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H E A L H A N D S O C I E Y
R E S E A R C H @ H K U S
eurodegenerative diseases emerge
when synapse connections falter and
neurons begin to fade at a faster rate than
the normal aging process. How and why
this happens, and what, if anything, can
be done to slow or stop the process or
even reverse the devastating effects, is
one of the great challenges for life science
and medicine.
HKUST scientists have been immersed
in clarifying these mysteries over the past
20 years. Leveraging on multidisciplinary
expertise, they are working at the cutting-
edge of discovery and offer fresh hope
that the battle against dementia and
other such devastating conditions can be
won. Their significant research findings
have resulted in a stream of innovative
avenues in molecular neuroscience.
World-class Discoveries
Breakthroughs have been derived from
undertaking focused research at the
molecular level. By unraveling signaling
mechanisms underlying normal brain
functions, and those that specifically
exhibit aberrant behavior in diseased con-
ditions, HKUST scientists are shedding
light on the molecular basis of neuro-
degenerative diseases.
Exciting work is on-going, with teams
of HKUST scientists engaged in critical
research on:
• Identification and delineation of
neuronal signal transduction path-
ways in synapse development and
plasticity, and the regulation of neu-
ronal survival;
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms
of synaptic dysfunction, neuronal
death, and age-related triggers in
Alzheimer’s disease;
• Identification of biomarkers for
Alzheimer’s disease;
• Aberrant proteins and signaling
mechanisms in Huntington’s and
Parkinson’s diseases;
• Understanding mechanisms for
differentiation and integration of
neural stem cells;
• Development of state-of-the-art im-
aging technology for brain research;
• Developing potential therapeutic
approaches to slow the progression
of neurodegenerative diseases.
PROF NANCY IP
The Morningside Professor of Life Science,
Director, State Key Laboratory of
Molecular Neuroscience,
Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Foreign Associate, US National Academy
of Sciences
Research into
neurodegenerative diseases
is vital because there are no
cures and clear understanding
is still lacking. People
suffering from Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s, among others, are
rapidly increasing due to aging
populations worldwide. This is
a challenge we must address
Such research was given added impetus
following the establishment of the
Molecular Neuroscience Center at HKUST
in 1999, which brought together a core
team of talented researchers to push
exploratory frontiers. This was initiated
by Prof Nancy Ip who has been an instru-
mental figure in achieving the University’s
research strengths in this area. In 2001,
the Center was awarded major support of
HK$26.8 million for five years under the
Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme initi-
ated by the Hong Kong University Grants
Committee. This was later extended by
HK$27.5 million for another three years.
Potential Drug Leads
HKUST researchers have broken
new ground in understanding neuro-
degenerative diseases. Over the years, a
number of proteins (for example, cyclin-
dependent kinase 5,
α
2-chimaerin, EphA4
and PICK1), and their signal transduc-
tion pathways have been investigated to
reveal the pivotal roles they play in brain
functions, such as neuronal survival,
differentiation and synaptic plasticity.
Most recently, they have identified the
protein interleukin (IL)-33 as a potential
Alzheimer’s treatment. These novel find-
ings have been recognized internationally
and published in prestigious academic
journals.
The University’s scientists have also
identified potential therapeutic inter-
ventions to slow neurodegeneration.
Leveraging their strong expertise in tradi-
tional Chinese medicinal herbs, the team
has identified small molecules derived
from such herbs as potential drug leads.
This research has been supported by
innovative use of the latest
in vitro
and
in
vivo
drug development technologies. The
University is also in the process of licens-
ing several patents to biopharmaceutical
companies, which will invest in further
development of these drug leads into
viable treatments.
