1995 - 1997

Diploma, Chemical Technology, Sha Tin Technical Institute, Hong Kong

1997 - 1999

Higher Diploma, Environmental Technology, Technical College, Hong Kong

2000 - 2003

BSc (Hons.), Biochemistry, University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong

2006 - 2008

MSc, Biochemical & Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University, Hong Kong

1997

Diploma, Chemical Technology, The City & Guild of London Institution, London UK

Final Year Project of HKUST - Determination of Protein-Protein Interactions of Novel Protein Emi1 by Yeast Two-Hybrid System

A novel protein Emi1 was first discovered in May 2001. It has an important role as a mitotic inhibitor. Emi1 inhibits the anaphase-promoting complex/ cyclosome (APC) during S and G2 phase, and regulates M phase entry. Also, it is required for cytostatic factor arrest in vertebrate eggs. Since only few proteins, such as Cdh1 and Cdc20, were found to interact with Emi1, I have examined the protein-protein interactions between Emi1 and cDNA library by the yeast two-hybrid system.

The yeast two hybrid system is one of the most useful techniques for identifying and cloning genes for proteins that interact with a protein of interest. The DNA binding domain and GAL4 activation domain are fused to Emi1 and the proteins encoded by cDNA library respectively. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, I have identified two candidate proteins that interacted with Emi1

MSc Project of CUHK - MicroRNA: Future Cancer Therapeutics

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a ~20 nucleotides non-coding RNA which binds to mRNA and regulates the gene expression by specific cleavage of the mRNA. The first miRNA, lin-4, was discovered in 1993 which controlled the developmental process in C. elegans by post-transcriptional regulation of the gene lin-14. Seven years later, another miRNA, let-7, was found in many species which can down-regulate Ras protein to promote cell proliferation. Researchers also found that miRNAs exist not only in animals, even plants and viruses. Nowadays, there has been already 475 miRNAs discovered in human.

MiRNAs play an important role in the regulation of carcinogenesis, and can function as either a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene. Molecular biologists give a term to the miRNAs that regulate carcinogenesis such as cell proliferation and differentiation as “oncomirs”. Some miRNAs were proofed to repress the expression of important cancer-related genes, to activate the apoptosis of cancer cells and to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for suppression of angiogenesis in cancer growth in vivo. Clinical trials of few siRNA-based drugs are being processed to get more valuable information about their safety and efficacy. At the same time, scientists also currently modify the half-lives and efficiency of miRNAs. Although all miRNA-based drugs are still currently undergone in vitro experiments and animal testing, it is believed that in the future they will be developed into a highly effective therapeutics for cancer.

Cheng L, Gu XM, Sanderson JE, Wang XS, Lee KM, Yao XS, Liu HW, Cheung LWH, Li M. 2006 Jun. A New Function of a Previously Isolated Compound that Stimulates Activation and Differentiation of Myogenic Precrsor Cells Leading to Efficient Myofiber Regeneration and Muscle Repair. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

Cheung LWH, Cheng L, Liu HW, Gu XM, Li M. 2006 Nov. The Dual Actions of Angiogenesis and Anti-Apoptosis Induced by an Isolated Compound from Geum Japonicum Repair Muscle Ischemia. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Gu XM, Cheng L, Cheung LWH, Yao XS, Liu HW, Qi GQ, Li M. 2006 Dec. Neovascularization of Ischemic Myocardium by Newly Isolated Tannins Prevents Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Improves Cardiac Function. Molecular Medicine.

Gu XM, Cheng L, Cheung WL, Sanderson JE, Li M. 2006 Aug. The Possible Involvement of CAP-50 and H-FABP in the Process of Gain and Loss of Division Ability in Developing Cardiac Myocytes. The 20th Annual Symposium of The Protein Society, San Diego, California. Poster Presentation.

Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application No. PCT/IB2005/003191
Methods of Stimulating Growth of Functional Blood Vessels and/or Regeneration of Myocardium in Damaged Tissues

Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application No. PCT/IB2005/003202
Methods of Stimulating Growth of Functional Blood Vessels and/or Regeneration of Myocardium in Damaged Tissues