I am eager to join the Hong Kong Laureate Forum to engage with a community of scholars and professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in the field of Life Science and Medicine. As a Postdoctoral Fellow with a strong passion for molecular biology and life science, I am committed to contributing to and learning from cutting-edge discussions that address pressing global challenges in health and science. This forum represents a unique opportunity to collaborate with experts, share insights from my own research, and stay informed about the latest advancements. I am particularly interested in exploring interdisciplinary approaches to disease mechanism and prevention, as I believe collaboration across disciplines is essential for driving meaningful progress. By participating in this forum, I hope to broaden my perspective, refine my skills, and contribute to impactful solutions that improve human health. I am confident that this platform will not only enhance my academic and professional growth but also allow me to build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. I am excited to actively participate in discussions between researchers and professionals, and I look forward to contributing to the forum’s mission of fostering innovation and excellence.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The influenza A virus (IAV) is a highly infectious pathogen and a public health threat that has accounted for many epidemic outbreaks and deaths throughout human history. Its genome consists of eight negative-sense, single-stranded viral RNA (vRNA) segments that can be transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) for protein translation and be replicated through the intermediate complementary RNA (cRNA). The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is responsible for both the viral replication and gene transcription. Studying the mechanisms of the RdRp replication and transcription could shed light on how to shut down the machinery once it has infected the host, and therefore facilitating antiviral measure development. Discovering effective, long-lasting vaccines as well as RdRp-specific drugs could benefit public health in combating seasonal influenza outbreaks.
Measuring nascent RNA is one of the approaches that could help investigating the activity of RdRp RNA synthesis. These synthesizing RNAs indicate the position of polymerase engagement, and therefore reflect the activity of the enzyme, especially during pausing and stuttering. Here, we propose a novel strategy named TenVIP-seq to sequence the nascent RNA of IAV, that could efficiently enrich and sequence viral nascent RNA from IAV, thus facilitating the study of RdRp stuttering and pausing sites.