Sars-Fang Centre will invite Prof.  Prof. Jifeng FEI from Guangdong Academy of Medical Science for seminar and visiting on 21st May.

The Research Interest of Prof. Fei:

Reconstructing the damaged tissue/organs is highly clinically relevant. However, it is almost impossible to achieve in reality as mammals including humans have very limited capability of regeneration.  During evolution, a variety of vertebrates exhibit a great regenerative ability and are used as model organisms in the field of regenerative biology. Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a salamander species, can regenerate its limbs, the central nervous system and many internal organs, such as heart, lung and pancreas. In terms of the regeneration capabilities, axolotl is considered as the champion in vertebrates. Fei's team is using axolotl to systematically investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of tissue regeneration, in particular in the central nervous system regeneration. Our major research interests are briefly described below:

1. Based on newly developed super-resolution and light-sheet microscopy technologies, reveal the global cell-cell interactions and cell behavior during spinal cord regeneration, as well as the sub-cellular organelle dynamics in the rejuvenation process of neural stem cells;

2. Taking advantages of a variety of spinal cord injury models, combing with multiple “omics” and bioinformatical approaches, investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that initiate spinal cord regeneration.

3. Based on the established axolotl regeneration deficient model, screen small molecule drugs that promote spinal cord regeneration;

4. Study the mechanisms of reprogramming and cell fate determination in neural stem cells during spinal cord regeneration.