July 28 - Led by Professor Pengtao Liu, the CTSCB team won the gold medal for the innovative project “A Novel Stem Cell-Based Technology for Anti-viral Discovery and Health Natural Products.” The technology introduces a human EPSC-derived trophoblast model, which serves as an ideal system for virology research of diverse viruses and the discovery of potentially broad-spectrum antivirals.

The centre also captured a second gold medal for the pioneering project “A Novel Cellular System for Anti-ageing Drug Discovery.” The invention introduces an ageing-emulated biosystem derived from human trophoblast stem cells. The biosystem displays major ageing hallmarks and establishes an accelerated ageing model. This robust tool holds promise for advancing the understanding of ageing, expediting the development of anti-ageing, and improving human health and longevity.

In addition to the two gold medals, the CTSCB team secured a silver medal for the project” A New Stem Cell Platform for personalized treatment and drug discovery for primary immunodeficiency patients.”, which enables personalized treatment selection and new drug screening.

CTSCB will continue to transform our novel stem cell research innovations into real-world applications.

CTSCB wins two gold medals and one silver at this year's Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival.

Photo showed Dr. RUAN Degong receives the gold medal.

May 16 - CTSCB and AstraZeneca signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Asia Summit on Global Health.  The ceremony was officiated by Professor Pengtao Liu (Managing Director, CTSCB) and Ms. Elise Ho (Business Unit Director, RIG, Macau and Alliance, AstraZeneca).

The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Mr. Lee Kwok Bun Ivan, JP, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology (ITC), Dr. Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), along with Professor Gordon Dougan (Co-director, CTSCB), Professor Chak-sing Lau (Dean of Medicine, HKU and Programme Leader, CTSCB), Professor Fang Liu (Senior Scientific Director, CTSCB) and Ms. Shan Wu (General Manager, AstraZeneca Hong Kong and Macau).

This MoU solidifies the long-standing partnership between CTSCB and AstraZeneca, and provides a framework for continued collaboration to foster innovation in stem cell translational clinical application.

Photo shows the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr. Lee Kwok Bun Ivan, JP, (second row, 3^rd right), Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr. Patrick Lau (second row, 2^nd right) with Professor Pengtao Liu (front row, right), Ms. Elise Ho (front row, left), Professor Gordon Dougan (second row, 1^st right), Professor Chak-sing Lau (second row, 2^nd left), Professor Fang Liu (second row, 1^st left) and Ms. Shan Wu (second row, 3^rd left) at the Mou Signing Ceremony.

Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr. Lee Kwok Bun Ivan, JP and Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Dr. Patrick Lau visit our booth at the Asia Summit on Global Health.

The signing ceremony was officiated by Professor Pengtao Liu (Managing Director, CTSCB), Professor Gordon Dougan (Co-director, CTSCB), and Mr. Vincent Lin (Director of BD center, MGI).

This collaboration between CTSCB and MGI marks an exciting milestone in the advancement of single cell technology. By combining MGI's cutting-edge sequencing platforms with the expertise of the CTSCB in stem cell research, the strategic partnership is poised to unlock new insights into cell identity, cellular heterogeneity and disease mechanisms.

“Together, we aim to revolutionize the field of single cell genomics and drive scientific discoveries that will ultimately improve human health,” said Professor Pengtao Liu.

Photo shows Professor Pengtao Liu (front row, Left), Mr. Vincent Lam (front row, right), Professor Gordon Dougan (second row, 3rd right) with representatives from MGI

December 6 - The InnoHK Summit 2023, organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was held successfully at Hong Kong Science Park. Under the theme of "From Collaborative Research to Real World Impact",  the summit aims to showcase the latest innovation and technology (I&T) developments and breakthroughs of the InnoHK, Hong Kong's leading role as a global research collaboration hub, and its strengths in commercialization and talent development.  

Professor Pengtao Liu, Managing Director of CTSCB, and Professor Gordon Dougan, Co-Director of CTSCB were invited to deliver a speech at the InnoHK Summit 2023.  Their captivating presentation shed light on our latest breakthrough achievement by leveraging the Expanded Potential Stem Cell (EPSC) technology and its applications in the medical, biotechnological and agricultural sectors. They also highlighted the immense potential of EPSC technology, which has accelerated the development of natural products in antiviral and anti-ageing, as well as drug screening technology.

Photo shows the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong (front row, 10th left); the Founding President of the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the InnoHK Steering Committee, Professor Tsui Lap-chee (front row, ninth left); the Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr Eddie Mak (front row, 10th right); the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee (front row, eighth left); and the Chief Executive Officer of the HKSTPC, Mr Albert Wong (front row, ninth right), Professor Pengtao Liu (front row, 3rd right), Professor Gordon Dougan (front row, 2nd right), Professor Bertie Göttgens (front row, 1st right) with directors of other InnoHK research centres and their non-local collaborators.

Professor Liu and Professor Dougan shared insights at the InnoHK Summit 2023.

April 28, 2023 - Leading by Prof. Pengtao Liu, Managing Director of CTSCB, the human Expanded Potential Stem Cells (hEPSCs) developed for anti-virus drug development help to generate trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), which express high levels of SARS-CoV-2 host factors and are highly susceptible to the viral infection. Remarkably, the infected eSTBs are 1,000 times more sensitive to antiviral drugs, making the TSC-STB platform a more ideal human cell source for viral production and performing antiviral discovery, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS, their variants, and the FDA approved anti-virus drugs and natural products.

From Left to Right: Professor Fang Liu , CTSCB Senior Scientific Director, and Dr. Degong Ruan, Platform Leader

Professor Liu briefing about anti-viral discovery to guests

September 22^nd, 2022 - Professor Xiang Zhang, the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), visited Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology (CTSCB) and met with the fellow young scientists. During the visit, Professor Pengtao Liu CTSCB’s Managing Director, alongside with Professor Chak-Sing Lau, the Dean of Medicine at the HKU and CTSCB Programme leader, showcased the translational research plans on Expanded Potential Stem Cells (EPSCs) to Professor Zhang.

From Left to Right: Dr. Guocheng LAN (Principal Researcher, CTSCB), Professor Anderson SHUM (Managing Director, ABIC), Professor Chak-Sing LAU (Dean of Faculty of Medicine, HKU & Programme Leader, CTSCB), Professor Xiang ZHANG (Vice-Chancellor, HKU), Professor Pengtao LIU (Managing Director, CTSCB), Professor Fang LIU (Senior Scientific Director, CTSCB), Ms Sara LO (Acting Chief Operation Officer, HKU Innovation Holdings)

Professor Liu briefing about EPSC works in CTSCB laboratory

Presenting translational ideas in CTSCB Meeting Room

September 19^th, 2022 – Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology (CTSCB) is[DRL1] [MK2]  invited to showcase in a 3-min TV programme produced by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK – 香港電台), “I&T New Era 創科新里程”.

While CTSCB’s Managing Director Professor Pengtao Liu and Principal Investigator, Dr. Sau-Fong Vera Chan,were interviewed, a group of CTSCB researchers also participated in the video-shooting by conducting experiments with their unique skillsets.

Dr. Chang MING, CTSCB Post-Doctoral Fellow, working on Neon Transfection System

Dr. Vera CHAN talking about CTSCB’s strategies in Regenerative Medicine

Professor Pengtao LIU introducing Expanded Potential Stem Cells (EPSCs)

August 31^st, 2022 – A group of four students has completed their Summer Internship programme in Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology (CTSCB). Miss Ri Min TAN, a Year 4 undergraduate from HKU Faculty of Education, was invited to summarise her experience upon completion of this internship.

According to her, one thing she has learnt was to pay extra attention on experiments and apply that on planning, the internship has also allowed her to identify her own strengths and weaknesses. “I am grateful for the opportunity given. I believe all the skills learnt in CTSCB have better prepared me for my future research career,” says Ri Min. She decides to continue her research work in CTSCB as a Research Assistant.

From Left to Right:  Shao XU (Research Assistant), Ri Min TAN (Summer Intern), Tracy LEUNG (Summer Intern), Prof. Fang LIU (Senior Scientific Director, Prof. Pengtao LIU (Managing Director)

"Having all supportive colleagues working together allowed me to adjust to a new and fast-paced working environment

August 3^rd, 2022 – Shanghai Pharmaceuticals arranged a visit to Hong Kong Science and Technology Park seeking for business collaboration with InnoHK centres. Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology (CTSCB) was honorably chosen to be one of the presenters on the day to pitch our business to the senior management at Shanghai Pharmaceuticals.

The leaders expressed great interest on CTSCB’s research projects and gave multiple constructive feedback and professional advice to the potential business development. CTSCB will anticipate cooperation with Shanghai Pharmaceuticals to promote biomedical and healthcare development in Hong Kong.   

Professor Fang LIU, CTSCB Senior Scientific Director, presenting potential EPSCs technology development to senior management of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals

Group Photo with senior management members of CTSCB and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals

June 23^rd, 2022 – A group of 20 undergraduate students ranging from Year 1 to Year 4, from Biological Sciences Society from the HKU Student Union, visited Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology (CTSCB) for a half-day excursion for an opportunity to gain valuable industry exposure and learn all about stem cell biology. While Prof. Fang LIU, the CTSCB Senior Scientific Director, gave a briefing, Prof. Pengtao Liu, CTSCB Managing Director, also expressed his warmest welcome to all future young scientists.

Students participated in three arranged experiments, and they are thrilled to have the opportunity to operate actual experimental tools as the wet lab practical courses at the HKU have been suspended due to the pandemic.

Based on the experience, CTSBC are informed that most of the students are interested to work as an intern, we welcome applications starting from next March annually.  

HKUSU Biological Sciences Society taking group photo in front of CTSCB

Ms Yuqing ZHAI, CTSCB Research Assistant, Demonstrating the operation of pipette

Dr. Xueyan LIU, CTSCB Post-Doctoral Fellow, explaining how to correctly use a microscope to view the stem cell