Academic Seminar: Research on Trypanosome RNA Editing and Leishmaniasis
On the afternoon of May 26, 2024, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery (AIDD) invited Dr. Vyacheslav Yurchenko, a professor from the University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic, and Dr. Dehua Lai, an associate professor from Sun Yat-sen University, to give an academic report and discussion on Trypanosome RNA editing and Leishmania-related research. The report was hosted by Dr. Henry Tong and Dr. Qianqian Zhang.
Firstly, Dr. Vyacheslav Yurchenko introduced the RNA editing mechanisms present in the Trypanosomes, particularly the process of gRNA binding with mRNA to insert or delete uridine. It sparked discussions about drug design based on this mechanism. Dr. Vyacheslav Yurchenko then shared the discoveries and insights regarding virulence factors and functional genomics in Leishmaniasis.
Secondly, Qin Li, a student from the AIDD centre, presented her research findings on drug discovery and screening for Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania amazonesis using artificial intelligence and computer-aided methods. She also shared experimental results from her collaboration with Dr. Dehua Lai's team at Sun Yat-sen University. Dr. Vyacheslav Yurchenko provided valuable suggestions for the experiments.
After the report and discussion, the centre members engaged in in-depth exchanges, deepening their mutual understanding, and exploring the willingness and directions for future collaboration. The successful holding of this academic activity provided AIDD centre students with new research ideas and insights and laid a solid foundation for further promoting international academic exchanges and cooperation.
