News

ULS technology seminar: Sample to Insight: Advanced RNA Technology for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Bioinformatics

ULS is co-organizing a joint technology seminar with Qiagen on the advanced RNA technology for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics. Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: Sample to Insight: Advanced RNA Technology for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Bioinformatics Date: March 21, 2018 (Wednesday) Time: 14:30 pm – 16:00 am Venue: Y715, 7/F, Lee Shau Kee Building (Block Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Mr. Kyle Wang (Market Development Manager, Marketing LS & AT) and Mr. Henry Wang (Key Account Manager, Marketing & Market Development APEC) Abstract: Understanding the RNA universe within a biological specimen is key to unlock gene expression and regulation mechanisms. However, RNA is a challenging analyte which requires the researcher to take special care at every step of the workflow from sample collection to results interpretation to not introduce any bias and obtain accurate results. This seminar will guide through the different “Sample to Insight” workflow steps from sample preparation to analysis. A special focus will be given to NGS technology and comprehensive bioinformatics tools for the journey of RNA discovery. RNA library prep kits for different types of RNA, targeted enrichment panels for scanning RNA from different types of samples, and the comprehensive Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software will be highlighted for uncover data derived from ‘omics experiments, such as RNA-seq, small RNA-seq, microarrays including miRNA and SNP, metabolomics, proteomics, and small scale experiments. For enquiries, please contact Ryan Chow (hoyin.chow@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8057). All are welcome!

Visit by Prof. Matthias Wacker

Revision of the General User Policy

The General User Policy of the ULS has been revised. Users and supervisors shall pay special attention to the new section 7, which lays out the updated equipment-specific safety policies and access arrangements.

Equipment Demonstration - Leica DMi8 Widefield and Live Cell Imaging Platform

The University Research Facility in Life Sciences (ULS) is holding a demonstration of the Leica DMi8 widefield and live cell imaging platform. The main features of the DMi8 system include: • Motorised stage – semi-automatic image stitching for large tissue sections, multi-well plate acquisition, 3D image reconstruction • DFC9000 GTC sCMOS camera – fast live cell imaging (90 fps at 2048×2048 resolution) • Adaptive focus control – maintaining the focus during time-lapse imaging • Multiple contrasting techniques – brightfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC), polarised light If you are interested in the demonostration, please email Dr Michael Yuen (michael.yf.yuen@polyu.edu.hk) and provide your name, department, contact number and preferred session. Registrants will receive a confirmation email no later than 12 Dec 2017.

ULS technology seminar: Introduction to MassArray EpiTyper application of Agena Bioscience on quantitative DNA methylation analy

ULS is co-organizing a joint technology seminar with Agena Bioscience on the use of MassArray EpiTyper for quantitative DNA methylation analysis. Details of the seminar are as follows: Title: Introduction to MassArray EpiTyper application of Agena Bioscience on quantitative DNA methylation analysis Date: December 7, 2017 (Thursday) Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am Venue: Y719, 7/F, Lee Shau Kee Building (Block Y), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Speaker: Dr. Johannes Chi-yun CHING, PhD, Senior Scientist, Agena Bioscience For enquiries, please contact Ryan Chow (hoyin.chow@polyu.edu.hk or 3400 8057). All are welcome! Click here for poster

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