Meng Jie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 論文摘要 --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.vi / Abbreviation --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xi / List of Tables --- p.xiii / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Black Mustard and Sinigrin --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Different Stages of HCC --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Risk Factors --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Treatments of HCC --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- Biomarkers Used to Evaluate Effects of Sinigrin on HCC --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- AST & ALT --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Glutathione S Transferase -p (GST-p) --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Tumor Suppressor Genes and Oncogenes --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- "p53, the Tumor Suppressor Gene" --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- p53-dependent pathway --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2.1 --- Mdm2 --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.2.2 --- Bax and Bcl-2 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.2.3 --- PCNA and p21wAF1/CIP1 --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5 --- Aim of the Project --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methods --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- In vitro Studies --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Neutral Red Assay --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Liver Cells --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- Neutral Red Assay --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Flow Cytometery --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Flow Cytometery Analysis --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- DNA Fragmentation --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- DNA Extraction --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.3.3 --- DNA Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- cDNA Microarray --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.4.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1.4.2 --- RNA Extraction --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.4.3 --- RNA Quantity and Quality Control --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.4.4 --- RT-PCR --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.4.5 --- cRNA Convention and Purification --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4.6 --- Hybridization --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.4.7 --- Washing and Detection --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.4.8 --- Data Analysis --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2 --- In vivo Studies --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Animal Treatment --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Chemical Carcinogens --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Promotion Stage --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Progression Stage --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Measurement of Serum ALT and AST Activities --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Activity Assay --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Histological Analysis --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Preparation of Slides --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3.3 --- H&E Staining --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3.4 --- GST-p Immuno-staining --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR Analysis of mRNA Expression --- p.53 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.53 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Extraction of total RNA from rat liver --- p.53 / Chapter 2.2.4.3 --- Quantity and Quality Control of RNA --- p.53 / Chapter 2.2.4.4 --- RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2.4.5 --- PCR --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2.4.6 --- DNA gel electrophoresis --- p.55 / Chapter 2.2.4.7 --- Data Analysis --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Western Blot Analysis for Biomarkers --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.5.1 --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.5.2 --- Extraction of the Cytosol Protein --- p.60 / Chapter 2.2.5.3 --- Extraction of the Nuclear protein --- p.61 / Chapter 2.2.5.4 --- SDS Gel Electrophoresis --- p.61 / Chapter 2.2.5.5 --- Western Blot --- p.62 / Chapter 2.2.5.6 --- Interaction with Antibodies --- p.63 / Chapter 2.2.5.7 --- ECL Detection --- p.63 / Chapter 2.2.5.8 --- Data Analysis --- p.64 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1 --- In vitro Studies --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Cell Viability test and IC50 --- p.66 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Cell Cycle Analysis --- p.68 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- DNA Fragmentation --- p.71 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Effects of Sinigrin on Gene Expression --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2 --- In vivo Studies --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Effects of Sinigrin on HCC Development (Promotion stage) in Rats --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Direct Observation --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Relative Liver / Body Weight Ratio --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.1.3 --- AST/ALT Assay --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2.1.4 --- Basic Structure of Hepatocytes --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.1.5 --- GST-p Foci Area --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.1.6 --- mRNA Expression of p53 and Mdm2 --- p.88 / Chapter 3.2.1.7 --- Protein Expression of Biomarkers --- p.90 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effects of Sinigrin on HCC Development (Progression stage) in Rats --- p.97 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Direct Observation --- p.97 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Relative Liver / Body Weight Ratio --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- AST/ALT Assay --- p.101 / Chapter 3.2.2.4 --- Basic Structure of Hepatocytes --- p.103 / Chapter 3.2.2.5 --- GST-p Foci Area --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.2.6 --- mRNA Expression of p53 and Mdm2 --- p.108 / Chapter 3.2.2.7 --- Protein Expression of Biomarkers --- p.110 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.116 / Chapter 4.1 --- Protective and Therapeutic Benefits of Sinigrin --- p.117 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Effects of SIN on Cancer and Normal Cells --- p.117 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Effective Tumor Induction by DEN-CC14 Treatment --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Protective Effect of SIN in the Promotion Stage of HCC --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Therapeutic Effect of SIN in the Progression Stage of HCC --- p.119 / Chapter 4.2 --- Biological Activities of SIN --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3 --- Summary --- p.134 / References --- p.xiv

Leung, Ching Hei. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-110). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / 摘要（Abstract in Chinese) --- p.iii / Abstract --- p.v / List of Abbreviations --- p.vii / List of Figures and Tables --- p.ix / Table of Content --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- History and development of photodynamic therapy --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Basic principle of photodynamic therapy: the beauty of the treatment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- "Photosensitizers: From discovery, synthesis to modifications" --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Enhancement of selective retention of PS in cancerous tissue --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Development of silicon (IV) phthalocyanine derivatives --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- Death mechanisms in photodynamic therapy --- p.17 / Chapter 1.7 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Synthesis of BAM-SiPc --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Preparation of BAM-SiPc solution for photodynamic treatment --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Cell line and culture conditions --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Animal tumor model --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5 --- PDT laser source --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- In vitro photodynamic activity assay --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Preparation of cells for photodynamic treatment / Chapter 2.6.2 --- In vitro photodynamic treatment / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Cell viability assay / Chapter 2.7 --- "Determination of reactive oxygen species production by 2',7'- dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay" --- p.28 / Chapter 2.8 --- Analysis of cell cycle arrest --- p.28 / Chapter 2.9 --- Biodistribution of BAM-SiPc --- p.29 / Chapter 2.10 --- In vivo photodynamic treatment --- p.30 / Chapter 2.11 --- Assay for plasma enzyme activities --- p.30 / Chapter 2.12 --- Determination of cellular uptake of BAM-SiPc --- p.31 / Chapter 2.13 --- Metabolism of BAM-SiPc --- p.31 / Chapter 2.14 --- Histochemical staining --- p.32 / Chapter 2.14.1 --- Preparation of paraffin-embedded tissue section / Chapter 2.14.2 --- Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining / Chapter 2.14.3 --- Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay / Chapter 2.15 --- Conjugation of BAM-SiPc with LDL --- p.34 / Chapter 2.15.1 --- Analysis of the phototoxicity and cellular uptake of BAM- SiPc in the presence of LDL / Chapter 2.15.2 --- Gel filtration analysis of the mixture of LDL and BAM- SiPc / Chapter 2.16 --- Statistical analysis --- p.35 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- In vitro photodynamic activity assays --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2 --- Tissue distribution of BAM-SiPc in HepG2- bearing nude mice --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Anti-tumor activities of in vivo PDT with BAM-SiPc --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- In vivo effect of PDT treatment with BAM-SiPc on HepG2 and HT29 tumor growth / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Dosage effect on anti-tumor activities by BAM-SiPc mediated PDT / Chapter 3.4 --- Analysis of intrinsic toxicity induced by BAM-SiPc mediated PDT --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- H & E staining of liver sections of nude mice after in vivo PDT / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Plasma enzyme activity assays of PDT treated mice / Chapter 3.5 --- BAM-SiPc metabolism in in vitro culture cells and liver homogenate --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Cellular uptake of BAM-SiPc / Chapter 3.5.2 --- BAM-SiPc metabolism in cultured normal liver cells and cancer cells / Chapter 3.5.3 --- BAM-SiPc metabolism by mice liver homogenate / Chapter 3.6 --- Death mechanism induced by BAM-SiPc mediated PDT --- p.62 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Events related to cell death induced by in vitro BAM-SiPc mediated PDT / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Death mechanism exerted by in vivo BAM-SiPc mediated PDT / Chapter 3.7 --- Effect on phototoxicity of BAM-SiPc in the presence of LDL --- p.70 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Effect on phototoxicity of BAM-SiPc after mixing BAM- SiPc with LDL / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Gel filtration for analysis of the LDL-BAM-SiPc mixture / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1 --- Anti-cancer effect of BAM-SiPc on different cancer cell lines --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2 --- Tissue distribution of BAM-SiPc in HepG2 bearing nude mice --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3 --- In vivo effect of BAM-SiPc mediated PDT on HepG2 and HT29 tumor growth --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4 --- Analysis of the safety of using BAM-SiPc as a potential agent in PDT --- p.83 / Chapter 4.5 --- Metabolism of BAM-SiPc --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6 --- Mechanism of the apoptosis triggered by BAM-SiPc mediated PDT --- p.88 / Chapter 4.7 --- Death mechanism induced by in vivo PDT with BAM-SiPc --- p.93 / Chapter 4.8 --- Phototoxicity of BAM-SiPc in the presence of LDL --- p.94 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- Conclusion and Future perspective / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future perspective --- p.98 / References

Lau Ven Gie Vengie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-121). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / 論文摘要 --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.vi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.ix / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xi / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter I --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.1 / Risk factors --- p.1 / Stages in chemical carcinogenesis --- p.2 / Initiation --- p.2 / Promotion --- p.3 / Progression --- p.5 / Treatment of hepatocarcinoma --- p.6 / Chemotherapy ´ؤ hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) --- p.6 / Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) --- p.7 / Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) --- p.8 / Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) --- p.9 / Liver resection --- p.9 / Liver transplantation --- p.10 / Chapter II --- Molecular Mechanisms: Oncogenes and Tumor-suppressor genes --- p.11 / Cell cycle control --- p.12 / p53 mutation in HCC --- p.13 / Normal functions of p53 and its target genes --- p.13 / p21(Wafl/Cipl/Sdil) --- p.13 / PCNA --- p.14 / Bcl-2 and Bax: the Bcl-2 family --- p.14 / Mdm2 --- p.17 / Chapter III --- Evaluation of the effects of hepatocarcinogenesis --- p.19 / GST-Pi --- p.19 / AST & ALT --- p.19 / Chapter IV --- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) --- p.21 / Andrographis Paniculata --- p.21 / Pharmacological properties of andrographolide --- p.23 / Chapter V --- Aim of the project --- p.26 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.27 / Chapter 1 --- Effects of andrographolide on cell viability and cell cycle --- p.27 / Chapter 1.1 --- Materials and solutions --- p.27 / Chapter 1.2 --- Preparation of solutions --- p.28 / Chapter 1.3 --- Procedures --- p.29 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Seeding cells into culture flask --- p.29 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Subculturing technique --- p.30 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Neutral red assay --- p.30 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- DNA purification of HepG2 cells --- p.31 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- DNA gel electrophoresis --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Flow cytometry --- p.32 / Chapter 2 --- Effects of andrographolide on gene expressions --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials and solutions --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2 --- Preparation of solutions --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3 --- Procedures --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Cell treatments --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- mRNA extraction from cell --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Determination of total RNA yield and quality yield --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- RNA formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- cDNA synthesis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- "cRNA synthesis, labeling and amplification" --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- cRNA purification --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Oligo GEArray hybridization --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Chemiluminescent detection --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.10 --- Data analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 3 --- Effects of andrographolide on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1 --- Materials and solutions --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Preparation of solutions --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3 --- Procedures --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Animal treatment --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Promotion (Experiment 1) --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Progression (Experiment 2) --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Extraction of blood serum --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Measurement of absorbance --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Tissue processing --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Staining --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- Immunohistochemical staining of GST-P --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.9 --- Examination of liver sections --- p.55 / Chapter 4 --- "Effects of andrographolide on the expressions of Mdm2, p53, PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2 & p21" --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1 --- Materials and solutions --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2 --- Preparation of solutions --- p.57 / Chapter 4.3 --- Procedures --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Total mRNA extraction from liver --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Reverse transcription of mRNA to cDNA --- p.59 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) --- p.60 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- DNA gel electrophoresis --- p.61 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Nuclear protein extraction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Cytosolic protein extraction --- p.62 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Determination of protein concentration --- p.62 / Chapter 4.3.8 --- Immunoprecipitation of p53 from liver nuclear protein --- p.62 / Chapter 4.3.9 --- Protein gel electrophoresis by SDS-PAGE --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.10 --- Western blotting --- p.64 / RESULTS --- p.66 / Chapter 1 --- Effects of andrographolide on cell viability and cell cycle --- p.66 / Chapter 2 --- Effects of andrographolide on gene expressions --- p.76 / Chapter 3 --- Effects of andrographolide on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats --- p.79 / Chapter 4 --- "Effects of andrographolide on the expressions of Mdm2, p53, PCNA, Bax, Bcl-2 & p21" --- p.91 / DISCUSSION --- p.102 / CONCLUSION --- p.111 / REFERENCES --- p.113

Lau, Chi Chiu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-142). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Leung, Kin Chung. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-164). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Zhu, Ranxu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-142). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Tsang, Chi Keung. / "November 2011." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-116). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.III / Acknowledgement --- p.IV / Table of content --- p.V / List of Figures --- p.VIII / List of Tables --- p.XI / Abbreviations --- p.XII / Chapter Chapter 1: --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Hepatocellular carcinoma --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Etiological factors --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.1.1. --- Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.1.2. --- HBV --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.1.3. --- HCV --- p.17 / Chapter 1.1.1.4. --- Male gender --- p.20 / Chapter 1.1.1.5. --- Aflatoxin B1 exposure --- p.21 / Chapter 1.2. --- Genomic abnormalities in HCC --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3. --- GEF-H1 --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4. --- RhoA --- p.26 / Chapter 1.5. --- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.6. --- Aims of Thesis --- p.31 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1. --- Materials --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Chemicals and Reagents --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Buffers --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.3. --- Cell Culture --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.4. --- Nucleic Acids --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.5. --- Enzymes --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.6. --- Equipments --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.7. --- Kits --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1.8. --- Antibodies --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.9. --- Software and Web Resources --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2. --- Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Probe Preparation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1.1. --- Human Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) probe preparation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1.2. --- Nick translation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Hybridization --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3. --- Genomic DNA extraction --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4. --- Copy number analysis --- p.48 / Chapter 2.5. --- Exon Sequencing analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.1. --- PCR amplification of GEF-H1 exons --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.2. --- Cycle sequencing --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6. --- Ectopic expression of GEF-H1 in immortalized hepatocyte cell line --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.1. --- Construction of GEF-H1 expressing vector --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.2. --- Sub-cloning --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.3. --- Transfection and clonal selection --- p.53 / Chapter 2.7. --- Gene Expression Analysis by Quantitative RT-PCR --- p.55 / Chapter 2.7.1. --- Total RNA extraction --- p.55 / Chapter 2.7.2. --- qRT-PCR analysis for gene expression --- p.55 / Chapter 2.8. --- Western blot --- p.58 / Chapter 2.9. --- Functional Analysis --- p.60 / Chapter 2.9.1. --- Cell viability (MTT) assay --- p.60 / Chapter 2.9.2. --- Cell proliferation assays (BrdU-incorporation) --- p.60 / Chapter 2.9.3. --- Mitomycin C treatment --- p.61 / Chapter 2.9.4. --- Migration and Invasion assays --- p.63 / Chapter 2.9.5. --- Wound healing assay --- p.65 / Chapter 2.9.6. --- Transient knock-down of RhoA --- p.65 / Chapter 2. --- 10. Immuno-fluorescent imaging --- p.66 / Chapter 2. --- 11. In vivo tumorigenic study of GEF-H1 by subcutaneous injection --- p.68 / Chapter 2. --- 12. Statistical analysis --- p.69 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- RESULTS --- p.70 / Chapter 3.1. --- Verifying copy number gain of GEF-H1 in high GEF-H1 expressing HCC --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2. --- Verifying if there is any GEF-H1 exon point mutation in HCC --- p.75 / Chapter 3.3. --- Functional roles of GEF-H1 in HCC --- p.77 / Chapter 3.4. --- GEF-Hl-induced functions were RhoA independent --- p.83 / Chapter 3.5. --- GEF-H1 Induction of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC --- p.88 / Chapter 3.6. --- GEF-H1 induced tumorigenicity of MIHA cells --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1. --- GEF-H1 in HCC and other cancers --- p.97 / Chapter 4.2. --- GEF-H1 promotes cell motility --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3. --- GEF-H1 induced tumorigenicity --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSED FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS --- p.101 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- REFERENCES --- p.103

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-168) Aim was the purification and identification of the early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cell induction signals within the medium conditioned by the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and the localisation of the signals that induce EPL cell and primitive ectoderm formation.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-168) / x, 168 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Aim was the purification and identification of the early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cell induction signals within the medium conditioned by the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and the localisation of the signals that induce EPL cell and primitive ectoderm formation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Molecular Biosciences (Biochemistry), 2001

Graduation date: 2006