Research Projects
Deciphering the Signalling Mechanism of the Wnt/PCP Pathway


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

Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signalling is a critical mechanism that conveys directional information to orchestrate polarized cell behaviours in a broad range of morphogenic and physiological processes. Disruption or aberrant activation of Wnt/PCP signalling underlies a variety of developmental defects and cancer malignancy. However, in contrast to the well-understood canonical branch of Wnt signalling (Wnt/ß-catenin signalling), the signalling mechanism of Wnt/PCP pathway remains largely elusive, which severely hampers our capacity to manipulate it therapeutically. We use molecular, biochemical, cellular and genetic approaches to investigate signalling mechanisms of Wnt/PCP pathway and their functions in normal developmental processes and human diseases.

Example projects in near future:

  1. identify Wnt/PCP-specific signalling events by employing advanced proteomic approaches to characterize the dynamic interactome of core PCP proteins in response to Wnt ligands
  2. investigate how core PCP asymmetry is established by using genetically engineered mouse models for proteomic and phenotypic analysis

Dr B Gao, School of Biomedical Sciences

Biography
gaobo@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