FOO LAB
Impactful scientific discoveries through world-class research
Foo lab identified a novel cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation (CMDD) marker gene, asparagine synthetase (Asns).
This study from Dr Yike Zhu was recently published in Circulation.
The team leveraged in vitro cultured adult mouse cardiomyocytes and in vivo adeno-associated virus serotype 9 cardiomyocyte–targeted delivery of reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc) in adult mice to study CM dedifferentiation.
Asns expression level was significantly and consistently upregulated in multiple models of CMDD and cardiac regeneration, while Asns deficiency led to defective regeneration in the neonatal mouse myocardial infarction model and more cell death. We are excited to have identified this marker to better understand cardiac regeneration.
Mick Lee's paper was accepted into Circulation! Link coming soon.
Mick has been using CRISPR screening to dissect mechanisms of cardiomyocyte differentiation and function. It turns out that NF2 is crucial to regulate Wnt signaling throughout this process which involves a stepwise clearance of cell fate - restricting regulators through the modulation of BMP/Wnt-signaling pathways.
NF2 and AMOT cooperatively bind to YAP preventing YAP activation. The AMOT-NF2-YAP scaffold complex at the adherens junction is required for mesodermal lineage specification.
This work has helped us to establish CRISPR screening with Mick and others continuing to use this powerful tool to ask other questions. We were also awarded a grant to fund our exploration of avenues to exploit NF2 and related pathways to modulate heart muscle function.
Roger made a statement as newly appointed appointed Vice-Dean (Research) to kick off 2024.
Roger was asked to provide some inspiration for the new calendar year. Welcome colleagues and collaborators to 2024.
"A new year with new beginnings. I've been asked to reflect. It is a wonderful time to be called to serve in the ecosystem as Vice-Dean (Research) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine...."
"I count myself very privileged indeed to be working very hard with everyone ... for the practice of better medicine tomorrow."
Launch of Project RESET
Project RESET has launched. We have the lofty aim to improve and promote heart health in Singapore. Heart failure as a disease represents the tip of the iceberg - we are scanning deeper.
July 2023
The lab was awarded a CS-IRG Grant!
Based on PhD student-now-post-doc Dr Mick Lee's work the lab will investigate the role of NF-YAP complexes in cardiomyocyte biology
July 2023
Dr Matias Autio has a manuscript is accepted for publication in eLife.
Stable and improved genomic safe-harbours have utility in a wide range of biomedical and life science applications.
December 2023
Recent highlights
Matias' Genomic Safe Harbour paper is published in eLife
January 2024
Dr Matias Autio has identifed new genomic safe harbours for transgene insertion in hESCs with stable and safe gene expression in hESCs and differentiated cell types. Experimentally validated, the GSH and cell lines generated have a wide utility in biomedical and molecular research applications.
The team built landing pads to allow for consistent integration of useful payloads using recombinases.
Foo-Lab has been awarded a CS-IRG grant
July 2023
The lab has received funding to further study the molecular biology of YAP-NF2 complexes in heart function and disease. PhD student, now post-doc Mick Lee found that this pathway plays an important role in cardiomyocyte differentiation and biology using a genome-wide pooled CRISPR screen.
Knowing Mick and Roger, the project is ambitious, deep molecular biology and hopes to identify novel candidate therapeutics.
Project RESET has been launched in style with a visit from the health minister.
July 2023
Project RESET is lead by Prof, Roger Foo and involves collaborators across Singapore. It aims to lead the way and transform Singapore's heart health amidst the looming S.E. Asia heart failure crisis. How ? By focusing on the earlier, hidden risk factors, public health outreach and education and collecting data for deep science combining public health, clinical and genomics data.
Seethe link below for more information and some of the press releases.
Foo Lab was present at Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiovascular Disease,
Gordon Research Conference, June 18-23,2023
