Research Interests:

Every cell must replicate and segregate their genome faithfully during each cell cycle. Errors in chromosome segregation during mitosis or meiosis can result in chromosome gain or loss (aneuploidy) and chromosome instability (CIN), which may lead to cancer progression, spontaneous abortion or birth defects, such as Down syndrome. Understanding the cellular mechanisms that ensure accurate chromosome segregation is fundamentally important and medically relevant. The underlying mechanism can also be applied to the development of artificial chromosome technology for gene therapy purpose.

 

Centromere Establishment and Propagation

Centromere is the specialized chromatin domain for directing chromosome segregation. At entry into mitosis, a multi-protein complex, called the kinetochore, assembles on the centromere of each sister chromatid to mediate attachment to the mitotic spindle for chromosome movement. Centromeric DNA sequences and sizes vary dramatically among eukaryotes, from 125b in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae to megabases of satellite repeats in vertebrates, and to a diffuse centromere (holocentromere) along the length of the chromosome in the nematode C. elegans, some insects and plants. Yet, kinetochore proteins and architecture are highly conserved. Importantly, all active centromeres contain a histone H3 variant, CENP-A / CenH3, which replaces H3 in centromeric nucleosomes. CENP-A is proposed to serve as an epigenetic mark for centromere identity, in addition to acting as a foundation for assembly of the kinetochore. Occasionally, neocentromeres can form on non-centromeric DNA sequence, and introduction of naked centromeric sequences into cells can form stably propagating artificial chromosomes at very low frequencies. However, how the CENP-A centromeric domain is first established and how it is maintained through generations and mitotic cell cycles is not well understood.

Fig 1 C. elegans, a soil nematode. ~1mm in length

Fig 2 DNA Kinetochore Microtubules. A 1-cell embryo in anaphase of mitosis

Fig 3 Extra-chromosomal array forms de novo centromere and autonomously segregation in mitosisUsing C. elegans as a model, we combine molecular biology, genetics, live cell imaging, biochemistry, genomics and proteomics to study the mechanisms of centromere establishment and propagation. We found that in C. elegans, injection of naked DNA devoid of any C. elegans genomic sequence can result in formation of autonomously segregating extra-chromosomal arrays containing de novo centromeres at high frequencies. Understanding what factors determine centromere formation will advance the engineering of artificial chromosomes for stable delivery of therapeutic genetic information.


Chromosome Instability (CIN) in Cancers

Chromosome instability (CIN) and aneuploidy are hallmarks of many solid cancers, and CIN has been proposed to drive tumor progression and heterogeneity. An increased rate of chromosome missegregation has been suggested as a cause of CIN. Overexpression of CENP-A and other kinetochore proteins have also been observed in cancer cells, causing ectopic kinetochore formation and chromosome missegregation.

To systematically determine the genetic basis of CIN, we have developed chromosome stability assays in model organisms. Most basic cellular mechanisms, such as cell cycle regulation and chromosome segregation, and the genes functioning in these pathways are well conserved throughout eukaryotes. The budding/brewer yeast S. cerevisiae is a single-cell eukaryotic organism with ~6,600 genes. Using a systems biology and functional genomics approach in the budding yeast, we can identify and characterize genes important for maintaining genome integrity, including genes involved in kinetochore function, sister chromatid cohesion, mitotic spindle assembly, DNA repair, DNA replication, chromatin assembly, etc. Understanding the genetic and phenotypic differences between CIN tumor cells and normal cells will facilitate the development of cancer therapies that specifically selects against CIN cells. Taking advantage of the ease in genetic manipulation and the rapid, robust cell cycle in yeast, we can also develop assays to screen for CIN cell-selective drugs.

Fig 4 Budding yeast S. cerevisiae

Fig 5 Yeast Gene Deletion Library

Fig 6 Red-white sectoring yeast colonies, indicative of freguenty chromosome loss

Publications:

(* These authors contributed equally to the work)
(^ Corresponding author)

Research articles:

  • Wong YYC, Wang Y, Tsui EHL and Yuen KWY^. Argonaute protein CSR-1 restricts localization of holocentromere protein HCP-3, the C. elegans CENP-A homolog. Journal of Cell Science, 2024. 137 (18): jcs261895 https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.261895
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Wang Y^, Wong YYC, and Yuen KWY^. Aurora B/AIR-2 is required for sister centromere resolution and centromere protein deposition. Journal of Molecular Cell Biology. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmcb/mjae045 .
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Jiang L, Wang X, Zhang D, Yuen KWY^ and Tse YC^. RSU-1 regulates the integrity of dense bodies in muscle cells of aging Caenorhabditis elegans. iScience. 2024. 27(6):109854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.109854.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Lin Z, Xie Y, Nong W, Ren X, Li R, Zhao Z, Hui JH and Yuen KWY^. Formation of artificial chromosomes in Caenorhabditis elegans and analyses of their segregation in mitosis, DNA sequence composition and holocentromere organization. Nucleic Acids Research. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkab690.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Lin Z and Yuen KWY^. RbAp46/48LIN-53 and HAT-1 are required for initial CENP-AHCP-3 deposition and de novo centromere formation in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Nucleic Acids Research. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkab217.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Lin Z and Yuen KWY^. Construction and analysis of worm artificial chromosomes with de novo holocentromeres in Caenorhabditis elegans. Essays in Biochemistry. 2020, 64 (2): 233–249.
    Pubmed Abstract

  • Ling YH*, Lin Z and Yuen KWY^. Genetic and epigenetic effects on centromere establishment. Chromosoma. 2020, 129, 1-24.
    Pubmed Abstract

  • Iannucci A, Cannicci S^, Lin Z, Yuen KWY, Ciofi C, Stanyon R and Fratini S. Cytogenetic of Decapoda Brachyura: testing technical aspects for obtaining metaphase chromosomes in six mangrove crab species. Caryologia. 2020, 73(2):39-49.
    Full Text

  • Wong, CYY, Ling, YH., Mak, JKH, Zhu, J and Yuen KWY^. Lessons from the extremes: Epigenetic and genetic regulation in point monocentromere and holocentromere establishment on artificial chromosomes. Experimental cell research. 2020, 390, 111974.
    Pubmed Abstract

  • Wong, CYY, Lee, BCH and Yuen KWY^. Epigenetic regulation of centromere function. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 2020, 77, 2899-2917.
    Pubmed Abstract

  • Bao X, Liu Z, Zhang W, Gladysz K, Fung YME, Tian G, Xiong Y, Wong JWH, Yuen KWY^ and Li XD^. Glutarylation of Histone H4 Lysine 91 Regulates Chromatin Dynamics. Molecular Cell. 2019 Nov 21;76(4):660-675.e9.
    Pubmed Abstract

  • Ling YH and Yuen KWY^. Point centromere activity requires an optimal level of centromeric non-coding RNA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2019. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1821384116
    Full Text

  • Zhu J*, Cheng K* and Yuen KWY^. Histone acetylation Facilitates Centromere Establishment on Artificial Chromosomes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Epigenetics and Chromatin. 2018. 16:11. doi.org/10.1186/s13072-018-0185-1
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Zhang W, Yeung CHL, Wu L and Yuen KWY^. Bre1 is Required for Sister Chromatid Cohesion Establishment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. eLife. 2017. 6. pii: e28231. doi: 10.7554/eLife.28231.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Fung RSK, Jin B, He M, Yuen KWY and Wong AOL^. Grass Carp Follisatin: Molecular cloning, Functional characterization, Dopamine D1 regulation at Pituitary level, and implication in growth hormone regulation. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2017. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00211
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Fung RSK, Bai J, Yuen KWY, Wong AOL^. Activin/follistatin system in grass carp pituitary cells: - Regulation by local release of growth hormone and luteinizing hormone and its functional role in growth hormone synthesis and secretion. PLoS One. 2017. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179789.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Lai K, Li J, Chan C, Chan T, Yuen K, Chiu J. Transcriptiomic alterations in Daphnia magna embryos from mothers exposed to hypoxia. Aquatic Toxicology. 2016. 177:454-463.
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Lee B.C.H., Lin Z and Yuen K.W.Y.^. RbAp46/48LIN-53 is Required for Holocentromere Assembly in Caenorhabditis elegans. Cell Reports. 2016. 14:1819-1828. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.065
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
    Cell Reports Facebook Highlight

  • Han X.B., Yuen K.W.Y. and Wu S.S. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers affect the reproduction and development, and alter the sex ratio of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environmental Pollution. 2013. 182:120-6. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.06.045
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Gassmann R*, Rechtsteiner A*, Yuen K*, Muroyama A, Monen J, Barron F, Maddox P, Monen J, Egelhofer T, Ercan S, Oegema K, Lieb J, Strome S, and Desai A. An Inverse Relationship to Germline Transcription Defines the C. elegans Holocentromere in Progeny. Nature. 2012. 484(7395):534-7. doi:10.1038/nature10973
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
    F1000 Prime Article Recommendation

  • Yuen K, Nabesima K, Oegema K, and Desai A. Rapid De Novo Centromere Formation Occurs Independently of Heterochromatin Protein 1 in C. elegans Embryos. Current Biology. 2011. 21(21):1800-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.09.016
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Ben-Aryoa S, Agmon N, Yuen K, Kwok T, McManus K, Kupiec M, and Hieter P. Proteasome Nuclear Activity Affects Chromosome Stability by Controlling the Turnover of DNA Repair Proteins. PLoS Genetics. 2010. 6(2):e1000852. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1000852
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
  • Barber T*, McManus K*, Yuen K*, Reis M, Parmigiani G, Shen D, Barrett I, Nouhi Y, Spencer F, Markowitz S, Velculescu V, Kinzler K, Vogelstein B, Lengauer C, and Hieter P. Chromatid Cohesion Defects may Underlie Chromosome Instability in Human Colorectal Cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008. 105(9):3443-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0712384105
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
  • Yuen K*, Warren C*, Chen O, Kwok T, Hieter P, and Spencer F. Systematic Genome Instability Screens in Yeast and their Potential Relevance to Cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007. 104(10):3925-3930. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0610642104
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
  • Measday V*, Baetz K*, Guzzo J, Yuen K, Kwok T, Sheikh B, Ding H, Ueta R, Hoac T, Cheng B, Pot I, Tong A, Yamaguchi-Iwai Y, Boone C, Hieter P, and Andrews B. Systematic Yeast Synthetic Lethal and Synthetic Dosage Lethal Screens Identify Genes Required for Chromosome Segregation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005. 102(39):13956-61. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0503504102
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

 

Invited Review Articles:

  • Zhu J, Guo Q, Choi M, Liang Z and Yuen KWY^, and Desai A. Centromeric and pericentric transcription and transcripts: their intricate relationships, regulation, and functions. Chromosoma. 2023. 132: 211-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00412-023-00801-x
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text
  • Yuen KWY^, Genomic stability and epigenetic inheritance in holocentric Caenorhabditis elegans and insects (Editorial). Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.02.021
    Full Text

  • Wang Y, Wu L and Yuen KWY^. The roles of transcription, chromatin organisation and chromosomal processes in holocentromere establishment and maintenance. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.01.004
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

  • Yuen K. Chromosome Instability (CIN), Aneuploidy and Cancer. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. 2010.  doi: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0022413.
    Abstract

  • Yuen K, and Desai A. The Wages of CIN. Journal of Cell Biology. 2008. 180(4):661-3. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200801030
    Pubmed Abstract
    Full Text

 

Selected Awards:

  • 2016 Second Prize for the Best Research Output, Strategic Research Theme – Development and Reproduction, HKU (for Cell Reports. 2016. 14:1819-1828)

  • 2012 Early Career Award, Research Grant Council (RGC) of Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Croucher Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship (tenured at Dr. Arshad Desai Lab, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research / Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA)

  • National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarships A & B (tenured at Dr. Phil Hieter Lab, Department of Medical Genetics / Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Canada)

  • Simon Fraser University Chemistry / Biochemistry Award

External Research Grants:

As Principal Investigator:

  • Deciphering the Dynamics of Centromeric Protein Assembly and the Mechanism of Sister Centromere Resolution in Caenorhabditis elegans (Principal Investigator, General Research Fund, GRF, 2022-2025, HK$ 1,426,247)

  • Elucidating the Mechanism of De Novo Centromere Formation (Principal Investigator, Collaborative Research Fund, CRF, 2019-2021, HK$ 5,021,500)

  • Epigenetic Regulation of Point Centromeres by Centromeric Non-coding RNA Transcription (Principal Investigator, General Research Grant, RGC, 2019-2021, HK$ 972,000 Abstract

  • 秀丽隐杆线虫和芽殖酵母中乏氧诱至的假死状态之细胞机制研究.国家自然科学基金,青年科学基金项目, CNY26.00万元. The cellular mechanism of anoxia-induced suspended animation C.elegans and S. cerevisiae (Principal Investigator, Young Scientist Fund, The National Science Foundation of China)

  • Holocentric but not everywhere on the chromosome: How and where does histone chaperone RbAp46/48/LIN-53 assemble Centromeric Protein A (CENP-A/HCP-3) in Caenorhabditis elegans? (Principal Investigator, General Research Grant, RGC, 2018-2020, HK$1,221,692)
    Abstract

  • Elucidating the function of the Bre1 E3 ubiquitin ligase in sister chromatid cohesion (Principal Investigator, General Research Grant, RGC, 2015-2017, HK$931,950)
    Abstract

  • Deciphering Centromeric Chromatin Assembly Pathway and Dynamics in Holocentric Caenorhabditis elegans (Principal Investigator, General Research Grant, RGC, 2014-2016, HK$866,032)
    Abstract

  • Determining the Cellular Mechanism of Centromere Establishment (Principal Investigator, Early Career Scheme (ECS), RGC, 2012-2017, HK$3,149,020)
    Abstract

As Co-Investigator:

  • High-resolution Live-cell Imaging System for Quantifying Long-term 3D Dynamics of Large Tissue Models and Organisms, (as Co-I) (PI: Dr. Jade Shi), Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) - Major Equipment Project, 2017/2018 (Duration: 3 years), RGC, HK$ 3,466,130

  • Establishment of a shared live cell imaging platform for super-resolution microscopy, (as Co-I) (PI: Prof. George Tsao), Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) - Major Equipment Project, 2015/2016 (Duration: 3 years), RGC, HK$ 4,000,000

Awards by Students:

2016/07 Charmaine Wong, PhD student
Tigris Educational Fund - Education Scholarship 2016
HK$10,000.00 for travel to Gordon Conference on Centromere Biology. West Dover, VT, USA
2012/06-08 Anjana Kulasekara, Summer Research Fellowship Student
Obtained Excellence in Poster Presentation in the Faculty of Science, HKU

Teaching and Learning:

Technician:

Abby Mak (ascmak@hku.hk)

Postdoctoral fellows (10):

2024/06/01-Present Emily Hok Ling Tsui, PhD (HKU)
2023/02/01-Present Jenny Zhenni Zhu, PhD (HKU)
2021/01/01-Present Phyllis Jing Zhu, PhD (HKU)
2019/04/01-2024/07/30 Charmaine Yan Yu Wong, PhD (HKU)
2023/01/01-2023/10/31 Eric Yue Wang, PhD (HKU)
• Next Position: Technology Specialist in BioRad
2019/01/01-2021/12/31 William Zhongyang Lin, PhD (HKU)
• Next Position: Assistant Professor in Shantou University,
China
2018/06/01-2019/11/25 Hin Ling, PhD (HKU)
• Next Position: Post-doctoral Fellow in Prof. Carl Wu’s Lab,
Johns Hopkins University, USA
2017/01/01-2017/12/31 Wei Zhang, PhD (HKU)
• Next Position: Post-doctoral Fellow in Prof. Pengtao Liu’s Lab, School of Biomedical Sciences, HKU
2016/06/01-2017/05/31 Sophia So Ngo Lam, PhD (HKU)
• Next Position: Research Associate in Diagnostic
Biotechnology Company, HK Science Park
2013/06/01-2015/05/31 Kyle Ka Lun Law, PhD (McGill)

PhD Students (Total: 10; Graduated: 9; Ongoing: 1):

2021/11/01-Present Qiao Guo, HKU-Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Joint PhD
candidate (co-supervised with Dr. Zhuobin Liang)
2020/01/01-2024/05/30 Emily Hok Ling Tsui
2019/09/01-2023/12/31 Ling Jiang, HKU-South University of Science and
Technology Joint PhD candidate (co-supervised with Dr.
Yu Chung Tse)
2018/10/01-2022/12/31 Eric Yue Wang, MSc (HKUST)
2018/09/01-2023/01/31 Jenny Zhenni Zhu, MSc (HK Polytechnic University)
2015/06/01-2020/08/31 Phyllis Jing Zhu, MSc (CUHK)
• Selected for Pilot scheme on International Experience for
Research Post-graduate Student, Faculty of Science, HKU
(2019)
• GRC Carl Storm International Diversity Award, to Gordon
Research Conference on Centromere Biology, West Dover,
USA (2018)
2013/01/01-2018/10/15 William Zhongyang Lin
2013/09/01-2018/03/31 Charmaine Yan Yu Wong
• The 8th Asia Pacific C. elegans Meeting Travel Grant
Award, Seoul, South Korea (2018)
• EMBO Travel Bursary, to EMBO Dynamic Kinetochore
Workshop, Edinburgh, UK (2017)
• Tigris Educational Fund - Education Scholarship, to
Gordon Research Conference on Centromere Biology,
West Dover, VT, USA (2016)
2013/09/01-2017/05/31 Yick Hin Ling, MPhil (CUHK)
• Selected for Pilot scheme on International Experience for
Research Post-graduate Student, Faculty of Science, HKU
(2016-2017)
2012/06/01-2016/05/31 Wei Zhang

MPhil Students (Graduated: 4):

2020/09/01- 2022/12/31 Wawa Yuk Wa Lee (co-supervised with Dr. Julie Claycomb)
2016/09/01-2020/02/28 Jason Ka Ho Mak
• Next position: PhD student in Prof. Andrea Musacchio
Lab, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology
2013/01/01-2014/12/31 Kevin Chi Lok Cheng
• Next position: Research Assistant, Centre for Genomics &
Child Health, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of
London
2012/09/01-2014/08/31 Bernard Chi Hang Lee
• Next position: Croucher PhD student, Department of
Pathology, HKU

Undergraduate students and High School studentss:

(Total: 37; Final Year Projects: 16; Directed Studies: 4; Internships: 6; Summer Students: 15; Part-time Research Assistants: 5)

Course design and Teaching (> or ~2 full course load/year):

2024-Present SCNC3111 - Frontiers of science honours seminar course, HKU
• 12 hours Lectures (~50 students)
2024-Present BIOL3408 – Genetics, HKU
• 10 hours Lectures (~50 students)
2023-2024 BIOL3015 - Regulation of Gene Regulation, University of
Southampton
• 4 hours Lectures (~25 students)
2014-2023
(5 semesters)		 BIOL3326/4416 – Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology, HKU
• 12 hours Lectures and 12 hours Lab sessions (~50 students)
• Developed advanced level course with lab sessions
• As course coordinator and taught 50% of course:
• Introduce current understanding in regenerative stem biology,
aging and longevity at the organism, cellular and molecular level,
and discuss the relationships of these processes
• Introduce different stem cells, control of potency and
differentiation, model systems and genetic diseases used for aging
and longevity studies, cellular and molecular biology of aging,
including genomic stability, DNA mutations and repair, telomeres,
cellular senescence, mitochondrial defects and oxidative stress,
and dietary restriction.
• Laboratory sessions include aging, longevity and regeneration
experiments using yeast, C. elegans and planaria, including
examining genomic instability in wild-type and mutants during
aging, the effect of dietary restriction on longevity, and
investigating the regenerative ability in different body parts of
planaria
2014-2023
(8 semesters)

BIOL4415 – Healthcare Biotechnology, HKU
• 12 hours Lectures and 12 hours Lab sessions (~50 students)
• Taught 50% of course:
• Introduce techniques in generating transgenic animals and animal
cloning, and their applications in the study of human diseases, as
bioreactors for therapeutic products, potential sources of organs
for xenotransplantation, and gene therapies;
• Discuss applications of molecular technologies in diagnosis and
prognosis of diseases, and the concept of individualized medicine;
• Introduce the drug development process, with a focus on the early-
stage, preclinical drug discovery, drug target identification, high-
throughput assay development, and screening of chemical libraries
(synthetic and natural products);
• Discuss new therapeutic strategies including RNA interference,
immunotherapy, pro-drug, and combinational therapy
• Laboratory sessions include construction and confirmation of
various transgenic yeast strains, and analysis of chromosome
instability phenotype

2011-2023
(10 semesters)		 BIOL2303/3401 – Molecular Biology, HKU
• ~12 hours Lectures and 12 hours Lab sessions (~150 students)
• Taught ~50% of course:
• Introduce molecular processes of DNA replication, RNA
transcription, protein translation, and post-translational
modifications, with emphasis on gene regulation;
• Discuss molecular techniques including cloning, oligonucleotide
synthesis, and different generations of DNA sequencing
• As course coordinator starting in 2018-2019
2013-2023
(18 semesters)		 BIOL1110 – From Molecules to Cells, HKU
• ~8 hours Lectures (~200 students)
• Taught 25% of course in “Cells in Environment, Biotechnology,
Medicine and Food” through an issue-based approach:
• Discuss “What is life?”, synthetic biology, symbiotic relationships,
bioremediation, applications of cells in industry and food,
molecular cloning and bioreactors for healthcare applications,
transmission of diseases and antibiotics, and basic human
immunology
2016-2022
(6 semesters)		 BIOL3409 – Business Aspects of Biotechnology, HKU
• 3 hours Lectures (~40 Students)
• Teach 10% of course:
• Introduce the applications of stem cells in healthcare industry;
• Introduce the applications of molecular techniques in assisted
fertilization, diagnosis of congenital and metabolic diseases,
prognosis and targeted therapy;
• Introduce the development and production of therapeutic
products;
• Discuss Ethical and economic aspects including regulation,
discrimination and insurance policy
2011-2017
(6 years)		 BIOL6001 – Postgraduate Seminar Course, HKU
• ~45 30-minute Student Seminars
As Module Organizer for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Module, I provided coaching sessions for scientific presentations
and feedbacks to postgraduates students; equipped them to
constructively critique, and facilitated active participation of
audience.

Alumni:

Post-graduates & Post-docs: 

  • Wei Zhang, PhD Student, 2012-2016; Postdoctoral Fellow, 2016-2018
  • Sophia Lam, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2017-2018
  • Kevin Cheng, MPhil Student, 2013-2015; Currently: Research Assistant, the Centre for Genomics & Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
  • Bernard Lee, Final Year Project Student, 2011-2012; MPhil Student, 2012-2014; Currently: Research Assistant at Department of Pathology, HKU
  • Kyle Law, Postdoctoral Fellow, 2013-2015 

Undergraduates: 

  • Keith Yip, Summer Research Fellowship Student, 2018
  • Judith Junran Yan, University Research Fellowship Student, Final Year Project Student, 2017-2018
  • Crystal Tang, Final Year Project Student, 2017-2018
  • Winsum Wing Sum Chan, Final Year Project Student, 2017-2018
  • Clarissa Linardi, Part-time Research Assistant, 2017-2018
  • Raissa Regina Ng, Internship Student, 2018, Summer Research Fellowship Student, 2017
  • Joe Kai Ching Lam, Summer Research Fellowship Student, 2017
  • Katie Chin Ching Tsoi (Imperial College London), Summer Volunteer, 2017
  • Gami Lok Yee Hiok, Part-time Research Assistant, 2016-2017
  • Scarlet Tsz Hing Cho, Directed Study Student, 2016-2017
  • Marvin Yu Cheng, Directed Study Student, 2016-2017
  • Trupti Naik, Summer Internship Student, 2016
  • Monique Lai, Part-time Research Assistant, 2014-2015; Currently: Research assistant, School of Nursing, Polytechnic University
  • Amy Wu, Summer Research Fellowship Student, 2013; Final Year Project Student, 2014-2015; Currently: MSc student, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
  • Clarence Yeung (University of British Columbia), Summer Student Research Assistant, 2014
  • Rachel Chan (McGill University), Summer Student Research Assistant
  • Ken Cho, Undergraduate Volunteer, 2013-2014; Currently: Research Assistant, Department of Computing Science, HKU
  • Yorky Wong, Final Year Project Student, 2012-2013
  • Leo Lao, Summer Internship Student, 2012
  • Disha Parikh, Summer Helper, 2012; Directed Study Student, 2012-2013;
  • Anjana Kulasekara, Summer Research Fellowship Student, 2012
  • Horace Chan, Directed Study Student, 2011-2012
  • Frank Ye, Undergraduate Volunteer, 2011-2012; Currently PhD student at the Genome Science and Technology (GSAT) program, University of British Columbia, Canada

Research Opportunities:

We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated members to join our team as:

Experience in molecular biology, microscopy, cell biology, and genetic analysis would be an asset. Interested applicants should send your CV with a description of previous research experience and research interests to Dr. Karen Yuen.

Outreach Activities:

Junior Science Institute (for secondary school S4-S6 students):
Investigating Genetic Diseases Using Yeast
2014/07/15
2013/07/16
2013/03/19

HK Science Museum Talk:
2013/12/14 2013 Nobel Prize in Medicine

Graduate Study Workshop:
2012/11/08 How to Prepare for your Research Postgraduate Study? When and Where?

Internship Training:
2012 Summer Workshop for Secondary School Teachers at Caritas Chan Chun Ha Field Studies Centre, Cheung Chau

Last update @ 2024/11/30