Information for Postgraduate Study in Department of Microbiology
| Supervisor / contact | Study theme | Degree offered |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Margaret Ip margaretip@cuhk.edu.hk | Antimicrobial resistance in Gram positive cocci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae and other streptococci. Pathogenic mechanisms relating to virulence of MRSA, and streptococci, including Streptococcus agalactiae. Students are expected to learn basic bacteriology and molecular techniques, real-time PCR; sequencing, phylogenetic analysis studies on athogenic mechanisms may involve working with small animals and cell culture assays. Remarks: Previous experience in laboratory research related to microbiology and molecular biology would be an advantage. | MPhil / PhD |
| Prof. Mamie Hui mamiehui@cuhk.edu.hk | Invasive fungal infections Invasive fungal infections is one of the major causes of death in immunocompromised patients. The following areas of research are opened for postgraduate studies: (a) epidemiology of antifungal resistance; (b) molecular determinants of antifungal resistance; (c) novel antifungals development. Students are expected to learn microbiological techniques such as culture, identification and susceptibility testing; basic molecular techniques such as sequencing, real-time PCR; as well as in vitro and in vivo research skills. Remarks: Previous experience in laboratory research related to microbiology would be an advantage. | MPhil / PhD |
| Prof. Zigui Chen zigui.chen@cuhk.edu.hk | Microbial Evolution and Bioinformatics The main focus of our laboratory is to understanding the carcinogenic potential of human microbiota and viruses (e.g. human papillomaviruses) that is highly pathogenic and causes cancers and other clinical disorders in humans. Several research areas will be available to postgraduate students including (i) genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity of human papillomaviruses underlying the carcinogenic mechanism in cervical cancer; (ii) genetic diversity and pathogenic potential of human microbiota in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; (iii) ecological diversity and evolutionary dynamics of human gut microbiome, mycobiome and virome in association with human health and disease. Our mission is to facilitate each individual reaching his or her potential through learning, experimentation and sharing in the pursuit of knowledge to promote human health. Students are expected to learn basic molecular techniques, evolutionary analyses, systems biology, Next-Generation sequencing, big dataset analyses, and advanced bioinformatics. Remarks: Previous experience in computational analysis or laboratory research related to virology and microbiology would be an advantage. | MPhil / PhD |
| Dr. Xiao Yang xiaoyang@cuhk.edu.hk | Bacterial Transcription Regulation and Novel Antimicrobial Agent Discovery Transcription is the first step of gene expression in all organisms and bacterial transcription represents an underutilized antibiotic target. The following research areas are opened for postgraduate studies: (a) bacterial transcription regulation; (b) structural studies of bacterial transcription machinery; (c) discovery and development of novel antimicrobial agent targeting transcription. Students are expected to learn basic bacteriology techniques, such as aerobic and anaerobic culturing, and susceptibility testing; molecular techniques, such as cloning, protein overproduction and purification, protein-protein interaction; and structural techniques, such as cryo-electron microscopy and single particle analysis. Remarks: Previous experience in laboratory research related to molecular microbiology, biochemistry and structural biology would be an advantage. | MPhil / PhD |
| Dr. Christopher Lai chris.kclai@cuhk.edu.hk | Study Themes Clinical application of advanced technologies The clinical application of MALDI-TOF, NAAT and NGS in the detection of pathogens’ antimicrobial resistance to facilitate early diagnosis, optimal antimicrobial use, improve patient outcomes, and assist hospital outbreak investigations. Develop and implement machine learning-based risk scores to improve the management of bloodstream infections including S. aureus bacteremia and infective endocarditis Respiratory viral pathogens Clinical, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases and respiratory viral pathogens Human microbiota The human gut, nasal, skin, and respiratory microbiota and its association with health, lifestyle, diet, diseases, antimicrobial-resistant organisms’ carriage, and drug interaction. Students are expected to learn basic bacteriology, molecular techniques, real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing, big data analysis, and machine learning, depending on the study theme involved. Remarks: Previous experience in laboratory or clinical research related to clinical microbiology, respiratory viral pathogens, electronic health records, and machine learning would be an advantage. | MPhil |
| Dr. Rita Ng ritang@cuhk.edu.hk | Microbiome and Antimicrobial resistance The microbiome is the collection of genomes, genes and gene products of the microbiota living in a given environment. Significant associations were found between the microbiome and various diseases in many studies. Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern worldwide, which creates challenges in medical treatment in modern days. The following areas of research are opened for postgraduate studies: (a) epidemiology and risk factors of antimicrobial resistance; (b) role of microbiome in clinical diseases; (c) pathogenic mechanisms relating to bacterial virulence. Students are expected to learn microbiological techniques such as culture, identification and susceptibility testing; basic molecular techniques such as sequencing, real-time PCR; as well as in vitro and in vivo research skills. Remarks: Previous experience in laboratory research related to microbiology and molecular biology would be an advantage. | MPhil |
| Dr. Siaw Shi Boon boonss@cuhk.edu.hk | Oncogenic viruses – from “know-how” to “do-how” Oncogenic viruses are ubiquitously present in the environment and contribute to 10 – 20% of human cancers. Among these, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been recognised as an aetiological agent that causes cancers that arise from the uterine cervix, anogenital, head and neck and other anatomical sites. Our team focuses on deciphering how HPV perturb normal cellular events for the completion of the viral life cycle, which causes disease formation and progression. With a thorough understanding of the fundamental mechanism of viral pathogenesis, we envision exploring and identifying interventions to mitigate the disease progression. Students are expected to learn the following: 1. Laboratory skillsets – molecular biology techniques (cloning, PCR, qPCR, DNA/protein extraction and purification; mammalian cell culture techniques (immortalised and primary cells, 3D culture); animal model (tumour and treatment of xenograft model); histology (tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, staining); microscopy; in silico protein prediction and modelling. 2. Interpersonal and management skills – work cooperatively with peers of different backgrounds and age groups; manage your own time to work under pressure. Remarks: Prior experience/knowledge in laboratory research related to cancer biology, virology, molecular biology, and chemistry/medicinal chemistry would be an advantage. The ability to demonstrate great interpersonal communication would be favourable. | MPhil / PhD |
| Dr. Sishuo Wang sishuowang@cuhk.edu.hk | We work at the interface of microbiology, statistical phylogenetics, and bioinformatics. We develop and apply computational approaches to study genome evolution of bacteria, particularly for AMR bacteria and zoonotic bacteria. We are also initiating projects using metagenomics to study AMR bacteria/genes in the environments. Students are expected to learn coding, comparative genomics, statistical modelling, and machine learning. Remarks: Experience and/or an enthusiasm for bioinformatics and coding (Python, R, etc.) is an advantage | MPhil |