Mercury contamination in freshwater
and marine fish cultivated around the Pearl
River Delta and its health risk assessment
Principal Investigator: Prof Wong Ming-hung
(HKBU)
Mercury (Hg) is a widely used heavy metal
that demands attention due to its potential
adverse impacts on environmental and human
health. Mercury exists in several chemical
forms with different toxicities. The most
toxic form is methylmercury (MeHg), which
is usually formed in aquatic environments.
The fish produced from Hg-contaminated water
bodies may contain high levels of MeHg that
may get into the food chain, thereby imposing
health hazards to humans. The major objective
of this research project is to investigate
the current status of Hg contamination in
aquaculture at the Pearl River Delta region,
and to carry out a health risk assessment.
Discovery and development of biomarkers
for evidence-based Chinese medicines using
the proteomic technology platform
Principal Investigator: Prof. Wen Luan Wendy
Hsiao (HKBU)
Proteomics is a novel and powerful technology
that studies the complete catalog of every
protein in a given biological source, such
as serum, urine, cell extracts, etc. It
has been successfully applied for biomarker
discovery in diseases and symptoms. Such
a global approach is particularly suitable
for the investigation of the drug action
of Chinese Medicine (CM) that is believed
to be multi-compound, multi-target, multi-pathway,
and multi-factor in nature. In this project,
we propose to employ proteomic profiling
analysis for the identification of clinically
relevant biomarkers in two disease animal
models (colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis
animal models) under CM treatment. The biomarkers
established from this project will not only
provide insights toward the action of CM,
linking biological processes and signaling
pathways to the efficacy of CM, but it will
also lend an useful experimental model for
evidence-based clinical study of CM.
Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Oscillation
Experiment
Principal Investigator: Prof M C Chu (CUHK)
The recent dramatic discovery that neutrinos are both massive and oscillating promises to revolutionise the study of particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics. However, the value of a key parameter for describing neutrino oscillation, 13, remains unknown. A team of local and international physicists plans to conduct an experiment at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant to determine this parameter by measuring the flux of antineutrinos from several nuclear reactors, using underground detectors to suppress the cosmogenic background. This project will promote Hong Kong as a regional centre in fundamental physics research and foster long-term collaboration with leading international research institutes.
Protein-phosphoinositides Interactions
in Neuronal Signaling
Principal Investigator: Prof Zhang Mingjie
(HKUST)
Phosphoinositides (PIPs) are important signaling lipids that are distributed in various cellular membranes. PIPs, via binding to proteins, actively regulate numerous cellular processes. In this project, we will investigate the structure and functions of several novel protein-lipid interactions that are implicated in both normal as well as abnormal functioning of brain cells. We aim to elucidate the biochemical and structural basis of the interactions between PIPs with these proteins and to uncover the physiological significance of these newly identified protein-lipid interactions. This project is expected to make important contributions to understanding a number of human diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.
Integrated III-Nitride Transistors and
Microsensors
Principal Investigator: Prof Lau Key May
(HKUST)
Robust, stable, and sensitive micro-sensors are useful in many different areas. The emergence of new materials with unique properties opens new dimensions for sensor applications. The use of semiconductors for sensing offers great advantages for integration of functions such as signal processing and control with miniaturization. III-nitride, a wide band-gap semiconductor, has been successfully developed in the past ten years for short wavelength optical emitters and power RF transistors. Great material improvements of III-nitrides have allowed other possible applications, such as sensors requiring particular robustness in harsh environments. The wide band-gap properties and the strong piezoelectric effects shown in III-nitrides are desirable in high-temperature pressure sensors, which are necessary in the aviation and automotive industries. An in-depth investigation of integrated III-nitride transistors and sensors will be conducted in this interdisciplinary program involving experts in different areas from three Hong Kong universities.
Structure-function of Metal-binding
Proteins in Helicobacter pylori
Principal Investigator: Prof Sun Hongzhe
(HKU)
The goals are to identify key metal-binding proteins that are crucial for the survival and virulence of Helicobacter pylori by comparative genomics and proteomics; to validate and functionally characterize the promising proteins, and to over-express and structurally characterize selected metal-binding proteins (e.g. nickel transport/storage proteins). Our approach includes using molecular genetic and comparative enomics/proteomics approaches, to elucidate the roles played by metal-binding proteins in cell growth regulation, stress response, biofilm formation, and virulence. Structural biology will provide hints for drug development. The anticipated discoveries will provide a more comprehensive scenario of Helicobacter pylori on a molecular basis and may offer novel approaches for combating pathogenic bacteria and stomach cancer.
Vascular Dysfunction in Obesity and
Diabetes: From Risk Prediction to Therapeutic
Intervention
Principal Investigator: Dr. Aimin Xu (HKU)
Cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and
heart attack, ranks among the top causes
of death and hospitalization in the ageing
population. Obesity and diabetes are the
major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The primary objective of this collaborative
project is to establish an integrated basic
and clinical research platform in Hong Kong
for studying vascular disease in relation
to obesity and diabetes. We will comprehensively
investigate the pathological roles of several
fat-derived circulation factors in the development
of these diseases in both animal models
and human subjects. Ultimately, this study
is expected to help identify novel diagnostic
markers and therapeutic targets for treatment
and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease
associated with obesity and diabetes.
Aging: Epigenetic regulation, cell cycle
checkpoint control and stem cell potency
Principal Investigator: Dr Zhou Zhongjun
(HKU)
Aging is the age-related deterioration
of the body function. As normal aging progresses
over a long period of time, precocious/accelerated
aging syndromes become ideal models for
aging research. In this study, Hutchinson-Gilford
Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) and a related mouse
model, Zmpste24 deficiency, will be used
to study several aspects of aging, such
as epigenetic alterations, cell division
control and stem cell contribution. We expect
to identify the similarities and difference
between normal aging and accelerated aging.
Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and
Deposition (PIII&D) Equipment
Principal Investigator: Prof Paul Chu (CityU)
Plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition
(PIII&D) is a versatile technique used
for modifying surface properties of materials
and industrial components. Prof. Paul Chu
and his coworkers at City University of
Hong Kong designed and built the 1st generation
PIII&D equipment in 1996. This equipment
has supported more than 40 research projects
involving researchers from about 80 universities,
institutions and companies from all over
the world. The current award is to acquire
a new and up-to-date PIII&D machine
to replace the old instrument. The new machine
will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies,
thus enabling our research staff, local
and international users to continue their
cutting-edge research studies
Green Oxidation Chemistry and Technology
Principal Investigator: Prof Tai-chu Lau
(CityU)
Green chemistry is defined as the design
of chemical products and processes that
reduce or eliminate the use and generation
of hazardous substances. Prof. Tai-chu Lau
and his coworkers at City University of
Hong Kong will establish an interdisciplinary
research program to stimulate the development
of green chemistry and technology in Hong
Kong. They will focus on green catalytic
oxidation chemistry and technology, which
is a key technology for converting petroleum-based
materials to a wide variety of useful chemicals.
Their goal is to develop processes that
will operate at room temperature, using
environmentally benign reagents such as
hydrogen peroxide, oxygen and water, rather
than toxic solvents.
Ginsenoside as Functional Ligands of
Steroid Hormone Receptors: from Ligand-Receptor
Interaction to Cellular Homeostasis
Principal Investigator: Prof Ricky NS Wong
(HKBU)
Ginseng has long been regarded in the Asian
countries as the "all-healing"
medicine. Its general tonic and specific
therapeutic effects have been well documented.
However, the mechanisms responsible for
such effects are not well understood, although
some earlier studies by the principal investigator
and his coworkers suggest that ginseng may
affect the action of specific hormones.
Part of the problem is that there are over
30 chemically active ingredients in ginseng,
known as ginsenosides. The objective of
the present research is to perform a comprehensive
study of these ginsenosides, determining
how these chemicals exert their biological
effects on hormone activity and eventually
developing a solid foundation for ginseng-based
therapeutics.
Redefining the West River: Ming and
Qing State Building and the Transformation
of Native Society
Principal Investigator: Professor David
W Faure (CUHK)
The West River is a principal waterway linking
the provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou
and Guangdong. During the Ming and the Qing
dynasties, large portions of these provinces
were transformed from regimes controlled
by local chieftains (known as tusi) into
administrative districts placed under county
magistrates. This transformation had profound
impact on native society. Investigators
from the Chinese University of Hong Kong,
the Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology, and the Sun Yatsen University
in Guangzhou will jointly explore this transformation,
by studying the remains of temples and ancestral
halls, steles, genealogies, land documents,
religious records and rituals that local
people still perform. They will look for
markers of cultural changes, often associated
with religious ritual performance, the integration
of the locality into the Chinese state,
and hence the variation of local cultures
at specific historical times.
New Directions in Network Coding
Principal Investigator: Professor Robert
SY Li (CUHK)
Data forwarding through the Internet is
by store-and-forward mechanism (i.e., copying).
Simple copying may be the most natural way
to forward a message, but the widely applicable
mechanism of network coding is more efficient.
Network coding achieves maximal bit rate,
minimal latency, and minimal energy consumption
in assorted wireless networks, peer-to-peer
content distribution, and other forms of
communications. This primary objective of
this project is to investigate the principles
of network coding for reliable network communications
and for application to IP Television.
Systematic Study of Essential Protein
Kinases Involved in Cell Growth and Differentiation
Principal Investigator: Prof. Zhenguo Wu
(HKUST)
Protein kinases are a family of enzymes
responsible for adding phosphate group(s)
to other cellular proteins. This important
biochemical process is known as phosphorylation.
Mutations in certain protein kinases have
been linked to several human diseases including
cancers. Currently, 518 protein kinases
have been identified in both the human and
mouse genomes. Although many kinases have
been characterized in the past, a systematic
study of all protein kinases involved in
cell growth and differentiation is still
lacking. In this project, Prof. Zhenguo
Wu and his coworkers at Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology plan to examine
the functions of all 518 protein kinases
using an RNA interference (RNAi)-based screening
method. RNAi, the discovery of which culminated
in a Nobel Prize in 2006, is a powerful
approach to shut down specific genes in
cells. Two cell models, one involving neuronal
cells and the other skeletal muscle cells,
will be employed for our study. This study
should generate a more comprehensive view
of key protein kinases involved in cell
growth and differentiation and provide new
targets for development of effective drugs.
Esophageal Carcinoma Research Center
Principal Investigator: Prof. Maria Li Lung
(HKUST)
Esophageal Carcinoma (EC) is a cancer whose
development is associated with dietary factors,
eating/drinking habits, and hereditary risk.
It occurs with the highest frequency in
parts of Northern China with fatality rate
of nearly 90%. In Hong Kong, this cancer
is usually not diagnosed until quite late
in its progression, making it difficult
to treat effectively. New diagnostic markers
and treatment options are required to improve
survival chances for EC patients. This award
provides the funds to establish the first
Esophageal Carcinoma Research Center (ECRC)
in Hong Kong, consisting of faculty from
four universities, who have complementary
expertise in various areas of basic and
clinical EC research. Prof. Maria Li Lung
and her coworkers plan to determine the
molecular genetic basis of sporadic EC and
identify genomic regions associated with
hereditary EC in high-risk Northern China.
They will establish models for normal esophageal
epithelial cell lines and perform studies
to identify key genes involved in EC development.
Further investigations will identify specific
genetic markers for improved diagnosis and
prognosis of EC, as well as develop predictive
model for its responsiveness toward chemo-radiotherapy
and other treatment options. Ultimately,
these studies are expected to improve treatment
outcomes for afflicted EC patients.
Electromagnetic Resonant Structures
and Plasmonic Structures
Principal Investigator: Prof. Che Ting Chan
(HKUST)
This research program involves the collaboration
between theorists and experimentalists to
explore the physical properties of a new
generation of artificial materials that
can control light. Prof. Che Ting Chan and
his coworkers at the Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology plan to use a
combination of special structure-induced
resonance, combined with intrinsic material
resonance (called "plasmon") to
control light. Such resonance structures
can in principle give us many interesting
phenomena. For example, a flat lens may
be fabricated to achieve very high resolution.
One can even control thermal radiation.
Some designs can reduce light scattering
to the point that an object appears to be
invisible. This research, if successful,
provides an excellent example of the "materials-by-design"
approach, in which new materials are purposely
designed for specific applications.
Molecular Pathology of Liver Cancer
- a Multidisciplinary Study
Prof. Irene OL Ng (HKU)
Liver cancer is a major malignancy worldwide
and is particularly prevalent in Asia, including
Hong Kong. Development of liver cancer is
a known to be a multi-step process. Prof.
Irene Ng and her coworkers at the University
of Hong Kong plan to examine the genetic
and molecular alterations in human tissue
samples and mouse models at different stages
of the diseases. Studies examining the role
of hepatitis B virus will be included as
well. In addition, the research will attempt
to unravel how signaling in abnormal cells
drives the growth of liver cancer, including
activities in critical genes.
Peptidomimetics: Design, Synthesis and
Biomedical Applications
Principal Investigator: Prof Dan Yang (HKU)
Naturally occurring proteins and peptides
play an essential role in biological systems,
functioning as enzymes, antibodies, hormones,
ligands and receptors. However, the use
of proteins and peptides as drugs has been
hampered by their poor absorption and stability.
Therefore, the search for peptidomimetics,
molecules that mimic the functions of natural
peptides and proteins with better stability
and availability, is not only of great intellectual
challenge, but also of practical relevance.
In this group research project, investigators
at the University of Hong Kong plan to take
an interdisciplinary approach to explore
the potential of aminoxy acids, a class
of unnatural amino acids, as building blocks
of peptidomimetics in developing anti-cancer
and anti-viral agents, synthetic ion channels,
and biomaterials for drug delivery, wound
healing and tissue engineering.