Hao Wang

Hao Wang researches in effect of Growth Hormone Secretagogoues in modulating Growth Hormone-Insulin like Growth Factor-1 in Motor Neuron Disease/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

​Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disease in which the average life expectancy is 27 months following diagnosis. The progressive loss of of neurons in the central nervous system leads to progressive paralysis, and death. Currently, there is no effective treatment or cure for MND. Hao works to use mouse models of MND to gain better understanding towards mechanisms contributing to MND, and conducting pre-clinical testings for potential therapeutics. 

​Hao completed his honours at UQ in 2019, achieving a Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence. During his honours, he investigated the therapeutic potential of growth hormone secretagogue/ghrelin mimetics in mouse models of MND. In 2020, he commenced his PhD at the AIBN, where he is now expanding his investigations into ghrelin mimetics in MND. In particular, he is interested in the cellular mechanisms through which ghrelin mimetic exert beneficial effects.

Key Publications

​1. Ngo, S., Wang, H., Henderson, R., Bowers, C., & Steyn, F. (2021). Ghrelin as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33. 

2. Scaricamazza, S., Salvatori, I., Amadio, S., Nesci, V., Torcinaro, A., Giacovazzo, G., Primiano, A., Gloriani, M., Candelise, N., Pieroni, L., Loeffler, J. P., Rene, F., Quessada, C., Tefera, T., Wang, H., Steyn, F., Ngo, S., Dobrowolny, G., Lepore, E., & Ferri, A. (2021). Repurposing of Trimetazidine for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a study in SOD1 G93A mice. British Journal of Pharmacology, 179.