Pathogenesis of Usher syndrome, a hereditary deafness disease

Prof. Mingjie Zhang published in Cell Reports that a point mutation of Myo7a (Myosin VIIa) found in Usher syndrome patients leads to disruption of the hair cell tip-link protein complex formation through liquid-liquid phase separation. Read More

Target binding mechanisms governing the WW domain-containing proteins decoded

Prof. Mingjie Zhang and his collaborators decoded the binding mechanisms governing the WW domain tandem-containing proteins. Their findings, published in eLife, reveal the recognition mechanisms of tandem WW domains with their peptide ligands which can serve as a guiding tool for functional studies of WW domain-containing proteins in the future. Read More

LIFS researchers reveal mechanism governing AMPAR synaptic targeting and clustering

Prof. Mingjie Zhang and his team reported that stargazin uses its entire C-terminal tail bind PSD-95 via a specific and multivalent interaction mode. Their findings, published in Neuron, reveal the mechanism of AMPA receptor synaptic trafficking and transmission at the neuronal synapses. Read More

An iPSC model reveals the underlying mechanism of transcriptional and synaptic dysregulation in mental disorders

Prof. Mingjie Zhang and his collaborators Prof. Ming from the University of Pennsylvania reported a DISC1 and ATF4 interaction in iPSC-derived neurons with a DISC1 mutation. Their findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, reveal the underlying mechanisms linking the genetic lesion and functional phenotypes of psychiatric disorders. Read More

The First Alumni Reunion of LIFS

The First Alumni Reunion was held successfully on May 18, 2019, by the Division of Life Science and Life Science Alumni Association, HKUST Read More

New insights into membrane trafficking regulated by ER fusion protein

Prof. Yusong Guo and his collaborators reported that the endoplasmic reticulum fusogen atlastin was involved in regulating cargo mobility and COPII formation in the ER. Their finding, published in PNAS on June 25, provides important insight into the physiological role of the tubular ER network. Read More