Dr. Chi-chung (C.C.) Hui
Senior Scientist
Dr. Chi-chung (C.C.) Hui | Senior Scientist, DSCB Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Professor and Associate Chair, International Partnerships, Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto
Brief Biography:
I did my undergraduate and Masters studies in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Hong Kong. After doctoral and postdoctoral studies at the National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki in Japan and postdoctoral training at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto, I joined SickKids in 1994.
Personal interests:
Music, reading and audio books
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Joe Son | Postdoctoral Fellow, DSCB Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Previously:
2008-2013: Ph.D – Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
2011-2013: Visiting Scholar – The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
2004-2008: B.Sc. – Department of Plant Science, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
Brief Biography:
I joined the laboratory of Dr. Hui as a postdoctoral research fellow in October 2014. My research is focused on the “Function and molecular mechanism of hypothalamic Irx3 and Irx5 in energy metabolism”. Previously, Hui lab discovered the critical role of hypothalamic Irx3 and Irx5 in the regulation of metabolic diseases. However, their precise roles in the function of the hypothalamus and the molecular mechanisms involved in energy homeostasis need to be clearly defined in order to fully appreciate the clinical implications. I am extremely keen to develop and pursue research in a team to investigate the role of hypothalamic Irx3 and Irx5 in obesity and diabetes using various transgenic mice models. The proposed study will elucidate the actions of Irx3 and Irx5 in the CNS and establish how modulation of their activities determines an individual’s obesity and diabetes risk. The chance to work with Dr. Hui provides the perfect opportunity to learn and conduct leading research in mouse models of disease and developmental genetics, in addition to his exciting ongoing research on obesity and diabetes regulation.
Selected Publications:
- Intermittent fasting promotes adipose thermogenesis and metabolic homeostasis via VEGF-mediated alternative activation of macrophage. Kim KH, Kim YH, Son JE, Lee JH, Kim S, Choe MS, Moon JH, Zhong J, Fu K, Lenglin F, Yoo JA, Bilan PJ, Klip A, Nagy A, Kim JR, Park JG, Hussein SM, Doh KO, Hui CC, Sung HK. Cell Research. 2017 Nov;27(11):1309-1326.
- A novel cinnamon-related natural product with Pim-1 inhibitory activity inhibits leukemia and skin cancer. Kim JE*, Son JE*, Jeong H, Kim DJ, Seo SK, Lee E, Lim TG, Kim JR, Chen H, Bode AM, Lee KW, Dong Z. (2014) Cancer Research. (*, co-first authors)
- Obesity-associated variants within FTO form long-range functional connections with IRX3. Smemo S, Tena JJ, Kim KH, Gamazon ER, Sakabe NJ, Gómez-Marín C, Aneas I, Credidio FL, Sobreira DR, Wasserman NF, Lee JH, Puviindran V, Tam D, Shen M, Son JE, Vakili NA, Sung HK, Naranjo S, Acemel RD, Manzanares M, Nagy A, Cox NJ, Hui CC, Gomez-Skarmeta JL, Nóbrega MA. (2014) Nature. 507(7492):371-5
- Anthocyanidins, novel FAK inhibitors, attenuate PDGF-BB-induced aortic smooth muscle cell migration and neointima formation. Son JE, Lee E, Jung SK, Kim JE, Oak MH, Lee KW, Lee HJ.(2014) Cardiovascular Research. 101(3):503-12
- Adipose vascular endothelial growth factor regulates metabolic homeostasis through angiogenesis. Sung HK, Doh KO, Son JE, Park JG, Bae Y, Choi S, Nelson SM, Cowling R, Nagy K, Michael IP, Koh GY, Adamson SL, Pawson T, Nagy A. (2013) Cell Metabolism. 8;17(1):61-72
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Dr. Joe Sun
Postdoctoral Fellow
Noah Hahn | Graduate Student - PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto
Education:
- 2014-present: Graduate Student – Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
- 2014: B.Sc. – Department of Zoology, University of Guelph
Research Interests:
Irx3 and Irx5 have been implicated as determinants of human fat mass but the mechanism for this obesity-association has not been determined. I am using cellular and mouse models to uncover Irx3 and Irx5’s roles in the development and function of adipocytes. I am also studying how long-range regulatory elements in the neighbouring gene, FTO, control the expression of IRX3 and IRX5.
Other interests:
Outside of the laboratory, my hobbies include playing soccer, swimming and walking my dog. I maintain proper glucose homeostasis by avoiding foods with high glycemic index and consuming foods with high protein and fat content.
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Noah Hahn
Graduate Student – PhD
Sepideh Sheybani | Graduate Student - PhD., Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto
Education:
2014-2016: MSc. Physiology, University of Toronto
2010-2013: HBSc. Health and Disease Specialist, University of Toronto
Research Interests:
Iroquois genes are known as neural prepatterining genes that are clustered on two different chromosomes in mice and humans. IrxB cluster includes Irx3 and 5 and has been demonstrated to play key developmental and physiological roles in energy homeostasis. Yet, genetic studies on IrxA cluster including Irx1 and 2 are still lacking. I am interested in using novel transgenic mice and molecular techniques to decipher the expression pattern and functional roles of IrxA cluster, including Irx1 and 2, specifically in the brain.
Other Interests:
I enjoy exploring unique coffee shops, urban photography, shopping and taking care of my flowers.
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Sepideh Sheybani
Graduate Student – PhD
Jessica Parker | Graduate Student - M.Sc., Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto
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Jessica Parker
Graduate Student – M.Sc.
Zhengchao Dou | Graduate Student - M.Sc., Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto
Education:
- 2016-present: Graduate Student – Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
- 2012-2016: B.Sc. – Biological Sciences, Tsinghua University
Research Interests:
The Iroquois homeobox genes IRX3 and IRX5 have been demonstrated to be key regulators of energy homeostasis and novel determinants of human obesity. Their hypothalamic functions have been shown to be critical in regulating energy balance but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still to be uncovered. Using mouse models, my project focuses on characterizing the metabolic functions of Irx3 and Irx5 in the hypothalamus.
Other interests:
Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading books and manga, collecting stationery (notebooks, masking tapes, stickers, etc.), and walking around the neighborhood.
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Zhengchou Dou
Graduate Student – M.Sc.
Rong Mo | Lab Technologist, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Education:
- M.Sc. – University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Beijing
- B.Sc. – Medical University of Beijing
Research Interests:
I have been a member of the Hui lab since January, 1995. My work focuses on phenotype analysis of mutant mice using histological, gene expression, embryology, and pathological techniques. I also manage mouse colonies for various projects and provide assistance to other lab members.
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Rong Mo
Lab Technologist
Xiaoyun (Mary) Zhang | Lab Technologist, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Education:
- Medical School in China
Research Interests:
I have been working in Dr. Hui’s lab since 1997. My work involves generating loss of function as well as gain of function transgenic mouse lines that are used as genetic tools to study developmental defects and cancer. I also investigate gene function and regulation using various molecular biology and biochemistry techniques.
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Xiaoyun (Mary) Zhang
Lab Technologist