HKU Students Shine Again with Gold Medal in International iGEM Competition 2023

A team of HKU students from the Faculty of Science, LKS Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Engineering have demonstrated their dedication and skill by earning a gold medal in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition Grand Jamboree 2023. The competition invites teams to develop projects using synthetic biology to address current global challenges.

 

This year's HKU iGEM team focused on a project aimed at improving the treatment of solid tumours by genetically engineering macrophages with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) combined with SIRPα blocker. This approach seeks to enhance the effectiveness of macrophages in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and potentially pave the way for an ‘off-the-shelf’ immunotherapy method.

 

The gold medal serves as a testament to the team's hard work and commitment to the project. Their efforts in wet lab work, science communication, and education contributed to their success in the competition.

 

Team Leaders:
School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science: Cyrus King Chung WONG and CHEUNG Chi Hung Jim
School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine: SZE Tsz Yan

 

Team members:
School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science: Cheng YIN, SO Man Lok, Lehan HU, Polly ZHOU, GENG Yi Rong, CHIU San Bo, Xin Yue LIM
School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine: Hoi Ching Gisela TSOI, Chong Wing LAM, Wing Hei LAM
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering: Aijing LIN, Siddhant NINGOO

 

Team supervisors:
Prof SUGIMURA Rio Ryohichi from LSK Faculty of Medicine
Prof Kevin K.M. Tsia from the Faculty of Engineering

 

Instructors:
Mr Ng Tsz Chun, a PhD student from the Faculty of Science
Vicera Christian Nelson Tejedor, an alumnus