Teaching

Researches

Teaching News

06 Nov 2018

[Seminar] Seeing is believing: Super-resolving poxvirus protein architecture

Jason Mercer, from the Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, will be in Hong Kong on 27 November, 2018 to give a talk during the seminar jointly organized by the School of Biomedical Sciences and HKU-Pasteur: 

Seeing is believing: Super-resolving poxvirus protein architecture

 

Date: 27 November, 2018

Venue: Seminar Room 1, G/F

Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building

21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 

Summary: The spatial distribution of binding and fusion proteins on most viruses and the functional relevance of this organization remains largely unexplored. Employing super-resolution microscopy Dr. Mercer’s team define the nanoscale membrane architecture of the prototypic poxvirus, vaccinia. Dr. Mercer’s team show that binding and entry fusion complex (EFC) proteins are organized into distinct functional domains with fusion proteins polarized to the tips of virions. Repression of individual EFC components, or disruption of EFC localization, impacts virus fusion pore formation resulting in loss of fusion activity. Thus, they reveal that the nanoscale organization of viral fusion machineries are essential for efficient infection.

01 Nov 2018

[Seminar] Rational Design of Immunomodulatory molecules targeting C-type lectins

Jérôme Nigou, from the Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale and French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) will be in Hong Kong on the 28th of November to give a talk in HKU Pasteur on:

Rational Design of Immunomodulatory molecules targeting C-type lectins

Abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is one of the most effective human pathogens. It has evolved multiple molecular mechanisms to alter immune responses, including inflammation, thereby securing its colonization and survival inside the infected host. In particular, M. tuberculosis exposes specific glycolipids and lipoglycans at its cell envelope surface to target C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), DC-SIGN, Mannose Receptor or Mincle, expressed by innate immune cells, such macrophages and dendritic cells.The strategies used by M. tuberculosis to modulate the host inflammatory response prompted us to design synthetic molecules that mimic the bioactive structure of natural mycobacterial glycoconjugates, with the objective of developing innovative immunomodulatory compounds. To achieve this goal, we used a combination of approaches, including identification of the natural CLR agonist molecules present in the mycobacterial cell envelope, deciphering the molecular mechanisms of ligand-receptor interaction and bio-guided chemical synthesis. 

Dr Nigou will present the example of two fully synthetic families of molecules that display powerful activities in vitro and in vivo in mouse models: i) anti-inflammatory mannodendrimers, ligands of DC-SIGN, that prevent acute lung inflammation; ii) adjuvant glycolipids, ligands of Mincle, that induce strong Th1 and Th17 immune responses. These immunomodulatory compounds are currently tested in different pathologically models to determine the broader applicability of their therapeutic use.
 

Biosketch: Dr Jérôme Nigou is head of the team “Immunomodulation by Mycobacterial Lipids & Glycoconjugates” and of the Department “Tuberculosis & Infection Biology” at Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (IPBS-CNRS, France). He has a strong background

 

01 Nov 2018

Discussing therapeutic options during the Viral Hepatitis Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City

The International Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, co-organized by HKU-Pasteur and supported by the Pasteur Foundation Asia and Institut Francais, is going well, focusing this year on viral hepatitis, an international public health challenge, comparable to other major communicable diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Students and faculty, hosted by Institut Pasteur in Ho Chi Minh City, are working on the synergies between viral hepatitis and other health issues, and reviewing the hepatitis response with emphasis on regional approaches.

Many thanks to Institut Pasteur in Ho Chi Minh City for their wonderful job once again this year, and to our sponsors GSK, Roche and Vietcombank for their help.

See the programme.

Discussing guidelines and best therapeutic options at the Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with trainers from all over Asia and sub-Saharan Afica.

Testimonials: 

"Thanks for organizing this amazing and productive workshop. 
I have learnt a lot from the trainers and all the participants across the region. This will assist in our work definitely. 
Again thanks Pasteur Institute, WHO team and all the supporters for everything throughout
this whole  week. Thanks all the participants for this great experience and hospitality."
Aye Aye Khaing, Hepatitis Victoria, Australia
 
"Thank you very much for providing us such great workshop this year,
and also thank you all speakers for your kind and patient response to
number of questions from us particularly from me.
Once again, I will work for this problem in my population my setting as much as possible.
Thank you very much!"
Tawatchai Apidechkul, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
 
"Thank you for a such useful and wonderful workshop. There are many inspirations I got from the experience."
Mugi Wahidin, National Institute of Health Research and Development , MoH Indonesia
 
"Thanks dear trainers and thanks all friends trainees,
it is indeed an enriching experiences and great opportunities to learn from you and got to know everyone."
Youlet BY, Fondation Merieux and University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
 
"My sincere thanks and congratulations to Pasteur, the faculty and support team of this course for the success of this training course. 
It was indeed an enriching experience, both on information and network with new colleagues and future partners. 
I wish you and your institution more success and commitment in improving more areas of work and building network of people with common goal."
Maria Nerissa N. Dominguez, MD, MPH, WHO-Philippines, Manila,Philippines 
 
"Thanks for organizing this Great workshop. I have learnt a lot from the lecturers and other participants. 
Thanks Pasteur Institute for everything throughout this whole week."
Agus Handito, Directorate General of Disease Control, Ministry of Health 
 
"The workshop was educational, fun and inspiring and I think left everyone with a strong sense of purpose.
I thought you both chaired it excellently and managed to make a broad group feel empowered and involved."
Barney Flower, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
 
Monthly Archive