Time：2014.4.3.（Thursday）10:00 a.m.
Location
Lecturer：Professor Shawn S.-C. Li
Western University, Canada
Abstract：
Epigenetics refers mainly to the study of DNA and histone modifications and their role in regulating the gene transcriptional program. Aberrant epigenetic changes have been associated with a plethora of human diseases, notably cancer. Histones around which the DNA is wrapped in chromatin is subject to numerous modifications on specific types of amino acids, including lysine and arginine, by histone modifying enzymes. Interestingly, a number of recent studies indicate that non-histone proteins are also substrates of these enzymes. These studies therefore expand epigenetic modifications to non-histone proteins and call for further research into this new area in order to understand the role of protein methylation in general as well as their functions in specific cellular processes. The Li lab has recently developed a method that combines mass spec, peptide array and bioinformatics to systematically identify Lys methylation events occurring on histone and non-histone proteins. Dr. Li will present data on how this method allows the identification of a methylation-driven interactome associated with DNA damage repair and how dynamic methylation regulates stem cell differentiation.
Introduction：
I. EXPERTISE & RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cellular signal transduction, Proteomics (eg., peptide and protein microarrays, mass spectrometry), Identification and characterization of post-translational modifications (eg., phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation), Molecular basis of oncogenesis and drug resistance, Novel therapeutics.
II. EDUCATION & TRAINING
1995-2000 Postdoctoral Fellow. Lunenfeld-Tanebaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto. Supervisor: Dr. Tony Pawson.
1995 Ph.D, University of Toronto, Department of Biochemistry.
1988 MSc, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Science.
1985 BSc, Department of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing.
III. EMPLOYMENT
2011-present, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, cross-appointed to the Department of Oncology, Western University (or University of Western Ontario), London, Ontario, Canada.
2005-2010 Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Western University.
2000-2005 Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Western University
2000-present Scientist, Child Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
IV. AWARDS, HONOURS, FELLOWSHIPS
2013 Top 10 Research Stories of 2013, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute
2011-2016 Canada Research Chair in Functional Genomics and Cellular Proteomics (renew)
2006-2011 Canada Research Chair in Functional Genomics and Cellular Proteomics (Tier II)
2004 Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for the Biological Sciences
2004 Dean’s Award of Excellence (Research). Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario.
2001 Premier’s Research Excellence Award (PREA, Government of Ontario)
2001 Harold E Johns Award. National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC).
2001-2007 Research Scientist Award. NCIC
1999-2000 Centennial Fellowship, Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC).
1995-1998 Fellowship, Medical Research Council of Canada.
1995-1998 Fellowship, National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) (declined).
1995 Young Investigator Award, American Peptide Society.
1994 RESTRACOM Award for Scientific Merit, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
1993 Young Investigator Award, American Peptide Society.
Contacts：Group 1809 Mingliang Ye (9620 )