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Apr 16 - 30, 2021

RPG Seminar Series (April 2021)

Date: Friday, 16 April 2021

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 1, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Speaker: Miss Wing Lam SO (MPhil candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Cora Sau Wan LAI
Presentation Title: Investigating roles of PRMT8 in structural dendritic spine plasticity
Abstract: As the only member in protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) that acquire brain-specific expression, PRMT8 was identified co-localized with post-synaptic density, which functions tightly with dendritic spine plasticity. Dendritic spines are vital for learning and memory. Studies have suggested several locomotor-/ hyperactive- behavioural phenotypes with the loss of Prmt8, and the contribution of PRMT8 in dendritic arborization and spine maturation in vitro. However, whether PRMT8 may correlate with learning and memory remains elusive. Here, we identified a male-specific auditory-cued-fear-learning deficit in Prmt8tm1a knockout model. Baseline dendritic spine formation/elimination in Prmt8tm1a was normal when compared with wild type. It implies that the loss of Prmt8 do not affect developmental dendritic spine plasticity, and further work is needed to investigate potential contribution of PRMT8 in activity-dependent spine plasticity.

5:30 p.m. 

Speaker: Mr. Lin WANG (PhD candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Julian Alexander TANNER
Presentation Title: Application of DNA nanotechnology on nucleic acid sensing and targeted drug delivery
Abstract: DNA is the molecule that stores genetic information in biological systems. DNA nanotechnology takes this molecule out of its biological function and uses DNA molecules to assemble nanometer-level structural motifs based on Watson-Crick paring. DNA nanostructures allows for tailored modification with numerous chemical and biological entities. Therefore, DNA nanotechnology holds substantial promise for development of diagnostic tools and carriers for targeted drug delivery. Herein, we reported the design and application of a DNA “Tile” nanostructure for nucleic acid sensing and a Da Vinci-inspired DNA “Mazzocchio” for targeted drug delivery. DNA “tile” consists of two subunits, each carrying an inactive catalytic DNAzyme G-quadruplexes. An input DNA sequence triggers self-assembly, allowing the formation of functional G-quadruplex across the extended tile, which could give a florescent signal. DNA “Mazzocchio” is assembled from 16 identical subunits, forming a ring-like structure with two large drug-loading cavity. This nanostructure also shows successful and targeted cell entry.

Date: Friday, 23 April 2021

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 2, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Speaker: Mr. Choi Yiu WONG (MPhil candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Kathryn Song Eng CHEAH
Presentation Title: HOPX – a key regulator for maintaining a healthy intervertebral disc?
Abstract: The nucleus pulposus (NP) is a crucial type of tissue within the core of the intervertebral discs that serves as a cushion for shock absorption and for protection against frictional forces. However, the NP degenerates during aging and often leads to lower back pain. To elucidate possible molecular cues that signify NP degeneration, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed with tissue obtained from human patients, where a candidate gene, HOPX, was identified. Analyses of the expression pattern of HOPX in human and mouse intervertebral discs suggested a decline in HOPX expression as NP cells transform to fibroblastic state during degeneration. 

5:30 p.m. 

Speaker: Miss Yanmin ZHANG (PhD candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Asif JAVED
Presentation Title: Diagnosing rare neuromuscular diseases by combining DNA and RNA sequencing
Abstract: Many children with rare neuromuscular diseases do not receive a reliable molecular and genetic diagnosis. Application of whole exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing and targeted sequencing all together diagnose approximately about 30% of the patients. We propose transcriptome sequencing (RNASeq) as a complementary diagnostic tool for cases which remain unresolved after genome sequencing (DNASeq). This will help overcome limitations of conventional genomic diagnosis by allowing direct estimate of the transcriptomic changes introduced by genomic candidate variants.  Integrating multi-omics empowers us to discover deep intronic mutation, indels, and its alternative splicing effects. More importantly, RNA sequencing has helped us reveal the pathogenic effect of variants of clinical significance which are current annotated as benign or variants of unknown significance. Next step we aim to expand our patient pool and solve more undiagnosed muscular dystrophy patients with the pipelines, interpretation and validation methods developed.

Date: Friday, 30 April 2021

Venue: Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 1, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Speaker: Miss Fangzi ZHA (PhD candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Bo GAO
Presentation Title: The role of deubiquitination in regulating PCP signaling
Abstract: Planar cell polarity (PCP) is an evolutionarily conserved critical mechanism that controls the coordinated alignment of cell polarity across the tissue plane. Disruption of PCP underlies a variety of developmental defects and its aberrant activation has been implicated in cancer malignancy. The PCP signaling pathway is composed of a set of highly conserved core proteins (e.g., Vang/Vangl and Fz/Fzd), which are distributed asymmetrically on the cell surface. The establishment of PCP asymmetry relies on the intracellular and intercellular interactions of these core proteins, and their protein levels need to be tightly controlled and balanced. Ubiquitination is one of major cellular mechanisms by which protein levels can be regulated, and multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases have been found to play important roles in regulating PCP. Here, through CRISPR screening, we identified two deubiquitinases, enzymes catalyzing a reverse process for protein ubiquitination, can modulate Vangl protein levels. In this project, we aim to delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms and investigate their functional significance in PCP signaling.

5:30 p.m. 

Speaker: Ms. Yiyi XUAN (PhD candidate)
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Pengtao LIU
Presentation Title: Genome Edited Porcine Expanded Potential Stem Cells for Xenotransplantation
Abstract: Porcine expanded potential stem cells (pEPSCs) can give rise to 3 germ layers and extra-embryonic lineages, with unlimited proliferation potential. They are derived from pig preimplantation embryos by modulation of signalling pathways. Porcine-to-human xenotransplantation is a promising approach to address worldwide organ shortage. We aim to take advantage of pEPSCs that are robust in culture and permit efficient genome editing, and to generate humanized pigs for xenotransplantation. I successfully knocked out 3 genes that are responsible for xeno-antigen synthesis in hyperacute rejection. After 3 rounds of genome editing, the triple knock out pEPSCs are still genetically stable and retain the potential to differentiate to all cell types examined. These genome-edited pEPSCs will be used for in vitro antigenicity tests and immune phenotyping, and provide a basis for further humanisation at several loci in the pig genome for eventual generation of potential xenotransplantation donors.

All are welcome. 

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Miss Cecilia Chan at 3917 9493 or Miss Cynthia Cheung at 3917 9748.