Neurotrophic factors in development, regeneration and degeneration

• Objectives:

  Neurotrophic factors such as NGF influence the survival, structural appearance and chemical phenotype of specific neurons during critical periods of development. The roles of these molecules regarding developing, mature or aging neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), are less well understodd. My research is focused on four questions:
  (1) what functions do target-derived neurotrophic factors such as NGF and their respective receptors plays in developing, mature or aging neuronal circuits:?
  (2) to what degree might dysfunction of neuron-target interactions and neurotrophic mechanisms lead to neurodegeneration and neuronal death?
  (3) to what degree can pharmacological administration and clinical application of specific neurotrophic factors protect neurons from neurodegenerative insults?
  (4) what are the best means of delivering therapeutically effective doses of neurotropohic factors to specific sites in the CNS?

  Techniques:

  Small animal surgery, immunocytochemistry, western and northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, cell culture, transplantation, receptor-binding, RT-PCR, image analysis and confocal microscopy

  Investigator:

  Dr. H. K. F. Yip, Prof. K. F. So, Dr. P. T. Cheung, Dr. M. Schachner and Dr. G. Johnson

Neuron-glial interactions

• Objectives:

  Recent studies suggested that it is no longer to consider glial cells just as support cells which provide a passive framework that supports, nourishes, and isulates neurons.  These studies have shown that interactions between neurons and glial cells control neurogenesis, myelination, synapse formation, and probably even neuronal signaling.  My work focuses on understanding the role of glial cells in the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in (1) guiding axonal outgrowth during development and regeneration; (2) the differences between CNS and PNS glia affect the success of axonal regeneration.

  Techniques:

  Cell and tissue culture, immunocytochemistry, western and northern blot analysis, flow cytometry, western and northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, receptor-binding, RT-PCR, image analysis and confocal microscopy 

  Investigator:

  Dr. H. K .F. Yip and Dr. P. T. Cheung

• Objectives:

  We studied the neuroprotective effects of Panax quinquefolius L. (American gingseng), Ginkgo biloba and Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), in combination or alone, on (1) striatal dopaminergic neurons against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 4, 6-tetrahydopyridine [MPTP]-induced toxicity; (2) survival and regeneration of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury.  We are also interested in the mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects of these natural compounds.

  Techniques:

  Small animal surgry, immunocytochemistry, western and northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, cell culture, receptor-binding, pharmacokinetics, neurochemistry, RT-PCR, image analysis and confocal microscopy

  Investigator:

  Dr. H. K. F. Yip and Dr. S. L. Ho