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Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
| ☑ MPhil/PhD | ☒ MRes[Med] | ☒ URIS |
About the Project
Degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVD), the major connective joint tissues in the vertebral column, is associated with low back pain incidence and severity. Understanding the mechanism of IVD degeneration is key to the control and management of this worldwide disease burden. Sustained proinflammatory stimuli can inhibit normal tissue repair and trigger pathological consequences. IVD degeneration has been linked to an upregulated activity of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the knowledge of these proinflammatory cytokine effects is built on the bulk cell phenotype and the evaluation of selected genes. Its precise impact on cell state and fate of the disc cells remains elusive. Our recent in vivo cell lineage tracing study has indicated that local disc cells may acquire a fibroblast-like state after injury, supporting IVD degeneration involves a process featuring cell dedifferentiation. This project aims to take advantage of the single-cell RNA sequencing to obtain genome-wide transcriptome data from individual cells and delineate the impact of proinflammatory cytokines on disc cell subpopulations. This outcome will facilitate construction of a cell fate profile and lineage hierarchy under the effect of proinflammatory cytokines. The investigation will lead to a more sophisticated way to evaluate the impact of biological stimuli or environmental factors on disc cells, facilitating the development of effective vertebral joint regeneration approaches in future.
About the Supervisor
Dr VYL Leung, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Next Step?
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:
- your CV,
- a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
- 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.
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