Professor Randy Yat Choi Poon currently holds the position of Chair Professor at the Division of Life Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Following his undergraduate studies in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, Prof. Poon pursued his PhD in Biochemistry under Sir Tim Hunt FRS at the University of Cambridge. During this period, Prof. Poon uncovered the kinase (CAK) responsible for activating cyclin-dependent kinases, pivotal enzymes governing the cell cycle. Subsequently, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, under the mentorship of Tony Hunter FRS, where he identified the phosphatase (KAP) responsible for deactivating cyclin-dependent kinases. After joining HKUST, Prof. Poon’s research group have made notable advancements in uncovering the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell cycle checkpoints. Highlights of recent studies include the elucidation of the functions of TRIP13 and p31comet in orchestrating the entry and exit of mitosis. Given the fundamental roles of cell cycle processes in both normal and abnormal cell division, understanding of how they are choreographed in cells holds broad implications for heath and diseases, including cancer.
