Date: Friday, 21 January 2022

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Via Zoom: https://hku.zoom.us/j/94981767408?pwd=VDBIdnAxM1pFNDMxZjJFemxZWTFoUT09  

Meeting ID: 949 8176 7408

Password: 226992

5:00 p.m.

Presenter: Miss Xinyi LIN, PhD candidate
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Joshua Wing Kei HO
Presentation Title: Differential composition analysis of single-cell data
Abstract: Single cell profiling technology such as single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) enables high throughput discovery and characterization of diverse cell types or cell states in a population of cells. It remains challenging to effectively detect differential compositions of cell types when comparing samples coming from different conditions or along with continuous covariates, partly due to the small number of replicates and high uncertainty of cell clustering. Here, we introduce a new statistical model, DCATS, for differential composition analysis in single cells in a framework of beta-binomial regression. It utilizes a confusion matrix to derive the latent true cell type composition and allows us to regress out the influence of confounding covariates except for the condition factor. Through multiple simulated and experimental data sets, we demonstrate the high effectiveness of DCATS in identifying variable cell types in various experiment designs.

5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Miss Zheyi CHEN, PhD candidate
Primary Supervisor: Dr. You-qiang SONG
Presentation Title: Investigation of the therapeutic values of several flavone phytochemicals in Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract: AD is characterized by age-related progressive degeneration in memory and orientation performance when alive, and wide-spread fibrils (Tau) and plagues (Aβ) in the cerebral cortex region in post-mortem anatomy. Beside the traditional biomarkers, AD patients present elevated cell cycle related proteins which may result from the requirement of renovation in the central nervous system. In the Brain paper published last year, we reported a cdk4-pRb-E2F1-Pax6/ c-Myb-Gsk3β-Tau pathway, and flavopiridol treatment could improve cortical neurons’ survival rate after Aβ insult. This result is important in terms of the connection between the two hall marks of AD. One aspect of my study is to verify the therapeutic value of this drug in animal model. Another phytochemical we focus on is apigenin (API). It has the similar biological effect as flavopiridol. We will test if it affects the similar pathway as flavopiridol in cell lines and extrapolate the result to animal model later.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Miss Cynthia Cheung at 3917 9748.