School of Science Division of Life Science 27 CRISPR/Cas9 Analysis of Essential Genes Supervisor: POON, Randy Yat Choi / LIFS Student: ZHU, Jingjun / BIBU Course: UROP1100, Summer Centrosome amplification is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. To maintain stable cell division and produce viable daughter cells, cells with extra centrosomes adopt a process called centrosome clustering. By regulating the supernumerary centrosome clustering, one can control the outcomes of cell division. In order to identify and confirm the functions of kinesins as regulators of centrosome clustering in HeLa cells, CRISPRCas9 targeting selected kinesins in HeLa cells was conducted, followed by Western Blot and CRISPR screening. This semester, the objective of my experiments was to validate the knockout efficiency of CRISPR plasmids that target kinesins KIF4A and KIF23. My results indicate that both KIF4A CRISPR 1 plasmid and KIF4A CRISPR 2 plasmid can effectively knock out the KIF4A gene, while KIF23 CRISPR 1 plasmid can effectively knock out the KIF23 gene. However, KIF23 CRISPR 2 plasmid has very low knockout efficiency. Further study can focus on identifying the functions of KIF4A and KIF23 genes in regulating centrosome clustering. Application of Chinese Medicine in Cosmetics Supervisor: TSIM, Karl Wah Keung / LIFS Student: AU, Tsz Yu / BIOT Course: UROP1100, Spring UROP2100, Summer Cholinergic urticaria is a type of urticaria induced by an increase in core body temperature, such as hot bathing, physical exercise, and emotional stress (Fukunaga et al., 2017). This increase in core body temperature may induce the release of acetylcholine (ACh), a potent sweat stimulator. Despite stimulating sweat secretion, ACh can also activate mast cells to release histamine, leading to skin inflammation thus the development of cholinergic urticaria (Altrichter et al., 2021). In spite of core body temperature increase, cholinergic urticaria might also be triggered by solar light. Wu et al. (2020) discovered that solar light can induce ACh release in cultured human keratinocyte, so we propose that UVB radiation might also be a potential inducer for cholinergic urticaria. Preliminary results indicated that UVB could upregulate miR132/212 expression, hence down-regulate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression; The decrease of AChE expression causes ACh to accumulate in skin, leading to the development of cholinergic urticaria. Application of Chinese Medicine in Cosmetics Supervisor: TSIM, Karl Wah Keung / LIFS Student: SONG, Jeongann / BIOT Course: UROP1100, Spring Edible bird’s nest(EBN) is a traditional Chinese medicine that are made from the saliva of swiftlets containing nutritional benefits and properties in anti-inflammation. Edible bird’s nest is a noteworthy research topic to study as a large part of its functions remain undiscovered. This project studies the anti-inflammatory response of different concentrations of EBN digests and peptides using qPCR and luciferase assays to study its effects on the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This investigation leads to the conclusion that EBN digests and peptides can have a positive effect on improving skin inflammation by increasing filaggrin production and suppressing immune cells and the production of cytokines.
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