CityU research identifies growth promoting genes that accelerate peripheral nerve regeneration after injury

 

We would like to invite you to cover the following event:

Date:       22 March 2013 (Friday)

 

Time:       2:30 pm

 

Venue:     Room B6605, 6/F, Blue Zone (Lift 3), Academic 1, CityU

 

It often takes humans a long time to recover from injuries that affect motor functions because damaged peripheral nerves regenerate at just 1mm each day.

                                                                                         

However, Dr Eddie Ma Chi-him, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong, and his team have identified a growth-associated gene that accelerates intrinsic axonal growth.

 

After transplanting the gene into a mouse, Dr Ma and his researchers discovered that the treatment was effective. In addition, they have found that there is a “critical period” for recovery among mice and humans, and that it is difficult, or perhaps impossible, for a muscle to recover its motor functions if this critical period is missed.

 

Dr Ma will introduce his research and its application at the briefing.

 

 

Media enquiries: Christina Wu, CityU Communications and Public Relations Office (Tel: 3442 6819 or 9841 2774)