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Major Research Grants

The Department strives to achieve excellence in research and academic staff have earned many major funding success and honours across different subspecialties. In addition to research grants and fellowships offered by the University as well as other external sources, the Department has continued to achieve outstanding results in regular funding exercises including the General Research Fund (GRF) of the Research Grants Council and the Health Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of the Food and Health Bureau.

Research Grants Council
Principal Investigator Research Grants  Project Title Amount Awarded (HK$)
Prof Xu Aimin Areas of Excellence Scheme Institute of Metabolic Medicine 7,740,000
Dr Li, Shirley Xue Early Career Scheme 2021/22 Cost-effectiveness of biologic originators versus biosimilars in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: an application of real-world big data and disease simulation modeling 697,970
Prof Xu Aimin European Union (EU) – Hong Kong (HK) Research and Innovation Cooperation Co-funding Mechanism by the RGC 2020/21 Targeting Gut Microbiota for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 1,691,843
Dr Cheung, Michael Ka Shing General Research Fund 2020/21 Effect of empagliflozin on liver fat in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients without diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 893,053
Prof Hung, Ivan Fan Ngai General Research Fund 2020/21 A double blind randomized controlled trial on baloxavir marboxil and flufenamic acid combination for severe hospitalized influenza infection 1,161,819
Dr Ng Kwong Man General Research Fund 2020/21 Therapeutic potential of Synthetic Chemically Modified mRNA to ameliorate cardiac dysfunction associated with Danon disease caused by monogenic LAMP2 mutation 996,285
Prof Tang, Sydney Chi Wai General Research Fund 2020/21 Role of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) in AKI to CKD transition 996,285
Prof Xu Aimin General Research Fund 2020/21 The mechano-sensitive ion channel Piezo1 balances the conversion of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts and bone marrow adipocytes 1,195,542
Dr Yung, Susan Sou Ying General Research Fund 2020/21 Extra Domain A-spliced Fibronectin Variant in Peritoneal Inflammation and Fibrosis 996,285
Dr Cheung, Michael Ka Shing General Research Fund 2021/22 Effects of empagliflozin on preventing fibrosis and cirrhosis progression in nucleos(t)ide analogue-treated chronic hepatitis B patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial 1,125,732
Prof Tse, Eric Wai Choi General Research Fund 2021/22 Arsenic trioxide as a therapeutic agent for ALK-driven cancers 1,125,732
Prof Yuen Man Fung General Research Fund 2021/22 Clonal expansion of hepatocytes and state of hepatitis B virus DNA integration in patients with antiviral therapy 1,159,732
Prof Leung, Anskar Yu Hung Theme-based Research Scheme (10th Round) Towards personalised and innovative treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia 46,667,000
Prof Leung, Anskar Yu Hung NSFC / RGC Joint Research Scheme 2021/22 Deciphering recurrent mutation combinations in myelodysplasia syndromes using zebrafish – mechanistic and therapeutic insights 1,185,561


Others
Principal Investigator Research Grants  Project Title Amount Awarded (HK$)
Prof Xu Aimin CAS-Croucher Funding Scheme for Joint Laboratories 2020 Discovery and Development of Innovative Antibody Drugs for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases 3,000,000
Prof Yuen Man Fung Croucher Foundation 2021/22 Roles of regulatory T cells and fibronectin in chronic hepatitis B disease with HBsAg seroclearance 2,000,000
Dr Cheung, Chloe Yu Yan HMRF 2018 Implementation of multi-biomarkers algorithm for detection in Chinese obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 1,497,244
Dr Ho, James Chung Man HMRF 2018 Anti-inflammatory effects of roflumilast treatment for 12 weeks in stable-state non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis 1,015,872
Prof Ho Shu Leong HMRF 2018 Glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) mutations and reduced enzymatic activity in Parkinson's disease: a potential therapeutic target 1,041,496
Dr Mak, Loey Lung Yi HMRF 2018 Regression of liver fibrosis after HBsAg loss: a prospective matched case-control evaluation using transient elastography and serum Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test 991,232
Dr Wang, Baile HMRF 2018 Role of the mechano-sensitive ion channel Piezo1 in the regulation of obesity and adaptive thermogenesis: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications 1,482,744
Dr Yap, Desmond Yat Hin HMRF 2018 Alterations in classical and exhausted memory B cells in lupus nephritis - role in disease stability and effect of immunosuppressive treatments 1,499,244
Dr Yuen, Jacqueline Kwan Yuk HMRF 2018 Impact of feeding mode on survival, aspiration pneumonia, health care utilization and institutionalization of advanced dementia patients with feeding problems 432,345
Dr Yung, Susan Sou Ying HMRF 2018 Role of hyaluronan in kidney injury and fibrosis in chronic kidney disease 1,499,744
Dr Chan Koon Ho HMRF 2019 Potential therapeutic effect of pioglitazone on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders 1,372,840
Dr Chen Kang HMRF 2019 Treatment of obesity by selectively delivery of thyroid hormone to white adipose tissue 1,499,516
Dr Cheung, Chloe Yu Yan HMRF 2019 Metabolomics signature for the prediction of diabetic kidney disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes 1,493,820
Dr Cheung, Michael Ka Shing HMRF 2019 Epidemiology and risk factors of major osteoporotic fracture after Helicobacter pylori eradication and the interaction between Helicobacter pylori and proton pump inhibitors on fracture risk 958,936
Dr Hai, Jojo Siu Han HMRF 2019 Dabigatran for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation in Moderate or Severe Mitral Stenosis (DAVID-MS) Study 1,285,000
Dr Lau, Gary Kui Kai HMRF 2019 What is the effect of intensive blood pressure control on cerebral blood flow and cognition in ischaemic stroke patients with severe cerebral small vessel disease? 566,885
Prof Leung, Anskar Yu Hung HMRF 2019 Develop a zebrafish model of human chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) based on recurrent mutation combinations 1,499,916
Dr Man Cheuk Him HMRF 2019 Targeting proton shifting by a novel MCT4 inhibitor in treating acute myeloid leukemia 1,493,888
Dr Ng, Nelson Ka Lam HMRF 2019 Targeting complex/monosomy karyotype acute myeloid leukaemia carrying TP53 mutations with PLK4 inhibitor- a mechanistic and therapeutic study 1,397,780
Dr Ng, Roy Chun Laam HMRF 2019 The role of adiponectin signalling in Tauopathy: implication of adiponectin receptor agonist as a therapeutic treatment for Tau-mediated neurodegeneration 1,493,388
Dr Singh Gill Harinder HMRF 2019 The Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia Asian Consortium (APL-AC) Project 1,009,872
Dr Sun, Sally Xuan HMRF 2019 Modelling myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) in a multi-colour transgenic zebrafish – mechanistic and therapeutic insights 1,363,304
Prof Seto, Walter Wai Kay HMRF 2019 A prototype artificial intelligence algorithm versus Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) criteria in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma on computed tomography: a randomized trial 1,481,714
Prof Xu Aimin HMRF 2019 Thrombospondin-2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 1,496,160
Prof Hung, Ivan Fan Ngai HMRF Commissioned Research on COVID-19 An open-label randomised controlled trial on interferon-β-1b and hydroxychloroquine combination versus hydroxychloroquine alone, as treatment for COVIS-19 infection 2,999,040
Dr Mak, Judith Choi Wo HMRF Commissioned Research on COVID-19 The role of smoking on the regulation of ACE2-mediated infectability of COVID-19 1,997,000
Prof Seto, Walter Wai Kay HMRF Commissioned Research on COVID-19 Investigating aerosol generation and transmissibility implications in upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: a multicenter study 2,082,272
Dr Li, Philip Hei HMRF Commissioned Research on COVID-19 HKU optimizing protection and effectiveness (HOPE) of COVID19 vaccines 12,511,372
Prof Tse Hung Fat ITF-funded Project Manufacture of Hepatocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells 966,023
Prof Cheung, Bernard Man Yung ITF-funded Project Shenzhen-Hong Kong United Network on Cardiovascular Disease (SHUN-CVD) 3,586,901
Dr Lam, David Chi Leung Li Shu Pui Medical Foundation Research Grant Screening for lung cancer in subjects with family history of lung cancer 1,500,000
Dr Mak, Loey Lung Yi Li Shu Pui Medical Foundation Research Grant Detection of hepatic graft steatosis and fibrosis after transplantation using MRF-PDFF and MRE Techniques 1,437,680
Prof Seto, Walter Wai Kay Seed Funding for Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Scheme 2020/21 Artificial Intelligence in the Image-assisted Risk Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An East Asian Research Consortium 490,427
Prof Xu Aimin URC Small Equipment Grant 2020/2021 Equipment item(s): BioMark HD Reader IFC Controller HK 1,000,000

Awards and Fellowships

Awardee Fellowship
Dr Mak, Loey Lung Yi Croucher Foundation Fellowship 2021/22
Prof Tang, Sydney Chi Wai Croucher Senior Medical Research Fellowship 2019/20
Prof Yuen Man Fung Croucher Senior Medical Research Fellowship 2021/22
Dr Cheung, Michael Ka Shing GRF Clinical Research Fellowship 2020/21
Prof Hung, Ivan Fan Ngai HKU Outstanding Researcher Award 2019
Dr Kwok Wang Chun Li Shu Fan Medical Fellowship for Internal Medicine 2020/21
Dr Gao Yuan Li Shu Fan Medical Fellowship for Internal Medicine 2020/21
Dr Chan, Shirley Chiu Wai Li Shu Fan Medical Fellowship for Internal Medicine 2021/22
Dr Chan, Will Yap Hang Li Shu Fan Medical Fellowship for Internal Medicine 2021/22
Prof Tse Hung Fat Li Shu Pui Medical Foundation Fellowship
Dr Mak, Loey Lung Yi Lo Ying Shek Chi Wai Foundation Award for Young Investigator 2020-2021
Dr Cheung, Michael Ka Shing Sir Patrick Manson Gold Medal 2019-20