PolyU’s new Advanced Therapy Product Laboratory gives hope to spinal cord injury patients, supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) strives to promote educational and research development in the fields of medicine and health. Leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities and strengths in interdisciplinary research, the University is committed to supporting Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub by advancing precision medicine and personalised treatment.   PolyU will actively promote precision and personalised medicine through the introduction of advanced therapy products (ATPs). This initiative will promote medical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerating the development of the local ATPs ecosystem while enhancing Hong Kong’s global competitiveness in biopharmaceuticals. The University is now planning to manufacture cell therapy products for spinal cord injuries, which will be further complemented by the post-surgery rehabilitation programme and utilise the expertise of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), offering a one-stop approach from precision medicine to rehabilitation to bring new hope to hemiplegia and paralysis patients.   The newly established PolyU Advanced Therapy Product (ATP) Laboratory is a Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme’s Good Manufacturing Practice (PIC/S GMP)-compliant facility, focuses on clinical research in immunotherapy, cell therapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Led by Prof. Larry CHOW Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, the research team has made plans to collaborate with thebiopharmaceutical industry and will commence clinical trials once the Laboratory is granted the Licence for Manufacturer and the Certificate for Clinical Trial and Medicinal Test by the HKSAR Government’s Department of Health.   Medical needs of spinal cord injury patients The spinal cord is an essential part of the central nervous system. Any damage to it may affect the function of the spinal nerves at and below the injury site. According to the World Health Organization, more than 15 million people are living with spinal cord injuries globally. Common symptoms include tetraplegia, paraplegia, loss of sensation, impaired bladder and bowel control, chronic pain, and movement disorders, which seriously affect patients’ physical and mental health.   Currently, there is no effective cure for spinal cord injuries. The medical sector has, in recent years, endeavoured to develop technology for precision medicine, including stem cell therapy, gene therapy, biomaterials and tissue engineering, and electrical stimulation therapy, to help repair the injured spinal nerves. Previous research has indicated that, nevertheless, advanced therapy alone isnot effective enough for patients to fully regain their mobility. It has to be combined with cross-professional rehabilitation training to enhance the treatment outcomes.   PolyU ATP Laboratory: A pioneer in precision medicine The Laboratory has been established with the grants provided by the University Grants Committee (UGC) and PolyU. Equipped with a Production Site, Quality Control Laboratory and Training Laboratory, it will serve as a robust platform for the development and clinical application of local ATPs. The ATP team, in collaboration with scientific research enterprises, the biopharmaceutical industry, and academic institutions, will focus on clinical trials for spinal cord injury patients during its first phase of work. It will make use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched umbilical cord blood received from the industry partner to produce umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cells. Quality control and product packaging procedures will also be performed. PIC/S GMP-compliant final products will then be sent to the hospitals for transplantation in patients.   The project will also foster collaboration on neurological disorders research at PolyU, further unleashing the University’s interdisciplinary strengths across neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, biological engineering, rehabilitation sciences, and more. Interdisciplinary integration enables patient-centred care PolyU is the only local university that offers a one-stop solution from treatment to rehabilitation. It has been nurturing numerous allied health professionals such as physical therapists and occupational therapists who work with medical teams to provide extended care through rehabilitation and the application of technology-assisted diagnosis.   With the ATP Laboratory concentrating on advanced therapy and RS providing physiotherapy and other relevant allied health services, patients will be able to receive comprehensive care. During spinal cord injury treatment, for instance, the injured tissue of the patients can be repaired by stem cell transplantation, and their muscle strength and mobility can be retrained through a rehabilitation programme.   Prof. Larry Chow said, “There is significant potential for growth in the production of advanced therapy products in Hong Kong nowadays. The ATP Laboratory at PolyU aligns with the international good manufacturing practices, and will contribute to nurturing more biopharmaceutical talents in the region. Through collaboration with industry partners, we aim to achieve breakthroughs in cell therapy and immunotherapy, translating the research outcomes of the University by facilitating cutting-edge medical research and clinical trials, thereby advancing Hong Kong’s medical technology development.”   PolyU has submitted a proposal to the HKSAR Government for the establishment of the third medical school in Hong Kong. Capitalising on its research strengths in health technologies, engineering and artificial intelligence, as well as its experience in training allied health professionals over the past half-century, the University is confident in its ability to nurture interdisciplinary medical leaders and foster the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.   Press release: English - https://polyu.me/3YHOayB; Chinese - https://polyu.me/4jf6qaZ   Online coverage: TVB - https://polyu.me/4jnyw3U Now TV - https://polyu.me/43ZS1uB RTHK - https://polyu.me/4jeSL3H (English); https://polyu.me/4jlgGOQ (Chinese) Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/4lMoX0a Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3EACxTn; https://polyu.me/4cGUjkx Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3GmmoS7 (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/42nRp0B Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4cCZOAA Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4jGxBv9 HK01 - https://polyu.me/4jd4Eai The 21st Century Business Herald - https://polyu.me/3GjxU0A Southern Finance - https://polyu.me/444DihV East Money - https://polyu.me/4ipZwOI NetEase - https://polyu.me/3YKi59t Sohu - https://polyu.me/4cHQtaE     香港理工大學（理大）推進醫學與健康領域的教研發展，以頂尖設施及跨學科優勢，推動精準醫療與個人化治療，助力香港發展為國際醫療創新樞紐。   理大將以先進療法製品（ATPs）建立精準和個人化醫療，促進醫學創新及跨學科合作，推動本地ATPs生態圈，提升香港在全球生物醫學的競爭力。大學現時計劃生產針對脊髓損傷的細胞治療製品，以先進療法結合理大康復治療科學系的專業知識，提供從精準醫療到康復的一站式復康方案，為全身或半身癱瘓患者帶來新希望。   理大擁有符合國際醫藥品稽查協約組織良好生產規範（PIC/S GMP）的ATP實驗室，專注於免疫療法、細胞治療、基因療法及再生醫學臨床研究。理大應用生物及化學科技學系系主任周銘祥教授領導的團隊計劃與業界合作，待實驗室取得由衞生署發出的製造商牌照及臨床證驗及藥物測試證明書後，正式啟動臨床研究。   脊髓損傷的醫療需求 脊髓是中樞神經系統的關鍵組成部分，一旦因意外或疾病受損，可導致受傷部位及以下的神經功能喪失。根據世界衛生組織，全球目前有超過1,500萬人患有脊髓損傷，常見症狀包括四肢或下肢癱瘓、感覺喪失、膀胱及腸道功能障礙、慢性疼痛及運動功能受限，嚴重影響患者的身心健康及生活質素。   目前，脊髓神經損傷尚無有效治癒方法，近年醫學界積極探索精準醫療技術，包括幹細胞治療、基因治療、生物材料與組織工程及電刺激治療等，致力修復受損脊髓。然而，研究顯示單靠先進療法不足以讓患者完全恢復行動能力，必須結合物理治療等專職醫療，進行跨專業復康訓練，才能顯著提升治療效果。   理大ATP實驗室：精準醫療先驅 理大ATP實驗室獲大學教育資助委員會及大學撥款籌建，設生產區、品質管制實驗室及培訓實驗室，待衞生署批准後，將成為本地先進療法製品研發及臨床應用的重要平台，並與科研企業、生物製藥業界及學術機構合作，首階段聚焦為慢性脊髓損傷患者提供臨床測試服務。團隊將利用經人類白細胞抗原（HLA）配對的臍帶血，生產臍帶血單核細胞，進行品質測試及包裝，根據PIC/S GMP規範放行成品並轉交至醫院治療團隊作臨床使用，為患者進行手術移植。這將帶動大學針對神經系統疾病治療的研究合作，發揮理大的跨學科優勢，包括神經科學、分子生物學、免疫學、生物工程及康復治療等學科的合作。   跨學科整合：以病人為中心的護理 理大是本港唯一能夠提供從治療到復康一站式解決方案的大學，其培訓的物理治療師和職業治療師等專職醫療人員，能與醫護團隊合作，透過復康、輔助診斷及科技應用，提供延續護理。理大ATP實驗室專注於細胞治療等精準醫療技術，康復治療科學系則提供物理治療等專職醫療訓練，兩者結合確保患者獲得全面護理。例如，在脊髓損傷治療中，幹細胞移植可修復受損組織，隨後由物理治療師設計個人化復康計劃，幫助患者重新訓練肌肉、增強力量並恢復行動能力。   周銘祥教授表示：「現時香港在生產先進療法製品方面仍然具發展空間，理大ATP實驗室符合國際的良好生產規範，為香港培育更多生物製藥專業人才。我們希望在與業界合作下，能夠於細胞治療和免疫治療上尋求突破，協助轉化大學研究成果並進行臨床測試及前沿臨床醫學研究，提昇香港整體醫療科技研究水平。」   理大早前就籌建香港第三所醫學院向政府提交建議書，有信心憑藉在醫療科技、工程及人工智能方面的雄厚科研實力，以及累積半世紀培養專職醫療人員的豐富經驗，培養跨學科醫療領袖，助力香港發展成為國際醫療創新樞紐。   新聞稿: 英文 - https://polyu.me/3YHOayB; 中文 - https://polyu.me/4jf6qaZ   線上報導: 無綫新聞 - https://polyu.me/4jnyw3U Now新聞 - https://polyu.me/43ZS1uB 香港電台 - https://polyu.me/4jeSL3H (英文); https://polyu.me/4jlgGOQ (中文) 東方日報 - https://polyu.me/4lMoX0a 明報新聞網 - https://polyu.me/3EACxTn; https://polyu.me/4cGUjkx 香港經濟日報 - https://polyu.me/3GmmoS7 (需要訂閱) 星島網 - https://polyu.me/42nRp0B 大公文匯電子報 - https://polyu.me/4cCZOAA 文匯網 - https://polyu.me/4jGxBv9 香港01 - https://polyu.me/4jd4Eai 21經濟網 - https://polyu.me/3GjxU0A 南方財經網 - https://polyu.me/444DihV 東方財富網- https://polyu.me/4ipZwOI 網易 - https://polyu.me/3YKi59t 搜狐 - https://polyu.me/4cHQtaE  

PolyU-nurtured biopharmaceutical start-up ABRAM accepted by Roche Accelerator

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrates the acceptance of ABRAM Therapeutics Limited (ABRAM), a start-up co-founded by a PolyU scholar, into the Roche Accelerator. This marks the first time a Hong Kong-based start-up being welcomed by this prestigious innovation hub. Nurtured within the PolyVentures start-up ecosystem, ABRAM focuses on its ground-breaking drug candidate, ABarginase, for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. This milestone will significantly advance the development of the drug, paving the way for its clinical application to benefit patients worldwide. The start-up was co-founded by Prof. Thomas LEUNG Yun-chung, Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Director of University Research Facility in Life Sciences, along with Prof. Alisa SHUM Sau-wun, Associate Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to further develop and commercialise ABarginase, the breakthrough outcome of their joint research project. ABarginase is the result of innovative drug design and advanced protein engineering. Employing a long-acting formulation to provide sustained therapeutic effects, this next-generation recombinant human arginase offers enhanced efficacy with reduced dosing frequency. Preclinical data demonstrates ABarginase’s remarkable potential to promote substantial weight loss, restore healthy body composition, reverse insulin resistance, and alleviate inflammation. These properties address the underlying causes of obesity-related chronic diseases, heralding a transformative approach to the effective treatment of metabolic diseases. ABarginase has been awarded the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations Best Invention Award and a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 48th International Exhibition of Invention Geneva. Roche, one of the world’s largest biotech companies and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics, pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop transformative and innovative solutions across major disease areas. Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, neurology and cardiovascular, renal and metabolism. As Roche’s first in-house accelerator globally, the Roche Accelerator provides tailor-made support for member start-ups in pharma, diagnostics, personalised healthcare, and digital and AI-driven healthcare. With “disruptive innovation” as a key selection criterion, Roche Accelerator accepts fewer than 5% of its applicants. By joining Roche Accelerator, ABRAM gains access to Roche’s extensive expertise and resources, which will expedite the clinical development of ABarginase, facilitating the translation of this cutting-edge therapy from laboratory research to clinical application. Prof. Leung said, “Joining this distinguished innovation ecosystem as the first Hong Kong-based start-up is a significant honour for our team and a testament to the collaborative research efforts between PolyU and CUHK. We believe that the strategic collaboration between Roche and ABRAM, along with the resources of a multinational pharmaceutical company and Hong Kong’s strengths in basic scientific research, will accelerate the clinical translation of ABarginase.” Prof. Shum added, “Our mission aligns seamlessly with Roche’s vision of ‘doing now what patients need next’. With the mentorship and resources provided by the Roche Accelerator, we are better positioned to make ABarginase available to millions of patients struggling with obesity.” Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), congratulated ABRAM, stating, “ABRAM’s achievement validates our efforts in empowering researchers and start-ups in translating research discoveries into impactful real-world solutions. It exemplifies how cross-institutional collaborations can lead to the birth of game-changing biopharmaceutical technologies. We look forward to seeing ABarginase make a positive impact on global healthcare and will continue to support PolyU start-ups in their pursuit of innovation, enabling more life-saving and life-enhancing technologies to reach the market and benefit humanity.” PolyU is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, nurturing the next-generation of entrepreneurs eager to tackle societal challenges with innovative solutions. Through PolyVentures, PolyU supports its start-ups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys – from education and ideation to incubation, acceleration, and fundraising. To date, it has nurtured over 500 start-ups, including four unicorns.   Press release: English - https://polyu.me/424qiHT; Chinese - https://polyu.me/4jaidH1   Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/4iNJn6N Zhihu - https://polyu.me/4hX7T4o  

PolyU hosts AI & Medicine: Shaping the Future of Health Forum, featuring a Nobel Laureate and an expert to explore the future of AI-driven medicine

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Science today co-hosted the “AI & Medicine: Shaping the Future of Health”  Forum. The event featured a keynote speech by Prof. Barry MARSHALL, 2005 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, who shared his research journey and provided insights into the future of medicine. Prof. Ya-Qin ZHANG, Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) of Tsinghua University also participated in the panel discussion. The event attracted about 500 faculty members, students, alumni, leaders from the innovation and technology sectors, academia, and members of the public, fostering academic exchange and inspiring the pursuit of innovation. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President expressed his gratitude to Prof. Marshall and Prof. Zhang for sharing their insights, which greatly benefited both faculty members and students. He remarked, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is pivotal in shaping the future of medicine. This Forum has provided a valuable platform for all to explore the evolving trends of AI in medicine and to collaborate for a healthier future. PolyU is making significant strides in leveraging the integration of AI into medical science by developing innovative healthcare solutions and collaborating with industry to translate research outcomes into real-world solutions that benefit society. Earlier this year, PolyU established the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences to strengthen interdisciplinary research and education in the areas of AI, data science and computing. These efforts lay a solid foundation for the University to realise its commitment to establishing Hong Kong’s proposed third medical school.” Prof. Marshall is currently Professor and Senior Honorary Research Fellow of the School of Biomedical Sciences, and Director of the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training at The University of Western Australia; PolyU Distinguished Honorary Professor; and Chair Professor of Shenzhen University. In the early 1980s, Prof. Marshall and Australian pathologist Dr J. Robin WARREN discovered that gastritis and peptic ulcers were due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This groundbreaking research earned them the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and is widely regarded as the most significant discovery in the history of gastroenterology. During his keynote speech, titled “Theory and Practice: Innovation and Curiosity Driven Research”, Prof. Marshall shared his pioneering work on H. pylori. He discussed the infection pathways and treatment methods of the bacterium, as well as his personal experience of drinking a culture of H. pylori to validate his research. His contributions continue to advance global healthcare, particularly in the field of gastrointestinal disease research. In recent years, AI has emerged as a powerful tool in medicine, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance patient care, streamline clinical processes and drive innovative research. During the panel discussion hosted by Prof. Hongxia YANG, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the PolyU Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing, Prof. Marshall andProf. Ya-Qin Zhang discussed the future development of AI technology in medicine and education. Prof. Marshall said, “AI is revolutionising our ability to diagnose diseases, personalise treatments and predict patient outcomes with unprecedented accuracy. By harnessing vast amounts of data, AI enables us to uncover insights that were previously beyond our reach, ultimately improving patient care and advancing medical research.” Prof. Zhang said, “The field of life sciences and biomedicine has entered the era of Digitalisation 3.0, where AI plays a pivotal role, driving advancements toward greater speed, precision, safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. Notable achievements have been made in areas such as protein structure prediction, gene editing, and drug discovery. However, challenges remain in terms of algorithm transparency, interpretability, security, privacy, and ethics. The AIR of Tsinghua University has pioneered the launch of an AI hospital and open-sourcing an AI-powered drug discovery platform, paving the way for biological research to enter the Autopilot era. Moving forward, we hope that academia and industry will further strengthen collaboration, driving the development of a closed-loop ecosystem and uncovering more opportunities for scientific and industrial innovation.” During the Forum, the opening ceremony of the PolyU Marshall Research Centre for Medical Microbial Biotechnology was also performed. Prof. MA Cong, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, will serve as the Centre Director, with Prof. Marshall as a member of its Management Committee. The Centre aspires to advance the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infections, such as H. pylori, the most common chronic bacterial infection globally, while leveraging Prof. Marshall’s groundbreaking research to establish AI-driven e-biobanks. These efforts will enhance research capabilities and enable more precise diagnostics.The Centre will also address the urgent need for novel antibiotics, due to rising drug resistance, by developing unique antimicrobial therapies with distinct mechanisms. Prof. Marshall stated that the establishment of the Centre will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in pioneering innovative solutions and fostering collaboration in this dynamic field.   香港理工大學（理大）計算機及數學科學學院、醫療及社會科學院聯同理學院今天舉辦「人工智能與醫學：塑造健康未來」講座，邀得2005年諾貝爾生理學或醫學獎得主Barry Marshall教授專程來港擔任主題講者，分享其科研之路及對醫學未來發展的真知灼見。清華大學智能科學講席教授及智能產業研究院院長張亞勤教授亦應邀出席，參與小組討論環節。活動旨在促進學術交流，啟迪創新精神，吸引約500名師生、校友、創科界和學界翹楚，以及公眾人士參與。 理大校長滕錦光教授感謝Marshall教授及張教授親臨分享，讓師生獲益良多，並表示：「人工智能是塑造醫學未來的關鍵，是次論壇提供了寶貴的平台，讓各界前瞻人工智能與醫學的新發展，共同打造更健康的未來。理大一直致力推動人工智能賦能醫學，積極開發創新醫療科技，並與業界合作推動科研成果轉化，造福社會。今年初，理大成立了計算機及數學科學學院，加速人工智能、數據科學及電子計算學在跨學科研究和教育的蓬勃發展。這些努力為大學籌建香港第三所醫學院奠定堅實基礎。」 Marshall 教授現為西澳大學生物醫學科學院教授、資深名譽研究學人及馬歇爾傳染病研究與培訓中心主任、理大傑出名譽教授及深圳大學講席教授。Marshall 教授與澳洲病理學家 J. Robin Warren 博士在1980年代初發現幽門螺旋桿菌是造成胃炎和消化性潰瘍的主因，並憑此開創性研究成果榮獲2005年諾貝爾生理學或醫學獎，研究被公認為腸胃病學史上最重大的發現。 講座上，Marshall教授以「理論與實踐：創新與探索精神引領的研究」為題，分享從事幽門螺旋桿菌研究的心路歷程，包括講解幽門螺旋桿菌的感染途徑和治療方法，以及其親身喝下幽門螺旋桿菌培養液進行驗證的經歷。其成果為推動全球醫療發展，尤其是腸胃病研究的貢獻良多。 近年，人工智能崛起成為醫學領域的強大工具，為提升患者照護、優化臨床工作流程和創新研究開創無限機遇。小組討論環節由理大計算機及數學科學學院副院長（環球事務）及電子計算學系教授楊紅霞教授主持，Marshall教授及張亞勤教授共同探討人工智能賦能醫學的發展。 Marshall教授指出，隨着人工智能技術的廣泛應用，將為醫學及健康領域發展帶來顛覆性的轉變，並大大提高疾病診斷、個性化治療及患者預後評估的精準度。透過海量數據分析，人工智能提供了以往無法獲取的資訊，有助於提升患者護理水平和促進醫學研究的發展。 張教授表示，生命科學與生物醫藥領域已步入數碼化3.0時代，人工智能在其中發揮着關鍵作用，正推動該領域朝着更快速、精準、安全、經濟、普惠的方向發展，如在蛋白質結構預測、基因編輯、藥物研發等方面成果顯著。然而，人工智能在演算法透明性、可解釋性、安全隱私及倫理等方面存在挑戰。清華大學智能產業研究院率先推出人工智能醫院、開源人工智能製藥智能體平台，推進生物科研進入「Autopilot」時代。未來，希望學術界和產業界進一步協同合作，推動相關領域閉環發展，挖掘更多科學與產業創新機遇。 同場，理大為新成立的「馬歇爾醫學微生物學科技研究中心」揭幕。應用生物及化學科技學系副教授馬聰教授將擔任中心主任，Marshall教授擔任管理委員會成員。該中心將致力推動細菌診療研究，聚焦全球最常見的慢性感染——幽門螺旋桿菌，並以Marshall教授的研究成果為基礎，構建以人工智能驅動的電子生物樣本庫，開發針對幽門螺旋桿菌導致的消化道癌症診斷工具，推動科研發展和精準診斷。中心亦會致力開發創新抗菌療法，解決因藥物耐藥性增加而對新型抗生素的迫切需求。Marshall教授表示，中心的成立將為開發創新解决方案和促進相關領域的合作發揮關鍵作用。

Understanding Active Sites in Zeolites: A Step Towards Better Catalysts

Zeolites, crystalline materials widely used in the petrochemical industry, serve as pivotal catalysts in the production of fine chemicals, with aluminium being the source of active sites within zeolite structures. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. The findings have been published in the international journal Science. The research is led by Prof. Shik Chi Edman TSANG, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology. He is joined by Prof. Tsz Woon Benedict LO, Associate Professor, along with first author Dr Guangchao LI, Research Assistant Professor, both from the same department. The team collaborated with researchers from the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The unique properties of zeolites, characterised by their well-defined microporous structure, high surface area, and tuneable acidity and basicity, make them indispensable in petrochemical refining, environmental catalysis and fine chemical synthesis. The distribution of substitutional aluminium atoms within the zeolite framework influences the geometry of molecular adsorbates, catalytic activity, and shape and size selectivity. However, accurately locating these aluminium atoms and understanding their impact on the catalytic behaviour of zeolites has posed challenges for the scientific community for decades. In their research, the team focused on both lab-synthesised and commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolites to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical application, optimising H-ZSM-5 for advanced catalytic processes. Notably, the team introduced an innovative approach that integrates synchrotron resonant soft X-ray diffraction — a powerful tool for studying atomic structure — with probe-assisted solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and molecular adsorption methods. This integration revealed the interactions of molecules at the active sites of aluminium atoms. Ultimately, the team has achieved a breakthrough in locating single and pairs of aluminium atoms in a commercial H-ZSM-5 zeolite. The research findings will facilitate the development of more efficient and selective catalysts, which have wide-reaching implications beyond petrochemicals, offering potential benefits for industries such as renewable energy and pollution control. Reducing energy consumption, this can, in turn, promote sustainability and minimises environmental impact. With regard to petrochemical refining, these catalysts can improve fuel yield and quality, particularly for products like gasoline and olefins, simultaneously lowering energy usage. In the realm of environmental catalysis, they contribute to cleaner air and mitigating air pollution. For renewable energy and biofuels, these innovations advance hydrogen storage and utilisation processes, which are crucial for the development of a hydrogen economy. Prof. Edman Tsang said, “This discovery is a game-changer as it precisely identifies the location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework and how they are positioned, providing for the first time a structural elucidation of zeolite frameworks. This breakthrough allows scientists to design more efficient and targeted zeolite catalysts, making the chemical process faster, more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly.” Prof. Benedict Lo said, “We explored and combined various techniques to achieve a multidimensional view of the distribution of aluminium atoms and their interaction with adsorbed molecules, leading to insights into crucial reaction mechanisms. This provides scientists with a deeper understanding of the structure of zeolites.” Dr Guangchao Li said, “We will develop further novel synthesis methods to precisely control the distribution and concentration of aluminium atoms, as well as their pore architectures in zeolites. This advancement will enable the design of catalysts with optimised activity, selectivity and stability for specific industrial applications.” Looking ahead, the team will work closely with industry partners to translate research outcomes into commercial applications. By leveraging the extensive networks and research strengths of the PolyU-Daya Bay Technology and Innovation Research Institute, which focuses on green chemistry and sustainable catalysis, the team will collaborate with domestic petrochemical companies to promote translational research and accelerate the commercialisation of advanced zeolite catalysts. This effort is bolstered by state-of-the-art PolyU facilities, including the only SSNMR facility in Hong Kong and the soon to be introduced first Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation SSNMR (DNP-SSNMR) spectrometer in the Greater Bay Area and southern China. These resources strengthen the team’s research capabilities and facilitate the advancement of their research efforts.   Press release: English - https://polyu.me/41V02ze; Chinese - https://polyu.me/3Dy4xqf   Online coverage: Mirage News - https://polyu.me/4ihOufg Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3DhMNiY (subscription required) Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/4kFcxq4  

Visit from SMA Santa Ursula Jakarta, Indonesia

On 16 January 2025, the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology warmly welcomed a group of students from SMA Santa Ursula Jakarta, Indonesia. The event began with an introduction to our Bachelor of Science (Honours) Scheme in Biotechnology and Chemical Technology, followed by an engaging Q&A session led by Dr. Cheung Ching-mei, Chartia. This interactive session offered the visiting students a valuable opportunity to explore program details and gain deeper insights into the exciting fields of biotechnology and chemical technology.   The visit continued with a guided tour of our state-of-the-art chemical and biology laboratories, led by our Senior Scientific Officer, Dr. Iris Wong, and Scientific Officer, Dr. Fortune Chan. During the tour, students explored our cutting-edge facilities, learned about ongoing research projects, and became familiar with the advanced equipment that drives innovation in our labs.   The visit proved to be an enriching and inspiring experience for the students from SMA Santa Ursula Jakarta. It provided them with meaningful insights into the academic and practical applications of biotechnology and chemical technology, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for these dynamic fields.

Congratulations to Prof. Ka Fu YUNG, Prof. Kin Wah LEE, Prof. Zhong Ping YAO, and Prof. Su Ting HAN for receiving funding support from RGC Collaborative Research Fund 2024/25

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing impactful research through its robust interdisciplinary collaborations and pioneering innovative solutions that benefit the world. In the latest 2024/25 grants from the Research Grants Council (RGC), PolyU has secured funding for 14 projects, including 8 Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG) projects, 3 Collaborative Research Equipment Grant (CREG) projects, and 3 Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG) projects, with a total awarded amount of $11.343 million in the 2024/25 exercise. Among these funded projects, colleagues from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (ABCT) have secured four projects. Prof. Kin Wah LEE and Prof. Zhong Ping YAO each received funding for a CRPG project, while Prof. Ka Fu YUNG was awarded a CREG project and Prof. Su Ting HAN was awarded a YCRG project. The successful projects are listed below.    Project Title Project Coordinator Funding Support Collaborative Research Project Grant Unraveling the Mechanisms of Targeted Therapy Resistance as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prof. LEE Kin-wah Terence Associate Head and Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (in collaboration with HKU) 6,000,000 Data Storage with Proteins Prof. YAO Zhongping Associate Head and Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (in collaboration with CUHK and HKUST) 7,860,284 Collaborative Research Equipment Grant State-of-the-art Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation Enhanced Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy Prof. YUNG Ka Fu Associate Dean, Faculty of Science; and Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (in collaboration with CityU, HKBU, CUHK, HKUST, HKU and EdUHK) 9,000,000 Young Collaborative Research Grant Organic/two-dimensional Materials Heterostructure based Memristor Array for Flexible Retinomorphic System Prof. HAN Suting Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology (in collaboration with CityU and HKU) 3,199,500   Congratulations again to Prof. YUNG, Prof. LEE, Prof. YAO and Prof. HAN for their outstanding achievements!  

Professor Yan Xiang ZHAO was awarded Research Impact Fund (RIF) 2024/25

We are pleased to announce that Prof. ZHAO Yanxiang, Associate Head and Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has successfully secured funding from the RGC Research Impact Fund (RIF). The RIF encourages academics to harness the potential of their research to deliver benefits to the wider community, spurring impactful and translational research projects.   Project Title Project Coordinator Project Details Targeting Autophagy to Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy – a Novel Combination Strategy Prof. ZHAO Yanxiang Associate Head and Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients face limited therapeutic options, with targeted therapeutics showing limited survival benefits. This project aims to develop antibody-autotide-conjugates that tether the patented autotides to immune checkpoint inhibitors such as the anti-PD-L1 antibody, enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy for HCC.   This achievement underscores Prof. Zhao's commitment to impactful research. We congratulate her on this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to the valuable contributions her research will make toward improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Faculty of Science Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement & Outstanding Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony 2024

The Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement & Outstanding Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony 2024 was held on December 20, 2024. This event celebrated the exceptional efforts in teaching, research, scholarly activities, and knowledge transfer by our esteemed faculty members, while also recognizing the professional excellence and scholarly contributions of our accomplished alumni.   Congratulations to the awardees of the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024! Their unwavering dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer activities has been truly remarkable.   Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024 Individual Awards   Category Awardees Teaching: Outstanding Teacher Dr LAM Kim Hung Lecturer, ABCT Research and Scholarly Activities: Outstanding Researcher Prof. YAO Zhongping Associate Head & Professor, ABCT Knowledge Transfer: Industry Dr MA Cong Associate Professor, ABCT Knowledge Transfer: Society Dr CHUA Songlin Assistant Professor, ABCT     Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Faculty of Science 2024   Category Awardee Scholarly Achievement Prof. LIU Dongsheng  

Dr. So Chau-ming Receives the Asian Core Programme Lectureship Award at the 17th International Conference on Cutting-Edge Organic Chemistry in Asia (ICCEOCA-17)

We are excited to announce that Dr. So Chau-ming has been honored with the Asian Core Programme Lectureship Award at the 17th International Conference on Cutting-Edge Organic Chemistry in Asia (ICCEOCA-17), which took place from November 29 to December 2, 2024. This award recognizes Dr. So's exceptional contributions to the field of organic chemistry and his commitment to advancing research and collaboration in Asia. Congratulations to Dr. So Chau-ming on this well-deserved recognition! The Asian Core Program on Cutting-Edge Organic Chemistry in Asia (ACP-CEOCA) was established in 2005 to unite leading scientists in organic chemistry from across the region. Supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), this program fosters the sharing of ideas through conferences, lectures, and student exchanges. Notable leaders such as Prof. Minoru Isobe (Nagoya University, Japan), Prof. Atsushi Nishida (Chiba University, Japan), Prof. Guo-Qiang Lin (Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China), Professor Emeritus Dr. Somsak Ruchirawat (Chulabhorn Research Institute, Thailand), and Prof. Henry N. C. Wong (Chinese University of Hong Kong) have been instrumental in the program's success. ACP-CEOCA continues to connect and inspire chemists across Asia.  

ABCT Christmas Party: A Festive Celebration of Joy

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and helped create a joyous atmosphere. Your presence truly made the celebration special, and we appreciate your support. A special thank you goes to the Lim Peng Suan Charitable Trust, our generous donor. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in advancing our department's development initiatives, and we are sincerely grateful for their continued contributions. We would also like to express our deep appreciation to our industrial partner for their invaluable support of the internship program. Their commitment to fostering professional growth and providing opportunities for our students has been pivotal in bridging academic knowledge with practical experiences. During the event, we took the opportunity to recognize and honor staff and students who have excelled in teaching and research. Their dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, and we congratulate them on their well-deserved awards. Further details about the awardees can be found below.   ABCT Excellence Award 2024 (Research Output) Awardees Discipline Research Paper Title Name of Journal Paper Dr CHUA Song Lin Biology Bacterial Iron Siderophore Drives Tumor Survival and Ferroptosis Resistance in a Biofilm-Tumor Spheroid Coculture Model Advanced Science Dr WONG Wing Leung Biology Live Cell Imaging and Real-Time Monitoring of Nucleolus Morphology and Mitophagy with a Red Fluorescent and Photostable rRNA-Specific Probe in Human Cancer Cells ACS Sensors Dr YANG Yuhe Biology Sprayable Biomimetic Double Mask with Rapid Autophasing and Hierarchical Programming for Scarless Wound Healing Science Advances Dr LEE Yoon Suk, Lawrence Chemistry Upcycling of Spent LiFePO4 Cathodes to Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Stable Direct Seawater Splitting Angewandte Chemie International Edition Dr LEUNG King Chi, Franco Chemistry Blue Light Controlled Supramolecular Soft Robotics of Phenylazothiazole Amphiphiles for Rapid Macroscopic Actuations Advanced Science Dr SO Chau Ming Chemistry Regio- and Chemoselective Palladium-Catalyzed Additive-Free Direct C─H Functionalization of Heterocycles with Chloroaryl Triflates Using Pyrazole-Alkyl Phosphine Ligands Advanced Science   ABCT Outstanding Postgraduate Student Award 2024 (Research) Awardees Discipline BEI Ho Pan Biology LEUNG Wing Hei Biology CHAU Ming Hin Chemistry CHEN Xianhong Chemistry LI Zhen Chemistry SHI Yuqing Chemistry YUEN Pui Nam Chemistry ZHENG Boxin Chemistry   ABCT Outstanding Postgraduate Student Award 2024 (Teaching) Awardees CHAU Ming Hin BEI Ho Pan LIN Ming Kit NG Cheuk Hei WEI Wei YI Qi YUEN Ho Yin   ABCT Excellence Award 2024 (Teaching) Awardees Prof. LEE Kin Wah, Terence Dr SO Chau Ming Dr LEUNG King Chi, Franco Dr WONG Tsun Ting, Clarence Dr TAI Chi Shing, William   ABCT Excellence Award 2024 (Teaching Support) Awardees Dr YUEN On Ying, Bella Dr WONG Wai Ting   As the holiday season approaches, we wish everyone a joyous Christmas filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. May the spirit of this festive season bring you lasting joy and happiness throughout the coming year. We would like to once again extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who made our Christmas Party an unforgettable occasion. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated, and we eagerly look forward to future endeavours together. Happy holidays, and may the spirit of Christmas brighten your lives!