Dr. Vishva M. Dixit Delivers Guest Lecture on the Complex Mechanisms of Cell Death

Dr. Vishva M. Dixit, Senior Fellow and Vice President of Early Discovery Research in Physiological Chemistry at Genentech, recently visited The Centre for Oncology and Immunology (COI). A long-time friend of COI’s Co-Director Prof. Tak Mak, COI had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Dixit, where he gave a thought-provoking presentation titled “Why So Many Ways to Die?” on April 8, 2025.

Dr. Dixit began his lecture by providing an overview of his pioneering research on the non-canonical inflammasome pathway, a crucial aspect of the immune system's defense mechanisms. He highlighted his team's discovery of Gasdermin D, a protein that forms pores in the cell membrane upon activation by pro-inflammatory caspases, leading to pyroptosis and the release of inflammatory signals. He also discussed the therapeutic potential of targeting Gasdermin D to treat conditions like sepsis, characterized by cytokine storms. Furthermore, he introduced recent findings on the role of the protein NINJ1 in promoting cell lysis post-cell death, independent of Gasdermin D.

Throughout his lecture, Dr. Dixit showcased the iterative nature of scientific discovery, where each breakthrough builds upon previous findings and challenges existing knowledge. His emphasis on curiosity, critical thinking, and the importance of questioning established norms resonated deeply with all the audience in attendance. His ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner left a lasting impression.

COI sincerely thanks Dr. Dixit for visiting Hong Kong and enlightening us with his inspiring scientific endeavors.

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