SUSTech-UQ Centre for Neuroscience and Neural Engineering (CNNE) Seminar Series

Speakers: Dr Belal Shohayeb, UQ and Ms YANG Yingkun, SUSTech
Hosted by: Professor Shengtao Hou
Date: Friday, June 24, 2022
Time: 12PM (noon) – 1PM Shenzhen // 2PM – 3PM Brisbane
Zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/88301061063

Meet the speakers

Dr Belal Shohayeb

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Prof Helen Cooper lab, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland

Title: "Neogenin-restricted nanodomains are required for dendritic spine morphogenesis"

Abstract: 

Structural and compositional changes within spines are the cellular basis of learning and memory. Branched actin polymerization is the main driving force for synaptic morphogenesis and remodelling following Long-term potentiation (LTP). Neogenin (Neo) is a transmembrane adhesion protein and a classical axon guidance receptor. Neo binds Cyfip1, one of the WAVE regulatory (WRC) subunits, directly via its WIRS motif. This interaction recruits the WRC at restricted membrane domains and triggers actin polymerization by activating ARP2/3, an inefficient actin nucleator. The role of Neo in the postsynaptic compartment of the synapse during development is yet to be explored. Here, we investigate the role of Neo WIRS motif in synaptic morphogenesis and Neo nanoscale mobility and distribution in spines using super-resolution localization microscopy.  

Ms YANG Yingkun

PhD student, Prof CHEN Fangyi lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, SUSTech

Title: “Photodynamic Therapy can Precisely Injury Vestibular System for the Vertigo Treatment”

Abstract: Vestibular system senses the head motion with five different units: three semicircular canals for detecting rotation in 3D and two otolith organs for detecting linear acceleration. People feel vertigo and dizziness when vestibular system dysfunction. Conventional treatments for persistent severe vestibular vertigo include surgery (semicircular canal obstruction and vestibular neurectomy) and the administration of ototoxic drugs, such as aminoglycoside gentamicin, both of which control vertigo by vestibular lesion. However, surgery is challenged by its destructive effects to the cochlear components, and ototoxic drugs will injure adjacent cochlea function which would lead hearing loss. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown promising potential in multiple clinical applications owing to its excellent temporal and spatial specificity and minimum invasion to the non-targeted tissues. Here we showed preliminary results in applying PDT to precisely damage the target vestibular organ. 

About CNNE Seminar Series

The CNNE Seminar Series provides a forum for SUSTech and QBI members to showcase collaboration in key thematic areas and foster new projects.

All are welcome to join this meeting via ZOOM.