Date: Friday, 18 February 2022

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Via Zoom: https://hku.zoom.us/j/96910756473?pwd=Q3NiT1l3NG1yVlJTKytCcFZZdUY2Zz09 

Meeting ID: 969 1075 6473

Password: 937646

5:00 p.m.

Presenter: Mr. Md Shakhawat HOSEN, PhD candidate
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Zhongjun ZHOU
Presentation Title: Identification of function of secreted protein Isthmin-1 in murine hematopoiesis
Abstract: Hematopoiesis is the blood cells formation process in bone marrow that involves self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) towards the downstream progenitor cells. Multiple signaling molecules including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteins are involved in hematopoiesis as crucial regulators in hematopoietic differentiation and thus possess significant clinical application in stimulating hematopoiesis in the patients with neutropenia and other hematological diseases. Isthmin-1 is a secreted protein with many faces in terms of its involvement in numerous biological processes. However, even though multiple biological processes are closely linked with hematopoiesis, till now the clear function of Isthmin-1 in hematopoiesis is enigmatic yet. In our lab, we have observed defective hematopoiesis in Ism1 knockout mice. Our study aims at identifying the function of Isthmin-1 in hematopoiesis by using Ism1 knockout and transgenic mice.

5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Mr. Mohammad Farhad HOSSAIN, PhD candidate
Primary Supervisor: Dr. You-qiang SONG
Presentation Title: Understanding the role of small activating RNA targeting C/EBP-α in Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most frequent neurodegenerative disorders in elderly which is mainly caused due to excessive and/or abnormal accumulation of Aβ and tau hyperphosphorylation resulting in memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and neuronal death. To date, there is no effective treatment or specific remedy for AD. The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and cell cycle control. However, the dysregulation of C/EBP-α is associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases including AD. Our lab has already found that the expression of C/EBP-α is decreased in both AD cellular model and 5xFAD mice model. The newly developed double stranded RNA, small activating RNA (saRNA) can upregulate the C/EBP-α expression. As C/EBP-α is downregulated in AD model, we will target upregulation of C/EBPα through administrating saRNA. Our in vitro study reveals that saRNA upregulates C/EBP-α expression in AD cell model and we will test in AD mice model in future.

ALL ARE WELCOME

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