Major Research Grants
The Department strives to achieve excellence in research. Our academic staff have earned numerous 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 Collaborative Research Fund (CRF), Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS), General Research Fund (GRF), Research Impact Fund (RIF) and Joint Research Schemes of the Research Grants Council, the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of the Health Bureau, and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of the Innovation and Technology Commission.
RGC Collaborative Research Fund (CRF)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Professor Lau Chak-sing | Integrating Genetic, Transcriptomic, and Clinical Studies for SLE to Achieve Personalized Treatment of The Disease Based on Predisposition, Early Manifestation, and Molecular and Cellular Signatures | $6,476,284 |
| 2023/24 | Professor Tse Hung-fat | Programmable RNA Pseudouridylation for Premature Termination Codon Suppression as Gene Therapy for Cardiac Laminopathy | $2,661,362 |
RGC Theme-based Research Scheme (TRS)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 (Thirteenth Round) |
Professor Xu Aimin (Co-Principal Investigator) |
Single-cell Multi-omics Study of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Narrowing the Gap Between Bench and Bedside | $1,800,000 |
| 2023/24 (Thirteenth Round) |
Professor Yiu Kai-hang (Co-Investigator) |
Single-cell Multi-omics Study of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Narrowing the Gap Between Bench and Bedside | $1,206,000 |
RGC General Research Fund (GRF)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | Professor Daniel Chan Tak-mao | Defining the Role of Annexin-A2 in Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition and Tubulo-interstitial Fibrosis in Chronic Kidney Disease | $1,559,463 |
| 2024/25 | Professor Paul Lee Chi-ho | Tirzepatide Versus Semaglutide as an Adjunct to Improve Glycaemia and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Control in Overweight and Obese Patients with Type 1 Diabetes – A Randomized, Crossover, Treat-to-target Study (TACKLE-T1D Study) | $1,553,283 |
| 2024/25 | Professor Philip Li Hei | Recapitulating and Repairing Inborn Errors of Immunity Using a Novel Personalized Stem Cell Platform | $1,461,315 |
| 2024/25 | Professor Xu Aimin | CUB Domain-containing Protein 1 as a Novel Mediator of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Molecular Mechanism and Therapeutic Implications | $1,553,537 |
| 2024/25 | Professor Jacqueline Yuen Kwan-yuk | A Communication-priming Intervention to Improve Shared Decision-making Between Older Adults with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and Clinicians | $1,214,852 |
| 2024/25 | Dr Geng Leiluo | β-Klotho as a Novel Anti-ageing Factor by Suppressing Adipose Senescence | $1,057,481 |
| 2024/25 | Dr Wang Baile | Semaphorin 6B as a Novel Glucose-lowering Hormone to Counteract Type 2 Diabetes: Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Implications | $1,558,606 |
| 2023/24 | Professor Will Chan Yap-hang | A Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of Ivabradine for Strict Rate Control in Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Ameliorating Myocardial Dysfunction and Inflammation | $1,293,844 |
| 2023/24 | Professor Wong Chun-ka | Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist for Reduction of Peri-operative Myocardial Injury in Non-cardiac Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial | $1,072,696 |
| 2023/24 | Professor Xu Aimin | STAP1 as a Novel Perpetrator of Metabolic Inflammation: Molecular Basis and Pathophysiological Implications | $1,596,200 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Chan Koon-ho | Role of B Lymphocytes and Potential Therapeutic Efficacy of Bruton's Tyrokine Kinase Inhibitor in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder | $1,166,064 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Will Chan Yap-hang | Treating the Metabolic Syndrome with a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor: A Randomised Controlled Trial | $1,179,805 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Walter Seto Wai-kay | Multi-scale Deep Learning Versus Standard Radiological Interpretation in Computed Tomography to Predict Microvascular Invasion In Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Center Randomized Trial | $1,056,473 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Sydney Tang Chi-wai | Dissecting the Role of C5aR-mediated Autophagy and Mitophagy in Diabetic Kidney Disease | $1,180,213 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Xu Aimin | A Novel Role of Stanniocalcin-2 in the Regulation of Insulin Secretion from Pancreatic β cells | $1,369,053 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Yiu Kai-hang | Effect of Empagliflozin on Progression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Aortic Stenosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial | $762,224 |
| 2022/23 | Professor Susan Yung Sou-ying | Defining the Role of Hyaluronan in the Pathogenesis of Lupus Nephritis and the Effect of 4-Methylumbelliferone and Mycophenolate | $1,179,884 |
| 2022/23 | Dr Wang Baile | Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue Orchestrates Hematopoiesis to Facilitate Type 2 Immune Response During Cold-Induced Beiging of White Adipose Tissue | $1,180,022 |
RGC Research Impact Fund (RIF)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Professor Shirley Li Xue | Horizon Scanning of Medium- to Long-term Burden of Chronic Diseases and Care Needs to 2030 in Hong Kong (SCAN-2030) | $2,950,000 |
| 2021/22 | Professor Tse Hung-fat | Therapeutic application of induced pluripotent stem cells derived mesenchymal stromal cells for treatment of heart failure | $9,840,000 |
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) / RGC Joint Research Scheme
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Professor Anskar Leung Yu-hung | Deciphering Recurrent Mutation Combinations In Myelodysplasia Syndromes Using Zebrafish – Mechanistic and Therapeutic Insights | $1,185,561 |
Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Professor Paul Lee Chi-ho | Evaluating the Health Impact of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Insights from a Contemporary, Prospective Population-Based Study of Hong Kong | $1,462,156 |
| 2022 | Professor David Lui Taki-wai | Risks and Burdens of Metabolic Sequelae in Long COVID: Focusing on Glucose, Lipid and Bone Metabolism | $1,493,807 |
| 2022 | Professor Loey Mak Lung-yi | Clinical Utility of GALAD-assisted Ultrasonography in Detection of Tumor Recurrence after Curative Hepatic Resection or Liver Transplantation for Liver Cancer | $1,494,648 |
| 2022 | Professor Teo Kay-cheong | Vitamin D Treatment in Intracerebal Hemorrhage to Enhance Hematoma Resolution (VICToHR): A Pilot Study | $426,473 |
| 2022 | Professor Jacqueline Yuen Kwan-yuk | Effects of a Home Based Feeding Enhancement in Dementia (FEED@home) Intervention on Hospital Readmissions: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial | $1,305,512 |
| 2022 | Dr Cheong Lai-yee | The Potential Role of L-arginine in Managing Type 2 Diabetes: From Prediction to Therapeutic Treatment | $461,296 |
| 2021 | Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai | An Open Label Randomised Controlled Trial on Inhaled Remdesivir for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection | $1,499,200 |
| 2021 | Professor Herbert Kwok Wang-chun | A double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | $715,048 |
| 2021 | Professor David Lui Tak-wai | Fragility Fractures in Type 2 Diabetes as an Emerging Diabetic Complication: Epidemiology, Burden and Strategies of Primary Prevention | $678,248 |
| 2021 | Professor Loey Mak Lung-yi | Development of a Hepatitis C Infection Care Model for Prisoners: A Pilot Program for Micro-Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection in Hong Kong | $1,260,196 |
| 2021 | Professor Jacqueline Yuen Kwan-yuk | Preparing Surrogates of Dementia Patients for In-The-Moment Decision Making Through a Structured Advance Care Planning Intervention: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study | $499,946 |
| 2020 | Professor Shirley Chan Chiu-wai | Open-label, Non-inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial of Dose Reduction of Biologic Therapy in Axial Spondyloarthritis (SpA) | $1,406,054 |
| 2020 | Professor David Lui Tak-wai | The effect of simvastatin on bone density in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, active-comparator (ezetimibe) controlled clinical trial | $1,478,393 |
| 2020 | Professor Loey Mak Lung-yi | Effectiveness of a smartphone app in promoting weight loss in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot multi-center randomized controlled trial | $953,528 |
| 2020 | Professor Harry Singh Gill Harinder | Efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b for pre-fibrotic primary myelofibrosis and DIPSS low/intermediate-1 risk myelofibrosis – the ROPEG-MF trial | $1,189,872 |
| 2020 | Professor Sydney Tang Chi-wai | The role of mitochondrial translocator protein TSPO in progressive kidney disease | $1,474,796 |
| 2020 | Professor Xu Aimin | Branched-chain Amino Acids Mediate the Crosstalk Between Gut Microbiome and Adipose Tissue to Induce Metabolic Inflammation | $1,432,160 |
| 2020 | Dr Vera Chan Sau-fong | Immunological characterization of PE/PPE proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis | $1,308,610 |
| 2020 | Dr Yick Leung-wah | An investigation of targeting ICOS-ICOSL pathway for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders | $ 1,482,344 |
Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) Research Fellowship Scheme
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Professor Shirley Li Xue | Health Technology Appraisal of Innovative Therapies for Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Bridging Clinical Evidence to Improve Care for People Living with Rare Disease (HERO) | $927,300 |
Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF)
| Year | Principal Investigator | Project Title | Amount Awarded (HKD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Professor Michael Cheung Ka-shing | Development of a Novel Biodegradable Endoclip for Endoscopic Procedures | $1,199,990 |
| 2024 | Professor Xu Aimin | Development and Efficacy Evaluation of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Autotaxin | $1,800,706 |
| 2023 | Professor Walter Seto Wai-kay | Developing a Next-Generation Synbiotic for the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease | $3,284,239 |
| 2023 | Professor Harry Singh Gill Harinder | Frontline oral arsenic trioxide-based induction in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia | $3,607,045 |
| 2022 | Professor Desmond Yap Yat-hin | Development of a rapid ambulatory kidney function assessment technology by electrical impedance tomography | $218,500 |
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 |
