14 Dec 2012

The Frontiers in Biomedical Research HKU 2012, the annual Faculty Research Symposium of The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, is held today (December 14, 2012). Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, known as the “Father of Dolly the sheep”, is invited as a keynote speaker to share the insights of his scientific research with Hong Kong researchers. Highlighted by fruitful lectures delivered by distinguished speakers from overseas and talks by local outstanding researchers, the symposium attracts about 900 local and overseas scientists to join.

Professor Anskar Leung Yu-hung, Chairmen of the Organising Committee of the Symposium and Clinical Professor of the Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine said, “This year, the Symposium is organised along the 5 strategic research themes of the Faculty, that are Cancer, Heart, Brain, Hormone & Healthy Aging, Infection and Immunology, Public Health, and Reproduction and Development. The emerging research fields of Stem Cell and Genomics have been incorporated to enrich the scientific programme since 2010. ”

This year the Faculty has invited 12 oversea speakers from Australia, UK, The Netherlands, Germany, USA, mainland China and Taiwan. Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, known as “Father of Dolly the sheep” and Professor Nick Martin are two of the keynote speakers. Professor Sir Ian Wilmut is Professor of Reproductive Biology and Director of Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, UK. He was renowned for his cloning work that produced Dolly the sheep. In 2008, he was awarded Shaw Laureate in Life Science and Medicine. The topic of keynote lecture he delivers is “Regenerative Medicine: New Opportunities arising from Stem Cell Research”. In addition, another speaker, Professor Nick Martin is an authority of behavioral genetic from Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Australia. He gives a lecture entitled “Progress in the Genetics of Complex Diseases” to foster the development of a vibrant research culture with local scientists.

The one-day symposium makes a rich and fruitful day for all participants. The local award-winning researchers from The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, including Professor Agnes Tiwari Fung-yee, Head of the School of Nursing, Professor Guan Xin-yuan, Professor of the Department of Clinical Oncology, Dr Richard Kao Yi-tsun, Associate Professor of the Department of Microbiology, Dr Benjamin John Cowling, Associate Professor of the Department of Community Medicine and Dr. Roberta Pang Wen-chi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Surgery. The local scientists gain exposure to cutting-edge research in the international arena.

Since the first Symposium in 2002, the Frontiers in Biomedical Research, which incorporated the scientific meetings of a number of Research Centres, has become the annual flagship event of the Faculty. The Symposium this year is one of the highlighted scientific events of the Faculty’s 125th Anniversary. The Symposium in 2011 attracted 900 participants.

Please refer to the details of the Symposium via the following link

http://www.med.hku.hk/fbr2012/Programme.html

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