Bioscience and Biotechnology

Breakthroughs in research that lead to life enhancing and life saving discoveries can have a huge impact on people everywhere. HKUST is at the forefront of bioscience and biotechnology research, playing a key role in promoting Hong Kong's innovative capabilities and laying the foundation for the initiation of a number of cutting-edge collaborations in these areas.

More effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease and stroke, as well as a host of other neurological disorders, may be a step closer at HKUST with the conferment of an Area of Excellence award by the University Grants Committee. The "Molecular Neuroscience: Basic Research and Drug Discovery" project is led by HKUST in collaboration with regional universities and institutions. It combines molecular approaches with the utilization of Chinese herbal medicine as a source of potential neuro-drug candidates. The five-year multidisciplinary project received an allocation of HK$26.8 million.

Ongoing research at the Biotechnology Research Institute is focusing on traditional Chinese medicine and the complilation of a natural product library for engaging in novel drug discovery programs. The support of the Innovation and Technology Commission has also enabled the development of R&D technology platforms in the areas of high throughput drug screening, genechips, combinatory chemistry and expression profiling. Drug discovery capabilities are targeting neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, the Institute actively seeks to establish strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to effectively leverage its capability to discover new drugs.

Members of the Departments of Biology, Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering developed a novel method for the fast identification of genetic material utilizing a micro-DNA amplification and analysis device. The technology can be applied in the genotyping of Chinese medicinal plants.

The Departments of Biology and Biochemistry teamed up and discovered the structure and biological function of a protein, YKt6p, which plays a central role in ensuring the normal operation of cells.

Researchers in the Department of Biochemistry identified a protein, Noc3p, which plays an essential role in the initiation of DNA replication, opening a new line of research on DNA replication in normal and cancer cells.

Research by the Department of Biology described for the first time a signaling complex composed of the NMDA receptor, an important neurotransmitter receptor in the brain, and PP2A.