Robert Qi Lab

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The Cellular Make Up of an Academic Career

As a successful undergraduate and Master’s student at HKUST, Franco Au in our lab was perfectly placed to recognize the value that continuing his studies at HKUST would have for the budding scientific researcher...

PI Biography

Robert Z. Qi, Ph.D.
Professor

Head, Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

Professor, Division of Life Science
Associate Director, Center for Cancer Research
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Dr. Robert Qi has been a faculty member at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) since 2002. Prior to joining HKUST, he held the position of Assistant Professor and served as the Principal Investigator of the Proteomics Group at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore.

Research Overview

In higher eukaryotic cells, the microtubule cytoskeleton is an essential scaffold that is required for the dynamic organization of the cytoplasm and intracellular transport, playing a crucial role in numerous cellular functions. The temporal and spatial distribution of microtubule arrays is largely controlled by centrosomes, which are known as the major microtubule-organizing centers. Centrosomal functions depend on the presence of γ-tubulin, a highly conserved protein that exists in γ-tubulin complexes (γTuCs), which initiate the assembly of microtubule filaments and anchor microtubule arrays. Microtubule plus-ends, located distally from the organizing centers and often the fast-growing ends, accumulate a group of proteins called microtubule plus-end tracking proteins. These proteins are positioned to control microtubule dynamics and their interaction with subcellular targets.

Our long-term goal is to unravel the molecular mechanisms that regulate microtubule cytoskeletal organization and to understand how defects in these mechanisms result in diseases. Our previous work includes the functional characterization of several proteins involved in microtubule assembly and organization. One of these proteins is CDK5RAP2, a widely expressed protein whose mutations cause autosomal recessive primary microcephaly. We have demonstrated that CDK5RAP2 functions both at centrosomes and at the plus ends of microtubules. CDK5RAP2 localizes throughout centrosomes and associates with the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC), which is the principal nucleator of microtubules, stimulating its activity of microtubule nucleation. The γTuRC-binding domain found in CDK5RAP2 is highly conserved in γTuC-tethering proteins of lower eukaryotes, suggesting conserved regulation of γ-tubulin-mediated nucleation of microtubules. At microtubule plus-ends, CDK5RAP2 interacts with EB1, a master controller of protein assembly at the growing tips, to regulate microtubule dynamics. Interestingly, this plus-end association is a gain-of-function during mammalian evolution and has thus been implicated in the control of brain size. Altogether, these findings reveal the crucial role of CDK5RAP2 in microtubule organization and brain development.

To capitalize on our current achievements, we have been investigating microtubule nucleation and organization by the γTuRC. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemistry, proteomics, molecular, and cell biology to investigate the nature and assembly dynamics of the γTuRC. Our goal is to systematically identify proteins that associate with the γTuRC and understand its association with these proteins. By providing a molecular description of the γTuRC and functionally determining its components and associated proteins, we aim to gain a better understanding of the control mechanisms of microtubule nucleation, dynamics, and array organization.

Recent Publications

(20 most recent publications out of 88 in total)

1. Yang S, Au FKC, Li G, Lin J, Li XD, Qi RZ* (2023). Autoinhibitory mechanism controls binding of centrosomin motif 1 to γ-tubulin ring complex. J Cell Biol. 2023 Jul 3;222(7):e202007101. doi: 10.1083/jcb.202007101. Epub 2023 May 22. PMID: 37213089.

2. Li X, Zhao Q, Yu X, Cao W, Zhang Y, Feng W, Jiang L, He DZ, Qi RZ*, Huang P. Apicosome: Newly identified cell-type-specific organelle in mouse cochlear and vestibular hair cells. iScience. 2023 Mar 31;26(4):106535. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106535. PMID: 37123250; PMCID: PMC10130910.

3. Shen Y, Chen Y, Lin Y, Li Y, Liu P, Zhang B, Wang Y, Chan KC, Mak NK, Kahn M, Qi RZ^*, and Yang H^* (2023). CDK5RAP2 is a Wnt target gene and promotes stemness and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma, Cell Death Dis., 14(2):107. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-05652-z (^*Co-corresponding authors)

4. Au FK, Le KTD, and Qi RZ (2023). Detection and assay of microtubule nucleator γ-tubulin ring complex, Methods Mol. Biol., 2557:543-558.

5. Au FK, Lui ESW, and Qi RZ (2022). Protocol to measure inter-centrosome distance in adherent cells using epifluorescence microscopy, STAR Protoc., 3(1):101227.

6. Yin C, Lui ESW, Jiang T, and Qi RZ (2021). Proteolysis of γ-tubulin small complex proteins is mediated by ubiquitin-proteasome system, FEBS Lett., 595(15), 1987-1996.

7. Au FK, Hau BK, and Qi RZ (2020). Nek2-mediated GAS2L1 phosphorylation and centrosome-linker disassembly induce centrosome disjunction, J. Cell Biol., 219(5): e201909094.

8. van de Willige D, Hummel JJ, Alkemade C, Kahn OI, Au FK, Qi RZ, Dogterom M, Koenderink GH, Hoogenraad CC, Akhmanova A (2019). Cytolinker Gas2L1 regulates axon morphology through microtubule-modulated actin stabilization, EMBO Rep., 20(11), e47732.

9. Shen Y^*, Wang K^*, and Qi RZ (2019). The catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase d is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein, Exp. Cell Res., 375(2), 36–40. (*Equal contribution)

10. Hoyer MJ, Chitwood PJ, Ebmeier CC, Striepen JF, Qi RZ, Old WM, Voeltz GK (2018). A novel class of ER membrane proteins regulates ER-associated endosome fission, Cell, 175, 254–265.

11. Liu P, Fu L, and Qi RZ (2018). Epigenetic alteration of Wnt signaling pathways in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Curr. Pharmacol. Rep., pp 1–9; DOI: 10.1007/s40495-018-0150-5.

12. Guan D, Charlaix E, Qi RZ, and Tong P (2017). Noncontact viscoelastic imaging of living cells using a long-needle atomic force microscope with dual-frequency modulation, Phys. Rev. Appl., 8, 044010.

13. Yang C, Wu J, de Heus C, Grigoriev I, Liv N, Yao Y, Smal I, Meijering E, Klumperman J, Qi RZ, and Akhmanova A (2017). EB1 and EB3 regulate microtubule minus end organization and Golgi morphology, J. Cell Biol., 216(10), 3179–3198.

14. Shen Y, Liu P, Jiang T, Hu Y, Au FK, and Qi RZ (2017). The catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase δ inhibits γTuRC activity and regulates Golgi-derived microtubules, Nat. Commun., 8(1), 554.

15. Fu L, Qin YR, Ming XY, Zuo XB, Diao YW, Zhang LY, Ai J, Liu BL, Huang TX, Cao TT, Tan BB, Xiang D, Zeng CM, Gong J, Zhang Q, Dong SS, Chen J, Liu H, Wu JL, Qi RZ, Xie D, Wang LD, and Guan XY (2017). RNA editing of SLC22A3 drives early tumor invasion and metastasis in familial esophageal cancer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 114(23), E4631–E4640.

16. Fong KW, Au FKC, Jia Y, Yang S, Zhou L, and Qi RZ (2017). Microtubule plus-end tracking of end-binding protein 1 (EB1) is regulated by CDK5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 2. J. Biol. Chem., 292(18), 7675–7687.

17. Au FK^*, Jia Y^*, Jiang K, Grigoriev I, Hau BK, Shen Y, Du S, Akhmanova A, and Qi RZ (2017). GAS2L1 is a centriole-associated protein required for centrosome dynamics and disjunction, Dev. Cell, 40(1), 81–94. (^*Equal contribution)

18. Wu J, de Heus C, Liu Q, Bouchet BP, Noordstra I, Jiang K, Hua S, Martin M, Yang C, Grigoriev I, Katrukha EA, Altelaar AFM, Hoogenraad CC, Qi RZ, Klumperman J, and Akhmanova A (2016). Molecular pathway of microtubule organization at the Golgi apparatus. Dev. Cell, 39(1), 44–60.

19. Wang Z, Zhang C, and Qi RZ (2014). A newly identified myomegalin isoform functions in Golgi microtubule organization and ER-Golgi transport. >J. Cell Sci., 127(22), 4904–4917.

20. Liu P^*, Choi YK^*, and Qi RZ (2014). NME7 is a functional component of the γ-tubulin ring complex. Mol. Biol. Cell, 25(13), 2017–2025. (^*Equal contribution)

Lab members

Prof. Robert Z. QI
Principle Investigator
Email: qirz@ust.hk

Mr. Jason TAM
Technician
Email: bctpm@ust.hk

Dr. Bill HAU
Postdoctoral fellow
Email:billhau@ust.hk

Dr. Can YIN
Postdoctoral fellow
Email:cyinaa@connect.ust.hk

Mr. Ge Fei LI
Postgraduate student
Email:glibe@connect.ust.hk

Ms. Edna Sze Wai LUI
Postgraduate student
Email:swluiaa@conect.ust.hk

Mr. Tran Dang Khoi LE
Postgraduate student
Email:tdkle@connect.ust.hk

Ms. Ziyan LI
Postgraduate student
Email:zli159@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Mr. Yi DUAN
Postgraduate student
Email:yduan744@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Mr. Yihao FU
Postgraduate student
Email:yfu843@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Ms. Yueying HU
Postgraduate student
Email: yhu979@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Ms. Wanxin TANG
Postgraduate student
Email:wtang494@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Mr. Kai Hong OOI
Postgraduate student
Email:khooi618@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn

Ms. Lisa Lisha LIANG
Research Assistant
Email:lisalsliang@hkust-gz.edu.cn

Ms. Dengchao ZHU
Undergraduate student
Email:dengchaozhu@hkust-gz.edu.cn

Lab photo albums

2023_11_17

2023_02_03

2022_12_09

2022_11_29

2022_07_27

2021_12_24

2021_12_17

2021_11_26

2019_12_12

2019_11_08

2019_01_10

2018_11_15

2017_11_17

2017-09-19

2017-01-17

2016-12-16

2016-11-4

2016-10-17

2016-1-13

2015-11-19

2015-8-28

2014-12-12

2014-11-6

2014-7-7

Alumni

2023
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Yin CAN	Ph.D.

2022
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Bill HAU	Ph.D.
Dr. Ke Xin WANG	Ph.D.
Mr. Tran Dang Khoi LE	M.Phil.

2021
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Shao Zhong YANG	Ph.D.
Mr. Ge Fei LI	M.Phil.
Ms. Renae Vivienne CROSSING	M.Phil.

2020
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Tao Lue JIANG	Ph.D.

2019
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Franco Kin Chung AU	Ph.D.

2018
Name	Degree conferred
Ms. Lu FU	M.Phil.
Ms. Ke Xin WANG	M.Phil.
Mr. Can YIN	M.Phil.
Ms. Man Li YE	M.Sc.
Ms. Yu Qi ZHOU	M.Sc.

2017
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Chao ZHANG	Ph.D.
Dr. Yue Hong SHEN	Ph.D.
Mr. Shao Zhong YANG	M.Phil.
Mr. Kwan Tang HAU	M.Phil.
Ms. Wing Yin Vanessa KAN	M.Sc.
Mr. Bo Wen FU	M.Sc.

2016
Name	Degree conferred
Ms. Rui Xue ZOU	M.Sc.
Ms. Qi ZOU	M.Sc.
Ms. Shi Chen DONG	M.Sc.

2015
Name	Degree conferred
Mr. Franco Kin Chung AU	M.Phil.
Ms. Shao Hua LI	M.Phil.
Mr. Yi Chen ZHAO	M.Phil.
Mr. Feng Yuan HUO	M.Sc.
Mr. Yuan GAO	M.Sc.

2014
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Peng Fei LIU	Ph.D.
Mr. Yu HU	M.Phil.
Mr. Xu Lun SUN	M.Phil.
Ms. Ying CHEN	M.Sc.
Mr. Chun Ting LAU	M.Sc.

2013
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Jia YUE	Ph.D.
Ms. Jing XIONG	M.Phil.

2012
Name	Degree conferred
Ms. Yue Hong SHEN	M.Phil.
Mr. Chao ZHANG	M.Phil.

2011
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Litchi Yuk Kwan CHOI	Ph.D.
Dr. Zhe WANG	Ph.D.
Mr. Feng ZHU	M.Sc.

2010
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Zhe WANG	Ph.D.

2008
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Will Ka Wing FONG	Ph.D.
Mr. Thomas Yik Shing KHO	M.Phil.

2007
Name	Degree conferred
Dr. Zhi Bo HOU	Ph.D.
Dr. Li Sheng HE	Ph.D.
Mr. Gary Kar-Ho NG	M.Sc.

2005
Name	Degree conferred
Mr. Yan YU	M.Phil.
Ms. Karen Ka-Man CHING	M.Sc.

Teaching

My major goal of teaching is to provide students with strong foundations in biological sciences that will allow them to develop good understanding and capabilities in this field. This is done through infusing students with the same enthusiasm I have for the subjects and to teach a class with the same level of attention as if I am focusing on only one student.

Introduction to Biochemistry (LIFS2210)

This course introduces students to major classes of biochemical compounds; primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of macromolecules; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; biosynthesis of DNA and RNA; transfer RNA and protein synthesis.

Nature of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LIFS2030)

This course introduces students to major classes of biochemical compounds; enzymic catalysis, metabolic pathways; genetic information; genetic coding of protein synthesis, genetic engineering; industrial, medical and agricultural applications of biochemistry.

Cellular Regulation (LIFS5710)

This course introduces students to molecular basis of cellular regulation and cellular signal transduction cascades.

Services

Prof. Robert Qi established two mass spectrometry facilities at the university and has been supervising their operations. The first facility was set up in 2003 with a triple quadrupole/time of flight hybrid mass spectrometer (QSTAR-Pulsar, Applied Bisystems/Sciex), liquid chromatography systems (LC Packings/Dionex Ultimate NanoLC System and Agilent 1100 HPLC System), and a protein sample processing robot (ProGest Workstation, Genomic Solutions). In 2008, Prof. Qi set up another mass spectrometry facility as part of the Biosciences Central Research Facility. Two different mass spectrometric instruments, ultrafleXtreme MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics) and LTQ Velos linear ion trap LC-MS system (Thermo Fisher Scientific), were installed. Mass spectrometry services, including molecular weight determination (organic compounds and biomolecules), protein sequencing, identification and sequence analysis, are provided to investigators at the university and also to the Hong Kong scientific community.

Join Us

Postgraduate and postdoctoral opportunities are available for highly motivated candidates. If you are interested in joining the lab, please contact Prof. Robert Qi (qirz@ust.hk).

Contact Information

Robert Z. Qi, Ph.D.
Email: qirz@ust.hk

Office Address:

1) Rm311-E3

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China

Tel.: (86-20) 8833 5699

2) Rm5458, Division of Life Science

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Clear Water Bay, New Territories

Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2358 7273

Fax: (852) 2358 1552

Lab Address:

1) Bioresearch Lab, E3 Building

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China

2) Rm6312, Division of Life Science

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Clear Water Bay, Kowloon

Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2358 8702

Fax: (852) 2719 8158

Useful Links

1) Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Thrust

2) Division of Life Science

3) BioCRF

4) HKUST Library Home Page

5) Home - PubMed - NCBI