Research Projects
Targeted Delivery of LCN2 for Treating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration


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

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of chronic low back pain, affecting over 80% of adults during their lifetime. Despite its high prevalence, effective pharmacological treatment remains lacking. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its role in regulating inflammation and metabolic homeostasis.

Our lab is developing a targeted nanotherapeutic system for disc regeneration. Research priorities include: 
- Designing stimulus-responsive nanoparticles for precise delivery of LCN2.
- Validating therapeutic efficacy in advanced animal models.
- Exploring the metabolic and immunomodulatory mechanisms of LCN2 in intervertebral disc repair.

We invite students with backgrounds in molecular biology, bioinformatics, biomaterials, or drug delivery to apply. Experience in polymer chemistry, gene manipulation techniques, or organoid culture is advantageous.

Professor GKH Shea, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Dr Graham Shea graduated from the University of Hong Kong as a member of the first cohort of candidates recruited to the combined MBBS / PhD programme.  After completing his internship, he joined the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology as Clinical Assistant Professor and Resident under the Croucher Foundation Scheme for Young Clinical Academics.  He received his FRCSEd (O&T) in 2019 and has a post-fellowship clinical and research interest in spine surgery and regenerative medicine.

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
ORCID
gkshea@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 Orthopaedics and Traumatology