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Dr Sonata Suk-Yu Yau
PolyU Scholars Hub

Dr Sonata YAU

Associate Professor

BSc (HKUST), PhD (HKU)

Biography

Dr Yau completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2005, and her PhD degree in Neuroscience in Department of Anatomy, The University of Hong Kong in 2009. Before she joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, she received a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Hong Kong between 2009 and 2012, followed by another postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Medical Sciences at The University of Victoria (British Columbia) in Canada in 2012. She is particularly interested in using different disease animal models to investigate the effects of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions on promoting brain plasticity. Her current research projects are centered on the hippocampus, a brain region important for learning and memory. She investigates the underlying mechanisms of physical exercise-induced hippocampal plasticity in disease animal models (e.g depression and mental retardation), and identifying its related biomarkers for translational research in humans. She also investigates changes in hippocampal plasticity underlying cognitive impairment and therapeutic treatments in mental retardation. She uses a number of research techniques to assess hippocampal structure and function, such as behavioral analysis, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis.

Dr Yau is actively recruiting graduate students who wish to pursue MPhil/PhD in the field of neuroplasticity in diseased animal models. like depression and autism. Undergraduate students who are interested in experiencing scientific research are also welcome to work as volunteers for specific research projects.

Education and Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong

Research Interests

  • Non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for cognitive impairment in diseased brains
  • Underlying mechanisms and biomarkers of physical exercise-induced brain plasticity

Research Output

  • Formolo AD, THY Lee, Yau SY. (2019). Increasing adiponergic system activity as a potential treatment for depressive disorder. Molecular Neurobiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-019-01644-3
  • Yau SY, Lee THY, Lee WL, Li LCK, Siu PM, Chan CCH. (2019) Effects of maternal exercise on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, temporal order memory and depression-like behaviour in adult female and male offspring. Front. Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00470
  • Yau SY, Bettio L, Vetrici M, Truesdell A, Chiu C, Chiu J, Truesdell E, Christie BR. (2018) Chronic minocycline treatment improves hippocampal neuronal structure, NMDA receptor function, and memory processing in Fmr1 knockout mice. Neurobiology of Disease. 2018 Jan 29;113:11-22
  • Wang BL , Li A, Li XM, Ho WLP , Wu DH, Wang XQ, Liu ZH, Wu KKL, Yau SY, Xu AM, Cheng KK. (2018) Activation of hypothalamic RIP-Cre neurons promotes beiging of WAT via sympathetic nervous system. EMBO Report. 2018 Feb 21. pii: e44977
  • Supriya R, Yu AP, Lee PH, Lai CW, Cheng KK, Yau SY, Chan LW, Yung BY, Siu PM. (2018) Yoga training modulates adipokines in adults with high-normal blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Scand J Med Sci Sports. Mar;28(3):1130-1138
  • Yau SY, Bostrom C, Chiu J, Ghilan M, Chiu CY, Hryciw BN, Eadie BD, Christie BR. (2016) Impaired bidirectional NMDA receptor dependent synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus of adult female Fmr1 heterozygous knockout mice. Neurobiology of Disease 19 (96):261-270
  • Bostrom C, Yau SY, Majaess N, Vetrici M, Gil-Mohapel J, Christie BR. (2016) Hippocampal deficits are associated with learning and memory impairment in Fragile X Syndrome. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 68:563-574
  • Yau SY, Li A, Loo R, Ching YP, Christie BR, Lee TMC, Xu AM, So KF. (2014) Physical exercise-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and antidepressant effects are mediated by the adipocyte hormone adiponectin. PNAS. 111 (44): 15810-15815
  • Lee TMC, Wong ML, Lau BMW, Lee JCD, Yau SY, So KF. (2014) Aerobic exercise interacts with neurotrophic factors to predict cognitive functioning in adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 39: 214—224
  • Yau SY, Lau BWM, Tong JB, Wong R, Ching YP, Qiu G, Tang SW, Lee TMC, So KF. (2011) Hippocampal neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity support running-enhanced memory and depression-like behavior in stressed rats. PLosOne 6(9):e24263.

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