Date: 7 December 2023 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Seminar Room 2, G/F, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road

5:00 p.m.

Presenter: Ning CHEN (PhD candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Danny CHAN
Presentation Title: Role of Lgr5+ progenitor cells in tendon maintenance and repair
Abstract: Tendon injuries and tendinopathy is common amongst athletes and elderlies, with adverse effects on quality of life. Novel Lgr5+ ligament progenitor cells have been recently identified in the developing knee joint and Achilles tendon. But their roles and functions in tissue maintenance and repair remain unknown. We proposed that Lgr5+ progenitor cells from embryonic or neonatal mice can be utilized for cell therapy to enhance repair of damaged tendons and ligaments. To test this, we isolated Lgr5-GFP+ cells that also constitutively express td-tomato as a cell lineage tracer from E13.5 knee joint interzones. Transplantation of these cells to a repairing Achilles tendon encapsulated in hydrogel showed it is viable and has a positive contributing factor. A clearer understanding of the molecular signals controlling the lineage progression of these cells in development and healing process will provide insights to the generation of these cells in vitro.

5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Hongkai JIN (MPhil candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Raymond CHANG
Presentation Title: Can the panacea be used to treat mental disorders? Investigating the therapeutic potential of Ganoderma lucidum in treating depression
Abstract: Depression is a highly prevalent neuropsychiatric condition that creates a significant global burden. Some recent antidepressant studies have started to focus on using alternative medicines to replace or complement conventional antidepressant treatments. Ganoderma lucidum a well-known herbal medicine is perceived as a panacea in many Asian cultures. Our study demonstrated that Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids (GLT) can alleviate depression-like behaviors in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress. By using neurogenesis blocking agent temozolomide and synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, we showed that the antidepressant effects were dependent on regulating the HPA axis and independent of neurogenesis enhancement. Further gene expression analysis confirmed that GLT treatment could affect the expression level of genes involved in HPA regulation and neuroinflammation pathways. Our radioimmunoassay data of serum corticosterone concentration further validated the role of GLT in HPA regulation. Our study suggests that Ganoderma lucidum has the potential to be applied in the treatment of depression.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Jerry Siu at 3917 6912.