Prof. So’s research interest focused on molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and functional genomics in mammalian development and human congenital disorders. He is interested in studying mechanisms of transcription regulation during craniofacial development, including transcription factors (TFs), non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), enhancers and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) using multi-omics and next-generation sequencing approaches in stem cells and organoids. Multiple projects are available under this theme:

1. Using functional genomics approach to identify genetic factors for congenital craniofacial malformations
2. Elucidating transcription regulation in skeletal myogenesis
3. Elucidating extrinsic factors in regulating skeletal myogenesis
4. Study of neurogenic placode formation stages and gene regulatory networks using single-cell RNA-seq and organoid culture

1. So KKH, Huang Y, Zhang S, Qiao Y, He L, Li Y, Chen X, Sham MH, Hao S, Wang H. seRNA PAM controls skeletal muscle satellite cell proliferation and aging through trans regulation of Timp2 expression synergistically with Ddx5. Aging Cell. 2022 e13673
2. He L, Ding Y, Zhao Y, So KKH, Peng XL, Li Y, Yuan J, He Z, Chen X, Sun H, Wang H. CRISPR/Cas9/AAV9-mediated in vivo editing identifies MYC regulation of 3D genome in skeletal muscle stem cell. Stem cell reports. 2021 16(10):2442-2458
3. Zhang H, Xie J, So KKH, Tong KK, Sae-Pang JJ, Wang L, Tsang SL, Chan WY, Wong EYM, Sham MH. Hoxb3 regulates Jag1 expression in pharyngeal epithelium and affects interaction with neural crest cells. Frontiers in Physiology. 2021 11:612230
4. Zhou J, So KKH* (co-first author), Sun H, Wang H. Elevated H3K27ac in aged skeletal muscle leads to increase in extracellular matrix and fibrogenic conversion of muscle satellite cells. Aging Cell. 2019 18(5):e12996
5. So KKH, Peng XL, Sun H, Wang H. Whole genome Chromatin IP-sequencing (ChIP-seq) in Skeletal Muscle Cells. Methods Mol Biol. 2017 1688:15-25
6. Peng XL, So KKH* (co-first author), He L, Zhao Y, Zhou J, Li Y, Xu B, Zhang S, Yao H, Hu P, Sun H, Wang H. MyoD- and FoxO3-mediated hotspot interaction orchestrates super-enhancer activity during myogenic differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 45(15):8785-8805.
7. Chen X, He L, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhang Z, Sun K, So KKH, Chen F, Zhou L, Lu L, Wang L, Zhu X, Bao X, Esteban MA, Nakagawa S, Prasanth KV, Wu Z, Hao S, Wang H. Malat1 regulates myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration through modulating MyoD transcriptional activity. Cell Discov. 2017 3:17002.
8. Kottawatta K, So KH, Kodithuwakku S, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Lee KF. MicroRNA-212 Regulates the Expression of Olfactomedin 1 and C-Terminal Binding Protein 1 in Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells to Enhance Spheroid Attachment In Vitro. Biol. Reprod. 2015 93(5)
9. So KH, Kodithuwakku S, Kottawatta K, Li RHW, Chiu PCN, Cheung A, Ng EHY, Yeung WSB, Lee KF. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates spheroids attachment onto Fallopian tubal epithelial cells through hCG receptor mediated Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and down-regulation of Olfactomedin-1 expression. Fertil Steril. 2015 104(2)
10. So KH, Lee CL, Yeung WSB, Lee KF. Glycodelin suppress endometrial cell migration and invasion but stimulates spheroid attachment. Reprod. Biomed. Online. 2012 24(6):639-645

1. RGC - General Research Fund /NSFC Collaborative Research Scheme [Co-PI; Jan 2024 to Dec 2027]: "Molecular mechanisms underlying specification and differentiation of posterior cranial placodes" (HK$3,600,000).
2. RGC Collaborative Research Fund [Co-PI; Jun 2023 to May 2026]: "Establishment of Spatial Multi-Omics Core Facility" (HK$4,000,000).
3. Nutrir Ltd. [PI; Feb 2022 to Jul 2023]: "Identifying Natural Product bFGF Mimetics and FGFR1 Activators for Cultured Meat Applications" (HK$100,000).