News

Visit by Prof. Aaron Ciechanover (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry)

ULS Technology Seminar - LNA GapmeR

ULS is co-organizing a joint technology seminar with Qiagen on the use of single-stranded LNA™-enhanced antisense oligonucleotides to knockdown RNA targets in vitro. Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: The evaluation of long non-coding RNA targets by antisense GapmeRs and the functional study of microRNA biomarkers by inhibitors and mimics Date: November 28, 2017 (Tuesday) Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am Venue: Y716, 7/F, Lee Shau Kee Building (Block Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Dr. Michael Hansen (Exiqon Senior Scientist and Technical Specialist) Abstract: The single stranded LNA™-enhanced antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs, also known as LNA™ GapmeR), which catalyze RNase H dependent degradation of both mRNAs and lncRNA, have been demonstrated to show potent knockdown of multiple classes of RNA target in vitro irrespective of the type of RNA target and its subcellular localization. In an in vivo animal model, we further report highly efficient and long lasting knockdown of a nuclear retained lncRNA in a broad range of tissues in mice subjected to systemic administration of a LNA™ GapmeR. To design LNA™ GapmeRs, we have developed an empirically derived design algorithm to provide ASOs that achieve potent target knockdown with a high hit-rate. Recent publication and our own preliminary results indicate that unspliced primary transcripts are in fact the true targets of GapmeRs and therefore the design of LNA™ GapmeRs targeting introns is a valid and efficient approach to prevent production of mature spliced transcripts. However, these results have further implications for the design to avoid off-targets, which are a relevant concern for all antisense strategies and as well toxicity. To address potential off targets located in either exons or introns, our LNA™ GapmeR design algorithm searches both spliced and unspliced transcriptomes in the Ensembl database, to provide maximal target specificity. The functional analysis of LNA™ GapmeR in vitro and in vivo will be presented. Together with microRNA mimics and inhibitors and target site blockers, these LNA containing ASOs offer a unique set of tools for functional analysis of transcriptional regulation in human and other mammalian systems For enquiries, please contact Ryan Chow (hoyin.chow@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8057). All are welcome! Click here for poster

Visit by Prof. Johann Deisenhofer (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry)

Seminar by Dr. Haim Barr (Weizmann Institute of Science)

ABCT-ULS Joint Seminar: Moving Towards a National Small Molecule Discovery Program - How to Not Get Lost in Translation

ABCT and ULS is co-organizing a joint seminar with Dr Haim M. Barr from the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Details are as follows: Date: 27th October, 2017 (Friday) Time: 2:30 to 3:30 pm Venue: Y817, Lee Shau Kee Building (Block Y) Speaker: Dr Haim M. Barr, Head, Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Institute for Drug Discovery, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Kindly refer to the attached poster for the abstract of the seminar and the biography of Dr Barr. Click here for poster

ULS Technology Seminar (Oct 25, 2017): Bio-Layer Interferometry

ULS is co-organizing a technology seminar with Pall Fortebio and Bio-Gene Technology Ltd. on the principle and applications of Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI). BLI has emerged as the leading technology for label-free and real-time biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA). Unlike traditional BIA technologies such as SPR and ITC that are time-consuming and low in throughput, BLI’s microfluidics-free, microplate based sample analysis method allows fast and accurate binding affinity and kinetics (KD, ka and kd) measurements in challenging sample matrices such as culture supernatants and lysates. The Dip and Read™ nature of BLI enabled high-throughput biophysical analyses of interactions between a wide range of biomolecules including proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, small molecules and large complexes such as viruses and liposomes. BLI data is frequently published in top scientific journals, appearing in over 2000 papers in the last 10 years. In this presentation, we will discuss about how BLI has accelerated our users’ research in: • Antibody discovery & development • Protein structure and function • DNA-binding proteins • Infectious diseases • Small molecule drug discovery Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: Bio-Layer Interferometry: A leading label-free technology for biomolecular interaction analyses and high throughput screening Date: October 25, 2017 (Wednesday) Time: 11:00 am Venue: Y715, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Mr. Terence Hui (Field Application Scientist Manager USA, Pall Fortebio) For enquiries, please contact Clara Hung (clara.hung@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8056). All are welcome!

Laboratory Tours and Workshops from July to September, 2017

ULS Workshop - Zeiss Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscope

Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is a novel imaging technique that allows researchers to obtain optical sections of large biological samples with virtually no phototoxicity at unprecedented speed. The Zeiss Lightsheet Z.1 system which is available at the University Research Facility in Life Sciences (ULS) will be open for online booking in October. The ULS is organising two identical workshops to demonstrate the sample preparation procedure and imaging using zebrafish larva, and to allow users to gain hands-on experience with LSFM. The details of the workshops are as follows: • Date: 22nd September, 2017 (Friday) • Time: 10 am to noon (session 1) and 2:30 to 4:30 pm (session 2) • Venue: Y405, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y) If you are interested in the workshop, please email Dr. Michael Yuen and provide your name, department, contact number and preferred session. You are also welcome to contact Michael if you would like to discuss whether LSFM is suitable for your research.

ULS Seminar: Andor Dragonfly High-speed Confocal Imaging System

The ULS is co-organising a seminar with Andor Technology Limited seminar about the Andor Dragonfly high-speed confocal imaging system. Details of the seminar are as follows: Date: 20th September, 2017 (Wednesday) Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm Venue: Y716, Lee Shau Kee Building (Core Y) Speaker: Mr. Jacky Xiaowei Deng, Head of Sales (China), Andor Technology Limited Abstract: High Speed Confocal Microscope System - Andor Dragonfly It’s more than Confocal. The Andor Dragonfly allows you to image at unrivalled speed and sensitivity, meanwhile, still gentle enough for live cells. Employing a multi-point confocal system, the Dragonfly can capture at speeds at least 10x faster than conventional confocal technology, making it the optimal solution for live cell imaging or fast volume acquisition of thicker samples. Designed with patented perfect illumination delivery technology, Borealis, exceptionally flat and uniform illumination across a large field of view allows the Dragonfly to use of the newest large sensor sCMOS and EMCCD cameras to satisfy high-throughput imaging needs.

Visit by Prof. Chris Brink (former Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University)