Dr Bing Wang
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Research Fellow
G08 - Biochemistry Building |
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Research interests
I am interested in the research area of molecular biochemistry based on nutritional Glycobiology/Sialobiology and brain function. Current studies seek to test the hypothesis that expression of the sialic acid (or N-acetylneuraminic acid) glycotope, a terminal sugar on human milk oligosaccharides, is a conditional nutrient for brain development and cognition during the early stages of life. These studies also seek to characterize the genes encoding the polysialyltransferases, enzymes critical for the polysialylation of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM), and the response of these genes to sialic acid in the piglet model. The state of NCAM polysialylation is known to correlate with higher learning and memory, but the molecular mechanism underlying such remains obscure. The overall goal of our research is to advance the understanding of the gene/nutrient & environmental interactions towards brain development, behavior and cognitive function. Accordingly, our research has focused on elucidating the molecular and cellular impact in the developing brain. We use the piglet as an animal model due to similarities in basic anatomic, physiological and nutrient requirements of human infants, particular brain development.
Specific questions that we are addressing include:
1. What is the role of diet (e.g rich in sialic acid etc) in brain function?
2. How is the molecular regulation of gene expression by nutrients occurs during development?
3. What are the mechanisms for nutritional effects on CNS structure and functional development?
4. What is the role of nutrients in brain organogenesis?
5. What are the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying learning and memory?
We are using a range of techniques including molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and learning & memory behaviour assessment.