We are delighted to announce that Ms Fenglian YANG, a PhD student in Prof. Liang ZHANG’s research group, has been awarded the prestigious Hong Kong Society for Mass Spectrometry (HKSMS) Travel Grant to attend the Asia–Oceania Mass Spectrometry Conference (AOMSC) 2025, held in Okinawa, Japan during 22–25 June 2025.
At the conference, Fenglian presented her pioneering research on adipose tissue secretomics, introducing a novel in vivo platform called DP-BASiC (Dual-Proximity BioID Adipose Secretome in vivo Conjugation). This innovative system integrates proximity-dependent biotinylation, mass spectrometry, and spatial mapping techniques to decode how adipose tissue communicates with other organs – particularly the brain – under physiological and pathological conditions such as obesity.
Her findings revealed that in obese mice, adipose tissue secretes pro-inflammatory factors that travel to the brain and trigger region-specific neuroinflammation. Using advanced spatial proteomics and transcriptomic profiling, Fenglian uncovered a mechanistic axis linking adipose-derived leptin to metabolic dysfunction via the PI3K/AKT and RAS pathways. This work not only enhances our understanding of inter-organ communication but also opens new avenues for tackling obesity-related diseases.
“Sharing my work at AOMSC was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “It encouraged others to think more deeply about the biological impact of obesity and how we might intervene. I’m now even more motivated to explore how adipose tissue influences brain function and systemic regulation.”
The HKSMS Travel Grant, together with support from the AOMSC organising committee, enabled Fenglian to engage with leading scientists, exchange ideas, and gain valuable feedback that will shape the next phase of her PhD journey.
Her achievement reflects not only her scientific excellence but also the vibrant, collaborative research environment fostered within our Department of Biomedical Sciences.