Understanding the Physiological Roles of the Mitochondria Outer Membrane Protein, MOAP-1, in Liver and Brain

Victor Chun Kong Yu, Ph.D.

Department of Pharmacy

National University of Singapore

Biography:

Victor Chun Kong YU was born in Hong Kong. He obtained his B.Sc. (Pharm, Hons) from University of Houston and Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) from University of California, San Francisco where he spent five years to investigate the molecular mechanism of morphine. In his postdoctoral work, he studied the mechanism of actions of nuclear hormone receptors under the mentorship of Michael Geoff Rosenfeld at UCSD. Dr. Yu made his first major discovery during this period of time by identifying the nuclear receptor, RXR, as the common co-regulator for the Vitamin D, Vitamin A (Retinoic acid) and Thyroid hormone receptors. He went to Singapore in 1993 and had been at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) until he joined Department of Pharmacy at the National University of Singapore in August, 2009. His current research focus is on studying the mitochondrial cell death signaling mechanisms responsible for regulating diverse physiological and pathological processes, from cancers to neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract:

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are constantly undergoing fusion and fission. Although mitochondria are known for playing key function in energy production by producing ATP for cells, many important physiological regulators localized at mitochondria outer membrane have been identified that they play diverse roles in regulating broad range of physiological functions such as apoptosis, metabolism, inflammation, autophagy and necrosis. Apoptosis is a physiological process by which unwanted, damage or infected cells are to be eliminated from multi-cellular organisms. Improper activation or deactivation of mitochondrial apoptosis signalling has been linked to a plethora of major human ailments facing the ageing population worldwide, ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to cancers. We have been interested in identifying and studying crucial proteins in mitochondria that regulates cell death and other signalling. In this talk, I will focus our recent work on characterizing the physiological roles of the Bax-binding protein, MOAP-1, in regulating cell death and possibly other key mitochondrial functions in liver and brain using combined genetic, biochemical and cell biology approaches.

Time: Oct. 25th, 2016, 16:00-17:00

Venue: New Biology Building, Room 143

Host: Prof. Peng Li

举办单位：生命科学联合中心