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Mitochondrial Dynamics (Mitochondria@HeartHK)

Research Interests:

Cardiac mitochondrial dynamics, Cardioprotection, Ischemia-reperfusion injury, Cardiac failure.

Description of research topics:

Our research focuses on the role of cardiac mitochondrial dynamics (morphology and movement) in mediating cardioprotection. Research topics include:

  • Mitochondrial-shaping proteins in the heart
  • Cardiac mitophagy
  • Genetic/Pharmacological modulation of mitochondrial dynamics
  • Mitochondria in cardiovascular pathophysiology

Ongoing research:

Our team has a research focus on how the mitochondria is involved in physiological/pathophysiological aspects of the heart. We seek to elucidate how mitochondrial function and dynamics is intertwined with myocardial cell fate, and utilise a wide range of different molecular tools to manipulate the mitochondria to protect the heart.

Principal Investigators:

Prof. Sang-Bing Ong

  • Assistant Professor
  • Department of Medicine & Therapeutics (MEDT)
  • Centre for Cardiovascular Genomics and Medicine (CCGM)
  • Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence (HK-HOPE)
  • Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Research Team Member

  • Mr. To-Kiu Chan, Lab Manager & Research Assistant
    (BSc Hons Biomedical Science [Sheffield, UK], MSc Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management [Merit][Warwick, UK])

PhD students
Name Dates Supervisor Status Funding
Dr Zhao Xiaoyu (CUHK) 2024 – 2027 Primary Supervisor Provost’s quota on “Special Allocation for RPg Places 2023-24 (UGC Additional) Scheme”
Dr Shi Jiachen (CUHK) 2024 – 2027 Primary Supervisor CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship
Dr Chen Fang (CUHK) 2024 – 2026 Primary Supervisor CUHK Department of Medicine & Therapeutics PhD Scholarship
Dr Li Yuhao (CUHK) 2023 – 2025 Primary Supervisor CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship
Dr Attaur Rahman (CUHK) 2022 – 2024 Primary Supervisor CUHK Department of Medicine & Therapeutics PhD Scholarship
MSc/MPhil students
Name Dates Supervisor Status
Miss Aubonwan Sitthikhankaew (Naresuan, Thailand) 06/2024 – 05/2026 Co-Supervisor
Miss Gu Qian (CUHK) 2023 – 2025 Primary Supervisor

Related Publications

Selected Publications

  • Yanhua Xu, Wenqing Zhu, Yang Su, Teng Ma, Yaqi Zhang, Xin Pan, Rongrong Huang, Yuhao Li, Keqiang Zuo*, Sang-Bing Ong*, Dachun Xu*. ‘Characterization of a novel mitophagy-related 5-genes signature for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.’ Vascular Pharmacology 156:107417; 2024 *Co-Corresponding authors
  • Yuki Toda#, Sang Bing Ong#, Toshiyuki Yano, Atsushi Kuno, Hidemichi Kouzu, Tatsuya Sato, Wataru Ohwada, Yuki Tatekoshi, Toshifumi Ogawa, Masaki Shimizu, Masaya Tanno, Masato Furuhashi. ‘Downregulation of mitochondrial fusion protein expression affords protection from canonical necroptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts.’ International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25(5); 2905, 2024 #Co-First authors
  • Gege Yan, Zhenbo Han, Youjeong Kwon, Jordan Jousma, Sarath Babu Nukala, Benjamin L Prosser, Xiaoping Du, Sandra Pinho, Sang-Bing Ong*, Won Hee Lee*, Sang-Ging Ong*. ‘The integrated stress response potentiates ponatinib-induced cardiotoxicity.’ Circulation Research 134(5): 482 – 501, 2024 *Co-Corresponding authors
  • Attaur Rahman, Yuhao Li, Nur Izzah Ismail, To-Kiu Chan, Yuzhen Li, Dachun Xu, Hao Zhou, Sang-Bing Ong*. ‘The calcineurin-Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation is aligned with the differentiation of c-kit cardiac progenitor cells.’ International Journal of Stem Cells 16(2): 123-134, 2023 *Corresponding author
  • Nur Izzah Ismail, Nathaly Anto-Michel, Khairunnisa Katwadi, Mim-Mim Lim, To-Kiu Chan, Attaur Rahman, Dachun Xu, Sang-Ging Ong, Derek J Hausenloy, Sang-Bing Ong*. ‘Ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning protect the heart by preserving the mitochondrial network.’ BioMed Research International 2022: 6889278, 2022 *Corresponding author

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