Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
☑ MPhil/PhD | ☒ MRes[Med] | ☑ URIS |
Neural crest (NC) is a transient population of multipotent progenitor cells in vertebrates, contributing to the formation of various organ systems. Aberrant NC development results in a myriad of birth defects and diseases, such as Hirschsprung (HSCR) disease and congenital septal defects which are attributed to the developmental defects of enteric and cardiac NC, respectively. We utilise an integrated approach with various mouse and pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-cell and -organoid based models, single-cell transcriptomic and epigenetic analyses, to identify the key regulators controlling cell-state transition and for a better understanding of the molecular control underlying various congenital diseases.
Followings are the key research areas:
Professor ESW Ngan, Department of Surgery
Professor Elly Sau-wai Ngan is a professor in the department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine. Her main research interest is to translate the genetic data obtained from patients into biology to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of neural crest associated diseases, with a particular focus on neuroblastoma and Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Her laboratory has established various disease models using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cell- and organoid models and transgenic/knock-out mice to decode the functional impacts of HSCR associated mutations in enteric nervous system development. The recent focus of her group is to develop methods for generation of functional neurons for cell-based therapy.
Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
Laboratory Homepage
ORCID
engan@hku.hk
For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description. Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:
Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.
HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.
HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.
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