Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1996

Dr. Shaw then worked with Dr. C.C. Wo n g a n d P r o f . M.S.C. Tam of the Department of Physiology on a project to improve trichosanthin as a medicinal protei n by lengthening its time inside the human body and reducing its allergic effects. The amino acids responsible for side effects were first identified and the n modified in the l a b o r a t o r y . Some o f these ' s e c o n d generation' proteins exhibi t a significantly reduced immunological effect’ and different trichosanthin derivatives can be produced by manipulating the 'culprit' amin o adds in different ways. It is hoped that an ideal drug can eventually be de v e l oped t h r o u g h systematic manipulations. In the course o f the research, Dr. Shaw also discovered that trichosanthin can inhibit the propagation of certain plant viruses. Working with Prof. Y.S. Wong of the CUHK Department of Biology, Dr. R.N.S. Wong of the Depa r tmen t of B i o l ogy at Baptist University, and Prof. B. Wang of the Institute of Genetics of the Academia Sinica in Beijing, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Yeung found that when inserted with a trichosanthin gene, tabacco can p r o d u c e o f f s p r i n g s that d emo n s t r a t e s t r e n g t h e n e d a n t i v i r a l p r o p e r t i e s. Sub s equen t l y , u n d e r the sponsorship of the Beijing - Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Ms. X.B. Li, a senior engineer of the Institute of Genetics of the Academia Sinica, visited the University to exchange experience with Dr. Shaw. After her return to Beijing, and with assistance from Dr. Shaw, Ms. Li and her colleague Mr. R.Z. Fu obtained a grant f r om the National Natural Science Funds to conduc t research on the introduction and expression of the trichosanthin gene in potatoes and on the toxicity of trichosanthin in transgenic potato plants. A n O v e r v i ew o f t he S i gn i f i c an ce o f T r i c h o s a n t h i n Resea r ch Research on trichosanthi n has not only increased the understanding of the functions and mechanisms of this protein but also i l l u s t r a t e d the i mp o r t a n c e of mu l t i- disciplinary collaboration. The research has g r own in scope and depth through the contributions of various departments fro m local universities as we l l as f r om the Academia Sinica of mainland China. The experience has also enhanced scientific an d technological exchang e between Ho ng Kong and China. • Dr. P.C. Shaw graduated with first class honours from The Chinese University's Department of Biology in 1981. After receiving his M.Phil, in 1983, he pursued his doctoral studies at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, on a Croucher Foundation scholarship. Dr. Shaw was a postdoctoral f e l l o w at the Imperial College before Joining his alma mater as a lecturer in biochemistry in 1987. He was promoted to senior lecturer rank in 1995. Dr. Shaw has broad interest in scientific research and its application. Another research of his on the screening and cloning of restriction enzymes was reported in the Spring • Summer issue of the Chinese University Bulleti n in 1995. Chinese University Bulletin Autumn • Winter 1996 24