Research Projects
The role histone chaperone FACT plays in maintaining the “onco-histones” in the cancer genome


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

FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) contributes to the nucleosome reorganization during transcription. In particular, FACT is over-expressed in multiple cancer types and has been observed with the inactivation of the tumor suppressor protein P53. Onco-histones (histone mutations, variations and modifications) were reported to be present and de-stabilize the nucleosomes in cancer, leading to easier DNA access to transcription. However, whether FACT has a preference for onco-histones, what onco-histones FACT prefers, and how FACT regulates transcription in cancer cells are to be elucidated. The goal of this project is to decipher how FACT promotes transcription in cancer cells and the potential cancer therapies.

Dr Y Liu, School of Biomedical Sciences

LIU lab explores how epigenetic variations are incorporated and maintained in the genome, how epigenetic markers on histones are regulated by histone chaperones and chromatin remodelers in diseases, and how viral proteins affect the host chromatin structures and dynamics.

Biography
ORCID
yangliu9@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 Biomedical Sciences