PolyU Science in the News

PolyU’s new ATP Laboratory supports Hong Kong’s development into an international health and medical innovation hub

As part of its promotion of precision and personalised medicine through the introduction of advanced therapy products (ATPs), PolyU is 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, 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, led by Prof. Larry Chow Ming-cheung, Head of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, is a Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme’s Good Manufacturing Practice (PIC/S GMP)-compliant facility, focusing on clinical research in immunotherapy, cell therapy, gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: TVB 理大新設實驗室生產移植手術用臍帶血成品　治療脊髓神經損傷 TVB News at 7:30 (12:39 - 15:02) 22 April 2025 Now TV 脊髓損傷｜理大設先進療法製品實驗室生產細胞治療製品 22 April 2025 RTHK (English) PolyU lab promises therapy for spinal injury patients (中文) 理大成立實驗室計劃用臍帶血培育及生產單核細胞交醫院作治療測試 22 April 2025 Oriental Daily News 理大ATP實驗室 為癱瘓者帶來希望 治脊髓損傷 待發牌展臨床研究 22 April 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 理大放眼先進療法 研臍帶血治脊髓傷 建高規格實驗室 籌備臨牀測試 話你知：港現兩間持牌先進療法製品製造商 其一中大合營 22 April 2025 Hong Kong Economic Times 理大設實驗室 製血細胞治癱瘓 (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Sing Tao Daily 理大新設實驗室 研先進療法製品 22 April 2025 Ta Kung Pao 理大ATP實驗室 研細胞移植治癱瘓 22 April 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大建ATP實驗室 研再生醫學療法製品 22 April 2025 HK01 理大斥4000萬建先進療法製品實驗室　研究助脊髓傷者恢復行動能力 22 April 2025 The 21st Century Business Herald 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 Southern Finance 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 East Money 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 NetEase 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 Sohu 香港理工大学将启动先进疗法制品实验室，助力香港成为国际医疗创新枢纽 22 April 2025 SCMP Hongkongers with spinal cord injuries may regain mobility with help of new lab (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Mirage News PolyU Lab Fuels Hope for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery 22 April 2025 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大設實驗室 研臍帶血治癱瘓 (subscription required) 22 April 2025 Headline Daily 理大新設實驗室 研先進療法製品 22 April 2025 星島環球 香港理工大学新设实验室，研先进疗法制品 22 April 2025 Bastille Post 理大成立先進療法製品實驗室 藉臍帶血培育及生產單核細胞助治癱瘓病人 22 April 2025 Dot Dot News 理大新設實驗室　研臍帶血成品治癱瘓 22 April 2025 Master Insight 理大先進療法製品（ATP）實驗室 夥威院 冀助脊髓損傷癱瘓者站起來 22 April 2025 HKONG.hk 理大新设实验室 研脐带血成品治瘫痪 22 April 2025 Australian Chinese Daily 理大研臍帶血治脊髓傷 放眼先進療法 22 April 2025 China Review News 理大ATP實驗室　研細胞移植治癱瘓 22 April 2025  

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

The Faculty celebrates the acceptance of ABRAM Therapeutics Limited (ABRAM), a start-up co-founded by a PolyU Science scholar, into the Roche Accelerator. This marks the first time a Hong Kong-based start-up being welcomed by this prestigious innovation hub. Co-founded by Prof. Thomas Leung Yun-chung, Professor of the 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, 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. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大培育生物醫藥初創ABRAM 為首家初創企業入選羅氏中國加速器 1 Arpil 2025 Zhihu 破解肥胖困局！理大新药获罗氏加速器支持 1 Arpil 2025  

Prof. Wong Ka-hing appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat

Prof. Wong Ka-hing, Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, was recently appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cultured Meat, under the Expert Committee on Food Safety, by the Government of HKSAR, for a term of four years with effect from 14 February 2025. The panel is responsible for providing advice to the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene on matters relating to the criteria for the safety assessment and the safety for human consumption of the cultured meat and its derived products.

PolyU Science unveils comprehensive zeolite structures, advancing development of catalysts for petrochemical and renewable energy

A PolyU research team led by Prof. Edman Tsang, Chair Professor of Catalysis and Materials, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 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. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News PolyU Reveals Zeolite Structures, Boosts Catalyst Tech 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Economic Journal 理大研沸石助石化產品增產 (subscription required) 10 March 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研究揭沸石可促進石油化工和再生能源應用 10 March 2025  

PolyU’s collaboration with Correctional Services Department for food waste upcycle

PolyU and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) signed an MoU on 7 February to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products. The first phase of the collaboration involves the application of PolyU’s patented technology for making 3D printing material with spent coffee grounds to the industrial production work performed by persons in custody. PolyU will also provide vocational training in product design for persons in custody to develop more environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products. Online coverage: Oriental Daily News 孖理大搞環保 咖啡渣3D打印產品 20 February 2025 Ming Pao Daily News 懲教署推網上平台賣在囚者製造產品　收益將捐贈本地慈善機構 20 February 2025 Sing Tao Daily 2024懲教署年結｜日均還押人數創24年新高 黃國興：擬調撥個別院所收容額紓緩 20 February 2025 Ta Kung Pao 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Dot Dot News 「懲」味好淡　不停轉型的在囚人士職業培訓 20 February 2025 Line Today 咖啡渣變3D打印物料　懲教與理大合作推動環保與更生 20 February 2025  

PolyU Science researchers make breakthrough discovery in structure and synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics, advancing technological development in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information

A research team led by Prof. Zhao Jiong, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Physics, has conducted research on the structure and potential of 2D van der Waals materials, and has unveiled a pioneering approach for large-scale synthesis of 2D ferroelectrics. Their findings significantly boost technological advancements in microelectronics, artificial intelligence and quantum information, and will subsequently foster the development of diverse applications including high-density memory devices, energy conversion systems, sensing technologies and catalysis technologies. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Mirage News 2D Ferroelectrics Discovery Boosts Tech, AI, Quantum 18 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 理大二維鐵電體研究突破 推動微電子AI領域發展 18 February 2025 China Review News 理大二維鐵電體研究突破　推動微電子AI發展 19 February 2025  

PolyU and CSD sign MoU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Correctional Services Department (CSD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 7 February 2025 to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products, injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the correctional industry. The MoU sets out a framework for collaboration between PolyU and CSD to jointly promote innovative development initiatives over the next five years, including the application of Research Institute for Future Food scientific research results on food waste upcycling to industrial production in correctional institutions; and the provision of vocational training to persons in custody (PICs) in the design and production of environmentally friendly products by PolyU to enhance their employability. The collaboration not only promotes environmental protection but also assists in the rehabilitation of PICs. Press Release: English | 中文 Online coverage: Bastille Post CSD and PolyU Collaborate to Upcycle Food Waste for Sustainable Correctional Development 7 February 2025 Sing Tao Daily 懲教署與理大簽訂合作備忘錄　推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 (subscription required) 7 February 2025 Wen Wei Po 懲教署與理大簽訂合作備忘錄　推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 7 February 2025 Sina HK 懲教署與香港理工大學簽訂合作備忘錄推動食物廢料升級及發展環保產品 7 February 2025  

PolyU signs MoU with Pok Oi Hospital to provide internship opportunities for students

PolyU signed an MoU with Pok Oi Hospital on 15 January to explore opportunities for students from the School of Nursing and Departments of Food Science and Nutrition, and Rehabilitation Sciences to undertake internship, research and services at the hospital’s subsidiaries, with an aim of nurturing more nursing and other allied healthcare professionals together. The two parties will also further deepen their collaboration in addressing industry’s needs, fostering talents and planning and developing nursing and rehabilitation programmes. Press Release: 中文 Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao 理大與博愛醫院簽署合作備忘錄　提供護理及康復治療等專業實習 15 January 2025 Hong Kong Commercial Daily 博愛醫院與理大簽署合作備忘錄 擴大專職醫療人才庫 15 January 2025 Dot Dot News 理大與博愛醫院簽署合作備忘錄　提供護理及康復治療等專業實習 15 January 2025  

PolyU project develops library of polarised vdW heterobilayers for exploring novel 2D materials

A research team led by Prof. Daniel Lau Shu Ping, Chair Professor of Nanomaterials and Head of the Department of Applied Physics, has proposed generating a library of van der Waals (vdW) heterobilayers with specific properties to screen for materials that have significant development potential. Prof. Lau said the results of their work may provide new insights into building high-density and energy-efficient next-generation non-volatile memory and in-memory computing devices. The project has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Scheme 2024/25. Press release: English | Chinese Online coverage: Hong Kong Commercial Daily 理大研究創建極化vdW異質雙層數據庫 獲國家自然科學基金及研資局合作研究重點項目計劃支持 17 December 2024 Hong Kong China News Agency 港理大研究創建數據庫 助探索嶄新二維材料 17 December 2024  

Dr Kenneth Lo interviewed by Now TV’s programme “Medicine Online”

Dr Kenneth Lo Ka-hei, Assistant Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV’s programme “Medicine Online” to reveal the truth about gluten-free diet. Online coverage: Now TV 【杏林在線】無麩質飲食 (00:15 - 10:30) 2 December 2024