Teaching

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.
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.
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.
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