School of Biomedical Sciences cordially invites you to join the following seminar:

Speaker: Dr. Shaina Huang, Francis Crick Institute
Talk Title: Branched actin networks in innate immune cells mediate immune homeostasis

Date: 3 March 2025 (Monday)
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 2, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Host: Professor Michael Huen

Biography

Shaina was born and raised in Hong Kong and is an alumna of St. Stephen’s Girls’ College and the University of Hong Kong. She obtained a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences before completing an MPhil in Cancer Biology in Professor George Tsao’s lab, where she investigated Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma using humanized mouse models.

She joined Professor Michael Way’s lab at the Francis Crick Institute as a doctoral student and recently earned her PhD in Immune Cell Biology from University College London. His lab specializes in studying the actin cytoskeleton and has developed a growing interest in exploring the physiological roles of Arp2/3 isoforms. In her research, Shaina uncovered the essential role of ArpC5 in maintaining immune homeostasis. Beyond the lab, she is also a public engagement volunteer at the Crick, where she organized outreach events and tutored A-level students.

Abstract

Arp2/3 is a seven-subunit complex essential for branched actin networks. In mammals, three of the seven subunits exist as two isoforms: Arp3/3B, ArpC1A/1B, and ArpC5/5L. Pathogenic ARPC5 variants cause severe immunological dysfunctions, including intestinal and systemic inflammations, leading to early mortality in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study used hematopoietic-specific ArpC5-knockout mice to model immune system defects. Similar to human patients, mice lacking ArpC5 in the hematopoietic system develop multiple inflammatory phenotypes. Further analysis revealed that ArpC5 is crucial for innate immune cell functions and highlighted ArpC5’s isoform-specific role in maintaining immune homeostasis.

ALL ARE WELCOME.