Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster, is one of the most commonly used animal models in biomedical science. Although the tiny fruit fly has vastly different physical architecture as compared to humans, we share about 70% similarity in genes and a large proportion of these are homologous to that involved in human development and diseases. The low cost, rapid life cycle, and vast genetic tools available has enabled these genes to be studied rather easily and rapidly in the Drosophila which would otherwise take months and up to years if we were to study it just in mouse models alone.
Cell
Cell culture serves as an important tool to study the biology and physiology of diseases. It could be used to replicate disease mechanisms for the study of disease biology. It is also easy to manipulate the genes and pathways involved in these diseases in a cell without interfering environmental factors that could confound the findings. It is an important tool in ensuring the production of simplified, reproducible and consistent data sets. In our lab, we work with Drosophila, mouse and human cancer cell lines.
Mice
The mice is often a popular animal model for various human diseases. It is extremely similar with humans on the genomic level, and various disease pathophysiology are conserved between the mice and humans. In addition, various platforms and tools are also available in the mouse to perform genetic modifications in a tissue-specific and time-controlled manner. In our lab, we use old mice to model ageing, as well as for xenograft models to study cancers.
Research Direction
Our focus is to understand how signalling networks rewire RNA metabolism to alter physiological functions during the process of aging and tumorigenesis. We utilizes unique cross-species approach using the Drosophila, mouse and mammalian cells as model systems, coupled with interdisciplinary approach incorporating genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and systems biology, to identify new evolutionary conserved mechanisms underlying human diseases. We aims to contribute insights towards the biology of aging as well as tumorigenesis, and provide new therapeutic strategies targeting cancer and mitigating the effects of aging.​
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