Research Projects
Molecular and Immunological Mechanisms of Inflammation and Fibrosis in Chronic Kidney Disease


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an escalating public health problem associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and treatment cost. Common causes of CKD include diabetes and hypertension. There is currently no effective treatment for CKD.

CKD is characterized by the progressive accumulation of matrix proteins in the kidney parenchyma, which replaces normal kidney tissue with fibrous matter leading to a loss of kidney function. Increased fibrogenesis occurs when a wound-healing response fails to resolve after inflammatory injury. Irrespective of the primary aetiology, tubulo-interstitial fibrosis is considered the final common pathway that drives CKD to end-stage renal failure. The underlying mechanisms that contribute to tubulo-interstitial fibrosis remains undefined.

Our studies aim to investigate the molecular and immunological mechanisms that mediates CKD using animal studies and in vitro studies, with particular focus on cellular mechanisms and phenotypic manifestations in resident renal tubulo-interstitial cells. 

A greater understanding of disease pathogenesis and the identification of key pathways and molecules that contribute to the initiation of CKD may allow for the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Professor SSY Yung, Department of Medicine

Biography
ssyyung@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Medicine