cost-effectiveness of drug delivery vehicles. DNA as a biocompatible material is the best option but it has not been widely employed. The issue is mainly around the complexity of structural designs. With inspiration from da-Vinci’s designs of solid edge polyhedra, we have developed a facet-based method in using single-stranded DNAs to recreate the different shapes. By reducing at least ten times the amount of DNA, we can create three-dimensional nanostructures with size that is comparable to DNA origami. In addition to recent data showing the importance of sharpness for cell entry, we have used DNA to design a mazzocchio, two platonic solids and four Kepler-Poinsot polyhedra. The success in designs will be a foundation for subsequent decoration with cell-targeting DNA aptamer and clinical trials for therapeutics that build on an ancient knowledge of elegant geometry.

5:30 p.m. 

Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Lap Kei WU (Post-doctoral Fellow)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Ying Shing CHAN
Presentation Title: Serotonergic control of vestibular neuron maturation and sensorimotor coordination
Abstract: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is well known for its role in mood control. Elevated 5-HT levels in patients treated with antidepressants can alleviate depression but impairs motor coordination. 5-HT dosing to medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons in mature circuits of rats recapitulated such motor deficits. Given that at least 4 distinct subtypes of serotonin receptors with different neuromodulatory and plasticity effects are found in the MVN, we used a combination of pharmacological, chemogenetic, and electrophysiological tools to show 5-HT₁ receptors responsible for the observed deficits. Interestingly, 5-HT exposure to the developing MVN acted through 5-HT₂ receptors to increase excitability of MVN neurons. Such treatment advanced emergence of graviceptive righting reflexes. Among excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmissions within the MVN, only enhancement of GABAergic transmission produced such advancement. Apart from modulating reflexive behaviour, 5-HT dosing facilitated the plasticity in MVN circuits for navigation. Future work will focus on delineating the role of specific 5-HT receptors in goal-directed behavior such as spatial learning.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Miss River Wong at 3917 9216.