Exploration and Innovation
Distinguished Professor-at-large | Innovative Biomedicine | Information and Automation Technology | Environment and Sustainability

Translate advances in biomedical research for the betterment of human health

Modernisation of Chinese Medicine CUHK has been conducting research on Chinese medicine since the 1970s. The Chinese Medicinal Material Research Centre is set up to provide a scientific basis for studying underlying pharmacological principles and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.
Faculty of Medicine begins teaching (1981)
Teaching Hospital – The Prince of Wales Hospital commences service Since its commencement in the 1980s, the Hospital has shouldered the responsibility for nurturing medical professionals and spearheading medical research for Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology is founded (1988)
The Hong Kong Cancer Institute founded (1990) The Institute lays a solid foundation for research on cancers in Hong Kong and southern China.
Blazing the trail for MIS in Hong Kong CUHK introduces the then novel surgical technology innovations to the Prince of Wales Hospital and performs the first laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery.
School of Public Health is founded (currently called School of Public Health and Primary Care) (1999) The School is the first academic unit for public health in Hong Kong, advising the government on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and the formulation of public health policies.
Institute of Chinese Medicine is founded (2000) The Institute promotes modernisation of Chinese medicine and its collaboration with western medicine. The Institute also strives to promote Chinese medicine in the global market.
Combating SARS In response to the SARS epidemic, CUHK is among the first in the world to work out the genomic sequence of the coronavirus, and is also the first to ascertain scientifically that the virus had mutated in the course of its spread. It also develops a plasma-based test for SARS.
State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology (CUHK) is established (2006)
Asia’s first accredited robotic surgery training centre The CUHK Jockey Club Minimally Invasive Surgical Skills Centre, equipped with the da Vinci® S Surgical System is established to provide training and practice to medical professionals in and outside Hong Kong.
Li Ka Shing Medical Sciences Building opens (2007)
State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants (CUHK) is founded (2009)
Shifting the Treatment Paradigm of Lung Cancer In his 2009 study on inhibitors of the epidermal growth receptor (EGFR), Professor Tony Mok proves that oral Gefitinib provides a more effective therapy than conventional chemotherapy for mutations of the EGFR in late-stage lung cancer. In another study of his published in 2014, he shows that molecular targeted therapy is superior to standard first-line chemotherapy in ALK-positive lung cancer patients. Professor Mok’s research provides patients with fresh hope.
From non-invasive prenatal test to cancer screening Since 2011, a non-invasive fetal DNA test for Down syndrome (T21) developed by Professor Dennis Lo and his team has been put to clinical application. The test simply takes blood samples from pregnant women for analysis and thus rids them of the risk of miscarriage. Currently T21 is applied in dozens of countries and has benefitted millions of pregnant women every year. The plasma DNA analysis has been also applied in early detection of multiple types of cancer.
CUHK Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building opens
State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease (CUHK) is established
World’s first multi-specialty clinical trial using the next generation single port robotic surgical system The result demonstrates that multiple procedures can be performed through a single entry site. The novel system allows surgeons to reach deep places previously difficult to reach, like the nasopharynx and the hypopharynx, to carry out delicate procedures with precision.
Against COVID-19 CUHK experts and researchers across disciplines have been devoted to tackling challenges brought by COVID-19 with research on innovation and technology.
Health@InnoHK Centre for Neuromusculosketal Restorative Medicine
Health@InnoHK Centre for Novostics
Health@InnoHK Microbiota i-Centre
Modernisation of Chinese Medicine CUHK has been conducting research on Chinese medicine since the 1970s. The Chinese Medicinal Material Research Centre is set up to provide a scientific basis for studying underlying pharmacological principles and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.
Faculty of Medicine begins teaching (1981)
Teaching Hospital – The Prince of Wales Hospital commences service Since its commencement in the 1980s, the Hospital has shouldered the responsibility for nurturing medical professionals and spearheading medical research for Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology is founded (1988)
The Hong Kong Cancer Institute founded (1990) The Institute lays a solid foundation for research on cancers in Hong Kong and southern China.
Blazing the trail for MIS in Hong Kong CUHK introduces the then novel surgical technology innovations to the Prince of Wales Hospital and performs the first laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery.
School of Public Health is founded (currently called School of Public Health and Primary Care) (1999) The School is the first academic unit for public health in Hong Kong, advising the government on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and the formulation of public health policies.
Institute of Chinese Medicine is founded (2000) The Institute promotes modernisation of Chinese medicine and its collaboration with western medicine. The Institute also strives to promote Chinese medicine in the global market.
Combating SARS In response to the SARS epidemic, CUHK is among the first in the world to work out the genomic sequence of the coronavirus, and is also the first to ascertain scientifically that the virus had mutated in the course of its spread. It also develops a plasma-based test for SARS.
State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology (CUHK) is established (2006)
Asia’s first accredited robotic surgery training centre The CUHK Jockey Club Minimally Invasive Surgical Skills Centre, equipped with the da Vinci® S Surgical System is established to provide training and practice to medical professionals in and outside Hong Kong.
Li Ka Shing Medical Sciences Building opens (2007)
State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants (CUHK) is founded (2009)
Shifting the Treatment Paradigm of Lung Cancer In his 2009 study on inhibitors of the epidermal growth receptor (EGFR), Professor Tony Mok proves that oral Gefitinib provides a more effective therapy than conventional chemotherapy for mutations of the EGFR in late-stage lung cancer. In another study of his published in 2014, he shows that molecular targeted therapy is superior to standard first-line chemotherapy in ALK-positive lung cancer patients. Professor Mok’s research provides patients with fresh hope.
From non-invasive prenatal test to cancer screening Since 2011, a non-invasive fetal DNA test for Down syndrome (T21) developed by Professor Dennis Lo and his team has been put to clinical application. The test simply takes blood samples from pregnant women for analysis and thus rids them of the risk of miscarriage. Currently T21 is applied in dozens of countries and has benefitted millions of pregnant women every year. The plasma DNA analysis has been also applied in early detection of multiple types of cancer.
CUHK Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building opens
State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease (CUHK) is established
World’s first multi-specialty clinical trial using the next generation single port robotic surgical system The result demonstrates that multiple procedures can be performed through a single entry site. The novel system allows surgeons to reach deep places previously difficult to reach, like the nasopharynx and the hypopharynx, to carry out delicate procedures with precision.
Against COVID-19 CUHK experts and researchers across disciplines have been devoted to tackling challenges brought by COVID-19 with research on innovation and technology.
Health@InnoHK Centre for Neuromusculosketal Restorative Medicine
Health@InnoHK Centre for Novostics
Health@InnoHK Microbiota i-Centre