modified to target the virus. EPSC technology could also have a future role to play in antiageing drugs, beyond simply understanding the ageing process. Professor Liu said their findings on ageing in trophoblasts have been patented, although the results are not yet published. Nonetheless, HKUMed’s world-leading COVID-19 research has thrust us into the limelight, but as the examples on these pages show, our strengths are many. The Faculty’s research leads not only in emerging infectious diseases but also the non-communicable diseases that are becoming far more commonplace as society ages, such as complications related to hepatitis infection, cancer and cardiometabolic diseases. Advances are also being made in developing the potential of stem cell therapeutic research to investigate and treat diseases. they are in discussions with the industry and working with overseas collaborators. ‘Ageing affects everyone. We are new in this research area. However, with our knowledge in stem cells, genetics and developmental biology and our collaborations with clinical ↑Professor Liu is confident that his team can make exciting discoveries for healthy longevity. Dreaming Bigger To maintain that success, though, the Faculty must do more. Professor Leung said the plan is to strengthen performance in fields that are becoming increasingly important in modern society, such as neuroscience, big data and personalised medicine, while continuing to build on existing areas of excellence. Collaborations will also be deepened with other disciplines and institutions. Fortunately, the Faculty has the resources to fulfil its vision. It is now more than ready to advance to the next level, with the addition of new talent and new facilities and enhanced access to research funding. ‘Our aim is to scale up and dream bigger in our research so we can have an even bigger impact in improving the health of Hong Kong, the region and the world,’ he said. colleagues in various disciplines, we are confident that we can make exciting discoveries for healthy longevity,’ he said. The team also works with mouse and pig EPSCs, and recently received funding from the Central Government’s Ministry of Science and Technology to explore the use of pig EPSCs in agriculture and biomedicines. One particular focus is on developing xenotransplants – developing organs in a porcine system that lacks known porcine antigens (which would normally elicit immune system activation in the human body) allowing these organs to be transplanted directly from pigs to humans with low transplant rejections. ‘The technology is advancing very fast, but we have the best pig stem cell system in the world in terms of potency, robustness and efficient and precise genome editing. We are very competitive in this field,’ he said. ‘Our aim is to scale up and dream bigger in our research so we can have an even bigger impact in improving the health of Hong Kong, the region and the world.’ Professor Leung Wai-keung 17 HKUMed News Summer 2023
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