The Developmental and Regenerative Biology (DRB) Thematic Research Program covers four specific, but complimentary, research areas listed below. Members are interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of how embryos, tissues and stem cells are formed, develop, function and degenerate. Also how factors such as signalling molecules, hormones, growth factors and cytokines control these important processes. Outcome of these researches will help how we understand what is needed to recreate tissue and organs, including new drugs that could be used in regenerative medicine.
Reproductive Biology
- Functional genomics and epigenetics in germ cell and gonad development
- Role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in health and disease
- Delineating molecular mechanisms underlying germ cell ageing
Developmental Biology
- Using mouse, Xenopus and zebrafish embryos as models to elucidate fundamental development processes
- Foetal development in health and disease: genetics, genomics and the development of biomarkers
Endocrinology
- Hormone action and signal transduction
- Pancreatic physiology and diabetes
- Endocrine disorders : molecular biology and treatment by stem cells and therapeutic agents
- Intracellular protein trafficking and hypothalamic/pituitary hormone secretion
Stem Cells and Regenerative biology
- Investigating fundamental biological and mechanical factors that regulate stem cell proliferation, differentiation and developmental fate
- Use of stem cells and 3D scaffold-printing to generate tissues and organs for regeneration such bone fracture healing, cardiovascular and neural tissue repair etc.
- Reprograming normal and genetically abnormal somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) and using them as models to study human diseases and developmental processes
- Germline stem cell transdifferentiation for tissue regeneration
Enquiry for research matters, please contact us at sbs.research@cuhk.edu.hk
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