2024-10-10T17:23:01+08:002017-01-10|
Contact Information
Title
Vice Rector (Research) ,Director for Centre for Development Reproduction and Aging ,Chair Professor
Office
(Office) N6-5027 / (Lab) N22-2927/2928
Phone
(Office) +853 8822 4556 / (Lab) +853 8822 2035
Fax
+853 8822 2314
Email
weige@um.edu.mo
Consultation Hours

By appointment with Ms. Drina WU (drinawu@um.edu.mo)

Teaching

HSCI4002 Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Research Team
Name Position Office Phone Email
Nana AIUM Macao Post-doctoral Fellow (Lab Representative)N22-2034+853 8822 4935nanaai@um.edu.mo
Kun WUPost-doctoral FellowN22-2034+853 8822 4935kunwu@um.edu.mo
Nahida Rahman MITUPhD StudentN22-2033+853 8822 2734
Yiming YUEPhD StudentN22-2034+853 8822 4935
Chu ZENGPhD StudentN22-2034+853 8822 4935
Xin ZHANGPhD StudentN22-2034+853 8822 4935
Lingling ZHOUPhD StudentN22-2033+853 8822 2734
Longzhen WUPhD Student
Education
NSERC postdoctoral fellow National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB), Okazaki, Japan (1993-1995)
PhD University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (1988-1993)
MSc Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China (1982-1985)
BSc Department of Biology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (1978-1982)
Positions
2019 – Present Vice Rector (Research), University of Macau
2018 – 2019 Interim Dean, the Graduate School, University of Macau
2013 – 2018 Associate Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau
2013 – Present Chair Professor and Director of Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau
2009 – Present Adjunct Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2006 – Present Adjunct Professor, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
2004 – Present Professor, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1999 – 2004 Associate Professor, Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1995 – 1999 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Research Interests
My research focuses on functional analysis of the brain-pituitary-ovary axis using zebrafish as the model.  Our current interests include: (1) endocrine regulation of reproduction by the reproductive and growth axes; (2) intra-follicular paracrine/autocrine communication network in the ovary; (3) impacts of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on reproduction and public health; and (4) zebrafish as a model for aging, human diseases and drug discovery.  Our research involves using a variety of techniques in molecular and cell biology, physiology and genetics, including the newly-emerged genome-editing technologies, i.e., TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9.
Representative Publications
  1. Qin, M., Zhang, Z., Song, W., Wong, W.-L., Chen, W. and Ge, W. 2018 Roles of Figla/figla in juvenile ovary development and follicle formation during zebrafish gonadogenesis. Endocrinology (in press)
  2. Zhang, Y., Zhang, Z. and Ge, W. 2018 An efficient platform for generating somatic point mutations with germline transmission in the zebrafish by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in. Journal of Biological Chemistry 293:6611
  3. Lu, H., Cui, Y., Jiang, L. and Ge, W. 2017 Functional analysis of nuclear estrogen receptors (nERs) in zebrafish reproduction by genome editing approach. Endocrinology 158:2292–2308
    (#This article received a special coverage by the journal with a news and commentary article: Endocrinology 2017; 158:2082-2083)
  4. Wong, Q.W.-L., Sun, M.-A., Lau, S.-W., Parsania, C., Zhou, S., Zhong, S. and Ge, W. 2017 Identification and characterization of a specific 13-miRNA expression signature during follicle activation in the zebrafish ovary. Biology of Reproduction 98:42-53
  5. Chen, W., Lau, S.-W., Fan, Y., Wu, R.S.S. and Ge, W. 2017 Juvenile exposure to bisphenol a promotes ovarian differentiation but suppresses its growth – potential involvement of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone. Aquatic Toxicology 193:111-121
  6. Chen, W., Liu, L. and Ge, W. 2017 Expression analysis of growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9/gdf9), anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh/amh) and aromatase (Cyp19a1a/cyp19a1a) during gonadal differentiation of the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Biology of Reproduction 96:401-13
  7. Lau, E.S.-W., Zhang, Z., Qin, M. and Ge, W. 2016 Knockout of zebrafish ovarian aromatase gene (cyp19a1a) by TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 leads to all-male offspring due to failed ovarian differentiation. Scientific Reports 6:37357
  8. Zhang, Z., Lau, S.-W., Zhang, L. and Ge, W. 2015 Disruption of zebrafish follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) but not luteinizing hormone receptor (lhcgr) gene by TALEN leads to failed follicle activation in females followed by sexual reversal to males. Endocrinology 156:3747-3762
    (#This article received a special coverage by the journal with a news and commentary article: Endocrinology 2015; 156:3490-3493)
  9. Yao, K. and Ge, W. 2015 Differential Regulation of Kit Ligand A (kitlga) Expression in the Zebrafish Ovarian Follicle Cells – Evidence for the Existence of a Cyclic Adenosine 3′, 5′ Monophosphate-Mediated Binary Regulatory System During Folliculogenesis. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 402:21-31
  10. Zhang, Z., Zhu, B. and Ge, W. 2015 Genetic Analysis of Zebrafish Gonadotropin (FSH and LH) Functions by TALEN-mediated Gene Disruption. Molecular Endocrinology 29:76-98
  11. Yao, K., Lau, S.-W. and Ge, W. 2014 Differential regulation of Kit ligand A expression in the ovary by IGF-I via different pathways. Molecular Endocrinology 28:138-150
  12. Li, C.W. and Ge, W. 2013 Regulation of the activin-inhibin-follistatin system by bone morphogenetic proteins in the zebrafish ovary. Biology of Reproduction 89:1-10
  13. Chen, W. and Ge, W. 2013 Gonadal differentiation and puberty onset in the zebrafish – evidence for dependence of puberty onset on body growth but not age in females. Molecular Reproduction and Development 80:384-392
  14. Chung, C.-K. and Ge, W. 2012 Epidermal growth factor differentially regulates activin subunits in the zebrafish ovarian follicle cells via diverse signaling pathways. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 361:133-142
  15. Chen, W. and Ge, W. 2012 Ontogenic expression profiles of gonadotropins (fshb and lhb) and growth hormone (gh) during sexual differentiation and puberty onset in female zebrafish. Biology of Reproduction 86:1-11
  16. Liu, K.-C., Lin, S.-W. and Ge, W. 2011 Differential regulation of gonadotropin receptors (fshr and lhcgr) by estradiol in the zebrafish ovary involves nuclear estrogen receptors that are likely located on the plasma membrane. Endocrinology 152:4418-4430
  17. Zhou, R., Tsang, A.H.K., Lau, S.-W. and Ge, W. 2011 Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptors in the zebrafish ovary – evidence for potential dual roles of pacap in controlling final oocyte maturation. Biology of Reproduction 85:615-625 (Cover story)
  18. Li, C.W. and Ge, W. 2011 Spatiotemporal expression of bone morphogenetic protein family ligands and receptors in the zebrafish ovary – a potential paracrine signaling mechanism for oocyte-follicle cell communication. Biology of Reproduction 85:977-986
  19. Yao, K. and Ge, W. 2010 Kit system in the zebrafish ovary – Evidence for functional divergence of two isoforms of kit (kita and kitb) and kit ligands (kitlga and kitlgb) during folliculogenesis. Biology of Reproduction 82:1216-1226
  20. Poon, S.-K., So, W.-K., Yu, X., Liu, L. and Ge, W. 2009 Characterization of inhibin a subunit (inha) in the zebrafish: evidence for a potential feedback loop between the pituitary and ovary. Reproduction 138:1-12
  21. Liu, L. and Ge, W. 2007 Growth differentiation factor 9 and its spatiotemporal expression and regulation in the zebrafish ovary. Biology of Reproduction 76:294-302
  22. Ge, W. 2005 Intrafollicular paracrine communication in the zebrafish ovary: The state of the art of an emerging model for the study of vertebrate folliculogenesis. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 237:1-10 (Invited At-the-Cutting-Edge review)
  23. Kwok, H.-F., So, W.-K., Wang, Y. and Ge, W. 2005 Zebrafish gonadotropins and their receptors: I. Cloning and characterization of zebrafish follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors (Fshr and Lhr) – Evidence for their distinct functions in follicle development. Biology of Reproduction 72:1370-81
  24. So, W.-K., Kwok, H.-F. and Ge, W. 2005 Zebrafish gonadotropins and their receptors: II. Cloning and characterization of zebrafish follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) subunits – Their spatial-temporal expression patterns and receptor specificity. Biology of Reproduction 72:1382-96
  25. Wang, Y. and Ge, W. 2004 Developmental profiles of activin βA, βB and follistatin expression in the zebrafish ovary – evidence for their differential roles during sexual maturation and ovulatory cycle. Biology of Reproduction 71:2056-2064
  26. Wang, Y. and Ge, W. 2004 Cloning of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR) from the zebrafish ovary and its potential roles in the regulation of ovarian activin/follistatin system. Biology of Reproduction 71:749-760
  27. Wang, Y., Wong, A.O.L. and Ge, W. 2003 Cloning, regulation of mRNA expression and function of a new isoform of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the zebrafish ovary. Endocrinology 144:4799-4810
  28. Wang, Y. and Ge, W. 2003 Involvement of cyclic adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate in the differential regulation of activin bA and bB expression by gonadotropin in the zebrafish ovarian follicle cells. Endocrinology 144:491-499
  29. Pang, Y. and Ge, W. 2002 Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a) promote zebrafish oocyte maturation in vitro: potential role of the ovarian activin regulatory system. Endocrinology 143:47-54
  30. Pang, Y. and Ge, W. 2002 Gonadotropin and activin enhance maturational competence of the oocytes in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Biology of Reproduction 66:259-265
Full publications list
Research Grants
2018 – 2020 (PI) Functional analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in ovarian folliculogenesis – a genetic approach. [The Macau Fund for the Development of Science and Technology (FDCT), MOP$1,971,900]
2017 – 2019 (PI) Disruption of gdf9 Gene in the Zebrafish Reveals a Critical Checkpoint in Controlling Follice Activation in the Ovary – How Does It Work?. [University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant (MYRG), MOP2,069,900]
2016 – 2018 (PI) Genetic Analysis of the Roles of MAPK3/1 Signaling Cascade in Oocyte Maturation and Ovulation in the Zebrafish. [University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant (MYRG), MOP2,990,900]
2015 – 2017 (PI) Functional analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in ovarian folliculogenesis – a genetic approach. [The Macau Fund for the Development of Science and Technology (FDCT), MOP2,020,000]
2015 – 2017 (PI) Zebrafish as a model for reproductive aging – its mechanism and gene function. [University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant (MYRG), MOP2,900,000]
2014 – 2016 (PI) Functional and genetic analysis of the kit system in the ovary – a potential paracrine communication mechanism during folliculogenesis. [The Macau Fund for the Development of Science and Technology (FDCT), MOP1,375,000]
2014 – 2016 (PI) Functional analysis for roles of Ybx1, a transcription factor and mRNA binding protein, during follicle activation in the ovary. [University of Macau Multi-Year Research Grant (MYRG), MOP3,000,000]
2013 – 2015 (Co-PI) Role of Y-box binding protein (YB-1) in follicle activation – mechanisms of its nuclear translocation as transcription factor and secretion as extracellular ligand. [Hong Kong Area of Excellence (AoE) Grant on Centre for Organelle Biogenesis and Function, HKD600,000]
2009 – 2013 (Co-PI) Action mechanisms of endocrine disrupting chemicals in fish reproductive axis [Hong Kong Area of Excellence (AoE) Grant on Marine Environmental Research and Innovative Technology, HKD1,000,000]
2009 – 2013 (PI) A zebrafish story on inhibin, an important reproductive hormone that has been largely ignored in lower vertebrates – Does it serve as an ovarian signal to trigger the brain-pituitary axis for oocyte maturation and ovulation? [Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) Grant, HKD1,246,502]
2008 – 2011 (PI) Proteomic Analysis of Zebrafish Folliculogenesis Identifies Y-Box Binding Protein 1 (YB-1) in the Primary Growth Follicles – Does YB-1 Play a Gate-keeping Role in Ovarian Follicle Recruitment? (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD1,292,447)
2008 – 2015 (PI) Functional analysis of the brain-pituitary-ovarian axis in the zebrafish and its applications (CUHK Focused Investment Scheme, HKD1,000,000)
2008 – 2013 (Co-PI) Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology (CUHK Focused Investment Scheme, HKD8,800,000)
2007 – 2009 (PI) Functional analysis of pituitary-ovarian axis in the zebrafish – Role of EGFR in LHR signaling in the ovary, a continual story of the intraovarian EGF/EGFR network (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD689,996)
2006 – 2009 (PI) Functional analysis of pituitary-gonadal axis in the zebrafish – Role of growth hormone (GH) in the ovary as both endocrine hormone and paracrine growth factor (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD1,203,784)
2005 – 2008 (PI) Functional analysis of pituitary-gonadal axis in the zebrafish – Why do fish need two gonadotropins, and what is the physiological relevance of FSH? (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD1,397,914)
2004 – 2007 (PI) Intrafollicular Communication in the Zebrafish Ovary – Roles of GDF-9 from the oocyte in orchestrating follicle development (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD1,321,920)
2002 – 2004 (PI) Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the ovary of zebrafish – How is it related to the ovarian activin system in controlling oocyte development? (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD896,000)
2001 – 2003 (PI) Activin System in the Pituitary: How Important Is It in the Differential Expression of Fish FSH and LH? (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD699,600)
1999 – 2001 (PI) Transcriptional Regulation of Gonadotropin-I and II (GTH-I and II) Genes in the Goldfish by Activin – Functional Analysis of Cis-acting Elements that Mediate Activin Stimulation of GTH-Ib and Inhibition of GTH-IIb Expression in the Goldfish, Carassius auratus (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD789,000)
1996 – 1998 (PI) Activin Regulation of Pituitary Gonadotropin Gene Expression and Oocyte Development in Goldfish, Carassius auratus (Hong Kong RGC Grant, HKD865,000)
Awards
2011 Exemplary Teaching Award
Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2007 The VC’s Exemplary Teaching Award,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2007 Exemplary Teaching Award
Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2003 The VC’s Exemplary Teaching Award,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2003 Exemplary Teaching Award
Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
2001 Exemplary Teaching Award
Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Professional Activities
Professional membership

  1. The Endocrine Society
  2. Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR)
  3. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  4. The Asia and Oceania Society for the Comparative Endocrinology (AOSCE)
  5. Hong Kong Society of Developmental Biology
  6. Council member, International Society of Fish Endocrinology (ISFE, member of the planning committee)
  7. Council member, the International Federation of Comparative Endocrinological Societies (IFCES) (2009-2013)
  8. Council member, the Asia and Oceania Society for Comparative Endocrinology (AOSEC) (2012-present)
  9. Vice president (2018-), the Chinese Society of Comparative Endocrinology (中國比較內分泌學會理事); Council member (2013-)

Editorial service for academic journals

  1. Associate editor, Frontiers in Endocrinology
  2. Associate editor, Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology
  3. Editorial board, General and Comparative Endocrinology (GCE) 
  4. Editorial board, Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction

Reviewer of grant applications

  1. Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong
  2. The National Science Foundation (NSF), USA
  3. The South Plins Foundation, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  4. Israel Science Foundation
  5. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC, Canada)
  6. Royal Society Newton International Fellowships, UK
  7. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 國家自然科學基金委員會重點項目
  8. Technology and Business Development Fund (CUHK)
  9. American University of Sharjah Research Grant