HKUMed MFN v26i1

Feature Promoting Good Health by Research Advances in COVID-19 From the ‘new normal’ to the ‘real normal’ A consortium of multidisciplinary scientists led by Professor Leo Poon Lit-man of School of Public Health, HKUMed has received about HK$62 million in support of their new study of the emerging SARS- CoV-2 variants and immune responses triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. The multidisciplinary research team, which also comprises of scientists from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, will conduct the study ‘Virological, immunological and epidemiological characterization of COVID-19' at the end of this year. First, they will monitor and relate genotypic and phenotypic changes in SARS-CoV-2 variants. Secondly, the scientists will study whether COVID-19 vaccination can effectively control SARS- CoV-2 variants. Finally, the research team will track and observe the immune responses of adults and children infected with COVID-19 by natural infection or vaccination in future years. ‘It is our long-term goal to provide evidence- based options for the control of COVID-19 by virus characterisation, risk assessment, and the study of immune responses,’ said Professor Poon. ‘COVID-19 is not going to disappear but our knowledge about it remains very limited. Under such circumstances, the greatest challenge is how to react to the “new surprises” of this new human pathogen in a vigilant manner. I hope our study can ultimately help convert our daily activities from the “new normal” to the “real normal”.’ Tracing the Animal Source Another five-year project ‘Ecology, Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2: FromBedside to Bench and Back’ led by Professor Jin Dong-yan of School of Biomedical Sciences, HKUMed has received HK$38 million to support its investigation into the origin of COVID-19 by analysing samples from bats and other animals and locating emerging variants. The 22-member teamwith researchers fromHKUMed, CUHK and Baptist University of Hong Kong will define the mechanism of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in bats and humans by analysing more than 6,000 animal samples from hundreds of species collected over the past two decades. The research teamwill also attempt to identify the source of the virus and its method of replication, as well as the roles of several components in SARS-CoV-2 biology and pathogenesis using genetic screenings. While being wary of the challenges of this research project, Professor Jin is determined to push the limits of knowledge about COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases in the future. ‘Exploring into unknown territory and providing the scientific basis for developing new vaccines and therapeutics is always challenging,’ he said. ‘But we will build a world-leading group in COVID-19 and CoV research with well-trained researchers of the next generation, who are in a strong position to tackle current and future epidemics and pandemics.’ Two COVID-19 research proposals led by HKUMed scientists have received HK$110 million from the Research Grants Council’s Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS) announced in July 2021. 26