Date: 25 January 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 1, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road

5:00 p.m.

Presenter: Anqi XU (MPhil candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Jiandong HUANG
Presentation Title: 3D spatial pattern formation in Caco-2 cysts
Abstract: Pattern formation is a fundamental biological process where an initially uniform or random state undergoes transformations to produce spatially ordered structures. By employing synthetic biology techniques, novel gene networks can be integrated into multicellular systems to create patterns, thereby enriching our understanding of natural developmental processes. The 3D culture of Caco-2 cells, a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, forms single-layered cystic organoid structures with lumens through self-organization, serving as an ideal model for 3D spatial patterning studies. Cells are precisely arranged on the Caco-2 cyst surface, enabling the introduction of cell-cell contact for cell differentiation and facilitating morphological changes through cell movement and attachment. This research aims to induce differentiation and morphological changes in Caco-2 cysts using genetic circuits, achieving mammalian 3D spatial patterning and potentially generating more complex structures.

5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Tin Long YUEN (MPhil candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Dong-Yan JIN
Presentation Title: Sars-cov-2 orb9b triggers the inflammasome pathway to release IL-1b contributing to the cytokine storm
Abstract: Sars-cov-2 is the virus that caused the worldwide pandemic covid19, and one of the main causes of death was highlighted to be the cytokine storm. Many studies have elucidated that the orf9b protein interacts with mitochondrial proteins and localizes there, and we have evidence that this property could be related to inflammasome activation; an innate immune pathway.

In our experimentation, overexpression of orf9b triggers the release of IL1b in an NLRP3 inflammasome reconstitution assay. IL1b is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that further enhances immunity activation, making it a good candidate for a contributor of the early phase of the cytokine storm. Even though IL1b is only one small part of cytokine storm, if we can understand more about the different causes and progression of cytokine storm, we could combat it at different stages and lower covid19’s mortality rate.

ALL ARE WELCOME

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