Research Projects
Characterising the immune response to influenza neuraminidase protein


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☑ MRes[Med] ☑ URIS

The neuraminidase (NA) protein is the second most abundant glycoprotein on the surface of the influenza virus. Due to its broad reactivity and its role as an independent correlate of protection, NA have become a candidate for universal influenza vaccine design. However, there is a paucity of population immunity data to this protein, the extent of its cross-reactivity and its role in protection against emerging influenza viruses of concern. The objective of this study is to investigate the extent of humeral immunity that is present in the human population to influenza neuraminidase (NA) proteins of human and animal origin.

Professor SS Wong, School of Public Health

My laboratory’s research interest is focused on understanding the immunological and virological determinants of robust antibody responses after respiratory virus infection and vaccination at a population as well as at the individual level. In collaboration with other investigators, we study the immunological principles that govern antibody recall of rapidly evolving and antigenically-variable viruses using clinical or human cohort samples, or in animal models. This research area is critical to our understanding of respiratory viruses’ vaccine efficacy and pathogenesis and how that affects the population’s susceptibility to these viruses."

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
ORCID
sooksan@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:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

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. 

Research @ School of Public Health