Department of Anatomy

Research Groups

The research interests of this department fall into four main areas: cell and cancer biology, functional genomics, neuroscience and reproductive biology. Of these the cell and cancer biology and neurobiology groups are the largest with more faculty members and research students involved than in other areas. However, all faculty members are active in research in their respective fields. These groups hold regular laboratory meetings with research assistants and research students.

The faculty members of the cell and cancer biology group examine cancers of the salivary gland, nasopharynx, esophagus, colorectum, prostate, ovary and cervix in humans, as well as of the prostate and breast in animal models. They use a combination of morphometric, immunohistochemical, biochemical and molecular biological approaches.

Using morphometric techniques, members have generated stereological and quantitative immunohistochemical data which may be important for diagnosis and prognosis, especially in borderline cases, of tumours of salivary glands, esophagus and colorectal cancers. The ultimate aim is to be able to use this quantitative data in diagnosis and more importantly to predict the prognosis of cancers.

Molecular genetics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a locally prevalent cancer, is actively being investigated. Differential gene expression in NPC cells is investigated using the PCR-based RNA fingerprinting and differential display methods. Potential oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes involved in NPC will be cloned and characterized. The activation of telomerase in NPC was recently confirmed and its potential application as a malignant cell marker is under investigation.

The importance of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in development and the role of stromal influence on epithelial morphogenesis and modulation of prostatic adenocarcinoma are areas of active research. It has been found that rat prostatic adenocarcinoma can be modulated by embryonic mesenchyme and changes its direction of differentiation. Using another model, the group investigated changes in signal transduction pathway and the mechanisms underlying sex hormone-induced prostatic carcinogenesis. Attempts are being made to identify and characterize early markers for benign prostatic hyperplasia and carcinomas.

In neuroscience, the thrust is in neuroplasticity and regeneration of nerves in the central nervous system, especially in the visual system. Enhancement of optic nerve regeneration has been achieved by grafting a segment of a peripheral nerve. Moreover, neuropeptides, neuronotrophic factors and their receptors in visual and motor systems as well as their biological activities are being actively examined. The potential therapeutic use of these neuropeptides and factors in certain motoneuron diseases is being actively pursued. Other researchers in the field are making valuable contributions to the understanding of factors governing the spinal nerve regeneration into spinal cord, and the mechanisms of spinal motoneuron disease.

The reproductive biology group is working on the role of paternal accessory sex glands in embryogenesis. They have established that male accessory sex glands in hamsters secrete proteins which are incorporated into the surface membrane of sperms. These incorporated proteins can affect early embryogenesis and, thus, the litter size of hamsters. This is a novel role for accessory sex gland secretions in reproductive physiology.