Date: 25 November 2022 (Friday)

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 2, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road

5:00 p.m.

Presenter: Miss Shujun FENG, MPhil candidate
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Chengmin QIAN
Presentation Title: Structural and functional understanding of UNG2 interaction with FAM72a
Abstract: Genomic uracils are generally repaired by error-free base excision repair (BER). However, this is not the case during antibody diversification in B cells. Uracils at immunoglobulin loci induced by activation-induced cytidine deaminase are processed in an error-prone fashion to produce high-affinity antibodies for adaptive immune response. Recently FAM72a was identified as a major determinant for mutagenic uracil repair by antagonizing UNG2, the major enzyme to remove uracils during BER. So far, the detailed molecular mechanism by which FAM72a antagonizes UNG2 remains to be determined. We are putting efforts into systematically analyzing the molecular interplay between FAM72a with UNG2, and how exactly the binding of FAM72a regulates UNG2 stability and activity.

5:30 p.m.

Presenter: Miss Yan LI, MPhil candidate
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Mu HE
Presentation Title: Step-wise differentiation of airway organoids from human pluripotent stem cells
Abstract: The respiratory system of air breathing animals represents a major interface between internal organs and the environment. Airway morphogenesis occurs during embryogenesis and generates diverse cell types with distinct physiological functions. After birth, when mammals are transitioned from the amniotic fluid to air breathing, the airway forms a protective mucosal barrier, clears inhaled pathogens, and generates immune responses to harmful signals. Disease modeling remains a challenge in animal models given the complexity of human physiology and structure. Thus, human stem cell-derived 3D organoids are developing and serving as a proxy for human development, tissue regeneration, and disease modeling. Furthermore, different organoids have been adapted for studying the pathology of airway diseases and for anti-viral drug screening. Here we present our study on the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, induced by stage-specific pathway modulations to become lung progenitors. Then they efficiently maturing into multiple cell types, including the airway ciliate cells.

ALL ARE WELCOME

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