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Science Public Lecture Series: From Lab to Life: Breakthroughs in Treating Diabetes and Obesity

Science Public Lecture Series: From Lab to Life: Breakthroughs in Treating Diabetes and Obesity
Date & Time
February 2, 2026 (Monday) | 6:30pm - 7:30pm (HKT)
Venue
MWT6, 1/F, Meng Wah Complex, Main Campus, HKU ( Map )
Language
English
Speaker
Professor Xiaoyong YANG
Professor of Comparative Medicine and of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine; Jockey Club Global STEM Visiting Professor

Science Public Lecture Poster

 

Abstract

Metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity remain major health challenges, but we are making exciting strides in combating them. Join me as we journey from the lab to real life, showing how our research is transforming the understanding and treatment of these conditions.

We’ll explore two vital hormones: insulin and glucagon. Insulin regulates blood sugar by helping cells use sugar for energy, while glucagon raises blood sugar when it’s too low. Balancing these hormones is crucial for metabolic health. I will share discoveries from our lab about their interactions and our efforts to reset metabolic setpoints for better treatments.

We will also discuss GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and promotes weight loss. Advances in GLP-1 therapies are having a profound impact, making these treatments among the most successful and transformative in the recent pharmaceutical landscape.

From innovative insulin and GLP-1 research to real-world applications, I aim to illustrate how scientific breakthroughs are turning into effective treatments. If you are curious about how research can transform health and the future of treating human disease, don’t miss this lecture.

For enquiries, please contact science@hku.hk or 3917-2683.

 

Playback video:

Professor Xiaoyong YANG

Speaker Professor Xiaoyong YANG

Professor of Comparative Medicine and of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine; Jockey Club Global STEM Visiting Professor

Professor Xiaoyong Yang is Professor of Comparative Medicine and of Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Yale University School of Medicine. He holds an adjunct professorship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Professor Yang works at the intersection of diabetes, obesity, and cancer. He has made pioneering contributions to deciphering biological information encoded in protein modifications. Professor Yang has published highly cited articles in scientific journals such as Cell and Nature, and has been featured in public media outlets such as TIME, Daily Mail, NPR, and Scientific American. He has served on scientific review panels for the NIH, NASA, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and other agencies worldwide. Professor Yang is the founder of the Cancer Metabolism Initiative and a member of the Dean’s Faculty Advisory Council at Yale School of Medicine. He has played leadership roles in professional organisations, serving as president of CADA and vice president of SAPA. He is an elected member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, and currently serves as a JC Global STEM Visiting Professor.

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