PolyU makes its best efforts to conduct ground-breaking research that addresses pressing health issues and provides innovative solutions to benefit individuals across all age groups. In the 2021 funding exercise, the University has received total funding support of HK$25.1 million for 27 projects from the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), representing an increase in the number of projects and the total amount awarded.

Researchers from the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Science, and School of Design are among those awarded funding to develop innovative and impactful solutions. The 27 studies address various medical and mental needs, from diagnosis to treatment, prevention, recovery, and physical and psychological care. The funded projects testify to PolyU’s strength in interdisciplinary studies and determination to enhance the quality of medical and mental healthcare.

Below is a selection of projects awarded with HK$ 1 million or more, sorted into four categories based on their research goals and outcomes:

Preventive measures in optometry

Research in primary eye care is of fundamental importance in protecting vision and preventing eye-related disease in the long term.

• Dr Do Chi-wai’s project examines the therapeutic significance of baicalein in treating glaucoma.

• Dr Chun Ka-man’s research combines optical and pharmaceutical intervention to control the progression of myopia in schoolchildren.

Effective clinical diagnosis and analysis

The incorporation of artificial intelligence technologies, such as deep learning and machine learning, helps advance clinical diagnosis and analysis.

• Prof. Zhang Weixong’s project uses AI technologies to integrate genomic and neuroimaging data to understand disease etiology and subtypes of schizophrenia for personalised medicine.

• Dr Li Tian’s research enhances the image quality and clinical efficacy of the 4D multi-parametric MRI radiotherapy technique to achieve a more accurate measurement of tumour motion and volume in order to facilitate radiotherapy planning.

Physical and mental well-being management

Technologies have been applied to enhance the efficacy of physical and mental treatment in both clinical and community settings.

• Dr Yvonne Han Ming-yee’s research studies the long-term efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (a non-invasive neuromodulation technique) to improve the cognitive and social functions of individuals with autism.

• Dr Wong Yu-lok’s research adopts online acceptance and commitment therapy education to improve mental well-being of teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and their parents.

• Dr Wang Shanshan’s project develops an e-bibliotherapy app/manual to improve psychological well-being and health-related quality of life for caregivers.

• Dr Wang Hailiang introduced traditional exercise Qigong and VR-based training to design an innovative VR-based Qigong exercise platform for older adults to delay the progressive course of dementia.

Infection management and antibiotic drug development

Addressing infections and advancements in antibiotic medication have long been important areas of focus in medicine.

• Prof. Chen Sheng developed drug candidates for the treatment of infections.

• Dr Wong Wing-leung’s project combats antibiotic resistance in bacteria, particularly superbugs.

Moving forward, PolyU researchers will continue to translate scientific discoveries into innovations and viable solutions for the betterment of society.