Research


Chemical Biology

Dr. Julian A Tanner Essentials of Chemical Biology

Julian A. Tanner, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry

BSc (University of Bristol); PhD (Imperial College, London)

Contact
Email: jatanner@hku.hk
Tel: +852 2819 9472
Office: L3-70, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong

Profile:

Dr. Julian A. Tanner is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Hong Kong and co-author of the textbook "Essentials of Chemical Biology – Structure and Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules", published internationally by Wiley in 2008. Julian’s research and teaching focus is at the multidisciplinary interface between chemistry, biology and medicine.

Courses taught in 2011-2012:

  • CCST9001 Understanding Life in an Age of Synthetic Biology
  • BIOC1001 Basic Biochemistry
  • MEDE0001 Life Science I (Biochemistry)
  • BIOL2301 Protein Structure and Function
  • BIOC3615 Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • BIOC3611 Advanced Biochemistry II

 

Research Description:

Nucleic Acid Aptamers for Therapeutics and Diagnostics: We use in vitro evolution approaches to develop nucleic acids against a variety of targets with both therapeutic and diagnostic ambitions. We are developing new diagnostic approaches for malaria, and collaborative projects are ongoing against influenza, tuberculosis and osteoporosis targets.

Fundamental Biochemistry of the Inorganic Polyphosphates: Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is present in every cell in nature and consists of chains of tens or hundreds of orthophosphate residues linked by high-energy phospoanhydride bonds. We are presently working on inorganic polyphosphates to understand and possibly target its metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and are developing new approaches to understand its eukaryotic functions.

Mechanisms of Skeletal Disease: We collaborate within the Area of Excellence in Developmental Genomics and Skeletal Research. In particular, we are looking at how mutations in sedlin cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda, how sclerostin might be targeted for osteoporosis therapy, and use cellular models to facilitate proteomic approaches to understanding skeletal disease.

Lab Photo

Top row (from left to right): Carl Ao, Andrew Kinghorn, Wai Cheung, Dr. Cecilia Chan, Yuanyuan Yu, Dr. Lina Li; Bottom row (from left to right): Wesley Tucker, Dr. Julian Tanner, Dr. Eric Lui

Co-workers*:

  • Dr. Cecilia Chan – Post-doctoral Fellow
  • Dr. Lina Li – Post-doctoral Research Associate
  • Wai Cheung – PhD Student
  • Mari Kimura – MPhil Student
  • Andrew Kinghorn – PhD Student
  • Wesley Tucker – PhD Student
  • Yuanyuan Yu – PhD Student
  • Carl Ao – MPhil Student

* I am open to enquiries from prospective PhD students, please contact me. Financially supported positions may be available for excellent applicants, either local or international. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme applicants are particularly welcome.

Previously Graduated Students:

  • Dr. Eric Lui – PhD (graduated 2011)
  • Dr. Kato Shum – PhD (graduated 2010)
  • Dr. Celine Chan – PhD (graduated 2009)
  • Dr. Cecilia Chan – PhD (graduated 2009)
  • Dr. Mei Choi – PhD (graduated 2008)
  • Bob Lee – MPhil (graduated 2008)

Major Grants:

  • New approaches in the nuclear delivery and targeting of aptamers to augment osteoblast activity for osteoporosis (CERG 2009)
  • Development of an aptamer-nanoparticle based rapid diagnostic test for malaria (CERG 2008)
  • Identification, validation and characterization of the eukaryotic enzymes and regulators of inorganic polyphosphate metabolism (CERG 2007)
  • Targeting sclerostin with aptamer-based inhibitors as an approach to osteoporosis therapy (CERG 2006)
  • Evolution, Validation and Delivery of Aptamer-Based Inhibitors that Target the SARS Coronavirus Helicase (CERG 2005)

Protein Analysis Facility:

Publications, Achievements, and Grants:

Representative Publications:

  • Shum, K. T., Lui, E.L., Wong, S.C., Yeung, P., Sam, L., Wang, Y., Watt, R.M. & Tanner, J.A. Aptamer-mediated inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis polyphosphate kinase 2. Biochemistry, 50, 3261–3271 (2011).
  • Shum K.T., Chan C., Leung C.M. & Tanner J.A. Identification of a DNA aptamer that inhibits sclerostin's antagonistic effect on Wnt signaling. Biochem J, 434, 501-510 (2011).
  • Wu, X.G., Zong, M., Chan, C.W.L., Choi, M.Y., Chan, H.C., Tanner, J.A. & Yu, S. The adaptor function of TRAPPC2 in mammalian TRAPPs explains TRAPPC2-associated SEDT and TRAPPC9-associated congenital intellectual disability. PLoS ONE, 6 (8), e23350 (2011).
  • Choi, M.Y., Chan, C.Y., Chan, D., Luk, K.D., Cheah, K.S., & Tanner, J.A. Biochemical consequences of sedlin mutations that cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda. Biochem J , 433, 243-242 (2009).
  • Shum, K.T. & Tanner, J.A. Differential inhibitory activities and stabilisation of DNA aptamers against the SARS coronavirus helicase. Chembiochem, 9, 3037-3045 (2008).
  • Yang, N.*, Tanner, J.A.*, Zheng, B.J., Watt, R.M., He, M.L., Lu, L.Y., Jiang, J.Q., Shum, K.T., Lin, Y.P., Wong, K.L., Lin, M.C. M., Kung, H.F., Sun, H., & Huang, J.D. Bismuth complexes inhibit the SARS coronavirus. Angew Chem, 64, 6464-6468 (2007).
  • Wright, M., Boonyalai, N., Tanner, J.A., Hindley, A.D. & Miller, A.D. The duality of LysU, a catalyst for both Ap(4)A and Ap(3)A formation. FEBS J, 273, 3534-3544 (2006).
  • Tanner, J.A., Wright, M., Christie, M., Preuss, M.K., & Miller, A.D. Investigation into the Interactions between Diadenosine 5′,5′′′-P1,P4-Tetraphosphate and Two Proteins: Molecular Chaperone GroEL and cAMP Receptor Protein. Biochemistry, 45, 3095-3106 (2006).
  • Ge, R., Watt, R.M., Sun, X., Tanner, J.A., He, Q.Y., Huang, J.D. & Sun, H. Expression and characterization of a histidine-rich protein, Hpn: potential for Ni2+ storage in Helicobacter pylori. Biochem J 393, 285-293 (2006).
  • Tanner, J.A., Zheng, B.J., Zhou, J., Watt, R.M., Jiang, J.Q., Wong, K.L., Lin, Y.P., Lu, L.Y., He, M.L., Kung, H.F., Kesel, A.J. & Huang, J.D. The Adamantane-Derived Bananins Are Potent Inhibitors of the Helicase Activities and Replication of SARS Coronavirus. Chem Biol 12, 303-311 (2005).
  • Kao, R.Y., Tsui, W.H., Lee, T.S., Tanner, J.A., Watt, R.M., Huang, J.D., Hu, L., Chen, G., Chen, Z., Zhang, L., He, T., Chan, K.H., Tse, H., To, A.P., Ng, L.W., Wong, B.C., Tsoi, H.W., Yang, D., Ho, D.D. & Yuen, K.Y. Identification of novel small-molecule inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus by chemical genetics. Chem Biol 11, 1293-1299 (2004).
  • Tanner, J.A., Watt, R.M., Chai, Y.B., Lu, L.Y., Lin, M.C., Peiris, J.S., Poon, L.L., Kung, H.F. & Huang, J.D. The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus NTPase/helicase belongs to a distinct class of 5′ to 3′ viral helicases. J Biol Chem 278, 39578-39582 (2003).
  • Tanner, J.A., Abowath, A. & Miller, A.D. Isothermal titration calorimetry reveals a zinc ion as an atomic switch in the diadenosine polyphosphates. J Biol Chem 277, 3073-3078 (2002).
  • More exhaustive list of publications and grants available at http://hub.hku.hk/rp/rp00495.