• Neural plasticity: Circuitry development & rewiring after injury

Professor Ying-Shing Chan graduated from The University of Hong Kong and received his postdoctoral training at the University of Pisa, Italy, and The Rockefeller University, USA. He is currently Dexter H C Man Family Professor in Medical Science, Associate Dean of Medicine, Associate Director (Infrastructure) of School of Biomedical Sciences, Director of Neuroscience Research Centre, and Co-Convenor of the Strategic Research Theme on Neuroscience of The University of Hong Kong. He also served as the Senior Advisor of the Dean of Medicine, Associate Dean (Research), Associate Dean (Academic Networking and Student Affairs), and Head of Department of Physiology of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. Professor Chan is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. He is the recipient of the First Medallion of the Australian Neuroscience Society. He also received the Outstanding Researcher Award of The University of Hong Kong. He has a long record of commitment to education and was awarded the Medical Faculty Teaching Medal and Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award. He served as President of Hong Kong Society of Neurosciences, Chair of International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) Asian/Pacific Regional Committee, and President of Federation of Asian-Oceania Neuroscience Societies (FAONS). He is currently Vice-President of The Chinese Association for Physiological Sciences and Secretary of the Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry. He is the Editor-in-Chief for IBRO Reports and Associate Editor for European Journal of Neuroscience and Neuroscience Research. Professor Chan’s research interests include synaptic mechanisms underlying plastic modification of neural networks for spatial learning as well as the exploitation of pluripotent stem cell-derived glial cells and neurons in the assembly of functional neural circuits.

Neural plasticity: Circuitry development & rewiring after injury

To find the cellular and molecular regulators of plasticity in sensorimotor circuits, our studies focus on the sensitive period in postnatal development. We used novel pharmacological and genetic approaches to manipulate the sensorimotor system and monitor for cellular and molecular changes that effect behavioral outcomes.

We have revealed a postnatal period critical to the modification of vestibular circuits responsible for spatial navigation. We found that excitatory-inhibitory balance within these circuits tunes synaptic plasticity for cognitive functions. We identified neuromodulators that induce or reset experience-dependent synaptic plasticity in acquisition of spatial navigation.

With the use of animal models of neural injury, we found mechanisms to harness glial reactions in facilitating neuroregeneration. We also exploited human bone marrow stromal cells and pluripotent stem cells to derive glial cells and neurons in the assembly of functional neuronal networks, providing therapeutic benefits for post-traumatic regeneration of peripheral and central nerves.

1. Cai S., Tsui Y.P., Tam K.W., Shea G.K., Chang R.S., Ao Q., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2017) Directed differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells to fate-committed Schwann cells.  Stem Cell Reports (in press).
2. Li Y.H., Han L., Wu K.L., Chan Y.S. (2017) Activation of 5-HT₇ receptors reverses NMDA receptor-dependent LTD by activating PKA at medial vestibular neurons.  Neuropharmacology, 123: 242-248.
3. Lai C.H., Ma C.W., Lai S.K., Han L., Wong H.M., Yeung K.W., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2016) Maturation of glutamatergic transmission in the vestibulo-olivary pathway impacts on the registration of head rotational signals in the brainstem of rats.  Brain Structure & Function 221: 217-238.
4. Li C., Han L., Ma C.W., Lai S.K., Lai C.H., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2013) Maturation profile of inferior olivary neurons expressing ionotropic glutamate receptors: Role in coding linear accelerations.  Brain Structure & Function 218: 833-850.
5. Ma C.W., Zhang F.X., Lai C.H., Lai S.K., Yung K.K., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2013) Postnatal expression of TrkB receptors in rat vestibular nuclear neurons responsive to horizontal and vertical linear acceleration. J. Comparative Neurology 521: 612-625.
6. Ao Q., Fung C.K., Tsui A.Y., Cai S., Zuo H.C., Chan Y.S., Shum D.K. (2011) The regeneration of transected sciatic nerves of adult rats using chitosan nerve conduits seeded with bone marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells.  Biomaterials 32: 787-796. 
7. Lai C.H., Yiu C., Lai S.K., Ng K.P., Yung K.K., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2010) Maturation of canal-related brainstem neurons in the detection of horizontal angular acceleration in rats.  J. Comparative Neurology 518: 1742-1763.
8. Tse Y.C., Lai C.H., Lai S.K., Liu J.X., Yung K.K., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S. (2008) Developmental expression of NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits in vestibular nuclear neurons that encode gravity-related horizontal orientations.  J. Comparative Neurology 508: 343-364.
9. Guo Y.P., Sun X., Li C., Wang N.Q., Chan Y.S., He J. (2007) c-fos expression in the auditory thalamus is triggered by corticofugal projections.  Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences USA 104: 11802-11807.
10. Lai S.K., Lai C.H., Yung K.K., Shum D.K., Chan Y.S.  (2006) Maturation of otolith-related brainstem neurons in the detection of vertical linear acceleration in rats.  European J. Neuroscience 23: 2431-2446.

• GRF project: Selective recruitment of inhibitory interneurons to vestibular microcircuits for distinct behavior
• GRF project: Integration of new neurons into the mature vestibular circuitry requires GABAergic signaling for relevant outcome in behavior 
• GRF project: Serotonin-induced bidirectional modulation of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity tunes vestibular functions
• GRF project: Long-term depression of inhibitory responses is  critical to the maturation of the vestibular circuitry
• GRF project: Vestibular nuclear signals regulate the postnatal development of a thalamic network for spatial navigation
• GRF project: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor regulates plasticity in the vestibular system
• NSFC/RGC project: Orexin-induced modulation of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity is critical for the maturation of vestibular circuitry and functions
• CRF project: Neuronal mechanism of cholecystokinin-facilitated cross-modal learning and memory  
• SK Yee Medical Research Fund: Neural crest-derived cells: Role in functional repair of the nervous system

• Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award, The University of Hong Kong (2010)
• First Medallion of Australian Neuroscience Society (2008)
• First Teaching Medal of the Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (2001)
• Outstanding Researcher Award, The University of Hong Kong (1998)