Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) - Research Highlights

Research Highlights

105

CUHK research unveils novel disease mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and opens up new treatment paths

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

8 Jan 2024

104

CUHK scientists develop naturally biodegradable packaging materials to help local industry comply with disposable plastic utensils regulations

Prof. NGAI To (Department of Chemistry)

16 Nov 2023

103

CUHK research discovers cytokines activate growth of blood vessels and helps treat ischemia-induced tissue damage

Prof. WONG Wing Tak Jack (School of Life Sciences)

29 Aug 2023

102

CUHK research project taken to space by Tianzhou-6 First Hong Kong agricultural project to be launched into space

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

11 May 2023

101

CUHK reveals how Helicobacter pylori ‘smuggles’ a toxic metal for its survival

Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)

8 May 2023

100

CUHK study shows enhanced insulin-regulated immune function supports extreme health span and longevity

Prof. CHOW Hei Man Kim (School of Life Sciences)

15 Mar 2023

99

New CUHK research takes magic of invisibility cloak and creates a mega device – potential applications span novel cell culture and drug delivery

Prof. XU Lei (Department of Physics)

17 Jan 2023

98

CUHK physics team discovers a new surprising form of bacterial teamwork that builds “bacterial canals” to transport materials over long distances

Prof. WU Yilin (Department of Physics)

15 Dec 2022

97

CUHK devises new CO2 recycling electrolyser as part of journey towards carbon neutrality

Prof. WANG Ying (Department of Chemistry)

28 Jul 2022

96

Genetic identification to preserve local heirloom rice varieties and facilitate their reintroduction in Hong Kong

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

23 Jun 2022

95

CUHK leads Hong Kong physicists to contribute to the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment producing the most precise neutrino measurement ever

Prof. CHU Ming Chung (Department of Physics)

9 Jun 2022

94

CUHK palaeontologist first to reveal a dinosaur belly button using laser imaging

Prof. PITTMAN Michael David (School of Life Sciences)

8 Jun 2022

93

CUHK builds a genome bank of myriapods offering clues to the divergent behaviours of centipedes and millipedes

Prof. HUI Ho Lam Jerome (School of Life Sciences)

30 May 2022

92

Event Horizon Telescope reveals the first image of the black hole at the Milky Way’s heart
CUHK the only institution in Hong Kong involved in the collaboration

Dr. LEUNG Po Kin (Department of Physics)

26 May 2022

91

CUHK palaeontologist investigates the diet of prehistoric birds to reconstruct past and present ecosystems

Prof. PITTMAN Michael David (School of Life Sciences)

12 May 2022

90

CUHK suggests that pterosaurs took off from water 150 million years ago like ducks do

Prof. PITTMAN Michael David (School of Life Sciences)

24 Apr 2022

89

International astronomy team releases largest-ever collection of 3D maps of nearby galaxies

Prof. YAN Renbin (Department of Physics)

17 Jan 2022

88

CUHK reveals the storage mechanism of seed proteins paving the way to develop plant-based vaccine technology

Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

11 Jan 2022

87

CUHK interdisciplinary study finds adoption of a less meat-intensive diet can reduce premature deaths related to air pollution in China

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)
Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. LEE Shing Yip Joe (School of Life Sciences and Earth System Science Programme)

28 Dec 2021

86

CUHK research predicts typhoons in Asia becoming stronger and longer-lasting with doubled destructive power by the end of century

Prof. TAM Chi Yung Francis (Earth System Science Programme)

27 Dec 2021

85

CUHK scientists discover the key force in the evolution of tiny marine bacteria for a new understanding of its work efficiency in fixing carbon dioxide

Prof. LUO Haiwei (School of Life Sciences)

24 Dec 2021

84

CUHK Researchers Discover a Novel Method to Adjust the Elasticity of Material for Achieving Smart Elastic Metamaterials

Prof. XU Lei (Department of Physics)

4 Nov 2021

83

CUHK Breakthrough in Discovering the Mechanism of Plant COPII Vesicle Formation to Mitigate Abiotic Stresses
Providing New Insights into Developing Stress-resistant Crops

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

1 Nov 2021

82

CUHK Researchers Unveil a Novel Competition Strategy that May Fuel Plant Cells for a Sustainable Development of Crops

Prof. ZHUANG Xiaohong (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

21 Oct 2021

81

Predicting When Volcanoes Are Going to Blow
The Axial underwater seamount acts as a real-time lab for Professor TAN Yen Joe

Prof. TAN Yen Joe (Earth System Science Programme)

Oct 2021

80

The Dawn of the Deadly Huntington’s Disease

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

24 Aug 2021

79

Can This Plant Protein Produce Heat-Resistant Crops?
Using new imaging hardware, Professor Wilson LAU finds how plants withstand heat

Prof. LAU Chun Yu Wilson (School of Life Sciences)

Aug 2021

78

CUHK Professor Detects the Amount of Water Entering the Earth’s Interior through Southern Mariana Trench for the First Time

Prof. YANG Hongfeng (Earth System Science Programme)

17 Aug 2021

77

Marine ecologists reveal mangroves might be threatened by low functional diversity of invertebrates

Prof. LEE Shing Yip Joe (School of Life Sciences and Earth System Science Programme)

27 Jul 2021

76

CUHK Uncovers that Brain Cells in Alzheimer’s Patient Consumes Nutrition Essential to Neurotransmission
Study Supports Great Potential of Nutrient-based Approach in Managing Neurodegenerative Disorders

Prof. KWAN Kin Ming (School of Life Sciences)

22 Jul 2021

75

CUHK Engineering Research Team Develops Novel Ultra-dynamic Hydrogel to Promote Differentiation of Human Stem Cell and Development of Tissue Engineering Materials

Prof. WANG Yi (Department of Physics)

12 Jun 2021

74

CUHK Discovers Eukaryotic Fossils Hold the Key to the Evolution Timeline of Bacteria

Prof. LUO Haiwei (School of Life Sciences)

7 Jun 2021

73

Apple Chui in Six Objects
The CUHK marine biologist talks childhood, the ocean and education with six items

Prof. CHUI Pui Yi Apple (School of Life Sciences)

Jun 2021

72 new

CUHK Unlocks the Mystery of Small Heat Shock Protein Using Cryo-EM Technology Paves the Way for Plant Genetic Engineering

Prof. LAU Chun Yu Wilson (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

31 May 2021

71

CUHK Unveils a Toxic RNA’s Role in Neuronal DNA Damage and Develops New Therapeutic Direction for Huntington’s Disease

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

25 May 2021

70

Maths Theory Turned Practical to Map the Brain

Prof. LUI Lok Ming Ronald (Department of Mathematics)

24 Mar 2021

69

CUHK Unveils the Balance Between Two Protein Counteracting Forces in the Neurodegeneration of Hereditary Ataxia
Providing New Direction for SCA3 Therapeutic Intervention

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

28 Feb 2021

68

CUHK Uncovers Molecular Mechanism Regulating Blood-cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier Function in Developing Brain
New Direction for Treating Neurological Diseases

Prof. KWAN Kin Ming (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. HUI Ho Lam Jerome (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. NGAI Sai Ming (School of Life Sciences)

23 Feb 2021

67

Ocean Park and CUHK Sign MOU for Integrated Wildlife Conservation and Education Programmes
Largest-Ever Education Conservation Initiative Conducted in Local Schools Includes Targeted Programming for Students with Special Educational Needs

5 Feb 2021

66

CUHK Physicists Discover New Route to Active Matter Self-Organisation
Provides New Directions on Fabricating Self-driven Devices and Microbial Physiology

Prof. WU Yilin (Department of Physics)

4 Feb 2021

65

CUHK Scientists Develop Novel Peptide Inhibitor as a Potential Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

Prof. CHAN Michael Kenneth (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

28 Jan 2021

64

CUHK Chemists Devise a Novel Catalytic System to Help Design Chemical Compounds
Enriches Chemistry Toolkit for Advanced Drug Synthesis

Prof. TSE Ying Lung Steve (Department of Chemistry)
Prof. YEUNG Ying Yeung (Department of Chemistry)

17 Nov 2020

63

CUHK Develops “Universal Ink” for Direct Laser Writing of High-performance Electronics

Prof. YANG Sen (Department of Physics)

27 Oct 2020

62

Breaking the Wall of Cryosphere Monitoring

Prof. LIU Lin (Earth System Science Programme)

Oct 2020

61

CUHK Professor Investigates Extremely Shallow Earthquake Related to Shale Gas Production in Sichuan

Prof. YANG Hong Feng (Earth System Science Programme)

7 Oct 2020

60

Project Evergreen
Professor Amos TAI strives to find interdisciplinary answers to environmental problems

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)

Sep 2020

59

LIGO and Virgo Detect Gravitational Waves Produced by the Most Massive Black Hole Collision ever Observed
CUHK the Only Institution in Hong Kong Involved in the Project

Prof. LI Guang Feng Tjonnie (Department of Physics)
Prof. Juan CALDERON BUSTILLO (Department of Physics)

2 Sep 2020

58

CUHK Study Finds Slow Earthquakes Behave Similarly to Regular Earthquakes Than Previously Thought
Gives Scientists a Clearer Picture of How Energy Releases along Faults

Prof. TAN Yen Joe (Earth System Science Programme)

1 Sep 2020

57

Gravitational Waves can Show When Core of Dying Star Breaks Down into Free Quarks
Helping Astronomers Explore the Origin of Life

Prof. CHU Ming Chung (Department of Physics)
Dr. LIN Lap Ming (Department of Physics)

31 Aug 2020

56

CUHK Scientists Develop a Novel Technology for Generating Biocatalysts for Biodiesel Production

Prof. CHAN Michael Kenneth (School of Life Sciences)

25 Jun 2020

55

CUHK Researchers Decode Jellyfish Genomes and Discover the Presence of Sesquiterpenoid Hormones
Help Unveil its Ecological Roles and Reproduction Mechanism

Prof. HUI Ho Lam Jerome (School of Life Sciences)

21 Jun 2020

54

CUHK and Japanese Scientists Unravel Full Genome of American Shorthair Domestic Cats
Advances Precision Veterinary Medicine

Prof. CHAN Ting Fung (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

22 May 2020

53

Coronavirus: A Boon to the Environment? 
CUHK experts analyse the impact of COVID-19 on climate change

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)
Prof. TAM Chi Yung Francis (Earth System Science Programme)

May 2020

52

Green Chemist - Professor YEUNG Ying Yeung

Prof. YEUNG Ying Yeung (Department of Chemistry)

Apr 2020

51

Small is the New Big - Professor WANG Jianfang explores the many uses of metallic nanocrystals

Prof. WANG Jianfang (Department of Physics)

Apr 2020

50

CUHK Proves and Visualises the Harmful Effect of Ozone Damage on Plants
First Plant-based Measurement of Ozone in South China Region

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)

8 Apr 2020

49

CUHK Unveils Novel Mechanism of Neural Progenitor Competence Regulation
Enlightening Path for Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine

Prof. KWAN Kin Ming (School of Life Sciences)

1 Apr 2020

48

CUHK Scientists Find Small Peptides Produced by Non-coding RNA
Redefines Coding and Non-Coding RNAs

Prof. CHAN Ting Fung (School of Life Sciences)

3 Feb 2020

47

CUHK Research Reveals Carbon Stores in Tidal Wetlands are 23% Larger than Previously Estimated

Prof. LEE Shing Yip Joe (School of Life Sciences and Earth System Science Programme)

23 Jan 2020

46

CUHK Physicists Develop Novel Quantum Sensing Techniques
Measuring Pressure-driven Superconductivity with Nano-diamonds

Prof. GOH Swee Kuan (Department of Physics)
Prof. YANG Sen (Department of Physics)

13 Dec 2019

45

New Pattern-forming Paradigm Found by CUHK Researchers
Shedding New Lights on Structure Formation, Self-assembly and Packing 

Prof. XU Lei (Department of Physics)

23 May 2019

43

CUHK Research Hints at Feasibility of Sustainable Farming Practices as a Means to Resolve the Worsening Food Crisis and Air Pollution Problem

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)
Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)

24 Apr 2019

42

CUHK Probes the Existence of Ultralight Bosons with a Single Gravitational Wave Measurement

Prof. LI Guang Feng Tjonnie (Department of Physics)

23 Apr 2019

44

Scientists Discover How Plant Hormone and Vesicular Transport Regulatory Protein Work Together to Help Plants Cope with Stress  

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

16 Apr 2019

41

Mushroom Impossible - Professor KWAN Hoi Shan and his Team’s Fungi Enterprise 

Prof. KWAN Hoi Shan (School of Life Sciences)

Apr 2019

40

CUHK Professor Lam Hon-Ming Announces World’s First Reference-grade Wild Soybean Genome

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

3 Apr 2019

39

Zigging and Zagging to Deeper Truths - Uncovers the Secret Pattern of Cell Movement

Prof. WU Yilin (Department of Physics)

Mar 2019

37

CUHK-led Research Team Participates in “God Particle” Experiment
Recognised by UGC as Area of Excellence
Further Development on Fundamental Physics in Hong Kong and Mainland China 

Prof. CHU Ming Chung (Department of Physics)

6 Mar 2019

38

The Big Bang of Plant Vacuoles - Rewrites the First Chapters in Plant Biology

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

Feb 2019

36

CUHK Discovers New Inhibitors to Restrain Neurodegeneration
Shedding Light on Treating PolyQ Diseases

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

28 Feb 2019

35

Major Progress Made in Plant Vacuole Biogenesis Research by CUHK Researchers 
Providing New Insights into Improving Crop and Producing Pharmaceutical Proteins by Plant Bioreactors

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

7 Jan 2019

33

CUHK Develops Low-cost and High-precision Nano Chips Which Magnify the Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Signals for Effective Detection of Harmful Substances

Prof. WANG Jianfang (Department of Physics)

29 Oct 2018

32

CUHK fruitENCODE Project Finds the Hidden Treasures in “Junk DNA” in Eleventh Fleshy Fruit Genomes
Paving the Way to Healthier Fruits 

Prof. ZHONG Silin (School of Life Sciences)

11 Oct 2018

31

Major Progress Made in Plant Multivesicular Body Biogenesis and Membrane Protein Vacuolar Transport by CUHK Researchers
Providing New Insight into Improving Crop Quality

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

23 Sep 2018

34

CUHK Finds Link Between ‘Fuz’ Protein Level and Neurological Disorders
New Treatment Paths for Neural Diseases 

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

8 Aug 2018

29

CUHK Reveals a Novel Mechanism to Stimulate Neurite Outgrowth
Paving a New Road for Brain Regenerative Medicine

Prof. LAU Kwok Fai (School of Life Sciences)

24 May 2018

28

Prof. YANG Hongfeng Takes the Pulse of Earthquakes in Indian Ocean

Prof. YANG Hongfeng (Earth System Science Programme)

19 Apr 2018

27

CUHK Uncovers How Helicobacter Pylori uses a Toxic Substance to Keep Alive in Human Stomach

Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)

5 Dec 2017

1

CUHK Scientists Use Tiny Marine Bacteria to Trace Earth’s History

Prof. LUO Haiwei (School of Life Sciences)

19 Jul 2017

2

CUHK Physicist and Statistician Work Together to Reveal Link Between Magnetic Fields and Birth Rate of Stars

Prof. LI Hua Bai (Department of Physics)
Prof. FAN Xiaodan (Department of Statistics)

20 Jun 2017

3

LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves for Third Time
Unveils Hints on Formation of Black Holes

Prof. LI Guang Feng Tjonnie (Department of Physics)

1 Jun 2017

4

CUHK Unveils Novel Mechanism of Neuron Development

Prof. KWAN Kin Ming (School of Life Sciences)

28 May 2017

7

CUHK Unveils Pathogenic Mechanism for a Group of Rare Diseases

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

19 Mar 2017

5

CUHK-led Research Projects on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Recognized by UGC as Area of Excellence
Succession and Development of 20-year Legend of Research Excellence

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

14 Mar 2017

8

Major Progress Made in Plant Autophagy Research by CUHK Researchers Published in PNAS

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

5 Feb 2017

9

CUHK Biophysicists Discover Hidden Order in Bacterial Collective Motion
Provides new direction of study on biomedicine and active matters

Prof. WU Yilin (Department of Physics)

24 Jan 2017

10

CUHK Researcher Uncovers Mechanism Explaining Why Fathers’ Mitochondrial DNA is Not Inherited to Offspring

Prof. KANG Byung Ho (School of Life Sciences)

26 Jul 2016

6

A Second Gravitational Wave Event Identified
Opens Up New Horizons in Astronomy

Prof. LI Guang Feng Tjonnie (Department of Physics)

15 Jun 2016

 11

CUHK Into Gravitational Wave Detection: Becomes First Hong Kong Member of LIGO

Prof. LI Guang Feng Tjonnie (Department of Physics)

29 May 2016

12

CUHK Researchers Discovered Hidden Genetic Mechanism in Horseshoe Crabs

Prof. HUI Ho Lam Jerome (School of Life Sciences)

21 Jan 2016

13

CUHK Researcher Reveals Warming in China
Contributes to More Deaths from Respiratory Diseases

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)

12 Oct 2015

14

CUHK Physicist Unveils Mystery of Massive Star Formation

Prof. LI Hua Bai (Department of Physics)

1 Apr 2015

15

CUHK Researchers Discovered New DNA for Revealing Animal Relationships

Prof. HUI Ho Lam Jerome (School of Life Sciences)

5 Mar 2015

16

CUHK Researcher Predicts Threat to Global Food Security from Climate Change and Air Pollution in Newly Published Study

Prof. TAI Pui Kuen Amos (Earth System Science Programme)

4 Aug 2014

17

Hong Kong Scientists and Students Joined ATLAS Team of European Organization for Nuclear Research to Search for Fundamental Laws Governing the Universe

Prof. CHU Ming Chung (Department of Physics)

7 Jul 2014

18

CUHK Researcher Documents Sustained Mass Loss of Northeast Greenland Ice Sheet Triggered by Regional Warming in New Study Published in Nature Climate Change

Prof. LIU Lin (Earth System Science Programme)

25 Mar 2014

19

Most complete and extensive molecular dataset provides important insights into the timing and diversity of Crab Evolution (English version only)

Prof. CHU Ka Hou (School of Life Sciences)

2014 

20

CUHK Professor Develops World-leading Cell Research Centre
Contributing to Biotechnological Advancement in Hong Kong and Mainland

Prof. JIANG Liwen (School of Life Sciences)

7 Aug 2013

 

21

CUHK Illuminates Pathogenic Pathways of Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Enabling New Therapeutic Directions

Prof. CHAN Ho Yin Edwin (School of Life Sciences)

9 Aug 2012

22

CUHK Uncovers Molecular Machine that Keeps Helicobacter pylori Alive in Human Stomach
Opens up Novel Strategy to Eradicate the Culprit of Stomach Ulcers and Cancer

Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)

11 Dec 2011

 

23

CUHK Breakthrough in Quantum Science and Technology Research Makes Cover Story in Leading Journal

Prof. LIU Ren Bao (Department of Physics)

12 Apr 2011

24

CUHK School of Life Sciences Research
Paves Way for Development of Better Biotech Enzymes

Prof. WONG Kam Bo (School of Life Sciences)

16 Mar 2011

25

 Breakthroughs by CUHK Boosts Soybean Research Make Cover in Nature Genetics

Prof. LAM Hon Ming (School of Life Sciences)

15 Nov 2010

26

Design, Fabrication, and Modification of Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials for Environmental and Energy Applications (English version only)

Prof. YU Chai Mei Jimmy (Department of Chemistry)

12 Aug 2009