Joining the Laureate Forum will be an invaluable opportunity for me to engage with esteemed Shaw Laureates. Particularly, meeting Shaw Laureates in Life Science and Medicine—Eva Nogales, Kazutoshi Mori, and Peter Walter—whose research closely aligns with my passion for molecular biology, will be a defining moment in shaping my scientific vision. Their groundbreaking work will provide critical inspiration, and learning from their expertise will broaden my horizons in research directions. The Forum’s intellectually stimulating environment will facilitate meaningful exchanges with leading scientists, fostering collaborations and expanding my research perspective.

Standing on the threshold of my future as a dedicated biologist, my aspirations burn brightly. Under the Faculty of Science’s Summer Research Fellowship, I will conduct interdisciplinary research on engineering CAR-Macrophages for ovarian cancer under Prof. Alice Wong and explore the rejuvenation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts at Prof. Ralf Jauch’s Lab. As a Science Master Class student simultaneously pursuing a Master of Research degree, I can offer a unique perspective to the Forum’s scientific discussions through my knowledge, background, and intellectual curiosity. Sharing my research and learning from peers will not only be a climax in my science-driven journey but also foster a collaborative and thriving scientific community in the Forum.

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

Recommendation-letter_YAN-Aixin_Simay.pdf

Title: Engineering CAR-Macrophages to Target the β-catenin-Metadherin/CEACAM1-CCL3 to Inhibit Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer
Abstract: Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal types among females, with its high tendency to metastasize (An & Yang, 2021; Siegel et al, 2021). This study aims to develop chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-macrophages targeting the β-catenin-metadherin/CEACAM1-CCL3 signaling axis and investigate their role in modulating ovarian cancer progression. By utilizing in vitro models, it is explored how engineered CAR-macrophages influence cancer cell behavior, metastasis, and therapy resistance. It is expected that this study will contribute to identify new therapeutic targets for therapy and revolutionize treatment strategies with improved patient outcomes.
Background Information: Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in promoting cancer progression and metastasis. These cells have the ability to interact with ovarian cancer cells and induce a polyploid phenotype, enhancing cancer aggressiveness and metastatic potential. The β-catenin signaling pathway and the proteins metadherin and CEACAM1 have been shown to play a key role in these interactions (An & Yang, 2021; To et al, 2022; Yousefi et al, 2021). However, the mechanisms regarding how these factors contribute to metastasis and therapy resistance remain poorly understood.