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Tag: Hong Kong

CityU’s discovery of a protein that promotes cancer metastasis

Posted on by Editorial Team

A research team led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has discovered a novel protein, Lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1), which is a key factor in promoting cancer cell migration and metastasis in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) and pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC). They also found that a high LH1 level is associated with poor prognosis (the development of disease and long-term survival) of HCC and PDAC patients. The team expects the research findings to provide a new potential treatment target for cancer therapy.

Cancer metastasis is a major cause of cancer-related death, and the migration of cancer cells through increasingly stiff solid tumours is a common feature of HCC and PDAC metastasis, but the mobility of cells in the tumour microenvironment remains poorly understood. “We aim to study the molecular mechanism of cancer cell migration in the confined microenvironment and to identify novel genes and proteins related to the process,” said Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Vice-President (Research and Technology) and Yeung Kin Man Chair Professor of Biomedical Sciences at CityU, who led a multi-institution team to conduct the research.

The research team discovered that LH1 enhances the migration capability, including speed and invasion capacity of HCC and PDAC cells in confined space through binding and stabilising Septin2 (SEPT2), a protein that plays an essential role to ready the cells for the high mechanical demands of migration, thus promoting the metastasis of HCC and PDAC cells. They also discovered that high LH1 expression is correlated with poor prognosis for both HCC and PDAC patients. The findings were published on 31 January 2023 in Molecular Cancer, a leading peer-reviewed journal on cancer-related research from a molecular perspective.

The research work was carried out mainly by CityU PhD student Eileen Yang Zihan and Dr Zhou Zhihang of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The multi-institution research team consists of researchers from the Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre of CityU, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, the Precision Medical Technology Centre of CityU Futian Research Institute, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

“The main challenge in this research is recreating the complex cancer microenvironment, but the team successfully developed a series of multidimensional 2D and 3D in vitro and in vivo models to comprehensively study the cancer cell migration process in confined space,” explained Professor Yang. “The findings are expected to provide a potential new target for cancer diagnosis and drug development.”

https://www.cityu.edu.hk/media/news/2023/03/09/discovery-protein-promotes-cancer-metastasis

HKAPA is honoured to be named “Best Performing Arts Institute of the Year”

Posted on by Communications Office

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) is delighted to be awarded “The Best Performing Arts Institute of the Year” from Business Innovator for its achievements in performing arts education.

HKAPA provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts.

HKAPA has remained 1st in Asia for four consecutive years and 10th in the world for two consecutive years in the latest QS University Rankings’ Performing Arts category and will continue to strive for excellence in nurturing performing artists and enrich cultural developments locally, regionally and internationally.

 

Training problem solvers in the field of Humanitarian Technology and Inclusive Business

Posted on by Editorial Team

Lingnan University’s new MSc in Humanitarian Technology and Inclusive Business (HTIB) aims to train individuals who can develop the kinds of appropriate and affordable technologies and services required by those at the bottom of the global pyramid. Typically, these technologies are mature, cheap and universally available – for example, LED light, servo motors and various sensors – but even some applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technology may be appropriate.

Dr Lee cites the example of a 3D VR-enable showroom which helps the growth of inclusive business in a remote area of Bangladesh. By adopting this innovative approach, customers’ satisfaction and confidence are gained by experiencing the spatial requirement and bathroom setting with the toilet they would like to purchase.

“Catering to this customer demographic is not a volunteer job, or a charitable act. Instead, it is a significant business opportunity that has yet to be fully tapped into.,” Professor Albert Ko, HTIB Programme Director, points out.

Aims of the MSc in HITB  

The purpose of the programme is to cultivate professional problem solvers and entrepreneurs who can lead a team in coming up with creative ideas, and subsequently transform them into inclusive business solutions, explains Prof Ko. After graduation, students will be equipped with the fundamentals of inclusive business and innovative design process for humanitarian technology – which will enable students to implement creative solutions effectively, cooperating within interdisciplinary teams of professionals such as engineers and medical workers.

Structure of the programme 

Alongside lectures, tutorials, workshops, and seminars, the programme aims to provide extensive hands-on training through community-based and project-based experiential learning.

The first core course, Inclusive Innovation: Design for a Better World, is one of the highlights of the HTIB programme, notes Dr Jasper van Holsteijn of Lingnan’s School of Graduate Studies. In this course students are taught various innovation skills and how to solve real-world problems

By the end of the programme, students will work on a capstone project – Design Innovation for Addressing Social Challenge – in collaboration with one of Lingnan’s renowned regional and international partner organizations. Students can shape the direction of their project based on their specific interests and future goals to prepare them well for their careers after graduation.

Lingnan: the perfect launchpad for a future in HTIB 

The programme is a perfect expression of the fundamental ethos and guiding principles of Lingnan. The university is always looking for ways to fulfill the promise of its motto of “Education for Service”, so the teaching of problem solving skills to tackle global challenges is a key element within the programme and the university.

In short, the programme aims to equip students with critical problem-solving skills that are essential for creating enterprises that contribute to building an inclusive society. Graduates will have diverse career opportunities, including pursuing postgraduate studies, working with NGOs and development organizations in Hong Kong and overseas, while others will be looking to launch their own companies. Our graduates will be well-equipped to address global challenges and contribute to positive social impact on a local and international scale.

New-generation antenna developed at CityU promotes 6G wireless communications

Posted on by Editorial Team

A research team led by Professor Chan Chi-hou, Acting Provost and Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), has developed a new-generation antenna that allows manipulation of the direction, frequency and amplitude of the radiated beam and is expected to play an important role in the integration of sensing and communications (ISAC) for 6th-generation (6G) wireless communications.

The new-generation antenna is called a “sideband-free space-time-coding (STC) metasurface antenna”. One of its innovative features is that there are many switches on its surface, and the response of the metasurface can be changed by turning on and off the switches to control the electric current, thus creating a desired radiation pattern and a highly-directed beam.

Structures and characteristics of traditional antenna cannot be changed once fabricated. However, a significant feature of the new-generation antenna is that the direction, frequency, and amplitude of the radiated beam from the antenna can be changed through space-time coding software control, which enables great user flexibility.

Professor Chan, who is also Director of the State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves (SKLTMW) at CityU, said that the energy from the radiated beam of the new-generation antenna can be focused to a focal point with fixed or varying focal lengths, which can be used for real-time imaging and treated as a type of radar to scan the environment and feedback data.

Dr Wu Gengbo, postdoctoral fellow at CityU’s SKLTMW, explained that the invention was inspired by the new concept of AM leaky-wave antennas that he proposed in 2020 in his PhD studies at CityU. “A high-directivity beam is generated at the input frequency, allowing a wide range of radiation performance without having to redesign the antenna, except for using different STC inputs,” he said.

“The invention plays an important role in the ISAC for 6G wireless communications,” Professor Chan explained. “For example, the radiated beam can scan and duplicate an image that is similar to a real person, so that mobile phone users can talk with each other with 3D hologram imaging. It also performs better against eavesdropping than the conventional transmitter architecture.”

The findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Electronics under the title “Sideband-Free Space-Time-Coding Metasurface Antennas”.

“We hope that the new-generation antenna technology will become more mature in the future and that it can be applied to smaller integrated circuits at lower cost and in a wider range of applications,” Professor Chan continued.

HKAPA: experience new performing arts technology

Posted on by Communications Office

Presented by the Department of Media Design and Technology of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), CMA Prologue is an experiment of Performing Arts and Technology at the Collective Media Atelier (CMA).

Equipped with advanced technologies and equipment, CMA is the new laboratory which supports new perspectives in teaching and creative projects for students. Led by the Department of Media Design and Technology faculty members, the HKAPA students staged a unique theatrical experience infusing technologies into arts.

HKBU-led research unveils cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2

Posted on by HKBUCPRO

A study led by scientists from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified a protease called MT1-MMP that is a major host factor behind the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the human body, which leads to the infection of COVID-19 and multi-organ failure. By applying a humanised antibody called 3A2 that can inhibit the activity of MT1-MMP, the viral load of infected mice was reduced by almost 90%. The research team also demonstrated that the protease is a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19.

The research findings have been published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Nature Communications.

ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry 

Vaccination can protect people against COVID-19 and its potential complications, but it is not always effective in individuals with weak immune systems, or against some COVID-19 variants of concern. Thus, the development of a more effective treatment for COVID-19 remains a huge challenge in the post-vaccine era. Understanding the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 is vital to curb the spread of the virus, and it will also aid the search for new COVID-19 treatments.

SARS-CoV-2 requires angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the membrane of human cells, as its receptor for cellular entry. Despite the lungs being the major organ affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, only a small proportion of lung cells express ACE2.

Previous studies found that the infection of organs with low levels of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV-2 is made possible by a soluble form of ACE2. The soluble ACE2 binds with SARS-CoV-2, carries the virus to cells with low levels of ACE2 expression, and facilitates its entry into the cells.

MT1-MMP mediates cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 

A research team led by Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, in collaboration with Dr Yuan Shuofeng, Assistant Professor of the Department of Microbiology at The University of Hong Kong, further studied how the physiological regulation of soluble ACE2 shedding contributes to the aetiology of COVID-19.

The team found that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to the increased activation of MT1-MMP, a protease crucial for many physiological processes. MT1-MMP mediates the release of soluble ACE2 from ACE2-expressing cells. This soluble ACE2 in turn binds to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and carries it to the uninfected cells with low levels of ACE2 expression.

Notably, the team demonstrated that the introduction of human-soluble ACE2 enables SARS-CoV-2 to infect the lungs of a laboratory mouse strain (C57BL/6 mice) that is naturally insusceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the incompatibility of its mouse ACE2 and the viral spike proteins. The findings unveil the mechanism by which the virus hijacks host enzymes to enhance its infectivity, triggering multi-organ infections.

Antibody 3A2 blocks MT1-MMP activity 

To study MT1-MMP’s functions and how it affects viral infection, the researchers used human cells to create organoids, a 3D tissue structure grown in vitro to resemble and model different organs in the laboratory.

They discovered that blocking MT1-MMP activity with the monoclonal antibody 3A2 effectively depleted soluble ACE2 levels and reduced the degree of infection of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung, heart and liver organoids by 60-80%. Consistent results were obtained using the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, as well as variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron. The

results demonstrate that MT1-MMP is a major host factor that mediates the cell entry of SARS-CoV-2, and that it is also a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 drugs.

The researchers further tested the effects of applying 3A2 in a mouse COVID-19 model. A group of 11 mice were treated with either 3A2 or vehicle controls. Older mice were used in the experiment as old age is a major risk factor for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. The results show that 3A2 reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 by almost 90% and dramatically alleviated lung tissue damage resulting from infection.

MT1-MMP as a therapeutic target 

Dr Wong said: “Two major challenges when it comes to developing COVID-19 drugs are how to enhance treatment results for patients with weakened immune systems, and how to maintain the drugs’ effectiveness across different viral strains. 3A2 has good potential to become an effective drug for curing COVID-19 because it antagonises the activity of MT1-MMP, instead of boosting the immunity of patients or acting directly on the virus.

“Our previous studies have demonstrated that 3A2 also offers protection against obesity and diabetes, two major risk factors for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. Therefore, 3A2 could be particularly suitable for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with metabolic disorders. It could also be effective against emerging coronaviruses in the future, because ACE2 is a doorway for many such viruses with similar cell entry mechanisms. Further research and experiments on 3A2 are required before it can be applied in humans.”

Transformative journey paves path for future career success

Posted on by Editorial Team

With strong support from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Cornelius Gilbert – a recipient of the prestigious Belt and Road Scholarship – continues to unleash his full potential as he inches closer towards his goals of becoming the next high-flier in the financial sector and eventually a change agent in his motherland Indonesia.

Why CUHK?

Cornelius’s parents were deprived of the opportunity to obtain higher education, so the value of top-notch education was a strong point of emphasis throughout his upbringing. Therefore, when the opportunity to study at the top-ranked CUHK came knocking on his door, he jumped at it.

“The top-ranked CUHK provides me with numerous opportunities to grow and move closer to my goals. The level of support received throughout the application process was also unrivalled. The location of CUHK in the international financial centre of Hong Kong was a factor too given my interest in pursuing a career in the financial sector,” Cornelius explained.

Well-recognized internationally for its academic strength spanning across diverse disciplines, CUHK – ranked 38th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023 – offers more than 70 undergraduates programmes from eight faculties. Home to recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal and Veblen Prize, CUHK features distinguished scholars eager to inspire through high quality teaching and research.

CUHK recognizes academic rigor is only part of the equation so well-rounded support is provided to assist students develop into the best version of themselves.

“The university puts a lot of effort in making us feel comfortable. A game-changer for me and other international students is the guaranteed accommodation. It’s comfy and most importantly inexpensive, especially when you compare it to how much it costs to rent a place in the city,” Cornelius said.

CUHK Experience

Currently a third-year student of the Quantitative Finance and Risk Management Science Programme at CUHK, Cornelius is enjoying his fruitful learning experience which has helped him build a strong foundation instrumental to his goal pursuits.

“The courses are really well-designed while the professors are extremely approachable and helpful. I receive email responses to questions even on off days,” he said.

“Most importantly, there are a plethora of learning opportunities outside the classroom such as workshops, mentorship programmes, case competitions, and internship opportunities and exchange opportunities as well. Financial technology is an area that intrigues me as I wish to start a company providing financial technology solutions in Indonesia at a later stage of my career and I’ve been given numerous opportunities to explore this here.”

“I’ve learned a great deal from joining these events. Workshops conducted by seasoned executives have offered me insights into learning more about the stakeholders in different industries and other events have enlightened me in terms of career development,” Cornelius said, adding that his two internships matched through CUHK were eye-opening since he was able to apply theoretical knowledge to real life situations across sectors and reaffirm finance as his preferred career choice.

A worthwhile once-in-a-lifetime journey

He remains as hungry to learn as ever while his growth mindset developed at CUHK has made him become more resilient when facing setbacks.

“I used to get mad in high school whenever I came second. However, in CUHK, you’re surrounded by brilliant students who are a lot smarter than you and this really forces you to think of ways to up your game such as becoming more efficient,” he said.

“My experience here has certainly helped me develop. Regardless of what the future holds, I will forever reminisce on it as one that has unquestionably helped transform my life

HKAPA Open Day attracted about 7,000 visitors

Posted on by Communications Office

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) held its annual Open Day today. The event drew about 7,000 visitors to the Main Campus in Wanchai and the Bėthanie Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam.

Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy remarks, “In this annual community event, I am so pleased that members of the public joined us to experience a day full of fun and excitement. Visitors did not only indulge in the charms of performing arts, but also be inspired by the work of our students for the six Schools.”

During the day, more than a hundred of activities were presented including Chinese opera excerpt performances, dance performances, concerts of Chinese and Western music, musical and drama excerpt performances, with interactive activities such as experiential classes and demonstrations. Visitors also enjoyed guided tours to experience performing arts and technology, in addition to exhibitions and visits to backstage with specially-designed displays of sets, props, costumes and stage effects.

The Alumni Association also invited renowned alumni Mak Tin-shu, Amos Why, Kearen Pang Sau-wai, Sunny Chan Wing-san, Ho Cheuk-tin and Louis Cheung Kai-chung to share their insights in a sharing session titled “Elite Alumni Sharing Session – Hong Kong Films, What’s Next?” The session was well-received by the public.

Tropics meet the Arctic in UNESCO online learning project

Posted on by eduhk

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has teamed up with the University of Lapland in Finland to develop digital pedagogy, through the UNITWIN/UNESCO Network.

Innovation in communications has rapidly changed global society in recent decades. We now live in a post-industrial information age, characterised by ubiquitous and globalised usage of digital technologies. As well as for global communication, these technologies can also be used for effective learning and teaching. “The speed of change means there’s a need to educate university students and the future workforce on global issues of media education, from intercultural and multilingual perspectives. Educators also need to acquire competence in digital pedagogy, as well as an understanding of the basic mechanisms of online learning and the ability to assess and support their development,” says Professor John Lee Chi Kin, Vice President (Academic) and Provost, who is also Project Investigator for EdUHK, and UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning.

To meet this need, EdUHK and the University of Lapland have initiated a project to develop online teaching, in the context of global media education. The partnership came about through UNITWIN/UNESCO, which promotes teacher education practices including long-distance education. The project’s aim is to develop a joint study course and online education teaching methods in the field. The project began in Autumn 2021, with academics working together to design course content and a pedagogical model. Students from the two universities have since joined in three online sessions on intercultural communication, basic concepts of artificial intelligence literacy, and media education practices in Finland. “In the planned course, students examine and discuss digital pedagogy, and topics such as the various forms of media – from television and newspapers to social media, what people do with it, the effects of the media on people’s activities, and how media is used positively and negatively, all with different perspectives from around the globe,” says Dr Satu-Maarit Korte, principal investigator from the University of Lapland. Dr Korte recently visited the Tai Po campus to work on course design with EdUHK academics, including Dr Wang Lixun of the Department of Linguistics and Modern Language Studies. “Strengthening the digi-pedagogical competence of education students can strengthen their coping skills in future, enhance the spread of good practices and advance equality in education. While the University of Lapland is providing expertise and learning and teaching in global media studies, EdUHK is doing likewise in artificial intelligence literacy and intercultural communication in the digital age,” says Dr Wang.

Following the launch of the joint course, it will be offered online to Master’s and Doctoral students of both universities as an elective. EdUHK will also offer a non-credit bearing course on AI literacy, which will be open to bachelor’s and master’s-level students at the University of Lapland.

Two new masters concentrations in arts, heritage tourism and culture – now and in a digital future

Posted on by Editorial Team

A thriving arts and culture sector is of huge importance to the emotional and psychological health of any society. Committed backing for high quality museums, galleries, exhibitions and performances, along with a sensitive approach to the care of heritage sites, can also drive tourism and provide a significant boost to the economy. While digital technologies can broaden community cultural engagement and inclusiveness, beyond the limitations of market-driven capitalism.

To help meet the demand for professionals equipped with the skills to take on leadership roles right across this field, last year Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies launched its groundbreaking Master of Arts in Arts and Cultural Heritage Management (MA ACHM) programme. To expand the scope of this new MA programme, from September 2023 two new specialisation pathways will be added as options to the programme.

Concentration in Heritage Tourism and Management

The Concentration in Heritage Tourism and Management aims to give students the tools to tackle the key issues the heritage tourism sector faces now, and will have to face in a changing future. Graduates will also be equipped with the fundamental knowledge to manage cultural assets and enhance the visibility, and the ecological sustainability, of the heritage tourism sector.

Hong Kong, and Lingnan University, are the ideal homes for such a programme. The city’s government has recently significantly increased its financial support for the promotion of arts and culture, and the development of green tourism. With the new Palace Museum and M+ museum proving extremely popular, further development of the expansive West Kowloon Cultural District is already planned. While Lingnan has established strong partnerships with a number of relevant local private and public organisations, including the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

Graduates from this concentration will be prime candidates for employment in areas such as tourism, community project management, art administration, and private and public cultural assets management. They will also be ideally placed to pursue PhD and professional doctorate degrees in related fields.

Concentration in Cultural Management and Digital Future

This new Concentration in Cultural Management and Digital Future will focus both on innovative management in the cultural industries and on the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging digital technologies.

It aims to give students an understanding of critical cultural governance and the cutting-edge trends in co-creation processes. It will also teach them about the latest developments in cultural management and the power of every-day digital technologies. Finally, it aims to develop students’ ability to reflect on the relationship between communication technology and information-related rights, duties, and ethics, and to actively engage with vibrant participatory communities beyond those enabled by markets or government.

Graduates will be qualified for roles in a wide range of fields such as the civil service, journalism, community project management, art administration, private and public cultural assets management, non-government and non-profit organisations, the education sector, cooperatives and commons – including platform co-ops, digital commons and international organisations.

Alternatively, they will be in a position to pursue PhD and professional doctorate programmes in Cultural Studies, Media and Communication Studies, Public Administration and Management, and the like.