News

The molecular architecture of synapse formation

The brain processes information via signals that are processed in a vast number of neural circuits that operate in a parallel, interleaved, or sequential fashion. In each neural circuit, information transmitted from one neuron to the next at synapses that computationally process the information as it is being transmitted, translating a presynaptic spike code into distinct postsynaptic signals depending on the properties of the synapses. Information processing by neural circuits critically depend on the number and location of synapses between their constituent neurons and equally on the computational properties of these synapses that vary greatly. We posit that the synaptic architecture of neural circuits is based on a molecular logic that governs the establishment and functional specification of synapses. Moreover, we posit that this molecular logic is controlled by transsynaptic adhesion complexes formed between pre- and postsynaptic recognition and signaling molecules. Multiple cell-surface and signaling molecules contributing to the molecular logic of neural circuits have been characterized. Two types of complexes mediating trans-synaptic interactions that control the architecture of synapses stand out: Presynaptic neurexin adhesion molecules and their multifarious postsynaptic signaling partners, including neuroligins and cerebellins, and postsynaptic latrophilins and Bai’s that act as adhesion-GPCRs and interact with presynaptic ligands, including teneurins and RTN4Rs, in synapse formation. In my lecture, I will describe recent progress in understanding how selected trans-synaptic interactions guide and shape the formation of synapses and thereby control the molecular logic of neural circuits. I will focus on only a few example given the amount of material available but encourage the audience to access our publications for more information. Find out more and register at : https://polyu.hk/lgyWr

Triumphantly Executed: PAIR's Seminar on Chinese Medicine

Prof. CHE Chun-Tao, Harry H.S. Fong Professor of Pharmacognosy in the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, delivered the PAIR seminar titled “Challenges and Opportunities for Chinese Medicine Research” in hybrid mode on 1 December 2023. The Seminar attracted over 200 participants joining onsite and online from over 30 countries and regions in Asia, Europe and North America. It was also broadcasted live on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili and Weibo, and viewed by an online audience of over 16,500 in total. The seminar commenced with a warm welcome address from Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of PAIR, setting the stage for an enlightening session. Prof. Che then took the floor, shedding light on the scientific hurdles in the development of Chinese medicine, particularly regarding the quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal products. He emphasized how these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for international collaborative research, ultimately meeting the growing demand for top-notch Chinese medicine products. A question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), was followed.  The Seminar was pushed to the climax by a panel discussion joined by Prof. Karl Wah Keung TSIM, Director of the Center for Chinese Medicine Research and Development and Director of HKUST Shenzhen Center for Chinese Medicine of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST); Prof. Hongjie ZHANG, Director of the Chinese Medicine - Teaching and Research Division of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU); Prof. Clara LAU, Associate Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK); as well as Mr Harry YEUNG, Chairman of the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association Foundation (MCMIA).  The audiences were captivated and actively engaged in a stimulating exchange with Prof. Che and the panelists, leaving them inspired to delve deeper into the discussion. Please click here for an online review.

Dr Kenneth LO shares tips for healthy breakfast

Dr Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Member of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, was interviewed by Now TV programme “Medicine Online” to expound upon the significance of eating breakfast and the healthy way to have it. Prof. Lo explained the benefits of breakfast, as well as the recommended food, timing and portion size for healthy breakfast. Online coverage: Now TV – Medicine Online - https://polyu.me/3RbqmyC (Chinese only)

DoRCDSE urges more resources from Hong Kong government for aerospace talent cultivation

Ir Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, in an interview of the TVB News programme “A Closer Look”, expressed his views on Hong Kong’s aerospace talent cultivation. Prof. Yung hoped the government could provide more resources in this area, driving more public’s interest in science and technology.   Online coverage: TVB News - A Closer Look - https://polyu.me/3RpCA88 (1:48 – 2:42) (Chinese only)

RCTFF develops 3D cellular solar crystalliser to improve wastewater desalination

A study by the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion (RCTFF), “3D Cellular Solar Crystallizer for Stable and Ultra-Efficient High-Salinity Wastewater Treatment”, was recently published in Advanced Science. The research aims to enhance the evaporation capability in seawater desalination. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology directly uses solar energy to evaporate water from brine and crystallise salts to achieve purification and desalination. However, the evaporation capability of the interfacial solar crystallisers used in existing technology remains a technical challenge. To address so, the research team developed an artificial tree solar crystalliser (ATSC), which was designed with a multi-branched and interconnected open-cell cellular structure that significantly increased evaporation surface. The ATSC achieved an ultra-high evaporation rate (2.30 kg m−2 h−1 during 2 h exposure) and high energy efficiency (128%) in concentrated real seawater; and maintained a stable evaporation rate (1.94 kg m−2 h−1) on average in concentrated seawater for 80 h continuous exposure. The ATSC can help minimise the discharge of high-salinity wastewater in industrial processes, marking a major step forward towards zero liquid discharge treatment.   Read the full article: http://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202305313

PAIR Research Impact Video Series | Episode 1 | Upcycling waste for a carbon-neutral tomorrow

The PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is pleased to present the brand-new PAIR Research Impact Video Series. The Series invites PAIR researchers to share their latest research achievements and solutions to major challenges in the society. In this episode, Prof. Poon introduces his team’s research on Eco-Blocks, a green concrete made from construction, demolition and other discarded waste. Prof. Poon also shares his team’s works on applying carbon curing technology for improving concrete performance and using valorisation technology for producing low-carbon construction materials from waste glass. At RCRE, Prof. Poon and other members have been conducting fundamental and impactful research on the recycling of woody waste, waste glass, incineration ashes, etc.  Watch the video now and learn how PAIR helps build a greener tomorrow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cakPnf4HccI&t=3s

PAIR Newsletter ∙ Issue 8 ∙ December 2023 is now available online!

We are thrilled to announce the release of the 8th Issue of the PAIR Newsletter, offering you the latest updates on PAIR’s interdisciplinary research developments. Enjoy reading our “Feature Stories” covering the newly established Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, as well as PAIR researchers’ endeavours in promoting holistic mental health support and combatting the myopia epidemic. Learn more about PAIR’s latest scientific discoveries and activities in “Knowledge Transfer”, “Research Achievements”, “People”, and “News & Events” sections! We welcome you to forward any useful articles and valuable links from our Newsletter to your friends and colleagues. Share PAIR impact stories to spread knowledge, spur innovation and drive interdisciplinary excellence! Happy reading! https://polyu.hk/RPnAv

RCSV research shows efficacy of RLRL therapy in controlling myopia

A research conducted by Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology, has proved that repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy can significantly slow down the progression of myopia in children, and even reverse short-sightedness. Myopia was considered as an irreversible process of axial growth. Research found that the axial elongation of children receiving RLRL therapy was 70% less than those wearing normal spectacles. Furthermore, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that up to 40% of RLRL-treated children showed axial length shortening one month following the therapy.   Online coverage: Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3sW7Q5h Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/46xJJri (subscription required) am730 - https://polyu.me/40Z7w2d Sky Post - https://polyu.me/40WTbmR Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/411c7kG Line Today - https://polyu.me/46xYCK7 Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/47xvW5u Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/40WnEkW Eastweek - https://polyu.me/49UO1vI Sunday Kiss - https://polyu.me/49TuaNA

Renowned Chinese medicine scholar to deliver a distinguished lecture on the development of acupuncture

PAIR cordially invites you to join our Distinguished Lecture on 8 December 2023 (Friday) at 11:00am–12:30 p.m. (Hong Kong Time) on the PolyU campus and via Zoom. The lecture, titled “Acupuncture in the United States: From Exploration to Accessibility” will be delivered by Prof. LAO Lixing, Professor and President of the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM), USA. Since the 1970s, acupuncture has rapidly developed and received acceptance by the public and mainstream healthcare system in the United States. Evidence-based acupuncture played a major role in acupuncture development. Despite challenges and difficulties in acupuncture clinical research, sufficient evidence demonstrated the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of acupuncture. In the lecture, Prof. Lao will introduce his 30 years of experience in acupuncture research and share his witness in the United States from exploration in early years to the accessibility in the current healthcare system.  Prof. Lao will also share his opinion on the challenges and difficulties in acupuncture clinical research. Prior to his position at VUIM, Prof. Lao was a Professor and the Director of the School of Chinese Medicine of The University of Hong Kong, holding Vivian Taam Wong Endowed Professorship in Integrative Medicine during 2013–2019. He was elected Vice President of the World Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies (WFAS).  Graduated from the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in 1983 and obtained a Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) in 1992.  Prof. Lao has been conducting research, practicing, and teaching acupuncture and TCM for 40 years.  He also published over 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers.  He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief in the Journal of Integrative Medicine. Prof. Lao is also a Fellow of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research. Don’t miss the chance to learn from distinguished scholar! Find out more and register at: https://polyu.hk/iUAHX

Free vision test mobile app “WHOeyes” launched in China

A mobile app for free vision test “WHOeyes”, developed by Prof. HE Mingguang, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) and Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology, was officially launched in China on 25 November 2023.  WHOeyes is the first vision test mobile app endorsed by the World Health Organization. It was launched globally earlier on the World Sight Day (12 October 2023). WHOeyes can assess users’ visual acuity and provide advice for protecting vision. Users can simply look at the cameras of smartphones installed with WHOeyes and follow the system instructions, and the app will measure both distance and near vision of users. The app is now available in six languages including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.   Read more: https://www.who.int/news/item/12-10-2023-who-launches-the-whoeyes-app-on-world-sight-day Download from App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/whoeyes/id6463576815 Download from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.who.whoeyes   Online coverage: GD Today - https://polyu.me/3QWAFX9 East Money - https://polyu.me/3Ge9mCZ (Chinese only) NetEase - https://polyu.me/3RidC9J(Chinese only)