PolyU and The University of Hong Kong (HKU) jointly announced the establishment of Respiratory Virus Research Foundation which supports respiratory viral infection research and corresponding translational research in Hong Kong. With the support of the foundation and PolyU’s expertise in medical diagnostics, biomedical engineering and translational research in new drugs and vaccines, the collaboration aims to turn crucial findings into useful, clinical solutions and products.
In relation, a research by HKU found that pretreatment with topical imiquimod significantly enhanced and prolonged the flu vaccine protection in elderly patients, the young and healthy people, thus demonstrating the ability of imiquimod and intradermal vaccine to confer protection against non-vaccine virus strains. Looking ahead, PolyU’s Innovation and Technology Development and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology will work with HKU to develop an automated, accurate and cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic system to simultaneously detect over 30 pathogens causing the respiratory disease. Details>>