News

Staff Members Honored for Outstanding Performance in Research, Teaching and Knowledge Exchange (KEP

HKU Science has a longstanding commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and knowledge transfer. We are proud to announce that several of our members have been recognised for their contributions and dedication in various areas over the past year. To celebrate outstanding achievements, the Faculty has introduced several awards. The Award for Teaching Excellence, Award for Teaching Innovations in E-learning, and the Excellence in Teaching Assistant Award honor exceptional teaching efforts within the Faculty. The Outstanding Service Award is established to recognise, reward and promote service contribution to the Faculty and departmental administration, and outreach activities in the Faculty of Science. In addition, the Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Award celebrates faculty members who have made significant impacts in their respective fields through knowledge transfer. The Faculty Research Output Prize recognizes outstanding research by honoring the author or team behind a notable publication. We invite you to join us in celebrating the following award recipients and their remarkable achievements.   University Awards Research Output Prize 2023  Professor Aleksandra DJURIŠIĆ, Professor, Department of Physics   Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Award 2024 Professor Francis Chi Chung LING, Associate Professor, Department of Physics     Faculty Awards Award for Teaching Excellence 2023-2024 Dr Angela Mai Yan YUEN, Associate Head of Teaching, Department of Chemistry   Award for Teaching Innovations in E-learning 2023-2024 (From the left) Dr Edmond Kar Man LEUNG, Lecturer, Faculty of Science Dr Jason Chun Shing PUN, Principal Lecturer, Department of Physics Dr David Hoi Fung YU, Lecturer, Faculty of Science   Excellent Teaching Assistant Awards 2023-2024   Mr Shun LI, PhD student, Department of Mathematics Mr Yueliang YAO, PhD student, Department of Chemistry   Outstanding Service Award 2023-2024 Professor Edmund Chun Ming TSE, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry   Congratulations to them all!

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Physicist Professor Ziyang MENG Awarded 2024 Top China Cited Paper in Physics

  Professor Ziyang Meng from the Department of Physics has been recognised with the 2024 Top China Cited Paper Award (Physics) for his research paper, "Momentum Space Quantum Monte Carlo on Twisted Bilayer Graphene," published in Chinese Physics Letters. This award highlights the ten most cited papers authored by researchers based in China, all of which rank in the top 1% of articles published in IOP Publishing, underscoring the widespread impact of Professor Meng's work in the scientific community. Reflecting on the significance of his research, Professor Meng remarked, “We need to understand why twisted bilayer and multilayer graphene become superconducting. This can show potential solutions to the energy crisis.” His research demonstrates the crucial role of fundamental science in addressing global energy challenges. Click here to view the Journal Paper.   

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Tops Local Universities with Thirty-Five Young Scientists Awarded Funding from National Natural Science Foundation of China

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has awarded funding to 35 young researchers at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) for 2024, making HKU the institution with the highest count of award recipients amongst its peer institutions in Hong Kong this year. Seven professors in Business & Economics, Engineering, Medicine and Science have been honoured with funding from the “National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars”, a top-tier programme by the NSFC, which expanded its eligibility to include Hong Kong and Macao researchers for the first time this year. Each project will receive funding of RMB4 million (RMB2.8 million for areas of mathematics and management science). Additionally, seven other professors in Business & Economics, Engineering, Medicine, Science and Social Sciences, have been awarded the prestigious “Excellent Young Scientists Fund”, each project will receive funding of RMB2 million; while 21 have received funding from the “Young Scientists Fund”, each project will receive funding of RMB300,000. The NSFC funding schemes National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars supports young male scholars under the age of 45 and female scholars under the age of 48 who have made outstanding achievements in basic research to select their own research directions and conduct creative research, so as to speed up the growth of young scientific talents, attract overseas talents and foster a group of prominent academic pacemakers in the forefront of international science and technology. Each project will receive funding of RMB4 million (RMB2.8 million for areas of mathematics and management science) over five years, in the form of cross-border remittance to directly support the researchers' work in Hong Kong. Excellent Young Scientists Fund The Excellent Young Scientists Fund supports young male scientists under age 38 and young female scientists under age 40 with good achievements in basic research to conduct innovative research in areas of their own choice, so as to promote fast growth of creative young talents and foster a number of outstanding talents on the international science frontiers. Each project will receive funding of RMB2 million over three years, in the form of cross-border remittance to directly support the researchers' work in Hong Kong. Young Scientists Fund The Young Scientists Fund supports young male scientists under age 35 and young female scientists under age 40 to freely select their research topics within the funding scope of NSFC to conduct basic research, particularly focus on fostering the ability of young scientists to independently undertake research projects and conduct creative research, stimulates their creative thinking and trains backup talents for basic research. Each project will receive funding of RMB300 thousand over three years, in the form of cross-border remittance to directly support the researchers' work in Hong Kong.  

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Physicist Professor Yi Yang Bags Two Prestigious Awards for Pioneering Photonics Research in 2024

In a remarkable testament to his pioneering research in photonics, Professor Yi YANG, Belinda Hung Outstanding Young Professor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been honoured with two prestigious awards in 2024 – the Xplorer Prize and the Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award.   Leading the announcements, Professor Yang has been recognised as the sole recipient from Hong Kong of the 2024 Xplorer Prize. The Xplorer Prize, a non-governmental, merit-based award, honours exceptional young scientists under 45 who display outstanding quality and innovation in their research fields. This prestigious accolade, funded by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation established by Tencent, confers each winner with a total of RMB 3 million over the next five years. With this prize, Professor Yang has been internationally recognised for his novel work in nanophotonics and free-electron optics.   Adding to his laurels, Professor Yang has also been conferred the 2024 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for his trailblazing research in photonics, specifically his work on 'Nonrelativistic free-electron-light interaction with nanophotonics'. This award is one of the most prestigious recognitions of the Croucher Foundation. Granted after an intense selection process, including a paper selection exercise, detailed international peer review, and extensive discussions among Governors, the Innovation Award also comes with a substantial grant of HK$5 million, underlining the significance of Professor Yang's accomplishments.   Professor Yang’s groundbreaking research focuses on realising strong free-electron-light interaction by interfacing slow nonrelativistic electrons with nanophotonic environments. This synergy between free electron optics and nanophotonics has led to new discoveries and applications, such as stimulated inverse Cherenkov effect, entanglement between free electrons and photons, tunable integrated radiation sources and particle accelerators, and even potential advances in biomedical imaging.   ‘Our research can be useful in electron microscopy and spectroscopy. It could generate entangled electrons and photons for quantum light generation and manipulation. It may also enable integrated free-electron radiation sources and accelerators,’ said Professor Yang, with an aim to provide a general framework to elucidate the maximal quantum interaction limit between free electrons and photons. Based on the quantum limit, he will utilise optimal structures to demonstrate the advantages of slow-electron in radiation generation and quantum light manipulation by studying cathodoluminescence in electron microscopes.      In response to the recognitions, Professor Yang stated, ‘This recognition motivates my team and me to continue advancing free-electron optics and nanophotonics, with the goal of creating new breakthroughs in free-electron-light interaction and radiation generation.’ HKU is immensely proud of Professor Yang’s achievements and looks forward to his continued contributions to nanophotonics and quantum science, further strengthening HKU’s global impact. These awards are an important recognition of Professor Yang’s past research achievements and a testament to his innovative ideas for the future.   Biography of Professor Yi Yang Professor Yang’s academic journey started at Peking University, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 2011 and 2014, respectively. He then got his PhD degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2019, and continued to work as a postdoctoral fellow at MIT before joining HKU as an Assistant Professor in 2022.    As an accomplished researcher in the field of nanophotonics and optical physics, Professor Yang’s research focuses on topics such as free-electron-light interaction and synthetic gauge fields. Receiving several prestigious awards, including the 2024 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for Pioneering Photonics Research, Professor Yang has also been named a Physical Science Fellow in the 2023 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship, recognised as one of the Innovators under 35(China) by MIT Technology Review in 2022, and awarded the 2022 Excellent Young Scientists fund (Hong Kong and Macau) under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, an organisation managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).   Learn more about the Xplorer Prize: https://xplorerprize.org  

NEWS DETAIL

First Thickness-Dependent Transitions in 2-dimensional Magnetic Material

A team of physicists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Texas Tech University (TTH), and the University of Michigan (UMich), has made an important discovery in the study of van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials, a special class of materials with unique electronic and magnetic properties that make them attractive for use in various applications. Their research is the first to experimentally observe a transition in Nickel Phosphorus Trisulfide (NiPS3), a type of van der Waals material that has been studied for its potential applications in electronic devices and energy storage, from a 3-dimensional (3D) long-range order state to a 2-dimensional (2D) flat pattern vestigial order state. They have shown how the material changes its magnetic properties as it becomes thinner, revealing new insights into how this material can be used. This research is significant because it helps us understand how to control the magnetic properties of materials at very small scales, which could lead to advancements in technology, such as more efficient electronics, high-density data storage, and innovative computing devices that consume less energy. Their findings have just been published in Nature Physics and featured in ‘News and Views’, highlighting its significance and implications for the field. Unravelling Feynman’s Legacy: Spotlighting Layered Materials ‘What could we do with layered structures with just the right layers?’ Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1965, posted this intriguing question in his famous 1959 lecture, ‘Plenty of Room at the Bottom’. This statement did not receive much attention at the time, but it was revisited in the 1990s, as it was fundamentally related to the foundations of nanotechnology. In recent years, the emergence of van der Waals materials, such as NiPS3, has provided exciting opportunities for exploration of Feynman’s question. These materials consist of layers that can be easily stacked or separated, enabling researchers to investigate their properties at varying thicknesses. To address Feynman’s question, the research team turned their attention to NiPS3, which exhibits fascinating magnetic behaviour when reduced to just a few layers or even a single layer. This unique property makes NiPS3 an ideal candidate for studying how its magnetic characteristics evolve as its thickness changes. In condensed matter physics, one of the key ways to study materials is to understand how they transition between different phases or states as their properties, like temperature or thickness change. These transitions often involve changes in the material’s symmetry, a concept known as symmetry breaking. In the case of NiPS3, the researchers observed an intermediate symmetry breaking which leads to a vestigial order. Just as the term ‘vestigial’ refers to the retention of certain traits during the process of evolution, the vestigial order here can also be viewed as the retention during the process of symmetry breaking. This happens when the primary magnetic long-range order state melts or breaks down into a simpler form, in the NiPS3 case, a 2D vestigial order state (known as Z3 Potts-nematicity), as the material is thinned. Unlike conventional symmetry breaking, which involves the breaking of all symmetries, vestigial order only involves the breaking of some symmetries. While there are numerous examples from a theoretical standpoint, experimental realisations of vestigial order have remained challenging. However, the investigation of this 2D magnetic material has shed the first light on this issue, demonstrating that such a phenomenon can be observed through dimension crossover. When Theory and Computation Meets Experiments To capture the emergence of the vestigial order, the research team studied NiPS3 and utilised nitrogen-vacancy (NV) spin relaxometry and optical Raman quasi-elastic scattering to characterise the melting process in the primary order and the emergence of the vestigial order as the thickness changed (see Figure 2). In order to better understand the experimental findings of the dimensional crossover in NiPS3, the team also performed large-scale Monte Carlo simulations to visualise the magnetic phase for bilayer NiPS3 (see Figure 3). This work is the first to track two distinct symmetries as a function of dimensionality carefully, and hence to discover the crossover from the primary order to the vestigial order. And the large-scale Monte Carlo simulation discovers the vestigial phase transition in this crossover process. The research team's observations not only deepen our understanding of the differences between 2D and 3D physics but also bring us one step closer to answering the question posed by Feynman 65 years ago. Looking ahead, the investigation of layered materials, such as multilayered graphene and NiPS3, holds great promise for developing a wide range of planar electronic devices. These materials offer the potential for high performance, low power consumption, and desirable properties like flexibility and transparency, which present an attractive pathway towards the creation of ultradense, low-power, flexible 2D logic and memory circuits. With this advancement, we are inching closer to the realization of Feynman's vision of layered materials and devices with precisely engineered layers. About the Research Team The research team is comprised of physicists, including Dr Chengkang ZHOU and Professor Zi Yang MENG from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong, along with their collaborators Professor Rui HE from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas Tech University, as well as Professors Liuyan ZHAO, Kai SUN and Dr Zeliang SUN from the Department of Physics at the University of Michigan. One of the first authors, Dr Chengkang Zhou, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Physics who primarily conducts the theoretical work for the paper. His supervisor, Professor Zi Yang MENG, is also one of the authors of the journal paper. They are supported by the Collaborative Research Fund and ANR/RGC Joint Research Scheme of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, highlighting the forward-looking perspective and support of the Hong Kong government in the research of quantum materials. The theoretical calculations conducted in this study were performed on the High-Performance Computing Platform at the Information Technology Services, and the ‘Blackbody’ supercomputer at the Department of Physics at HKU, as well as the Beijing PARATERA Tech Corp., Ltd. The study was also supported by the US National Science Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Award, and grants from Office of Naval Research. About the Journal Paper ‘Dimensionality crossover to 2D vestigial nematicity from 3D zigzag antiferromagnetism in an XY-type honeycomb van der Waals magnet’, Zeliang Sun, Gaihua Ye, Chengkang Zhou, Mengqi Huang, Nan Huang, Xilong Xu, Qiuyang Li, Guoxin Zheng , Zhipeng Ye, Cynthia Nnokwe, Lu Li, Hui Deng, Li Yang, David Mandrus, Zi Yang Meng, Kai Sun, Chunhui Du, Rui He, Liuyan Zhao. Nature Physics, 2024 The journal paper can be accessed here.   Thickness dependence of signatures in optical Raman quasi-elastic scattering. a, thickness v.s. temperature phase diagram of NiPS3. b, Layer-dependent Raman spectra at T=10 K. c, linearly lairized Raman spectra measured with λ=633 nm at 10 K on bulk NiPS3. The blue (d) and red (e) areas denote the P BTS  mode and P BRS  mode, respectively. (Image adapted from respective paper) Monte Carlo calculations of the magnetic state in 2L NiP S 3 . a, Temperature dependence of the scaled Potts-nematic order parameter ( 〈|m)|〉 ). Inset: Zoom-in around nematic phase transition temperature T N , 2L=1.285 J 1 . b, Correlation of Potts-nematicity ( C nematicity ) and spin ( C spin ) at a temperature T=1.25| J 1 |< T N ,2L, as a function of distance. c, Snapshot of simulated spin configuration below T N , 2L. d, Image of simulated nematic director for the spin state in c, showing homogeneity of nematicity. (Image adapted from respective paper)  

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Physicist Professor Yi Yang Honoured as Hong Kong’s Sole Recipient of the 2024 Xplorer Prize

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Geologists Discover Hidden Magmatism at the Chang'e-6 Lunar Landing Site, Shedding Light on Solving Fundamental Scientific Questions Relating Early Evolution of the Moon

Lunar igneous activities including intrusive and extrusive magmatism, and their products contain significant information about the lunar interior and its thermal state. Their distribution is asymmetrical on the nearside and farside, reflecting the global lunar dichotomy. In addition to previously returned lunar samples all from nearside (Apollo, Luna, and Chang’e-5), samples from the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin on the farside have long been thought to hold the key to rebalancing the asymmetrical understandings of the Moon and disclosing the lunar dichotomy conundrum.   Earlier this year, the Chang’e-6 mission of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, successfully launched on May 3, landed on the lunar surface on June 2, and returned to the Earth on June 25 carrying a total of 1935.3g of lunar soils. It is the world’s first lunar farside sample-return mission, which landed in the south of the Apollo basin within the SPA basin on the farside. These precious samples would open a window to solve the long-standing question of lunar dichotomy, even reshape human’s knowledge of our closest neighbour. However, compared with the well-known mare volcanism surrounding the Chang’e-6 landing site, the intrusive magmatic activities have a much more obscure presence and origin, impeding future sample analyses when they are available for application.   In a recent research paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Dr Yuqi QIAN, Professor Joseph MICHALSKI and Professor Guochun ZHAO from the Department of Earth Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and their domestic and international collaborators have comprehensively studied the intrusive magmatism of the Chang’e-6 landing site and its surroundings based on remote sensing data. The study revealed their extensive distributions and obscure nature with significant implications for the petrogenesis of lunar plutonic rocks and the Chang’e-6 mission, which will facilitate scientists’ further study of lunar farside.   Key Findings The study has found that intrusive magmatism is widespread in the SPA basin. They occur in various forms including sills beneath floor-modified craters, linear and ring dikes shown by gravity data, and Mg-suite intrusions with characteristic spectral absorptions. These observations agree with the intermediate-thick crust of SPA where intrusion is favored. Landing in the SPA basin, Chang’e-6 likely collected plutonic rocks, excavated and transported by adjacent impact craters to the sampling site, that could be examined by the ongoing sample studies. They have discovered two heavily degraded floor-fractured craters (see Apollo X and Apollo Q craters in Figure 1), inspiring to identify more similar features on the Moon. All indicate that intrusive magmatism is abundant in the Chang’e-6 sampling region.   This study has traced potential plutonic materials in the Chang’e-6 samples and found that Mg-suite materials highly likely exist, primarily from the western peak ring of the Apollo basin delivered by Chaffee S crater. These Mg-rich materials contain crucial information on the origin of mysterious KREEP-poor Mg-suite rocks. Samples from both the intrusive and extrusive magmatism from the never sampled farside, especially the mysterious Mg-suite, will shed further light on solving the lunar dichotomy conundrum and a series of fundamental scientific questions relating to secondary crust building and early evolution of the Moon.   Professor Xianhua LI, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), and a leader of China’s lunar sample studies from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics (CAS), said: ‘The results of this research set a significant geological framework to study plutonic rocks in the Chang’e-6 samples, especially Mg-suite rocks.’ Professor Li emphasised: ‘Their petrogenesis and timing are unclear, and this research would dramatically help to understand their origin mechanism.’   ‘This research is an excellent example of HKU’s deep involvement in the China's Lunar Exploration Program,’ said Professor Guochun ZHAO, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science and Chair Professor of Earth Sciences (HKU). ‘Lunar and space exploration programs are an important component of China's goal to become a scientific and technological power, and HKU’s proactive involvement in these programs will bring additional resources for Hong Kong to become an international centre for science and innovation,’ he continued.    HKU is the first university in Hong Kong that possesses lunar samples obtained by the Chang’e-5 mission. Building on the foundation of this work, the geologists from HKU will also pursue opportunities to study Chang’e-6 samples in the future and be more deeply involved in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.     Figure 2. Intrusive magmatism is extensive across the South Pole-Aitken basin, whose products highly likely collected by the Chang’e-6 mission. (Image Credit: Y. Qian)   About Dr Yuqi QIAN Dr Qian is a planetary geologist from the Department of Earth Sciences and Laboratory for Space Research at HKU. Dr Qian collaborates with domestic and international colleagues to study the geology of terrestrial planets in the Solar System. Dr Qian’s research mainly focuses on lunar geology and explorations based on orbital and rover data and returned lunar samples, especially those of China. Dr Qian has started participating in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program since 2016 and involved in Chang-5 and Chang’e-6 missions. He has published more than 35 papers with over 800 citations including those in top-tier journals that significantly help to study China’s lunar samples. Dr Qian is the 1st scientist in HK who successfully applied for lunar samples obtained by the nation and conducted research on them. For more information about Dr Qian, please visit: https://yuqiqian.com.   About Professor Joseph MICHALSKI Professor Michalski’s research focuses on uncovering discoveries about the volcanology, geochemistry, tectonics, and mineralogy of Mars, by utilising a range of remote sensing data, including infrared, visible, magnetic, gravity, and laser data from satellites orbiting Mars and rovers on its surface. He has established the Planetary Spectroscopy and Mineralogy Laboratory. This cutting-edge facility offers laboratory support for past, current, and future missions to Mars, the Moon, and asteroids in China and beyond. Professor Michalski is the 1st non-Chinese awardee of the Tencent Xplorer Prize and also a RGC Research Fellow. He serves as the deputy director of Laboratory for Space Research at HKU. For more information about Professor Michalski, please visit: https://joeplanets.com   About Professor Guochun ZHAO Professor Zhao is a highly esteemed geologist with international recognition, specialising in Precambrian Geology, metamorphic petrology, and tectonics. His contributions to the field, including over 450 scientific papers with more than 69,000 citations, earn him prestigious accolades. He was elected as an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019, a fellow of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries in 2021, and a member of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences in 2023. In the 2024 Best Scientists Rankings (Research.com), Professor Zhao stands 8th in the world and 1st in China in Earth Sciences. Professor Zhao is the director of NWU-HKU Joint Center for Earth and Planetary Sciences.   The journal paper can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ad698f  

NEWS DETAIL

Harnessing AI, Data Science, IoT, and the Metaverse: Revolutionising Integrated STEAM Education and Meta-Commerce

The next generation of the internet is here, integrating AI, Data Science, IoT, and the Metaverse to enhance learning, social interactions, and commercial activities. Since 2022, the Data Science Lab at HKU Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, School of Computing and Data Science (SAAS DSL) has collaborated with Marvel Digital Ai Limited on an “AI in Metaverse project,” developing an AI app for emotion detection via text, speech, and video to improve human-like communication in the Metaverse of HKU Campusland. In 2023, SAAS DSL built connections with 11 schools, developing exhibition rooms, an AI chatbot, 3D visualisation, and mixed reality learning content with teachers and students. This initiative involved 100 undergraduate students from universities worldwide in the “We Together in Metaverse” project for integrated STEAM education. The meta-innovation school campus at HKU Campusland opened on October 6, 2023.  An applied research publication on the company case using 3D visualisation of HKU Campusland was accepted for publication in Fall 2024. Looking ahead to 2024, the emotional AI chatbot will be further developed for customer enquiries, virtual internships, and virtual entrepreneurship. This initiative aims to nurture students in commercial knowledge, innovation, applied learning, and business communications through the “We Innovate Together in Metaverse project.” Dr Adela LAU, Deputy Director of HKU SAAS Data Science Lab, stated, ‘SAAS DSL will teach students to use apps developed by HKU SAAS DSL for emotion detection, social media/big data analysis, and mixed reality analysis, and deploy them to build a meta-commerce environment for meta-integrated STEAM education and meta-business models.’ In addition, two new HKU startups, Thinkify Technology Ltd and Dr Adela Education Ltd, were established and joint ventured with Marvel Digital Ai Ltd respectively to support HKU’s teaching for innovation. Currently, 11 local and overseas companies (Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, Ireland, USA, South Africa) are participating in this project, offering virtual entrepreneurship and internships to local and worldwide students. More AI chatbots and integrated STEAM learning courses will be implemented in collaboration with companies and schools. Professor Eddy LAM, Associate Head of HKU SAAS and Associate Dean (Student Affairs) of the Faculty of Science, explained, ‘The project aims to foster students' application of STEAM theories in practical settings, enhance their understanding of the diverse nature of industries, develop metaverse business models, and promote digital economy and innovation on a global scale.’ Dr Adela Lau added, ‘All local and overseas companies and schools are welcome to participate in the “We Innovate Together in Metaverse project” with Dr Adela Lau to build their schools, business models, and metaverse buildings in HKU Campusland together.’  In 2025, our metaverse project will extend to ‘Technology Innovation Leadership in Metaverse’ for deploying our innovations of the metaverse project for education, company training and business.    Dr Herbert Lee, Chairman of Marvel Digital Ai Limited, delivered the opening speech for ‘We together in Metaverse’ project at the Meta-Innovation School Campus opening ceremony at HKU Campsuland. On the left: Dr Adela Lau, Deputy Director of HKU SAAS Data Science Lab; on the right: Dr Herbert Lee, Marvel Digital Ai Limited.  Opening Ceremony of Meta-Innovation School Campus at HKU Campusland on October 6, featuring principals, teachers and students from 11 schools, along with CEO and director of Marvel Digital Ai Limited, deputy director of HKU SAAS and Associate Dean of Faculty of Science. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU-LSR Student Team Awarded a Bronze Medal in the 2024 International Space Science and Scientific Payload Competition (ISSSP2024)

A team of dedicated undergraduate astronomy enthusiasts from the Faculty of Science has earned a bronze medal in the International Space Science and Scientific Payload Competition (ISSSP2024). Their commitment to presenting creative space experiments, leading to potential scientific and technological breakthroughs for mankind, is truly inspiring.   Their project, which focuses on space sustainability, is a testament to their innovative thinking. Their approach to cleaning up space debris and promoting a sustainable space environment in response to the so-called 'Kessler Syndrome' is impressive. Under the supervision of the Laboratory for Space Research, the team theorised the use of electromagnets and LASERs to de-orbit space debris, a solution that not only promotes space sustainability but also safeguards astronauts’ lives during space missions.   The bronze medal serves as a recognition of their innovation and recognises their hard work in contributing to the aims of a sustainable space future for humanity. More importantly, they are invited to join the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in the coming October about responsible space for sustainability and, of course our very own HKU-LSR organised International conference on Space Sustainability to be held at HKU from December 2-4th (see: https://ssconf.space/ )   Team Leader: Department of Physics, Faculty of Science: Nok Him WONG   Team members: Department of Physics: Pak Hei LAM Department of Physics: Kiu Ching LEE Department of Chemistry: Ngai CHU Department of Physics: Tsz Yau Martin WONG   Team supervisor: Dr Andreas RITTER from the Laboratory for Space Research

NEWS DETAIL

For the First Time, Ecologists Put an Insect Group on a Century-old Map of Biodiversity

The distribution of species around the globe is not a random process but an outcome resulting from several evolutionary mechanisms as well as past and current environmental limitations. As a result, since the mid-19th century, biologists have identified several main regions, called biogeographic realms, that depict these large ensembles of species around the world. These biogeographic realms represent one of the most fundamental descriptions of biodiversity on Earth and are commonly used in various fields of biology. For nearly 150 years, however, the characterisation of these biogeographic units resulted exclusively from the study of vertebrate (e.g. birds, mammals) and plant groups. These latter groups, however, represent only a minority of the species found on Earth. In contrast, hyperdiverse groups like insects were left aside from such efforts that offer a fundamental tool for conservation planning to understand biodiversity distribution. Recently, ecologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and their collaborators in Japan, mapped global biogeographic regions for a major insect group, ants, providing the first effort and a set of novel approaches to include these organisms. This work, published in Nature Communications, provides the best window yet for understanding the distribution of insects and is of significance for global conservation. Insects, ‘the little things that run the world’, make up over 55% of all described species. However, the knowledge gap regarding their distribution information impedes scientists to map their biogeographic regions. ‘A first step to protect species, and thus biodiversity, is to understand where those are located,’ says Professor Benoit GUÉNARD, senior author of the study, and head of the Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory at HKU School of Biological Sciences (SBS). To tackle this challenge, Professor Guénard has been leading an international team to assemble the distribution data of nearly 16,000 ant species for more than a decade. Ants are among the most widespread and ecologically dominant insects, weighting as much as twice the combined mass of wild birds and mammals as shown in one of Professor Guénard’s team previous studies. For an insect group, they are relatively well-documented. The hard work of Professor Guénard’s team, compiling data from over 300 years’ research of ants, makes it possible to use advanced techniques, including bioinformatics and machine learning, to predict and analyse their distribution. In the end, they were able to produce the first biogeographic map of ants. This map shows the division of ant’s global territory into 9 large biogeographic realms. ‘Interestingly, when I was comparing this map with those for vertebrates and plants, I saw so many similarities,’ says the first author Mr Runxi WANG, a PhD candidate from School of Biological Sciences, ‘with ants and plants sharing several regions that are not found in vertebrates.’ The further analysis confirms the authors’ observations — the biogeographic regions are very similar among different taxa, but plants are more similar with ants than with any vertebrate groups. ‘It’s not very surprising because we know that ants and plants have very close ecological and evolutionary relationships. For instance, ants help tens of thousands of plants to disperse their seeds and protect many more from herbivores. ‘They have been co-evolved for millions of years,’ explains Professor Guénard, ‘but it is one of the first evidences showing such significant biogeographic consequences.’ This result indicates that many similarities between animals and plants may be not captured by vertebrates. ‘Ants alone cannot represent the hyperdiversity of all insects, but their similarities to plants are probably not an exception,’ adds Mr Wang, ‘we certainly need greater efforts to include more insect groups in the future to depict the global picture of biodiversity.’ The journal paper can be accessed at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49918-2

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Scientists Develop AI-Driven Method to Enhance Electron Microscopy Imaging Capabilities of Complex Biological Systems

Electron microscope (EM) has revolutionised our ability to visualise the intricate details inside cells. The advancement to 3D electron microcopy, known as volume EM (vEM), has further expanded this three-dimensional, nanoscale imaging capacity. However, trade-offs between imaging speed, quality, and sample size still limit the achievable imaging area and volume. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a pivotal force across various scientific domains, driving breakthroughs and serving as a vital tool in the scientific process. Inspired by the recent breakthroughs in AI-powered image generation models, specifically the development of advanced diffusion models, a research team led by Professor Haibo JIANG from the Department of Chemistry and Professor Xiaojuan QI from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed a suite of diffusion model-based algorithms called EMDiffuse. This innovative solution aims to enhance imaging capabilities and resolve the trade-offs faced by EM and vEM. Their findings have recently been published in Nature Communications. For conventional 2D EM, EMDiffuse excels at restoring realistic, high-quality visuals with high-resolution ultrastructural details, even from noisy or low-resolution inputs. Unlike other deep learning-based denoising or super-resolution methods, EMDiffuse adopts a unique approach by sampling the solution from the target distribution. EMDiffuse incorporates low-quality images as a condition or constraint at each step of its diffusion-based process to ensure the accuracy of the generated structure. This means the low-quality input is actively used to guide and shape the restoration rather than just being the starting point. Diffusion model can effectively prevent blurriness, maintaining resolution comparable to ground truth, which is crucial for detailed ultrastructural studies. Moreover, the generalisability and transferability of EMDiffuse allow its application to various datasets directly or after minimal fine-tuning with just one pair of training images. In vEM, current hardware often struggles to capture high-resolution 3D images of large samples, especially in the depth (or ‘z-direction’), making it difficult to fully study the 3D structure of important cell components like mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. EMDiffuse addresses this issue with two flexible approaches. It can use ‘isotropic’ training data - 3D image datasets with uniform, high resolution in all dimensions — to learn how to enhance the axial resolution of other 3D data. Alternatively, EMDiffuse can analyse existing 3D images and improve their depth resolution through self-supervised techniques without requiring specialised training data. This versatility allows EMDiffuse to enhance the quality and usefulness of 3D electron microscopy data across different research applications. The restored volumes demonstrate exceptional accuracy in studying ultrastructural details, such as mitochondrial cristae and interactions between mitochondria and the ER, which are challenging to observe in original anisotropic volumes. Since EMDiffuse does not require isotropic training data, it can be directly applied to any existing anisotropic volume to improve its axial resolution. EMDiffuse represents an important advancement in the imaging capabilities of both EM and vEM, enhancing image quality and axial resolution of the data produced. ‘With this foundation, we can envision further development and acceleration of the EMDiffuse algorithm, paving the way for in-depth investigations into the intricate subcellular nanoscale ultrastructure within large biological systems,’ said Professor Haibo Jiang, one of the corresponding authors of the paper. ‘As this AI-powered imaging technology matures, we are excited to see how it enables researchers to uncover the previously undiscovered operational mechanisms within biological systems,’ echoed Professor Xiaojuan Qi, another corresponding author of the paper. For more detailed information, please refer to the journal paper titled  ‘Diffusion-based deep learning method for augmenting ultrastructural imaging and volume electron microscopy’ published in Nature Communications Click here to learn more about the research.  More information about Professor Haibo Jiang: https://www.haibojianglab.com and Professor Xiaojuan Qi: https://xjqi.github.io/

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Physicist Professor Yi Yang Receives 2024 Croucher Tak Wah Mak Innovation Award for Pioneering Photonics Research

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Researchers Sheds Light on Overcoming Cancer Drug Resistance Unlocking Potential to Expand Use of PARP Inhibitors Across Cancer Types

A research team led by Professor Ying Wai CHAN from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a significant breakthrough in understanding how cancer cells develop resistance to a class of cancer drugs known as PARP inhibitors. Their latest findings, published in Cell Reports, reveal the crucial role of a protein named FANCM in promoting resistance to these drugs. The challenge of PARP inhibitors PARP inhibitors have shown remarkable effectiveness against certain types of cancer, especially those with mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are involved in DNA repair through a mechanism called homologous recombination. Currently, four PARP inhibitors – olaparib, niraparib, rucaparib, and talazoparib – have received FDA approval, demonstrating remarkable clinical success in treating certain breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Despite their effectiveness, some cancer cells eventually develop resistance to these drugs, reducing their impact. FANCM promotes PARP inhibitor resistance Professor Ying Wai Chan’s team discovered that FANCM, a protein involved in DNA repair, is a key player in this resistance. Normally, PARP inhibitors cause DNA damage that leads to cancer cell death. However, FANCM repairs this damage, allowing cancer cells to survive and continue growing. The research team found that DNA damage increases in the absence of FANCM, leading to the death of cancer cells. Conversely, when FANCM is present, it prevents the formation of DNA damage by promoting the repair of collapsed DNA replication structures, helping cancer cells survive. These findings are significant as they explain why some cancers may become resistant to PARP inhibitors and continue to thrive. By understanding the role of FANCM in drug resistance, more effective treatment strategies may be developed against cancers, particularly those that are currently resistant to PARP inhibitors. ‘Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells,’ said Professor Chan. ‘Understanding the role of FANCM in this process could open up new avenues for improving the effectiveness of cancer treatments and potentially expanding the use of PARP inhibitors beyond BRCA-mutated cancers.’ A New Strategy to Enhance Cancer Treatment The study suggests that inhibiting FANCM could potentially enhance the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors, providing a new strategy to overcome drug resistance. This approach could significantly broaden the application of PARP inhibitors in treating a more comprehensive range of cancers. ‘By targeting FANCM, we may be able to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to PARP inhibitors and reduce the risk of drug resistance,’ added Professor Chan. ‘This could have significant implications for improving cancer treatment strategies and patient outcomes.’ Click here to learn more about the work of Professor Ying Wai Chan and his research team.  About the research paper: ‘FANCM promotes PARP inhibitor resistance by minimizing ssDNA gap formation and counteracting resection inhibition’, Zeyuan Liu, Huadong Jiang, Sze Yuen Lee, Nannan Kong, Ying Wai Chan. Cell Reports, July 9, 2024. The journal paper can be accessed from here. 

NEWS DETAIL

Networking and Inspiration Abound at HKU's 'Summer Break in Science' Gathering

The Faculty of Science was buzzing with energy and intellectual curiosity on July 24, 2024, as it hosted the 'Summer Break in Science' event. This gathering was designed to foster meaningful connections between participants of the Summer Research Programme (SRP) and with academics and students in the Faculty.  The SRP, a 10-week initiative at HKU, has been meticulously crafted to attract outstanding undergraduate students from around the globe. These students share a common interest — the aspiration to undertake research postgraduate studies at HKU. Out of 24 attendees, 16 were from the SRP programme of Science. The event was marked by two pivotal moments. The first was an invigorating speech by our Associate Dean Professor Wing-Yee Lui. The second highlight was a presentation by our recent PhD graduate, Dr Alfred Amruth. As a recipient of both the Hong Kong Young Scientist Award and the Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award, Amruth shared invaluable insights from his research journey. His candid sharing of experiences and practical advice on navigating the challenging yet rewarding path of a PhD was greatly appreciated by our research-aspired attendees. The event was not just about academic discussions; it was also filled with laughter and camaraderie. Participants from a diverse array of disciplines, including science, engineering, and medicine, spent the afternoon networking and exchanging experiences. It was a golden opportunity for them to delve deeper into HKU's PhD programmes and explore the routes to continue their research journey. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Chemists Developed a Clickable Tryptophan Modification Strategy for Late-Stage Diversification of Native Peptides

Peptides are gradually emerging as middle-sized therapeutic agents in addressing unmet medical needs. Compared to small-molecule drugs, peptides can target complex biological processes more precisely while generally less complex and more a cost-effective than large biological drugs like antibodies. Over 100 FDA-approved peptide drugs have been on the market since the first peptide hormone insulin was developed in 1923, among which about 40 drugs for treating a wide range of diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases) contain at least one tryptophan (Trp) residue, which is a key amino acid. Modifying Trp residues in peptide molecules can help regulate the drug-target interactions and improve drug stability, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics properties. However, enabling transformations on these functionally dense molecules requires a high level of selectivity, such as chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. Additionally, peptides’ nucleophilic functionalities make them sensitive to redox conditions, further complicating modifications. The limited solvents for dissolving unprotected peptides also pose challenges. As a result, developing site-specific late-stage peptide modifications is a daunting task. Recently, a team led by Professor Xuechen LI from the Department of Chemistry of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) developed a clickable tryptophan modification strategy. This strategy allows for the easy modification of a specific part of a peptide molecule even at the late-stage of drug development process. This late-stage diversification technique allows them to fine-tune peptides even after the core structure is established. Their findings have recently been published in Science Advances. This approach involves a late-stage catalyst-free C2-sulfenylation reaction using S-modified quinoline-containing thiosulfonate reagents. Through this method, the researchers efficiently install a variety of functional groups onto the tryptophan (Trp) residues within the native peptide structures. The introduced groups include trifluoromethylthio, difluoromethylthio, (ethoxycarbonyl) difluoromethylthio, alkylthio, and arylthiol. In this transformation, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was used as the optimal solvent and played an important role in the activation of the reagents via hydrogen bond interaction. Moreover, the super dissolving capability of TFA for hydrophobic and aggregation-prone peptides ensures the applicability of this method to challenging molecules like lipopeptides and self-assembling peptides, even at relatively high concentrations. This method was successfully applied to the late-stage modification of several on-market peptide drugs, such as somatostatin, octreotide, lanreotide, setmelanotide, daptomycin and semaglutide, as well as the bioactive glycopeptide hAdn-WM6877, showcasing the applicability of this method to the diversity-oriented modification of peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. Professor Li’s team found that the bioactivity and serum stability of modified melittin analogs were improved, which demonstrated the great potential of this method in drug development. Because Trp widely exists in RiPP natural products like darobactin and chloropeptin I, and drug leads screened from phage display and mRNA display, this method will also be usable to the natural product late-stage diversification for making molecular libraries and functional probes. The team also believed this single-step clickable late-stage Trp modification method would provide a robust platform for generating structural analogues in cost-efficient manner, satisfying the demand for optimising drug activities and pharmacokinetic properties, and will become a precious tool for medicinal chemists, peptide chemists, and chemical biologists. Caption: (a) Tryptophan residues in peptide drugs; (b) Late-stage tryptophan-selective S-diversification of native peptides developed in this research project.  About the research team This research was accomplished independently by Xuechen Li’s team in the Department of Chemistry (Faculty of Science, HKU). Postdoctoral fellow Dr Yisa XIAO from Professor Li’s group at HKU Chemistry is the first author of this paper. Other researchers include Dr Han LIU, Ms Haiyan ZHOU and Dr Pengfei SHI from HKU, as well as Dr Xueqian ZHAO of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who also contributed greatly to this research project. This work was supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (17312022, 17306521, AoE/P-705/16, T11-104/22-R), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22177097) and the Laboratory for Synthetic Chemistry and Chemical Biology under the Health@InnoHK Program by the Innovation and Technology Commission. Professor Xuechen Li is the recipient of the Research Grants Council-Senior Research Fellow Scheme (SPFS2324-7S01). Click here to learn more about Professor Xuechen Li’s research group. About the research paper: Journal title: “Xiao, Y., Zhou, H., Shi, P., Zhao, X., Liu, H., and Li, X.* Clickable tryptophan modification for late-stage diversification of native peptides. Science Advances 2024”.  The journal paper can be accessed from here.     

NEWS DETAIL

How Soybeans Defy Conventional Nitrogen Uptake

In general, plants obtain the nutrients they need for growth and development from the soil through their root systems. One of the most important nutrients is nitrogen, which is essential for key plant functions like photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and DNA/RNA production. Most plants rely on the nitrogen naturally present in soil or added through fertilisers. In nature, a unique group of plants, including soybeans, have evolved a special relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots. These bacteria are able to convert nitrogen gas from the air into a usable form that the plant can absorb through its roots. The bacteria live in specialised structures called root nodules that form on the soybean plant's root system. Inside these root nodules, the nitrogen-fixing process requires a lot of energy. To support their bacterial partners, a research team led by Professor Boon Leong LIM of HKU School of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong found that soybean plants have developed an ingenious adaptation - their root cells modify their mitochondria, the "powerhouses" of the cells, to boost energy production. By increasing mitochondrial activity in the root nodules, the soybean plant is able to provide the considerable energy needed to fuel nitrogen fixation. This gives the soybean plant access to an abundant nitrogen supply, which is crucial for its growth and development. It's a remarkable symbiotic relationship, where the plant provides carbon and energy sources for the bacteria, while the bacteria supply the plant with nitrogen nutrients. And it all happens underground, in those unassuming soybean root nodules. Click here to learn more about the research.   

NEWS DETAIL

Discovery of Rare Fiddler Crab Species Along Hong Kong Coast Highlights Impact of Climate Change and Coastal Development

Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) and the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with National Chung Hsing University, have made an exciting discovery on the Hong Kong coast. They have identified two fiddler crab species: Tubuca dussumieri, previously recorded in old literature but never confirmed in recent times, and Tubuca. coarctata, which has never been seen in Hong Kong. These findings, published in the scientific journal Zootaxa, not only confirm the presence of these insular species in Hong Kong but also explore the potential impact of climate change on their distribution. T. dussumieri is a very rare species in China. In this study, Dr Pedro JIMENEZ and Professor Moriaki YASUHARA from SBS and SWIMS, along with their colleagues, confirmed the presence of this species, making this the only verified record in Hong Kong. On the other hand, T. coarctata was recorded for the first time not only in the city but also in continental Asia. The researchers propose that these warm-water species, typically found in the Pacific islands, such as the Philippines, Taiwan, and the Ryukyus Islands in Japan, may have reached the Chinese coasts due to rising sea temperatures. In these island areas, a powerful ocean current known as the Kuroshio current flows northeastward, bringing warmer tropical waters and creating significantly warmer conditions compared to the cooler coastal waters of China. As sea temperatures have risen, these warm-water species may now be able to expand their range and colonise the shores of China, where the waters have also become warmer over time. Dorsal view of a male Tubuca coarctata. Photo by Pedro J. Jimenez.   Content here, content here... Posterior view of a female Tubuca dussumieri. Photo by Pedro J. Jimenez.   Female Tubuca dussumieri sitting on Pedro’s hand. Photo by Jiamian Hu. Male Tubuca dussumieri on a sand flat. Photo by Pedro J. Jimenez.   Anterior view of a female Tubuca dussumieri.     They suggest that as global temperatures continue to rise, the larvae of T. dussumieri and T. coarctata are more likely to reach Chinese coasts. This could lead to possible new introductions or reintroductions of these species. ‘The two species are insular because the comparatively warm waters brought by the Kuroshio currents to the east of the Philippines and south of Taiwan are favourable for their larvae survival. With the warming of the Chinese coastal waters, larvae of these species can survive and be transported from Taiwan and the Philippines into coastal China,’ said the lead author, Dr Pedro Jimenez. The researchers also highlight the importance of environmental conservation for these species in China. Hong Kong's wetlands have experienced rapid coastal degradation due to land reclamation and infrastructure developments, posing a threat to local fiddler crab populations. Protecting these coastal area is crucial for the survival of these newfound species. About the research paper: Confirming the occurrence of two fiddler crabs, Tubuca dussumieri (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) and T. coarctata (H. Milne Edwards, 1852) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Ocypodidae), in Hong Kong by DNA barcoding and morphology. PEDRO JULIÃO JIMENEZ, KAI CHANG, HSI-TE SHIH, MORIAKI YASUHARA. The journal paper can be accessed from here.   

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Chemists Develop a Chameleon-like Molecular Chain with Dual Ion Binding Capability

Everyday objects such as metal chains, handcuffs, and key rings are examples that demonstrate a unique combination of properties where hard, rigid rings are interlocked together to exhibit flexibility and strength as a whole, and as such enabling them to perfect their intended functions (Figure 1). Figure 1. (a) A flexible metal chain composed of rigid iron rings; (b) a pair of handcuffs and (c) a key ring. At the molecular level, molecules composed of interlocked, nano-sized rings are known as catenanes, which are promising candidates for developing molecular switches and machines. Yet, due to their challenging synthesis, applications of catenanes in other areas are largely unexplored. Recently, a research team led by Professor Ho Yu AU-YEUNG from the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has synthesised a catenane composed of two freely-rotating rigid macrocycles and showed that the catenane can bind strongly and selectively to either copper(I) cation or sulfate anion despite their opposite charge and different geometry. The ability to detect and differentiate these specific ions has important implications for applications in areas like environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. As same charges repel and opposite charges attract each other, a binding site that attracts a positively charged cation will normally experience a repulsive interaction with the negatively charged anion and vice versa, which made designing a host that is suitable for both cation and anion very challenging. To overcome this challenge, the team installed both cation and anion binding sites on each of the interlocked rings, and by virtue of the rotatory motions of the catenane, the host can efficiently adjust the relative position of the binding sites and freely adapt a specific form favourable for the spherical copper(I) cation or the tetrahedral sulfate anion, resembling a chameleon that can change its appearance to fit in specific environments (Figure 2). This work has recently been published in the leading scientific journal Nature Communications. Figure 2. The “180°-turn” of the interlocked macrocycles allows the catenane host to switch binding modes to accommodate copper(I) or sulfate ion guests selectively. Image adapted from Nature Communications.   Apart from their industrial and environmental significance, both copper(I) and sulfate ion are essential for proper cell growth and organism development. The strong and selective binding to these ions by the catenane host could hence be exploited for the extraction and recycling of these ions from environmental samples. Also, just as the measurement of sodium ions, chloride and other electrolytes in blood samples can be a routine test for blood pressure monitoring and general health, new technologies for selective recognition and binding of ions and minerals will be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. ‘This work highlights catenane as an efficient candidate for potent molecular receptors with versatile structures, switchable properties and guest binding behaviours.’ stated Professor Au-Yeung. In terms of future plans, Professor Au-Yeung and his group are developing more sophisticated catenane hosts for the simultaneous binding of multiple cations, anions and ion pairs. About the Research Paper Journal title: ‘Dynamic mechanostereochemical switching of a co-conformationally flexible [2]catenane controlled by specific ionic guests’ (Nature Communications, 2024). The journal paper can be accessed from here.  Mr Yueliang YAO from Professor Au-Yeung’s group at HKU Chemistry is the first author of this paper. Other researchers affiliated with HKU, including Dr Yuen Cheong TSE, Dr Samuel Kin-Man LAI, Dr Yixiang SHI, Dr Kam-Hung LOW also contribute greatly to this work. This work is supported by the CAS-Croucher Funding Scheme for Joint Laboratories, the Collaborative Research Fund and General Research Fund from the Research Grants Councils of Hong Kong. About Professor Ho Yu AU-YEUNG Professor Ho Yu AU-YEUNG is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at HKU. He graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and obtained his PhD degree from the University of Cambridge. He has received the Croucher Innovation Award (2016), the Graeme Hanson Early Career Researcher Award (2016), Thieme Chemistry journals Award (2016), Asian Core Program Lectureship Award (Taiwan, 2018), and the HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award (2020), and was a member of the inaugural Early Career Advisory Board of Chemical Review (2020-2021). Since 2020, he serves as a committee member of the Committee of Young Chemists of the Chinese Chemical Society. His research group focuses on the chemistry of mechanically interlocked molecules, including the synthesis of high-order [n]catenanes, the isomerism, dynamics of mechanically interlocked molecules, as well as their applications in coordination chemistry, host–guest recognition, catalysis and materials. The group’s research outputs have been published in leading scientific journals, including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Angewandte Chemie, Chemical Science, etc. More information about Professor Ho Yu Au-Yeung’s research group can be found here.

NEWS DETAIL

Evolutionary History of Groundwater System in the Pearl River Delta and its Adjacent Shelf Revealed by the Paleo-Hydrogeological Model

Why onshore saline groundwater and shelf freshened groundwater coexist in the same aquifers? Final-year PhD student Chong Sheng, working in the Hydrogeology Research team led by Prof. Jiu Jimmy Jiao of the Department of Earth Sciences, utilised the paleo-hydrogeological model combined with palaeoceanographic evidence to reveal this counter-intuitive phenomenon. This work was published in Science Advances in May 2024, under the title “Evolution of groundwater system in the Pearl River Delta and its adjacent shelf since the late Pleistocene”. In their previous work published in  Nature Communications, they found a previously unknown offshore freshened groundwater body with a static volume up to 575.6 ± 44.9 km3 in the Pearl River Estuary and its adjacent continental shelf. The low-salinity (< 5 g/L) groundwater extends as far as 180 km offshore. By analysing the water quality index of such offshore freshened groundwater, they argue that such freshened groundwater has a great potential as a future source of potable or industrial water. However, by comparing the distribution of groundwater salinity in the terrestrial and continental shelf areas, they recently discovered that the onshore saline groundwater and offshore freshened groundwater coexist within the same aquifers in this river-deltaic system. This counter-intuitive phenomenon challenges the commonly held assumption that onshore groundwater is typically fresh while offshore groundwater is saline. Yet, the mechanism behind this phenomenon has not been much addressed in the literature. To address this knowledge gap, this research group utilised the Pearl River Delta and its adjacent continental shelf in the northern margin of the South China Sea as a case study. They conducted a series of paleo-hydrogeologic model simulations considering sea-level change, sedimentation processes, and precipitation variation in the past 50 ka to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the groundwater system. The simulation results were further calibrated against present-day porewater geochemistry data and stable isotopes. Their finds indicate that the offshore freshened groundwater was formed during sea-level lowstands since the late Pleistocene, while the onshore saline groundwater was generated by paleo-seawater intrusion during the Holocene transgression and that the intrusion disconnected the onshore freshwater and offshore freshened groundwater bodies near the coastlines. The response of the groundwater system to the palaeoclimatic changes was delayed by approximately 7-8 ka, thus the palaeoclimatic forcings still have a dominant influence on the present-day distribution of the groundwater salinity. These insights will enhance our understanding of the coastal groundwater system's evolution over geological timescales and inform groundwater management practices. Figure Regional setting of the Pearl River Delta and its adjacent shelf in the northern margin of South China Sea (a), and the counter-intuitive groundwater salinity distribution in this region (b-c).    

NEWS DETAIL

BSc student helps HKU Team Win Championship at HKGCC Business Case Competition 2024

  We are proud to announce that Megan ANGELES (second from the left), a BSc student majoring in Risk Management, played a crucial role as the Risk Control Analyst on the team ChroCare that won the Champions title in the HKGCC Business Case Competition 2024, Chevalier Group's track, organised by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC). Megan, along with her teammates from the HKU Business School, demonstrated exceptional diligence, excellence, and resilience throughout the two-month competition. Their winning project showcased advanced customer sentiment analysis, financial modelling, market forecasting, and risk assessment, reflecting the comprehensive skills they have developed during their undergraduate studies. This victory not only highlights the impressive talent of HKU students but also reinforces our faculty's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world problem-solving.

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Inaugurates New Cornerstone Science Laboratory 2023

The Unveiling Ceremony for the New Cornerstone Science Laboratory and Briefing Session was held at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on June 21. Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)(second from the left); Professor Wang Yao, New Cornerstone Investigator and Chair Professor of Department of Physics(first from the left); Ms Wurong Wang, Vice President and Secretary-General of the New Cornerstone Science Foundation( second from the right); and Dr Yong Wang, Head of Operations in the Area of Physics for New Cornerstone Science Foundation (first from the right), jointly unveiled the laboratory. Professor Wang Yao was among the 46 scientists selected for the 2023 New Cornerstone Investigator Programme, with three recipients from Hong Kong. His research focuses on two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures. Collaborating with his team, he pioneered concepts in valleytronics in 2D materials and their moiré superlattices, advancing the field of valley optoelectronics and introducing the concept of moiré excitons in twisted two-dimensional semiconductors. The New Cornerstone Science Laboratory (“the Laboratory”) was set up by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation (“the Foundation”). It serves as the platform supported by the Foundation for research work and academic exchange. The New Cornerstone Investigator Programme (“the Programme”) is a non-profit and independent funding initiative that takes a forward-thinking approach to encouraging basic research spearheaded by leading scientists. The programme focuses on two areas: Mathematics and Physical Sciences and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.  Interdisciplinary research between these two areas is highly encouraged. Professor Max Shen congratulated Professor Wang Yao on his selection as a New Cornerstone Investigator. He highlighted HKU's 113-year history as a world-renowned university with comprehensive disciplines, disciplinary advantages, and a long-term commitment to basic research and innovation. He also noted HKU's role as the most internationalised university in terms of teaching staff in China. Following the unveiling ceremony, a briefing session was held, during which Tencent presented the New Cornerstone Investigator Programme and the Xplorer Prize's project positioning, application requirements, and past awardees.  

NEWS DETAIL

How the Indo-Australian Archipelago became a biodiversity hotspot

The Coral Triangle, also known as the Indo-Australian Archipelago, is renowned for having the greatest marine biodiversity on our planet. Despite its importance, the detailed evolutionary history of this biodiversity hotspot has remained largely a mystery. An international research team has now shed light on this history, reconstructing how biodiversity in the region has developed over the past 40 million years. This study, co-led by Dr Skye Yunshu TIAN from the University of Bonn, who conducted the major part of the research at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), along with Professor Moriaki YASUHARA from HKU School of Biological Sciences, the Swire Institute of Marine Science (SWIMS) and Institute for Climate and Carbon Neutrality (ICCN), as well as Dr Fabien L. CONDAMINE of Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), has now been published in the journal Nature. Stunning coral formations captured in the waters of the Coral Triangle, Sabah, Malaysia. Photo credit: David M. Baker. The researchers began their investigation by examining sediment samples from the Indo-Australian Archipelago in the laboratory and identifying the fossils they contained. ‘We wanted to understand how the marine biodiversity of the Indo-Australian Archipelago evolved and persisted, and what factors were responsible for the disproportionately high diversity in the tropics.’ said first author Skye Tian. Their findings revealed that the archipelago had shown an increase in diversification since the early Miocene, around 20 million years ago. Approximately 2.6 million years ago, the number of species approached a plateau. Interestingly, there were no major extinction events during the entire study period. ‘The increase in diversity was primarily driven by the habitat factor, as tectonic collisions (movements of Earth’s plates) in Southeast Asia created extensive areas of shallow marine habitats,’ Skye notes. Around 14 million years ago, the region’s thermal stress, or excessive heat, began to moderate. ‘This moderation was crucial for the development of the hotspot,’ Skye continued. ‘During the Eocene (56 to 34 million years ago), excessively high tropical temperatures in warm climate zones hindered the increase in diversity. The cooling after that allowed for a more favourable environment for biodiversity to flourish.’  However, this rich biodiversity could be at risk, ‘Our palaeobiological results suggest that we could quickly lose the fantastic diversity of the tropical hotspot if the ongoing anthropogenic warming intensifies.’ Professor Moriaki Yasuhara further elaborated, ‘This reconstruction of the long-term history of the Coral Triangle diversity hotspot enables us to better understand how diversity hotspot moved from “Tethys (ancient Mediterranian region) ”  region to the present place of the Coral Triangle and developed there. These are what we didn't know too clearly before. And also our results tells us why Coral Triangle diversity is much higher than that of the Caribbean Sea, that is probably because the Coral Triangle didn't experience large extinction event by luck.’ About the Journal Paper: Skye Yunshu Tian, Moriaki Yasuhara, Fabien L. Condamine, Huai-Hsuan M. Huang, Allan Gil S. Fernando, Yolanda M. Aguilar, Hita Pandita, Toshiaki Irizuki, Hokuto Iwatani, Caren P. Shin, Willem Renema & Tomoki Kase: Cenozoic history of the tropical marine biodiversity hotspot, Nature.  Click here to access the Journal Paper.  

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Chemists Develop a Concise Approach to Access L-Cyclodextrins, Setting the Stage to Explore the Mirror-Image World of the Century-Old Naturally Occurring Cyclodextrins

Cyclodextrins (CDs), a class of cyclic oligosaccharides that were “born” in 1891, have opened up endless research and commercial opportunities in numerous fields that span carbohydrate, supramolecular (host-guest) and analytical chemistry all the way from research laboratories in academia to the mass production of products—e.g., skin care enablers to drug delivery systems—in industry. Although they have been known for over 130 years, the most accessible cyclic homologues are α-, β-, and γ-CDs, which contain six, seven, and eight D-glucopyranosyl units, respectively. The odyssey of naturally occurring CDs suggests that despite the number of CDs is rather limited, their reach has been limitless.   For a long time, scientists (chemists, biologists, medical scientists, etc) have been exploring novel methods to synthesise—both chemically and enzymatically—CD homologues. These efforts include the syntheses of unusual smaller analogues with only 3, 4, and 5 D-glucose units and the making of rare larger CDs with 9 to 12 D-glucose units. All the currently available CDs are composed solely of D-glucopyranosyl units as the monomers, while the syntheses of mirror-image CDs have remained an untouched goal of the CD community, limiting the realisation of their full potential, such as in the development of new supramolecular sensors and catalysts, chiral materials, as well as innovative drug delivery systems and active pharmaceutical ingredients.   In order to fulfil this fundamental research niche, a collaborative research team led by Professor Sir Fraser STODDART in the Department of Chemistry of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Professor Daniel ARMSTRONG in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of The University of Texas at Arlington, recently developed a concise approach to link L-glucopyranosyl monosaccharides together in a highly diastereoselective and scalable manner, resulting in the production of circa half-gram quantities of α-, β-, and γ-L-CDs. The availability of L-CDs for the first time—ever since the serendipitous discovery of their natural counterparts back in 1891—has enabled the elucidation of an unprecedented chiral self-sorting of a racemic modification of β-CDs in the solid state and an investigation of the chiral recognition of enantiomeric guests by α-L-CD in water. The research work was recently published and featured on the Cover in a leading scientific journal – Nature Synthesis. A corresponding News & Views Article written by Professor Sophie BEEREN, a cyclodextrin expert working at Technical University of Denmark, was also published in the same Journal (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44160-024-00512-w).   Innovative design The team designed and synthesised two monosaccharide building blocks, both of which bear benzoyl groups as the source of protection of the primary hydroxyl groups, designated to direct the diastereoselective formation of 1,2-cis L-glucopyranosyl linkages through remote anchimeric assistance. In order to simplify the assembly process of linear oligosaccharides, monosaccharide and disaccharide building blocks were allowed to react sequentially in a one-pot manner, resulting in the rapid construction of linear hexa-, hepta-, and octasaccharides involving only minimal intermediate isolation and protecting group manipulation. The team carried out extensive optimisation of conditions for the intramolecular glycosylations (cyclisations) which ended up with the high-yielding formation of fully protected α-, β-, and γ-L-CDs. Final global deprotection produced the three L-CDs in up to eight steps from simple and readily available monosaccharide building blocks.   ‘This piece of research, which showcases how synthetic carbohydrate chemistry can enrich the toolbox currently available for the CD community, constitutes a major milestone in the long history of CDs,’ commented Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart, ‘One fundamental question to be answered is that how the unnatural stereochemistry of L-CDs would affect those biomedically directed applications in which CDs are used as excipients in drug formulation and as active pharmaceutical ingredients?’ The team envisions that L-CDs should be more biologically stable than their natural counterparts on account of the fact that naturally occurring enzymes will not be able to recognise L-CDs. Currently, the team is collaborating with biomedical scientists to evaluate systematically the biological effects of L-CDs using different cell lines and animal models as well as to explore potential applications in biological and biomedical research.   About the research team This research is a collaboration between Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart’s team in the Department of Chemistry (Faculty of Science, HKU) and Professor Daniel Armstrong’s team in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (University of Texas at Arlington, United States). Research Assistant Professor Dr Yong WU from Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart’s team, who carried out the synthetic feat, is the first author of the research. Other HKU affiliated researchers, including Drs Han HAN, Chun TANG, Guangcheng WU, Huang WU, Ruihua ZHANG and Professor Aspen X.-Y. CHEN made contributions to this research project.   About the research paper: “Wu, Y., Aslani, S., Han, H., Tang, C., Wu, G., Li, X., Wu, H., Stern, C.L., Guo, Q.-H., Qiu, Y., Chen, A.X.-Y., Jiao, Y., Zhang, R., David, A.H.G., Armstrong, D.W., and Stoddart, J.F.* Mirror-image cyclodextrins. Nature Synthesis 2024, 3, 698−706.” The journal paper can be accessed from here.   

NEWS DETAIL

HKU and ILOA Signed MoU to Partner on the ILO-C Chang’E-7 Moon Lander Mission Launching 2026

The Laboratory for Space Research at The University of Hong Kong (HKU-LSR) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the International Lunar Observatory Association Hawai’i (ILOA) on May 16 2024, establishing an equal partnership to participate in one of the ILOA-led Chang’e 7 lunar missions - a small, wide-field optical telescope named ILO-C. The HKU-LSR telescope design has been formally chosen, and work has begun in earnest. ILO-C will be installed on the approved Chang’E-7 lunar lander in 2026. A formal MoU signing for broader future cooperation for lunar exploration and education took place in Beijing on June 14. The Founding Director of the mission lead organisation, Steve Durst of ILOA Hawai’i, signed with the Director of the HKU-LSR, Professor Quentin PARKER. Group leader of Sky Survey from the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) Suijian XUE and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) have also joined this MoU under observer status with the intention for its collaboration on the project to expand in the future. The ILOA-HKU partners intend to produce the best possible cost-effective, small wide-field telescope camera for Chang’E-7. This will be in terms of functionality and scientific capability for Milky Way and Galaxy centre imaging from the Moon and for science and education. Steve Durst of ILOA stated, ‘The ILO-C payload aboard China's Chang’E-7 lander seeks to advance Galaxy imaging, 21st Century Astronomy/ Science from the Moon and precursor proof-of-concept development for the ILO-1 flagship mission to Malapert Summit. ILOA, in cooperation with long-time partner NAOC and new collaborator HKU, sees ILO-C as a historic first and advance for the America-China-International Moon cooperation. Also notable, the projected 2026 Chang'E-7 landing area Shackleton Rim is a leading site consideration for the USA Artemis 3 mission attempt to land the first woman and others on the Moon, as early as 2026.’ Professor Suijian Xue from NAOC said, ‘I am very pleased with the collaborative efforts from HKU-LSR in developing and operating the ILO-C instrument aboard the Chang’E-7 Moon Lander. I greatly appreciate the LSR team's professional diligence and the innovative design solution for the camera, which serves both Galaxy / Astronomy Imaging and 21st Century Science and Education. This collaboration will significantly strengthen the long-term partnership between NAOC, ILOA and now HKU.’ Professor Quentin Parker also said, ‘Thanks to an exceptional combined leadership, design and engineering team across the two organisations, and with a true spirit of international collaboration, HKU and the LSR are very proud to be equal partners in this lunar mission for science and education with ILOA. We are particularly honoured that our wide-field optical design has been chosen for the ILO-C camera on the Chang’E-7 lunar lander.’ Finally, Professor Max SHEN, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU, expressed his excitement about this collaboration, ‘The Laboratory for Space Research at HKU has once again distinguished itself on the global stage through its selection as an equal partner in the ILO-C Chang'e 7 moon mission. This opportunity is a testament to the calibre of our University's unwavering dedication to international collaboration in pursuing lunar exploration and discovery. We are honoured to work alongside our esteemed counterparts, and I have every confidence that this synergistic partnership will yield significant scientific outcomes that will inspire generations to come.’ Detailed renderings of ILO-C wide-field Chang’e 7 lunar lander camera. Click here to learn more about LSR. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Science Academics Achieve Top Accolades in 2024 Best Scientists Rankings

HKU Science distinguished scholars have been named by the international academic website Research.com among the top 100 best scientists globally in their respective disciplines in 2024.  Notably, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang ZHANG in physics and Professor Guochun ZHAO in Earth Science have been recognised as the highest-ranked in Asia within their fields out of a total of 26 disciplines. This further cements HKU's reputation for academic excellence on the global stage. Impressively, the remaining HKU professors were also ranked as the highest-achieving scholars in China across their respective 26 research areas. Additionally, Professor Juha MERILÄ from the School of Biological Sciences was ranked 3rd in China under the Ecology and Evolution category. The rankings are determined by a scientist's D-index (Discipline H-index), which solely considers publication and citation data within a specific discipline. This recognition highlights the significant contributions of these professors to their fields and the substantial impact their work has had on society. It also demonstrates HKU's dedication to research excellence and innovation, inspiring the University to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making a lasting, positive impact on the world. Chemistry Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart (21st globally, 2nd in China) Chair Professor, the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Professor Chi-Ming CHE (71st globally, 5th in China) Zhou Guangzhao Professor in Natural Sciences and Chair Professor, the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Earth Science Guochun ZHAO (8th globally, 1st in Asia) Chair Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science Professor Min SUN (20th globally, 4th in China) Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science   Ecology and Evolution Professor Juha MERILÄ (238th globally, 3rd in China) Chair Professor in Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences   Environmental Sciences Professor Peng GONG (76th globally, 3rd in China) Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Chair Professor of Global Sustainability Material Science Professor Hongjie Dai (11th globally, 2nd in China) Chair Professor, the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science   Physics Professor Xiang ZHANG (82nd globally, 1st in Asia) President and Vice-Chancellor; Chair of Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science  

NEWS DETAIL

Global Study Reveals Patterns in Arthropod Biodiversity Using Advanced DNA Methods

A study published in Communications Biology has illuminated global patterns of arthropod biodiversity using advanced DNA-based methods. This ambitious research was part of The Global Malaise Trap Programme (GMTP), a multinational initiative led by the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics at the University of Guelph in Canada, with Professor Mathew Seymour of HKU School of Biological Sciences as the lead author. This collaborative effort involved 73 co-authors from around the world. A Global Effort to Understand Biodiversity Understanding biodiversity dynamics is crucial for many aspects of society, from managing ecosystems and ensuring food security to planning conservation strategies and advancing medical research. While scientists have long known that biodiversity tends to be richer near the equator (a phenomenon known as the latitudinal diversity gradient), the exact mechanisms behind these patterns have remained elusive. Previous studies on global biodiversity often relied on combining multiple datasets with varying methodologies or overlooked temporal changes. In contrast, the GMTP adopted highly standardised data collection and processing methodologies, resulting in a highly reliable and comprehensive dataset of terrestrial arthropods. Researchers involved in the GMTP analysed data from 129 sampling sites across 28 countries. Over several weeks of sampling and molecular processing, they collected an astonishing 1.2 million DNA barcode records of arthropods, providing an unprecedented opportunity to explore biodiversity on a global scale.   The global sampling locations for the study.  Unveiling Patterns with Standardised Methods Using a sophisticated beta-diversity partitioning framework, the researchers analysed how arthropod communities differed across time and space. Their findings confirmed that arthropod biodiversity decreases with increasing latitude. However, the study also revealed interesting regional deviations, suggesting that local factors such as geology, climate, and ecological conditions play crucial roles in shaping biodiversity. Professor Mathew Seymour expressed excitement about uncovering key biogeographic insights from such a rich dataset. He emphasised the importance of understanding fine-scale biodiversity patterns to grasp the processes shaping large-scale, global, biodiversity. Furthermore the study highlights the unmistakable value of standardised molecular methods to enable large scale ecological and biological research efforts, which can enable consistent and efficient assessments and data transference across private and government sectors. The biodiversity (top panel: relative abundance, middle panel: log abundance) of the major arthropod orders in the study and the sampling effort undertaken for the study (bottom panel). Implications for Conservation and Beyond The insights gained from this study are not just academic—they have practical implications for many fields, including conservation planning, invasive species control and mitigation, sustainable agriculture, landuse management, maintaining ecosystem services. By understanding how and why biodiversity varies across the globe, we can make better decisions to protect and manage our natural resources. Moreover, the study underscores the value of global collaborative efforts and the power of molecular barcoding in biodiversity research. By standardising large-scale sampling methods, researchers can continue to expand our understanding of global biodiversity patterns. Looking Ahead While this study has provided valuable insights, the researchers acknowledge that more work is needed. Additional sampling and further investigation of historically under sampled areas, particularly in the global south, will help refine our understanding of the processes influencing biodiversity patterns. In conclusion, this pioneering study enhances our knowledge of global biodiversity and underscores the importance of regional factors and the potential of molecular tools in ecological research. The collaborative nature of this effort sets a precedent for future large-scale studies aimed at unravelling the complexities of life on Earth. The heat map figure. It shows the spatiotemporal dynamics of the statistical analyses broken down across species replacement and richness difference (indicated in the subplot legend), with regards to distance (top 4 rows) and time (bottom 4 rows).   The journal paper can be accessed here. Learn more about Environmental DNA and Environmental Ecology Lab.           

NEWS DETAIL

Mars' Methane Mystery: Earth's Qaidam Basin Offers Clues!

Earth is a habitable planet with a rich history of life evolving over approximately 4000 million years. The Earth's atmosphere contains around 1.8 parts per million of methane, with 71% originating from biogenic origin. Methane is therefore considered to be the first sign of life on a planet. Since the first discovery of atmospheric methane on Mars in 2004, it has garnered significant attention as a potential sign of life on Mars. However, due to its extremely low concentration and strong fluctuation levels, its source and route into the Martian atmosphere are still unclear. More than 400 articles have been published on the subject since 2004, including 19 in Nature and 18 in Science, but there is still no indication of its origin. Recognising its great importance in understanding the origin of life on Mars, both European Space Agency (ESA) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have prioritised research into the Martian methane in their recent Mars exploration missions. Specifically, ESA has launched ExoMars, a satellite orbiting Mars to monitor atmospheric methane on Mars. ESA’s recent exploration of methane on Mars. (Credit ESA). In recent years, Professor Yiliang Li’s research group at the Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been exploring the Qaidam Basin on the Tibetan Plateau, as their research over the past decade has shown that the basin is one of the best analogs to Mars. Surprisingly, they discovered gypsum,  a mineral  found abundantly in the evaporation basins on both Earth and Mars, trapping methane gas bubbles in the crystals. Using various research tools, including spectroscopy and stable isotope compositions, they demonstrated that methane gas escapes from deep basins due to the internal pressure created by the tectonic movements of the salt. This finding suggests that Mars' atmospheric methane may have a similar geological origin involving minerals, evaporative basins, and hyper-arid climates. The parallels between Earth’s Qaidam Basin and Mars offer intriguing insights into the potential origins of Martian methane, furthering our quest to understand the Red Planet's past and potential for life. NASA’s current view of the potential origin of the atmospheric methane on Mars. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, SAM/GSFC) The journal paper can be accessed here. 

NEWS DETAIL

Sharpening a Solarceramic Stone to turn water into fuel

The Sorcerer’s Stone in Harry Potter can “create the elixir of life or turn metal into gold”. Similarly, a special “Solarceramic Stone”, scientifically known as a Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) nanosheet, can turn “the elixir of life”, aka water, into hydrogen fuel using sun light. This process becomes over two hundred times efficient if the material is “sharpened” or harnessed into an “H-shaped” structure - with the middle layer partially etched away.  This isn’t magic or “Harry Potter”! In fact, it is a solar-energy-driven “photocatalytic” process, whereby solar light shines onto a semiconductive material to energise its low-lying electrons (in the valence band) to a high-energy level (into the conduction band). Such high-energy electrons can then be used to catalyse other substances, such as water to produce hydrogen. However, the efficiency of the process is practically constrained because those solar-generated electrons are too slow to migrate to the active catalytic site, but too quick to bounce back to their initial positions - without doing anything useful. The challenge is to rapidly draw the electrons to the active sites to catalyse useful reactions. In a recent publication in Nature Communications, Professor Zhengxiao GUO’s group and collaborators have discovered that a BTO nanosheet can be preferentially etched to form a spatially differentiated “H” shaped structure, with the middle-layer etched partially to create a homojunction between the ultrathin edge region and the unetched central core. This homojunction helps facilitate the transfer of electrons between the edge region and the core region more efficiently. In so doing, the researchers discovered that this “all-edge sharpened” structure overcomes the limitation of electron transfer across different crystal boundaries, so that the solar-excited electrons can be preferentially transferred and accumulated over the surface of the edge region to enhance the overall water splitting for hydrogen generation. Complementary experimental characterisations and electronic structural simulations have clearly identified the redistribution of charges to confirm the above effect.The resulting spatially-differentiated “H-shaped” photocatalyst works effectively for overall water splitting without the use of any sacrificial agent. It produces 40.3 μmol h-1 of hydrogen and 20.1 μmol h-1  of oxygen at a near stoichiometric ratio of 2:1,  with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 0.1%, which is over 210 times greater than the pristine BTO under simulated solar light. Further engineering of this “solarceramic stone” is under way to improve further the conversion efficiency for practical applications. Such an approach may also be applied to other layered semiconductive structures. The new report constitutes a part of an ongoing research portfolio in Professor Guo’s group for net-zero green fuels and chemicals.   Read the journal paper here. Click here to learn more about Professor Zhengxiao GUO's group. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU eDNA & eEcology lab Initiated the First International eDNA Workshop in Hong Kong Empowering Next-Generation eDNA Researchers

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a crucial tool for assessing biological diversity and its role in conservation biology environmental assessment, and ecosystem management. Whereas the use of eDNA has become widespread globally, it is still in its infancy in Hong Kong. To facilitate the development of eDNA research in Hong Kong and neighboring systems, the eDNA and eEcology Laboratory at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held the First International eDNA Workshop in Hong Kong in October 2023. This workshop, funded by the Croucher Foundation Limited (Hong Kong) and supported by the HKU School of Biological Sciences, provided new eDNA researchers with the opportunity to learn from international experts about designing, implementing, analyzing, and presenting eDNA-related research. To further help disseminate eDNA research capabilities, the researchers of the Lab summarized the workshop via a companion commentary, which was recently published in the journal Environmental DNA. Effective ecosystems management is increasingly important for human society and environmental stability. Many ecosystem services we utilize, including access to freshwater, waste management, food availability and security, and natural recreation, require active biological monitoring to ensure human-caused activities do not threaten or harm their capabilities. While many traditional surveillance and assessment methods have been established for routine ecosystem monitoring, they require a wide variety of equipment, specialization and expertise, and are often time-consuming and costly. In contrast, eDNA, which is genetic material collected from environmental samples (e.g. soil, water, air), offers a non-invasive approach to identify species through genetic information that has been left behind through biological processes, such as shedding of skin, defecation, or during reproduction. These eDNA biological surveys have also been shown repeatedly to provide greater biological information using standardized sampling and molecular methods that are faster and more cost- effective compared to traditional sampling methods. While eDNA-based approaches have become widespread in many countries, including Mainland China, the adoption of eDNA in Hong Kong has largely lagged. Professor Mathew SEYMOUR of HKU School of Biological Sciences established the eDNA & eEcology Lab to tackle this knowledge gap within the local research community. The development and implementation of the First International eDNA Workshop in Hong Kong enabled the Lab to share its existing knowledge with local and international researchers, promoting and stimulating eDNA research interest and facilitating a more rapid advancement of the field locally. (On the left)Key insights for effective sampling of eDNA were being provided by an expert, enhancing participants' understanding and skills in the field. (On the right) Participants attentively learn the techniques of eDNA sampling. The workshop, held in October 2023, was developed by members of the Lab, with support from a committee of local researchers interested in environmental research across the UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong. Instructors included several internally recognized eDNA researchers, including Dr Micaela Helstrom, Dr Mathieu Leray, Dr Vaco Elbrecht, Dr Isis Guibert and Dr Gert-Jan Jeunen. The primary objective of the workshop was to equip new researchers interested in incorporating eDNA into their research with the necessary tools and knowledge to do so. The workshop spanned two weeks and started with a series of lectures on the background and fundamentals of eDNA. Participants were then taken to field sites in Sai Kung, where they engaged in hands-on learning experience on how to sample and process eDNA samples in the field. In the subsequent days, participants had practical laboratory sessions where they gained first-hand experience in extracting DNA from eDNA samples and setting up high-throughput sequencing metabarcoding libraries to generate biological community data. The second week featured several guided tutorials on how to process high-throughput sequencing data, including bioinformatics training, taxonomic assignment and data analyses using R programming language. We also provided tutorials on figure generation and held discussions on ethical publication practices. Tutorials and scripts for interested individuals are provided via the published commentary as open-source data. (On the left)Participants learning eDNA laboratory dos and don’ts from expert. (In the middle)Participants preparing samples during day two of the lab tutorial. (On the right) During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to receive a comprehensive bioinformatics overview delivered by an expert in the field, providing valuable insights and knowledge. The workshop was a great success, attracting 30 participants from 8 countries. Most attendees consisted of early career academics, including PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and recently appointed assistant professors. Additionally, there were participants from non-profit organizations and industry users who were keen on incorporating eDNA into their business models. Participants were invited to provide feedback and share personal insights into the commentary, providing full details of their impressions and experiences of the workshop. With the resounding success of the First International eDNA Workshop in Hong Kong, we are committed to continuing to offer biannual eDNA workshops with support from the School of Biological Sciences and HKU. Forthcoming workshops will include updated molecular methods to align with the rapidly changing field of eDNA and provide additional opportunities to take part in ongoing eDNA research within the Lab at HKU. Above all, the workshop highlights the importance of promoting knowledge exchange and boosting collaborative efforts, aligning with HKU’s underlying philosophy of research and the promotion of Hong Kong as a prominent hub for research and innovation. Click here to learn more about the eDNA and eEcology Laboratory. For further details about the commentary, please visit here.    

NEWS DETAIL

Chemistry Research Projects Awarded Funding Under Innovation and Technology Commission's RAISe+ Scheme

Two research projects, led by renowned chemists Professors Chi-Ming CHE and Vivian Wing Wah YAM respectively, have recently secured funding through the Research, Academic, and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme (RAISe+) of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).    Launched in October 2023, this visionary scheme aims to unleash the untapped potential of local universities in research and development (R&D), facilitating the transformation and commercialisation of their outcomes. It also fosters collaboration among the government, industries, universities, and research sectors. The RAISe+ Scheme empowers universities to submit up to 15 applications per solicitation exercise. The HKU research projects that have earned this distinction encompass diverse industries and promise to leave a lasting impact on both local and global communities.    Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) of HKU was delighted with the funding results. He said: 'We are honoured to receive this recognition and support from the government's RAISe+ scheme. The funding will accelerate the progress of these projects, enabling HKU researchers to develop innovative solutions, strengthen industry partnerships, and ultimately bring research outcomes to market.'    The two HKU Science projects are: Innovative Molecular Emitters for Practical OLEDs and Wearable Devices PI: Professor Chi-Ming Che, Zhou Guangzhao Professor in Natural Sciences and Chair Professor of Chemistry   Professor Chi-Ming Che Zhou Guangzhao Professor in Natural Sciences and Chair Professor of Chemistry OLED displays have been applied in smartphones, televisions, smartwatches, and VR headsets. However, the OLED industry faces three major challenges: (i) to achieve high efficiency blue and near-infrared (NIR) OLEDs, (ii) to reduce the cost of OLED emitters, (iii) to develop wearable biomedical devices incorporating flexible OLED displays. The project primarily focuses on realising proprietary blue, green, red and NIR non-iridium OLED emitters based on phosphorescent platinum or metal-TADF (including gold, copper and palladium) complexes with high operationally stability and efficiency in OLED devices. This can reduce material costs and reliance on emitters based on the rare-earth metal iridium, thereby promoting the sustainable development of OLED technology. Establishing a patent portfolio of proprietary OLED emitters and devices with practical performance will enhance the competitiveness of the national OLED industry. Additionally, the research team is developing wearable display devices for phototherapeutic or biomedical applications, utilising our practically stable and efficient NIR-emitting or colour-tunable OLED devices.   In the RAISe+ program, the project team has established strong partnerships with national and global companies. The team consists of a group of scientists and engineers with industrial backgrounds, dedicated to optimising OLED emitters and device architectures to improve device efficiency and operational lifespan, paving the way for commercialisation.  Transformative Proprietary Gold(III) Luminescent Materials for Innovative Applications PI: Professor Vivian Yam, Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy and Chair Professor of Chemistry Professor Vivian Yam Philip Wong Wilson Wong Professor in Chemistry and Energy and Chair Professor of Chemistry Based on the Nation’s No. 1 world ranking in gold mine production, the project team will fully exploit the country's national resources on the much higher-abundance gold and the research team's competitive edge in original discovery of gold(III) luminescent materials for OLED applications. The project aims to unleash the full potentials of the research team's proprietary gold(III) luminescent materials and expand their applications into healthcare industry. The project has gathered under it a world-class interdisciplinary research team with complementary expertise in chemistry, materials science, photophysics, computation, organic optoelectronics/electronics, device physics and engineering, medicine and clinical science to address the grand challenges. Through the synergistic team efforts, the present project will generate a novel series of high-performance gold(III) luminescent materials of international originality and possessing Hong Kong-owned intellectual property rights not only for OLED applications, but also to develop handy, compact and affordable non-invasive healthcare devices. With the support of ITC and industrial partners, together with support from an aerospace industrial partner to conduct product trials at the Space Stations, the project team will contribute to finding innovative applications in the healthcare industry and making a contribution to the development of our National Space Science and Technology Mission. For more information about the RAISe+ scheme and the awarded HKU research projects, please visit: https://raise.tto.hku.hk/  

NEWS DETAIL

Cosmic Light Shows Decoded: HKU Space Scientists Unravel the Unified Framework for Diverse Aurorae Across Planets Unlocking Pathways for Better Space Weather Prediction

The awe-inspiring aurorae seen on Earth, known as the Northern and Southern Lights, have been a source of fascination for centuries. Between May 10th and 12th, 2024, the most powerful aurora event in 21 years reminded us of the stunning beauty of these celestial light shows. Recently, Space physicists from the Department of Earth Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), including Professor Binzheng ZHANG, Professor Zhonghua YAO and Dr Junjie CHEN, along with their international collaborators, have published a paper in Nature Astronomy that explores the fundamental laws governing the diverse aurorae observed across planets, such as Earth, Jupiter and Saturn. This work provides new insights into the interactions between planetary magnetic fields and solar wind, updating the textbook picture of giant planetary magnetospheres. Their findings can improve space weather forecasting, guide future planetary exploration, and inspire further comparative studies of magnetospheric environments.   Unravelling the diversity of planetary aurorae Earth, Saturn and Jupiter all generate their own dipole-like magnetic field, resulting in funnel-canopy-shaped magnetic geometry that leads the space’s energetic electrons to precipitate into polar regions and cause polar auroral emissions. On the other hand, the three planets differ in many aspects, including their magnetic strength, rotating speed, solar wind condition, moon activities, etc. It is unclear how these different conditions are related to the different auroral structures that have been observed on those planets for decades. Using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics calculations, which model the coupled dynamics of electrically conducting fluids and electromagnetic fields, the research team assessed the relative importance of these conditions in controlling the main auroral morphology of a planet. Combining solar wind conditions and planetary rotation, they defined a new parameter that controls the main auroral structure, which for the first time, nicely explains the different auroral structures observed at Earth, Saturn and Jupiter. Stellar winds’ interaction with planetary magnetic fields is a fundamental process in the universe. The research can be applied to grasp the space environments of Uranus, Neptune, and even exoplanets. ‘Our study has revealed the complex interplay between solar wind and planetary rotation, providing a deeper understanding of aurorae across different planets. These findings will not only enhance our knowledge of the aurorae in our solar system but also be potentially extend to the study of aurorae in exoplanetary systems,’ said Professor Binzheng Zhang, Principal Investigator and the first author of the project. ‘We have learnt that the aurorae at Earth and Jupiter are different since 1979, it is a big surprise that they can be explained by a unified framework,’ added Professor Denis GRODENT, Head of the STAR institute at the University of Liege and co-author of the project. By advancing our fundamental understanding of how planetary magnetic fields interact with the solar wind to drive auroral displays, this research has important practical applications for monitoring, predicting, and exploring the magnetic environments of the solar system. This study also represents a significant milestone in understanding auroral patterns across planets that deepened our knowledge of diverse planetary space environments, paving the way for future research into the mesmerising celestial light shows that continue to capture our imagination. The journal paper ‘A unified framework for global auroral morphologies of different planets’ can be accessed here. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Scientists Developed a Novel Approach to Interrogate Tissue-specific Protein-protein Interactions Paving Ways to Understand Organ Development and Disease Pathogenesis

Multicellular organisms, like animals and plants, have complex cells with diverse functions. This complexity arises from the need for cells to produce distinct proteins that interact with each other. This interaction is crucial for cells to carry out their specific tasks and to form complex molecular machinery. However, our current understanding of such protein-protein interactions often lacks cellular contexts because they were usually studied in an in vitro system or in cells isolated from their tissue environment. Effective methods to investigate protein-protein interactions in a tissue-specific manner are largely missing. To bridge this technology gap, a collaborative research team of The University of Hong Kong (HKU), led by Professor Xiang David LI from the Department of Chemistry and Professor Chaogu ZHENG from the School of Biological Sciences, both from the Faculty of Science, along with Dr Xiucong BAO from the School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, recently developed a novel chemical biology approach to label proteins from specific cells with a bifunctional amino acid probe that allows labelled proteins to be isolated and captures protein-protein interaction through photo-crosslinking. This new method, Methionine Analog-based Cell-Specific Proteomics and Interactomics (MACSPI), uses a chemical probe to label proteins in specific cells and capture their interactions. Using this approach, the team has identified many new tissue-specific proteins and protein interactions, helping us better understand how cells work in living organisms and study various biological problems, such as organ development and disease pathogenesis. The research work was recently published in a leading multidisciplinary journal – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Innovative design The team designed and synthesised an unnatural amino acid (photo-ANA) that is structurally similar to methionine, the naturally occurring amino acid, but with two additional components (see Figure 1). One component is an alkyne group, which can be used as a chemical handle for the labelled proteins to be extracted and purified. The other is a diazirine group, which can be activated by light to create stable covalent linkages between the labeled proteins and any molecules they interact with. Next, the team engineered an enzyme called MetRS to create a variant that can recognise and incorporate the unnatural amino acidinto proteins as they are being built. By controlling the expression of this engineered enzyme in specific tissues, only proteins from the tissue of interest are labelled by chemical probe. Moreover, with light-induced crosslinking, protein complexes from specific tissues can be captured and isolated. As a proof-of-concept, the team applied the MACSPI method to profile proteins from muscle cells and neurons, respectively, in a model organism called C. elegans and found many novel tissue-specific proteins. The team also demonstrated the method’s utility in capturing tissue-specific protein-protein interaction by identifying tissue-specific interactors of a ubiquitously expressed protein, such as the molecular chaperone called HSP90. It was found that HSP90 binds to distinct sets of proteins to regulate different biological processes in muscles and neurons. ‘This study is an excellent example of how innovative chemical labelling methods can help solve difficult biological problems,’ said Professor Xiang David Li. ‘Understanding protein-protein interaction at the cellular resolution is often critical to decipher the molecular mechanism of a pathological process. For example, we are currently exploring the functions of the neuronal HSP90 interactors we identified; some appear to be involved in neurodegeneration in a Parkinson’s disease model,’ said Professor Chaogu Zheng. The team envisions that the MACSPI method can be used in many multicellular organisms to profile proteomes and interactomes with spatial and temporal specificity, which can facilitate a broad spectrum of biological and biomedical research. About the research team This study is a collaboration among Professor Xiang David Li’s team at the Department of Chemistry (Faculty of Science), Professor Chaogu Zheng’s team at the School of Biological Sciences (Faculty of Science), and Dr Xiucong Bao’s team at the School of Biomedical Sciences (Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine), The University of Hong Kong. Postdoctoral research fellow Dr Siyue Huang from Professor Li’s team and research postgraduate student Ms Qiao Ran from Professor Zheng’s team are co-first authors of the study. This work was initially supported by seed funds from the Strategic Interdisciplinary Research Scheme at HKU and subsequently supported by grants from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council Collaborative Research Fund, the Areas of Excellence Scheme, and the General Research Fund, Food and Health Bureau, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. About the research paper: “Huang, S.#, Ran, Q.#, Li, X.-M., Bao, X.*, Zheng, C.*, and Li, X.D.* MACSPI Enables Tissue-Selective Proteomic and Interactomic Analysis in Multicellular Organisms. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2024 May 13” Click here to view the journal paper. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Ecologist Contributes to Pioneering Earth BioGenome Project Hong Kong

Professor Juan Diego GAITÁN-ESPITIA from the School of Biological Science has joined forces with researchers from all eight UGC-funded universities in the community to embark on the Earth BioGenome Project Hong Kong. This collaborative initiative addresses geographic and species gaps in the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), a global ‘moonshot for biology’ that aims to sequence, catalog, and characterise the genomes of the Earth’s non-microbial eukaryotic  biodiversity within a decade. Highlighting Hong Kong's exceptional status as a biodiversity hotspot, the project features thousands of species across various taxa, with a particular focus on the organisms of high concern and great interest to Hong Kong. The local community was invited to nominate animal, plant, and fungi species that captivated their attention. The initial batch of genomes selected for study has been published in a Hong Kong-based journal GigaByte. Among the featured species are the golden birdwing butterfly (Troides aeacus), the common chiton (Liolophura japonic), the long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum), the edible jelly fungus Dacryopinax spathularia, and the milky mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha). These species were chosen due to their significant scientific and conservation value in the Asia-Pacific region. The ongoing genome study of other emblematic and well-loved local species, such as the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), is still in progress. Thanks to the contributions of Professor Gaitán-Espitia and other dedicated academics, the Earth BioGenome Project Hong Kong not only enhances our understanding of Hong Kong's unique biodiversity but also provides valuable insights for global conservation efforts.   More about Earth BioGenome Project Hong Kong

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Theoretical Physicists Collaborate alongside CAS Experimentalists Uncovering Novel Quantum State known as “Dirac Spin Liquid”

A collaboration between theoretical physicists Dr Chengkang ZHOU and Professor Zi Yang MENG from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), along with experimentalists Zhenyuan ZENG and Professor Shiliang LI at the Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Professor Kenji NAKAJIMA from J-PARC Center, Japan, has led to a discovery in the realm of quantum physics. Their study, published in a recent issue of Nature Physics, sheds light on the long-anticipated emergence of quasiparticles, akin to the famous Dirac particles obeying the relativistic Dirac equation. These quasiparticles, known as Dirac spinons, were theorised to exist within a novel quantum state called a quantum spin liquid state.   Quasiparticles are intriguing entities that emerge from collective behaviour within materials, which can be treated like a group of particles. The Dirac spinons, specifically, are expected to exhibit unique characteristics similar to Dirac particles in high-energy physics and the Dirac electrons in graphene and quantum moire materials, such as a linear dispersion relation between energy and momentum. But such spin-½ charge neutral quasiparticles have not been seen in quantum magnets till this work.   “To find Dirac spinons in quantum magnets has been the dream of generations of condensed matter physicists; now that we have seen the evidence of them, one can start to think about the countless potential applications of such highly entangled quantum material. Who knows, maybe one day people will build quantum computers with it, just as people have been doing in the past half-century with silicon,” said Professor Meng, HKU physicist and one of the corresponding authors of the paper.   The team's investigation focused on a unique material known as YCu3-Br, characterised by a kagome lattice structure leading to the appearance of these elusive quasiparticles. Previous studies had hinted at the material's potential to exhibit a quantum spin liquid state, making it an ideal candidate for exploration. In order to enable the observation of spinons in YCu3-Br, the research team overcame numerous challenges by assembling approximately 5000 single crystals together, meeting the requirements for conducting experiments such as inelastic neutron scattering (see Fig. 1d). Using advanced techniques like inelastic neutron scattering, the team probed the material's spin excitations and observed intriguing conical spin continuum patterns, reminiscent of the characteristic Dirac cone. While directly detecting single spinon proved challenging due to experimental limitations, the team compared their findings with theoretical predictions, revealing distinct spectral features indicative of the presence of spinons in the material.   Finding spectral evidence of Dirac spinon excitations has always been a challenge. This discovery provides compelling evidence for the existence of a Dirac quantum spin liquid state, which can be akin to a clear cry cutting through the fog of spectral investigation on the quantum spin liquid state. The findings not only advance our fundamental understanding of condensed matter physics but also open doors for further exploration into the properties and applications of YCu3-Br.   Characterised by the presence of fractional spinon excitations, the quantum spin liquid state is potentially relevant to high-temperature superconductivity and quantum information. In this state, the spins are highly entangled and remain disordered even at low temperatures. Therefore, investigating the spectral signals arising from spinons obeying the Dirac equation would provide a broader understanding of the quantum spin liquid state of matter. Such understanding also serves as a guidepost toward its broader applications, including the exploration of high-temperature superconductivity and quantum information.   For a detailed explanation of the research, please visit here: https://www.scifac.hku.hk/page/detail/8595     The journal paper entitled ‘Spectral evidence for Dirac spinons in a kagome lattice antiferromagnet’ can be accessed from here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02495-z   The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and grants from Hong Kong Research Grants Council. Neutron scattering measurements were performed on AMATERAS, J-PARC.   The theoretical work of the paper is carried out by Dr Chengkang Zhou, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Physics, and his supervisor, Professor Zi Yang MENG. They are supported by the Collaborative Research Fund and ANR/RGC Joint Research Scheme of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, highlighting the forward-looking perspective and support of the Hong Kong government in the research of quantum materials. The theoretical calculations conducted in this study were performed on the High-Performance Computing Platform at the Information Technology Services, HKU, and the ‘Blackbody’ supercomputer at the Department of Physics at HKU, as well as the Beijing PARATERA Tech CO., Ltd. (https://cloud.paratera.com).   Figure 1. Left photo: (From the left) Dr Chengkang Zhou and Professor Zi Yang Meng from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong. Figure 2. Right photo: (From the left) Professor Shiliang Li and Mr Zhenyuan Zeng from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.   Figure 3.  a. Schematic diagram of the conical excitations of Dirac spinons and the conical continuum spectrum formed by two spinons. b. Schematic diagram of the conical spin excitations in YCu3(OH)6Br2[Br0.33(OD)0.67]. c. Relationship between the half-width at half-maximum and energy. The solid line represents a linear fit. d. A magnified image of some co-aligned crystals, and the front view of co-aligned samples on two Cu plates.   Figure 4. (On the left): Spin excitations in YCu3(OD)6[Br0.33(OD)0.67] measured via the neutron scattering. e,f, Intensity contour plots of the INS results as a function of E and Q along the [H, 0] direction at 0.3 K (e) and 30 K (f).   Figure 5. (On the right): Linear spin wave prediction on the kagome lattice: a and b show the spin spectra without introducing disorder effects. c and d display the spectra with the same parameters but introduce disordered effects to fit the experimental results. e and f show the spectra with different kinds of disorder.

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Astrophysicists Discover a Novel Method for Hunting the First Stars

A recent study led by the research group of Professor Jane Lixin DAI of the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has discovered a novel method for detecting the first-generations stars, known as Population III (Pop III) stars, which have never been directly detected. The research has been widely acknowledged by the international astronomy community with a highlight from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which operates several NASA telescopes. These potential discoveries about Pop III stars hold the promise of unlocking the secrets of the universe's origin and providing a deeper understanding of the remarkable journey from the primordial cosmos to the world we inhabit today. Their findings have recently been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Shortly after the Universe began with the Big Bang, the first stars, composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, began to form. The properties of these first-generation stars, Pop III, are very different from stars like our own Sun or even the ones that are forming today. They were tremendously hot, gigantic in size and mass, but very short-lived. Pop III stars are the first factories to synthesise most elements heavier than hydrogen and helium around us today. They are also very important for forming later generations of stars and galaxies. However, there have not been convincing direct detections of Pop III stars up to now, as these stars formed in the early universe are very far away and way too faint for any of our telescopes on the ground or in space. For the first time, HKU scientists discovered a novel method for detecting these first stars in the early Universe. A recent study led by the research group of Professor Jane Lixin DAI of the Department of Physics at HKU proposed that a Pop III star can be torn apart into pieces by tidal force if it wanders into the vicinity of a massive black hole. In such a tidal disruption event (TDE), the black hole feasts on the stellar debris and produces very luminous flares. The researchers investigated the complex physical process involved and demonstrated that these flares can shine across billions of light years to reach us today. Most importantly, they have found that the unique signatures of these TDE flares can be used to identify the existence of Pop III stars and gain insights into their properties. ‘As the energetic photons travel from a very faraway distance, the timescale of the flare will be stretched due to the expansion of the Universe. These TDE flares will rise and decay over a very long period of time, which sets them apart from the TDEs of solar-type stars in the nearby Universe,’ said Professor Jane Dai, principal investigator and the corresponding author of the project. ‘Interestingly, not only are the timescales of the flares are stretched, so is their wavelength. The optical and ultraviolet light emitted by the TDE will be transferred to infrared emissions when reaching the Earth.’ Dr Rudrani KAR CHOWDHURY, Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Physics at HKU and the first author of the paper, further added. What makes the discovery more exciting is that two NASA flagship missions, the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman), have the capability to observe such infrared emissions from great distances. Professor Priya NATARAJAN of the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University and a co-author of the paper mentioned, ‘Roman’s unique capabilities of simultaneously being able to observe a large area of the sky and peeking deep into early Universe makes it a promising probe for detecting these Pop III TDE flares, which would in turn serve as an indirect discovery of Pop III stars.’ Ms Janet CHANG, a PhD student at the Department of Physics at HKU and co-author of the paper, added, ‘We expect that a few dozens of these events will be detected by Roman every year if the right observation strategy is pursued.’ With these findings in mind, the next decade presents significant potential for identifying these distinct sources, leading to exciting revelations about Pop III stars and unraveling the mysteries of the universe’s inception.   Click here to view the journal paper. Click here to learn more about Professor Jane Lixin Dai and her research group.  Read the news story featured by the Space Telescope Science Institute.

NEWS DETAIL

Actuarial Science Students Secure Victory in 2024 PRMIA Risk Management Challenge

Two Actuarial Science students, Ziqi XU and Muhammad HUSSAIN of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, along with a student from the Faculty of Engineering, formed Team BossTon and achieved victory in the prestigious 2024 PRMIA Risk Management Challenge (PRMC). This year, the renowned competition focused on the banking crisis in 2023, and the team showcased their comprehensive understanding by delivering a concise analysis of the origins and progression of the crisis. Their presentation explored key factors such as interest rates, regulatory conditions, and internal risk management shortcomings. Employing a blend of conventional and innovative approaches, the team proposed various solutions to address the crisis. Their ideas included utilising algorithms to analyse social media sentiment and assess the stability of a bank's deposit franchise. They also advocated for adopting Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), immunisation strategies, and an enhanced regulatory framework for banks. Their victory holds significant importance as they surpassed master's students from leading business schools worldwide. This accomplishment not only showcases their exceptional abilities but also reflects the outstanding quality of education offered by the programme. Click here to learn more about the 2024 PRMIA Risk Management Challenge. 

NEWS DETAIL

Go 100% Green with Solar Energy and Biomass

In the global pursuit of achieving ‘Net-Zero’ chemical and material manufacturing, there are two abundant but under-used resources: solar energy and biomass, particularly in Hong Kong. In a recent publication in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a team led by Professor Zhengxiao GUO from HKU Department of Chemistry and its collaborators, have developed a Cu(II) porphyrin framework photocatalyst that effectively harnesses solar energy to upgrade a biomass derivative, HMF (5-hydroxylmethylfurfural), into a key sustainable ingredient, FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), e.g. to make polyethylene furanoate (PEF) as a renewable alternative to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This breakthrough opens pathways towards the production of 100% environmentally friendly chemicals and materials, potentially revolutionising the field of bio-plastics and resins. In the past, this conversion process faced limitation due to poor selectivity and sluggish kinetics, mainly caused by the vertical coordination of HMF at relatively strong catalyst sites. To overcome this, the team purposely designed and inserted side-chain incorporated urea linkages to the ‘traditional’ Cu(II) porphyrin framework catalyst. As a result, the newly formed TBUPP-Cu MOF catalyst which alters the interaction of HMF by weakening the hydrogen bond at the urea site and promoting a flat adsorption mode via π–π stacking with the benzene moiety. The unique configuration facilitates the approach of the –CHO group of HMF to the photo-excited porphyrin ring, leading to the formation of kinetically and thermodynamically favourable intermediates and subsequent desorption. Through charge localisation and orbital energy alignment, the catalyst enables selective activation of O2 over the porphyrin, generating ·O2− and 1O2, instead of highly oxidative H2O2 and ·OH, via a ‘spin-flip’ electron transfer mechanism, which drives the ambient partial oxidation of the proximal –CHO. The effective utilisation of the redox species and the circumvented over-oxidation facilitate a FDCA selectivity over 90% and a high turnover number of 193 mole_HMF /mole_Cu. The facile production of high-purity FDCA, zero-waste recovery of intermediates and high durability feature the TBUPP-Cu MOF catalyst a promising photo-oxidation platform towards net-zero biorefining and sustainable manufacturing. Click here to view the journal paper.  

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Geologists Reveal Mysterious and Diverse Volcanism in Lunar Apollo Basin, Chang'e-6 Landing Site

The farside of the Moon is a mysterious place that is never visible from the Earth. The most remarkable feature of the Moon is its asymmetry between the lunar nearside and farside in composition, crust thickness, and mare volcanism. Scientists have not yet reached a consensus on the origin of the lunar asymmetry due to the lack of farside samples, which is one of the most significant remaining question of lunar science. Chang’e-6 mission, launched on May 3, 2024, currently heading to the Moon, is the world’s first lunar farside sample-return mission. It aims to return ~2 kg lunar soils to the Earth from the southern mare plain of the Apollo basin within the South Pole-Aitken basin, the largest impact feature in the Solar System. These samples contain enormous scientific potentials that can be used to solve the lunar dichotomy conundrum and even reshape human’s knowledge of our closest neighbour. As shown in the recent paper published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Dr Yuqi QIAN, Professors Joseph MICHALSKI and Guochun ZHAO from the Department of Earth Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and their international collaborators have comprehensively studied the volcanism of the Apollo basin and its surroundings, which revealed the mysterious and diverse volcanism of the Chang’e-6 landing site with significant implications for the Chang’e-6 sample analysis and the origin of the lunar dichotomy. The study has found that the Apollo basin has extensive volcanic activities lasting from the Nectarian (~4.05 billion years ago) to the Eratosthenian Period (~1.79 billion years ago). Volcanic activity in the region was significantly influenced by crustal thickness. Dikes in intermediate-thickness crust tend to stall beneath the crater floor, spreading laterally to form a sill and floor-fractured crater. Dikes below the crust thinned by the Apollo basin event reached directly to the surface and erupted to form widespread lava flows, and dikes in thick crust stall before being able to reach the surface and form basaltic dike intrusions. ‘This fundamental finding indicates that the crustal thickness discrepancy between nearside and farside may be the primary cause of lunar asymmetrical volcanism,’ said Dr Qian, ‘which can be tested by the returned Chang’e-6 samples’. For the southern mare plain in the Apollo basin, where Chang’e-6 is going to land, there are at least two episodes of eruptions. The earlier one erupted ~3.34 billion years ago with low-Ti composition and covered the entire topographically low region between the Apollo peak ring and basin rim. The later eruption occurred ~3.07 billion years ago with high-Ti composition close to Chaffee S crater and flowed east with decreasing thickness until encountering proto-wrinkle ridges. The authors suggested the high-Ti basalts in the west have the most abundant scientific meanings. Sampling it would return high-Ti basalts, underlying low-Ti basalts and exotic nonmare materials that were transported by impact events. Professor Michalski emphasised, ‘Diverse sample sources would provide important insights into solving a series of lunar scientific questions hidden in the Apollo basin.’ ‘The result of our research is a great contribution to the Chang’e-6 lunar mission. It sets a geological framework for completely understanding the soon-returned Chang’e-6 samples and will be a key reference for the upcoming sample analysis for Chinese scientists,’ said Professor Guochun Zhao, Chair Professor of HKU Department of Earth Sciences and the co-author of the paper, ‘It moves a large step for HKU when the university seeks excellence in planetary sciences and more participation in the national space programme.’ HKU is the only university in Hong Kong that possesses lunar samples obtained by the Chang’e-5 mission from nearside. Building on the foundation of this work, the geological team from HKU will also pursue the opportunity to acquire Chang’e-6 samples as well. This initiative aims to enable HKU to possess lunar samples representing both nearside and farside, thus unlocking a new window of scientific exploration into the study of two lunar hemispheres. Click here to view the journal paper. Chang’e-6 landing site is located to the Apollo basin in the northeast of the South Pole-Aitken basin. Image credit: Dr Yuqi Qian   About Dr Yuqi Qian A planetary geologist from the Department of Earth Sciences and Laboratory for Space Research at HKU. He collaborated with colleagues from Mainland China and around the world to study alien worlds. His research focuses on the geological processes of the Moon based on the data and samples obtained by China’s Lunar Exploration Program and other nations. For more information about Dr Yuqi Qian, please visit: https://yuqiqian.com   About Professor Joseph Michalski Utilising a range of remote sensing data, including infrared, visible, magnetic, gravity, and laser data from satellites orbiting Mars and rovers on its surface, Professor Michalski and his team at HKU focus on uncovering new discoveries about the volcanology, geochemistry, tectonics, and mineralogy of Mars. He has established the Planetary Spectroscopy and Mineralogy Laboratory at HKU. This cutting-edge facility offers laboratory support for past, current, and future missions to Mars, the Moon, and asteroids in China and beyond. Professor Michalski also serves as Deputy Director of HKU's Laboratory for Space Research. For more information about Professor Joseph Michalski, please visit: https://joeplanets.com   About Professor Guochun Zhao Professor Zhao is a highly esteemed geologist with international recognition, specializing in metamorphic petrology, Precambrian geology, and supercontinents. His extensive contributions to the field include over 400 scientific papers with more than 68,000 citations, earning him prestigious accolades. He was elected as a member of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019, a fellow of the World Academy of Sciences for the Advancement of Science in Developing Countries in 2021, and a member of Hong Kong Academy of Sciences in 2023. In the 2024 Best Scientists Rankings, compiled by Research.com, Professor Zhao stands 8th in the world and 1st in China in Earth Sciences.  

NEWS DETAIL

Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting to be held in Hong Kong in March 2026

The Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM), an international meeting of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), will be held in Hong Kong in the spring of 2026. The final decision was made by the IAU Executive Committee at their Meeting in Helsinki on April 25, 2024, and transmitted to the proposers based at the Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) on the same day. This marks the first time that the APRIM is being held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), following the IAU General Assembly held in Beijing in 2013. Established in 1919, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the leading international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12,000 professional astronomers from over 85 countries. Taking place once every three years, APRIM is one of the largest regional meetings of the IAU, where astronomers from countries across the Asia-Pacific region (and often beyond) gather to discuss common interests, developments and latest research results. Each meeting is attended by 500 to 1,000 people, making it the second-largest international meeting on astronomy in the world after the IAU General Assembly. The first APRIM was held in New Zealand in 1978 and since then, the meeting was regularly held until the COVID-19 pandemic forced APRIM 2020 in Australia to be cancelled. Normal service resumed with the 2023 version was held in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture in Japan in the summer of 2023.  To be selected as the venue for the meeting, our HKU-led proposal underwent a hosting competition. The Scientific Organising Committee of APRIM 2023, comprising approximately two dozen members from nearly 20 countries, thoroughly reviewed every proposal. Following this rigorous selection, our proposal received endorsement and formal approval from the IAU Executive Committee. With this opportunity, we can showcase our city and region, and demonstrate our capacity, expertise and strong, regional, university base in Astronomy, Astrophysics and space and planetary sciences to support APRIM2026. *CUHK, *HKUST, HKU, and *PolyU in Hong Kong and universities like *SYSU in the GBA already have strong and growing research capacity in these areas. We hope our city can get behind this professional and large international scientific meeting. ‘As the director of the Laboratory for Space Research and proposer of this event, I am both proud and humbled that our city in general, and HKU in particular, has been chosen to host this very prestigious scientific event. I would also like the opportunity to reach out to all our sister universities that host astrophysics groups and to our city institutions and government to join us in this collaborative endeavour. Let us warmly welcome all the countries of the Pacific Rim and beyond to our fragrant harbour,’ said Professor Quentin PARKER, Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at HKU. *Note: The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU).

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Study Reveals Crucial Role of Invertebrates as Eco-Custodians in Global Forest Litter Decomposition

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has studied the role of invertebrates in forest litter decomposition. The study, led by researchers PhD candidate Xiaoyi ZENG and Professor Louise A ASHTON from the School of Biological Sciences at HKU, illustrates the significant contribution of soil invertebrates, specifically termites, to forest litter decomposition in tropical and subtropical regions. The study was recently published in Ecology Letters, and the results are imperative for preserving healthy ecosystems and conserving invertebrates in the wake of widespread environmental change. Research Background Litter decomposition is a crucial process in carbon cycling and nutrient turnover. Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, are widely considered the most important decomposers in nature. However, soil invertebrates contribute a large proportion of decomposing and nutrient turnover and are therefore important for functioning and healthy ecosystems. Most previous studies on decomposition and nutrient turnover are conducted in temperate regions like Europe and North America, resulting in a biased perspectives and substantial knowledge gaps regarding the roles of invertebrates in global ecosystem processes. A major invertebrate decomposer in the tropics are termites, which is often viewed only as pests to humans. However, termites are important ecological engineers in the tropics, helping to break down organic matter and redistribute nutrients. Termite dominance in the tropics, as opposed to temperate regions, should result in differences across regions regarding invertebrate decomposition, but this has not been well established. Findings In this study, the HKU research team included 476 case studies from 93 sites across the globe. A meta-analysis approach was used to assess the regional differences in forest litter decomposition mediated by invertebrates. The results showed that invertebrates contributed 31% to global forest litter decomposition, and the contribution of soil invertebrates in tropical and subtropical forests was 1.4 times higher than that in temperate and boreal forests. Termites, together with warm and humid climate contributed to the greater decomposition in tropical and subtropical forests. This study highlights the global importance of invertebrates in driving the decomposition of forest litter, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition may be underestimated due to the current regional sampling bias. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of termites in nutrient cycling. Many still consider termites as crop pests and widely use insecticides to reduce termite abundance. Conservation of invertebrates in tropical and subtropical regions is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services, given the widespread environmental change in these areas. Therefore, this study stresses the need to integrate invertebrate functions into earth system models as they contribute approximately 31% of global forest litter decomposition. An extensive and standardised data collection is of great value to develop global database of soil biodiversity and improve the predictive power of earth system models. Furthermore, forest management approaches that focus on insecticide use to control termite populations may have unintended consequences on ecosystem functioning (e.g. nutrient cycling). Instead, forest managers should consider conservation strategies that protect invertebrate populations and promote sustainable forest management practices. ‘This study shows that invertebrates are essential for decomposition, keeping ecosystems working by breaking down dead organic material. Invertebrates like termites are particularly important in the tropics and sub-tropics where most biodiversity occurs. Invertebrate biodiversity is threatened by human activities such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution. It is essential we mitigate biodiversity loss in order to maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems into the future,’ said Professor Louise Ashton, Assistant Professor of HKU School of Biological Sciences. Click here to access the journal paper ‘Global contribution of invertebrates to forest litter decomposition’. Authorship This study conducted by the Biodiversity and Environmental Change Lab at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) (www.louiseashton.net). The Biodiversity and Environmental Change Lab is led by Professor Lousie A Ashton. The lab is dedicated to research exploring insect biodiversity and ecosystem function and understanding ecological responses to environmental change. This study was conducted by Xiaoyi Zeng (PhD student) as the first author and Professor Louise Ashton as the corresponding author. The co-authors include Huilin Gao from the Faculty of Business and Economics (HKU), Runxi Wang and Bartosz Majcher from the School of Biological Sciences (HKU), Dr Cheng Wenda at Sun Yat-sen University, and research teams from the University of Liverpool, the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Bristol in the UK. This research was supported by the General Research Fund from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.  Global distribution of forest leaf litter decomposition experiment used in this study. (Illustration adapted from respective paper).  Soil invertebrate contributions to forest litter decomposition across regions. (a) Relative contributions of invertebrates (blue) and microorganisms (grey) to forest litter decomposition against absolute latitude. (b) Effect sizes of invertebrates on forest litter decomposition at global, regional, and biome scales. (Illustration adapted from respective paper) Influence of (a) termite diversity, (b) litter C: N ratio, (c) litter lignin: N ratio, (d) mean annual temperature (MAT), (e) mean annual precipitation (MAP), and (f) soil pH on invertebrate effect sizes determined using mixed-effect meta regressions. (Illustration adapted from respective paper).  Termites in Sabah, Malaysia (Photo courtesy: Louise Ashton). 

NEWS DETAIL

Outstanding HKU PhD Student Dengping LYU selected as Schmidt Science Fellow 2024 Pioneering Intelligent Materials Engineering

A PhD student, Dengping LYU, in the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been selected as a Schmidt Science Fellow, one of the most prestigious postdoctoral fellowships highly regarded in the global scientific community. Among the elite group of 32 exceptional early-career scientists worldwide, she is recognised for her outstanding academic achievements, leadership, collaborative spirit and scientific curiosity. Dengping is the first scholar nominated by a university in Hong Kong to receive the fellowship.   Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to be future leaders driving interdisciplinary research to accelerate discovery and achieve global impact. The fellows will receive support for a duration of one or two years to work as postdoctoral researchers in a top institution, focusing on a field of study that pivots from their PhD specialisation. Along with an annual stipend of USD $110,000, they benefit from individualised mentoring and participation in the program’s Global Meeting Series, which offers training, exposure to new concepts, visits to leading interdisciplinary scientific centres, and opportunities to engage with thought leaders from science, business, policy, and society.   Dengping’s PhD research has focused on colloidal synthesis and self-assembly. She has leveraged the power of physical, synthetic, and supramolecular chemistry to build hierarchical superstructures and functional materials from colloidal-sized particles. A noteworthy and significant contribution of her work is the integration of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and colloids, resulting in the development of strategies to produce anisotropic particles with low-symmetry shapes.   These carefully programmed shapes carry chemical information, facilitating specific and directional interactions between particles and spontaneously yielding intricate, precisely defined superstructures via self-assembly. These structures have the capability to encapsulate small molecules or colloidal cargos, exhibiting anisotropic fluorescence and reconfigurable properties. The findings open up potential applications in diverse fields such as sensing, catalysis, and optics, and may inspire the design of novel mechanical nanodevices.   Dengping’s exceptional research has garnered recognition through her publication of multiple research papers as the first author in high-impact journals, such as Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Angewandte Chemie.   ‘I feel deeply honoured to have been chosen for this fellowship,’ Dengping expressed. ‘I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself into a new field and expand my scientific horizons. I’m also excited about applying my knowledge and expertise to push the boundaries of materials science.’   With the Schmidt Science Fellowship, Dengping will pivot from physical chemistry to materials engineering. Her goal is to engineer intelligent materials by translating features of living systems, especially their ability to consume energy and communicate, to materials design. These materials hold the potential to revolutionise diverse fields such as biomedicine, soft robotics, and electronics.   About the Schmidt Science Fellows: Schmidt Science Fellows is an initiative of Schmidt Sciences, delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust, which aims to help researchers solve bigger problems faster by identifying, developing, and amplifying the next generation of science leaders, building a community of scientists and supporters of interdisciplinary science, and leveraging this network to drive sector-wide change. The programme also seeks out the world’s best emerging scientists who have completed a PhD in natural sciences, computing, engineering, or mathematics and places them in fellowships in a field different from their existing expertise. The programme funds training for the scientists and the research they undertake, and creates a community of interdisciplinary leaders.   Click here to visit the Schmidt Science Fellows website for more information.  Click here to learn more about the 2024 cohort of Schmidt Science Fellows.

NEWS DETAIL

Mapping Plant Functional Diversity from Space: HKU Ecologists Revolutionise Ecosystem Monitoring with Novel Field-Satellite Integration

An international team of researchers, led by Professor Jin WU from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has made a promising advancement in mapping plant functional traits from space using time-series satellite data. The study, published in Remote Sensing of Environment, showcases the innovative combination of the Sentinel-2 satellite mission and its dynamic time-series capabilities. This innovative approach not only unlocks a deeper understanding of essential foliar traits, providing crucial insights into the functional diversity and ecosystem functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, but it also equips us with powerful tools to address pressing environmental challenges effectively. Leveraging the Satellites for In-depth Observations Plant traits are vital in regulating key ecosystem processes such as carbon sequestration, air temperature regulation, and large-scale hydrological regulation. They also determine how ecosystems respond to various environmental stressors, ultimately determining their health, resilience, and vulnerability to climate change. However, large-scale mapping of these traits has been challenging due to limitations in existing methodologies, such as the difficulty in capturing traits across vast areas and issues such as data availability, trait complexity, and measurement techniques. To overcome these challenges, Professor Wu’s team harnessed the power of satellite technology and introduced a pioneering approach that combines vegetation spectroscopy and phenology. Their approach utilised high-resolution imagery from the Sentinel-2 satellite, which captured multispectral data on a weekly interval with a 10-metre resolution. By analysing these satellite images, the team observed and recorded the reflections of light from plant leaves, providing valuable insights into the physical and biochemical properties of the vegetation. These observations were then compared to the timing of plant life cycle events, known as phenology. By integrating the data from satellite imagery and phenological observations, the team has been able to obtain comprehensive information about plant functional traits across high dimensions. This integration holds great potential for extending to other dimensions of plant characteristics, such as plant health, functioning, and resilience. This method underwent thorough and rigorous testing to evaluate its efficacy, applicability across different scales, and potential for high-throughput monitoring. The test utilised benchmark data of 12 foliar traits collected from 14 geographically distant sites within the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) in the eastern United States. Shuwen LIU, the first author and a PhD candidate from Professor Wu’s lab, stated, ‘Our approach effectively captures the diversity of plant traits at fine spatial scales while maintaining accuracy over large areas.’ Liu further explained that their method overcomes the limitations of other methods that rely solely on plant functional types or single image acquisitions. The proposed approach outperformed traditional methods that rely on environmental variables or single Sentinel-2 images as predictors without requiring environmental variables to enhance predictive capabilities. This finding underscores the significance of phenological information in trait prediction and suggests that the ‘leaf economics spectrum’ theory may be the underlying mechanism driving their technical success. Given the model's proven effectiveness in 14 diverse ecosystem sites across the United States, it shows great promise for expansion to national and global scales, thereby enabling the monitoring of plant functional traits from ecosystem to regional and national levels. Reflecting on the future potential of this research, Professor Wu said, ‘Future studies will focus on broader validation to fully exploit this technology’s potential in frontier basic science, such as understanding terrestrial ecosystems’ sensitivity response to climate change and identifying their respective tipping points. Additionally, there is great potential for applied science, particularly in exploring nature-based climate solutions.’ Land cover (a) and functional trait maps produced from Satellite images. The team used four traits - LMA (b), nitrogen (c), potassium (d) and chlorophyll a+b (e) - as examples for demonstration.  Figures adapted from Remote Sensing of Environment, 2024, doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114082. About the research team ​The Global Ecology and Remote Sensing (GEARS) lab at HKU aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that regulate vegetation-climate interactions across various scales, ranging from leaves to the global level. It employs a diverse range of tools, including cutting-edge geospatial techniques, field observations, eco-evolutionary and ecophysiological theories, earth system models, and high-performance computing. Its research goals are twofold: firstly, to advance fundamental science by exploring the mechanisms that link climate, species (functional) composition, and ecosystem processes, and secondly, to bridge the gap between scientific and technological advancements in order to address pressing environmental issues related to climate change, such as forest health monitoring, food security, climate change impact assessments, and nature-based climate change mitigation. About GEARS: https://wu-jin.weebly.com/ About Professor Jin Wu Jin Wu is an Assistant Professor at HKU School of Biological Sciences and a recipient of the NSFC-Excellent Young Scholar (Hong Kong & Macau) award in 2019. Prior to this, he held a Goldhaber Distinguished Fellow position at Brookhaven National Laboratory and earned his PhD from the University of Arizona. With a wide range of interests in biodiversity, conservation, global change, and sustainability sciences, he utilises an integrated approach (combining remote sensing, AI, and domain knowledge) to study these topics and aims to enhance how people experience, understand, and appreciate our living habitats and inspire actions to sustain our natural ecosystems. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, including in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature, Global Change Biology, and Remote Sensing of Environment. Currently, he serves as an Associate Editor for Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. Link to the paper and key figure: The journal paper, entitled ‘Spectra-phenology integration for high-resolution, accurate, and scalable mapping of foliar functional traits using time-series Sentinel-2 data’, can be found at the following link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114082

NEWS DETAIL

Establishment of JC STEM Lab of Molecular Imaging Fosters Innovative Research

  The JC STEM Lab of Molecular Imaging led by Professor Haibo JIANG from the Department of Chemistry, together with four other new JC STEM Labs from other Faculties of HKU, were officially established with the generous support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. This collective effort aligns with the University's strategic plan to foster the next generation of leaders in STEM fields and promote interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The focus of the JC STEM Lab of Molecular Imaging is the development of advanced bioimaging technologies that allow us to better understand the complex processes of molecular transportation within biological systems and the critical role they play in human health. At the Inauguration Ceremony held by the University, Professor Peng GONG, Vice-President (Academic Development) , expressed his gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous support of the University's research and development, "HKU aspires to nurture future leaders in STEM fields.  We strongly believe that they can harness their expertise in inter-disciplinary research and create impact to the society. Our JC STEM Labs will be driving research projects to examine complex problems and solutions.” Another officiating guest Ms Ada CHU, Head of Charities (Talent and Sector Development; Institute of Philanthropy) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said, “Talent & Sector Development is one of the focus areas of the Club’s charity strategy. By investing in the establishment of these JC STEM Labs, the Club’s Charities Trust aims to support the development of STEM talents for Hong Kong and strengthen capacity in applied research and knowledge transfer. Our commitment to this initiative underscores the Club’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society.” The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust established the JC STEM Lab Initiative in 2021 to support the laboratory set-up for the awarded scholars under the Government-initiated Global STEM Professorship Scheme. The initiative aims to nurture STEM talent in Hong Kong and promote the translation of new science and technology to social impact. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Biologists Discover Propionate Supplementation as a Potential Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

A research team led by Professor Chaogu ZHENG from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) recently discovered that propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), strongly suppressed neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD) by regulating interorgan signalling between the intestine and brain. Either inhibiting propionate breakdown or supplementing propionate through diet reversed PD-associated transcriptional aberration and enhanced energy production in the intestine, which in turn promoted neuronal health without the need of dispersing the protein aggregates. Such metabolic rescue of neurodegeneration by increasing propionate levels provides important new insights into the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These research findings were recently published in a leading biology journal – Cell Reports. Research Background Traditional ways of treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by targeting protein aggregates in the brain had very limited success, while emerging evidence suggests that metabolites derived from the gut bacteria play a critical role in modulating neurodegeneration. PD is often characterised by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) proteins in the dopaminergic neurons, which causes proteotoxic stress and neuronal death. Previous studies in mouse PD models found that the gut microbiota contribute to the motor deficit and neuroinflammation characteristic of α-syn pathology, but what microbial factors modulate host neurodegeneration is largely unclear. One class of bacterial metabolites that have attracted a lot of attention in recent years are the SCFAs (i.e., acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid) produced by anaerobic bacteria through the fermentation of dietary fibre. However, the effects of SCFAs on neurodegeneration are controversial. Some studies indicate that SCFAs exacerbate neurodegeneration and elevate inflammation, while other studies found that SCFAs protect neurons from degeneration. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the neuronal effects of SCFAs still need to be understood. Using a C. elegans PD model, Professor Zheng’s team previously conducted a genome-wide screen and identified 38 pro-neurodegenerative genes in E. coli. A few of these bacterial genes are essential for the biosynthesis of vitamin B12 which induces the breakdown of propionate in the host. Thus, the team hypothesized that increasing the levels of propionate may suppress neurodegeneration. Key Findings In this study, Professor Zheng’s team found that PD animals have lower levels of propionate than normal animals and increasing the propionate level by either removing dietary vitamin B12 (which induces propionate breakdown) or through direct supplementation of propionate rescues α-syn-induced neuronal death and locomotion defects. Surprisingly, the neuroprotective effect of propionate is mediated by interorgan signalling between neurons and the intestine. α-syn aggregation in neurons triggers mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mitoUPR) in the intestine, which resulted in the reduced propionate production. The low propionate abundance in turn caused the downregulation of numerous propionate-responsive genes involved in fatty acid and amino acid metabolisms and eventually leads to defects in energy production in the intestine, which further exacerbates neurodegeneration through the gut-brain communication involving lactate and neuropeptides. Genetically enhancing the production of propionate in the intestine or restoring the intestinal expression of key metabolic regulators downstream of propionate significantly rescued neurodegeneration, suggesting that the metabolic state of the intestine can modulate α-syn-induced neurodegeneration. Importantly, propionate supplementation suppresses neurodegeneration without reducing α-syn aggregation, demonstrating metabolic rescue of neuronal proteotoxicity downstream of protein aggregates. This new study highlights the involvement of small molecule metabolites in the gut-brain interaction in neurodegenerative diseases. Potential Health Implications ‘This study is interesting because it connects experimental findings in animal models of PD with clinical observations. Like the PD animals, PD patients also have reduced levels of SCFAs than healthy individuals due to the reduced abundance of the commensal bacteria that produce SCFAs. Thus, the low amount of SCFAs in PD patients may indeed contribute to disease progression and severity, and supplementing propionate through the diet may help treat the disease and improve the symptom,’ said Professor Zheng, the supervisor of the research project. Because SCFAs are produced by anaerobic fermentation of dietary fibres in the gut, Professor Zheng suggested that adding more fibre-rich food (such as seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables) can also increase the production of SCFAs by the gut bacteria, which may have beneficial effects on brain health. About the Research Team This study was done by Professor Chaogu Zheng’s team at HKU School of Biological Sciences. The first author Dr Chenyin WANG is a postdoctoral research fellow; other authors include postgraduate students Ms Meigui YANG and Mr Dongyao LIU. This work is supported by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, Excellent Young Scientists Fund for Hong Kong and Macau), Health Bureau of Hong Kong, and the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong. About Professor Chaogu Zheng Professor Chaogu Zheng is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biological Sciences of The University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on microbial regulation of neurodegeneration, genetic basis of neurodevelopment, and evolutionary developmental biology. He is an awardee of the Excellent Young Scientists Fund for Hong Kong and Macau from NSFC. About the Research Paper ‘Wang C., Yang M., Liu D., and Zheng C. Metabolic rescue of α-synuclein-induced neurodegeneration through propionate supplementation and intestine-neuron signaling in C. elegans. Cell Reports. 2024 Feb 26;43(3):113865’ The journal paper can be accessed from here. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU and NWU Unveil Joint Center for Earth and Planetary Sciences

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Northwest University (NWU) from Xian, China, have come together to establish the 'NWU-HKU Joint Center for Earth and Planetary Sciences'. The center was recently unveiled in the presence of 18 Chinese Academy of Sciences academicians and numerous expert scholars. This joint endeavour aims to actively respond to the national strategy of science and technology innovation and the requirements of discipline construction. The center will engage in teaching and scientific research in the field of Earth and planetary sciences, focusing on in-depth investigations into significant scientific issues. These issues include the formation and early evolution of the Earth, pre-tectonic plate tectonics and the origins of continental life, lunar and comparative planetary sciences, planetary geological evolution, the geological role of extraterrestrial dynamics, astrobiology, and the evolution and habitability of planetary magnetic fields. Professor Guochun ZHAO, Chair Professor of HKU Earth Sciences and Director of the joint center, emphasised the importance of scientific leadership in Earth and Planetary Science research. Both universities will maximise their resource advantages in analysis and testing platforms, planetary science talent, and more, to actively participate in national deep space exploration programmes and produce research outcomes at the forefront of the international stage. Click here to learn more.   

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Scientists Unveil Significant Discovery with Potential Impact on Obesity and Osteoporosis Treatments

A team of researchers from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a significant breakthrough in understanding how energy metabolism and bone homeostasis are regulated in mice, which could lead to novel treatments for obesity and osteoporosis. The study, led by Professor Billy CHOW from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Faculty of Science, Professor Kelvin YEUNG from the School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, and Professor Will Wei QIAO from the Faculty of Dentistry, along with their colleagues, has been published in the top journal Nature Communications, with Dr Fengwei ZHANG from SBS as the first author. In their pioneering research, the team discover that the hormone secretin, found within the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of the brain, plays a vital role in controlling both energy balance and bone density. This finding challenges the traditional view that secretin's primary function is in the digestive system, showcasing its importance in the central nervous system. Using advanced genetic techniques, the researchers manipulated secretin signalling in mice and observed remarkable outcome. They found that disruptions to secretin pathways in the VMH led to increased appetite, metabolic dysfunctions, and significant bone density loss. Conversely, enhancing secretin signals in the same area increased bone mass without affecting body weight or appetite. ‘Our study opens new doors to treating metabolic and bone diseases. The ability to control appetite and bone density through the brain has significant implications for tackling obesity and osteoporosis,’ notes principal investigator Professor Chow. Looking forward, this research provides new ideas for developing innovative therapies targeting the brain to regulate body metabolism and bone health. The team plans to further investigate the applicability of these findings to human physiology and potential drug development. The University of Hong Kong is known for its interdisciplinary approach, and this research represents a close collaboration between the fields of neuroscience, endocrinology, and orthopedics. Details can be found at Nature Communications under the title ‘Secretin-dependent signals in the ventromedial hypothalamus regulate energy metabolism and bone homeostasis in mice’. From the left: Dr Fengwei ZHANG, Professor Billy CHOW, Professor Kelvin YEUNG, and Professor Will Wei QIAO (Composite image created by the team.)   The journal paper can be accessed here.  Click here to learn more about Professor Billy Chow and his research group.  Click here to learn more about Professor Kelvin Yeung and his research group. Click here to learn more about Professor Will Wei Qiao and his research group. 

NEWS DETAIL

Cracking Epigenetic Inheritance: HKU Biologists Discovered the Secrets of How Gene Traits are Passed on

A research team led by Professor Yuanliang ZHAI at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) collaborating  with Professor Ning GAO and Professor Qing LI from Peking University (PKU), as well as Professor Bik-Kwoon TYE from Cornell University, has recently made a significant breakthrough in understanding how the DNA copying machine helps pass on epigenetic information to maintain gene traits at each cell division. Understanding how this coupled mechanism could lead to new treatments for cancer and other epigenetic diseases by targeting specific changes in gene activity. Their findings have recently been published in Nature. Background of the Research Our bodies are composed of many differentiated cell types. Genetic information is stored within our DNA which serves as a blueprint guiding the functions and development of our cells. However, not all parts of our DNA are active at all times. In fact, every cell type in our body contains the same DNA, but only specific portions are active, leading to distinct cellular functions. For example, identical twins share nearly identical genetic material but exhibit variations in physical characteristics, behaviours and disease susceptibility due to the influence of epigenetics. Epigenetics functions as a set of molecular switches that can turn genes on or off without altering the DNA sequence. These switches are influenced by various environmental factors, such as nutrition, stress, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. In our cells, DNA is organised into chromatin. The nucleosome forms a fundamental repeating unit of chromatin. Each nucleosome consists of approximately 147 base pairs of DNA wrapped around a histone octamer which is composed of two H2A-H2B dimers and one H3-H4 tetramer. During DNA replication, parental nucleosomes carrying the epigenetic tags, also known as histone modifications, are dismantled and recycled, ensuring the accurate transfer of epigenetic information to new cells during cell division. Errors in this process can alter the epigenetic landscape, gene expression and cell identity, with potential implications for cancer and ageing. Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanism by which epigenetic information is passed down through the DNA copying machine, called the replisome, remains unclear. This knowledge gap is primarily due to the absence of detailed structures that capture the replisome in action when transferring parental histones with epigenetic tags. Studying the process is challenging because of the fast-paced nature of chromatin replication, as it involves rapid disruption and restoration of nucleosomes to keep up with the swift DNA synthesis. In previous studies, the research team made significant progress in understanding the DNA copying mechanism, including determining the structures of various replication complexes. These findings laid a solid foundation for the current research on the dynamic process of chromatin duplication. Summary of Research Findings This time, the team achieved another breakthrough by successfully capturing a key snapshot of parental histone transfer at the replication fork. They purified endogenous replisome complexes from early-S-phase yeast cells on a large scale and utilised cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for visualisation. They found that a chaperone complex FACT (consisting of Spt16 and Pob3) interacts with parental histones at the front of the replisome during the replication process. Notably, they observed that Spt16, a component of FACT, captures the histones that have been completely stripped off the duplex DNA from the parental nucleosome. The evicted histones are preserved as a hexamer, with one H2A-H2B dimer missing. Another protein that involved in DNA replication, Mcm2, takes the place of the missing H2A-H2B dimer on the vacant site of the parental histones, placing the FACT-histone complex onto  the front bumper of the replisome engine, called Tof1. This strategic positioning of histone hexamer on Tof1 by Mcm2 facilitates the subsequent transfer of parental histones to the newly synthesised DNA strands. These findings provide crucial insights into the mechanism that regulates parental histone recycling by the replisome to ensure the faithful propagation of epigenetic information at each cell division. This study, led by Professor Zhai, involved a collaborative effort that  spanned nearly eight years, starting at HKUST and concluding at HKU. He expressed his excitement about the findings, ‘It only took us less than four months from submission to Nature magazine to the acceptance of our manuscript. The results are incredibly beautiful. Our cryo-EM structures offer the first visual glimpse into how the DNA copying machine and FACT collaborate to transfer parental histone at the replication fork during DNA replication. This knowledge is crucial for elucidating how epigenetic information is faithfully maintained and passed on to subsequent generations. But, there is still much to learn. As we venture into uncharted  territory, each new development in this field will represent a big step forward for the study of epigenetic inheritance.’ The implications of this research extend beyond understanding epigenetic inheritance. Scientists can now explore gene expression regulation, development, and disease with greater depth. Moreover, this breakthrough opens up possibilities for targeted therapeutic interventions and innovative strategies to modulate epigenetic modifications for cancer treatment. As the scientific community delves deeper into the world of epigenetics, this study represents a major step towards unravelling the complexities of replication-coupled histone recycling. The cryo-EM structure of the yeast replisome in complex with FACT and parental histones (A) and its atomic model (B). Modified from Li et al, Nature (2024)   The evicted histone hexamer and its chaperons from the replisome structure. (A-B) The architecture of the parental histone hexamer. (C-D) The histone-chaperone complex on the replisome. (E-F) The structure of an intact nucleosome. Modified from Li et al, Nature (2024)   About the Research Team Apart from Professor Yuanliang Zhai’s lab, the research team also includes Professor Xiang David Li from Department of Chemistry of HKU, Professor Yang Liu and Professor Keda Zhou from School of Biomedical Sciences of HKU, Professor Shangyu Dang from Division of Life Science of HKUST, and others. Learn more about Professor Yuanliang Zhai’s work and his research team: https://www.scifac.hku.hk/people/zhai-yuanliang or https://zhai95.wixsite.com/mysite-1 Co-authors include Mr Yuan Gao, Mr Jian Li, Dr Zhichun Xu from School of Biological Sciences (SBS) of HKU; Dr Ningning Li, Ms Yujie Zhang, Dr Jianxun Feng from School of Life Sciences of PKU, Dr Daqi Yu and Dr Jianwei Lin from Department of Chemistry of HKU, and Dr Yingyi ZHANG from Biological Cryo- EM Center of HKUST. The journal paper can be accessed here. 

NEWS DETAIL

PhD Student Won Best Talk Award at AsiaEvo Conference for Research on Germline Mutation Rates in Sticklebacks

PhD student Chaowei Charlene ZHANG from the School of Biological Sciences was honored with the Best Talk award at the Third AsiaEvo Conference held in December 2023 at the National University of Singapore. She won the award by presenting her research paper titled 'Pedigree-based Germline Mutation Rate in Sticklebacks,' which shed light on the significance of accurately estimating mutation rates in genetics. Her findings served as a valuable resource for researchers studying fish population genetics, especially in the context of sticklebacks. This research has been published in Molecular Biology and Evolution in Issue 9, Volume 40. The AsiaEvo Conference aims to provide a platform for evolutionary researchers from Asian countries, enabling them to present their work and engage in meaningful discussions. Additionally, the conference seeks to foster international collaboration in the field of evolutionary biology, enhance the understanding and application of evolutionary thinking in Asia, and inspire talented students to pursue studies in evolutionary science. Charlene is currently supervised by Professor Juha MERILÄ in the Area of Ecology and Biodiversity.

NEWS DETAIL

Biological Sciences PhD Graduate Awarded Prestigious Grant by Malacological Society of London in 2023

PhD graduate Dr Bovern ARROMRAK from the School of Biological Sciences was awarded the Early-Career Research Grant by the Malacological Society of London in 2023. This highly competitive grant is conferred on students and researchers who have demonstrated exceptional potential and achievements in their respective fields. A major part of Bovern's research from his PhD thesis centres around understanding the interaction between animal hosts and their associated microbial community under extremely high thermal environments, which holds significant implications to unravel the mechanisms that govern their tolerance range and limit under warming oceans in the future. The awarded grant was applied with the support of his PhD supervisor, Professor Juan Diego GAITÁN-ESPITIA, that aims as a follow-up work from this PhD thesis, to delve deeper into the working mechanisms underpinning organismal survival and tolerance under extreme conditions. Currently, Bovern is a Postdoctoral fellow being supervised by Professor Bayden RUSSELL at the School of Biological Sciences.

NEWS DETAIL

Joint Study by HKU and HKUST on DNA Replication Initiation Selected as One of Top 10 Scientific Advances in China for 2023

A joint study revealing a new mechanism on DNA Replication Initiation, led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and other institutions, has been selected as one of the Top 10 Scientific Advances in China for 2023, making it the only research project from Hong Kong to be included in the list. Organised by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the "Top 10 Scientific Advances in China for 2023" is jointly hosted by the High Technology Research and Development Center and the Center for Science Communication and Achievement Transformation, with the support of five journals, namely China Basic Science, Science & Technology Review, Bulletin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Foundation in China, and Science Bulletin. These 10 advancements were judiciously selected by thousands of experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, and other institutions. The objective is to promote frontier and innovative research progress in China and encourage more researchers to engage in basic research. By deepening public understanding, concern and support for science, the event also seeks to foster a national climate favourable to scientific exploration. This prestigious accolade was awarded to the team that includes Prof. ZHAI Yuanliang, Assistant Professor from the HKU School of Biological Sciences, Prof. DANG Shangyu, Assistant Professor from HKUST Division of Life Science (LIFS), and Prof. TYE Bik-Kwoon, Senior Member of HKUST Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), in recognition of their groundbreaking discovery of a new mechanism of the human pre-replication complex (Pre-RC) in regulating DNA replication initiation. The atomic resolution structure of the human Pre-RC provides detailed critical information for devising novel and effective anticancer strategies with the ability to selectively kill cancer cells. “This recognition is a great honour for our research team and shows that our work is highly respected in the scientific community,” said Prof. Zhai Yuanliang from HKU. “Our knowledge of how DNA is copied is still quite limited. While previous studies in a type of yeast have given us some insights, there's still so much we don't know about how this process happens in human cells. Since there's still a lot to discover in this field, every new development in understanding how DNA is copied by our replication machines is a big step forward. The knowledge we gain from our research will not only deepen our understanding of the basic processes of life, but it may also provide important insights into diseases like cancer and help us find new ways to treat them.” Prof. Dang Shangyu from HKUST said, "Enhancing the specificity of chemotherapy drugs has always been a crucial consideration in developing anticancer compounds. We are delighted that our research breakthrough has received national recognition. Notably, all of the project’s structural work, including cryo-sample preparation, cryo-EM data collection and processing, was conducted at the HKUST Biological Cryo-EM Center. We are immensely grateful to the Lo Kwee Seong (LKS) Foundation for their generous support in establishing this state-of-the-art facility at HKUST, which has already facilitated several breakthroughs and discoveries in our research since its establishment in 2019. We look forward to continuing our investigations in this field and forging new hopes for cancer treatment." Research Background DNA is the blueprint of life. It is present in every cell. Its duplex structure in complementary notations informs how it is replicated. It must be first separated into single strands and copied precisely. The history of DNA replication study can be traced back to 1950s when Prof. Arthur KORNBERG discovered an enzyme system in Escherichia coli extracts, which ultimately earned him a Nobel Prize. However, due to the lack of high-resolution structures, progress in DNA replication research lagged behind those achieved in the study of other macro molecular machines, such as the ribosome or the RNA polymerase. Professor Tye Bik-Kwoon, who has joined HKUST since 2011, overcome these hurdles initially by collaborating with the Peking University team led by Professor GAO Ning, as well as Prof. Zhai, who obtained his PhD from HKUST before becoming a HKUST-IAS junior fellow. Together they made a series of groundbreaking findings, including determining the cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the yeast MCM2-7 double hexamer (DH) and the yeast origin recognition complex, which were published in Nature in 2015 and 2018. These studies laid the foundation for the present work on the structure of the human pre-replication complex when the HKUST cryo-EM facility became available and when Prof. Dang joined HKUST in 2019. As one of the Top 10 Scientific Advances in China for 2023, this research determined at 2.59 Å the cryo-EM structure of the human Pre-RC, which is formed by the loading of the MCM2-7 DH onto origin DNA. This structure provides a clear understanding of how the MCM2-7 complex destabilises DNA, leading to the initial unwinding of the DNA duplex precisely at the juncture of the two coupled MCM2-7 hexamers. Additionally, the team discovered that the MCM2-7 DH complexes are loaded onto DNA at numerous sites throughout the human genome. Importantly, these sites are mutually exclusive with loci of active transcription to minimise interference between DNA replication and transcription. Moreover, when the initial open structure is disrupted, the MCM2-7 DH complexes fail to assemble onto DNA, resulting in a complete suppression of DNA replication initiation. The study provides a detailed understanding of the high-resolution structure and mechanism of the human Pre-RC. This knowledge can be leveraged to develop non-toxic anticancer drugs in the future. The research was published in the top international scientific journal Cell in January, 2023. (click here for link) About The University of Hong Kong Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)( www.hku.hk) is the first and oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong. For over a century, the University has dedicated itself to creating knowledge, providing education, and serving society. Today, HKU has an established worldwide reputation for being a research-led comprehensive University with ten Faculties. HKU has a proud record of academic recognition in research through honours and awards received from both local and international bodies. The University strives to attract and nurture outstanding scholars through excellence and innovation in its research and knowledge exchange activities. Its research areas cover a wide range of issues with the aim of benefitting industries, businesses and the community. Regarded as Asia’s Global University, HKU brings together experts from diverse disciplines, partnering with prestigious universities and research institutes around the world. It has 51 academics named on the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2023” from Clarivate, ranking 13th globally among all institutions. HKU is in pursuit of teaching and learning excellence in a broad range of disciplines and professions. With the holistic design of the curricula, along with award-winning teaching and learning resources and support, students at HKU can fully develop intellectual and personal strengths while gaining lifelong learning opportunities to contribute to the community. About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class research intensive university that focuses on science, engineering and business as well as humanities and social science. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. Over 80% of our research work were rated “Internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. We were ranked 2nd in Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2023, and our graduates were ranked 29th worldwide and among the best from universities from Asia in Global Employability University Ranking 2023. As of September 2023, HKUST members have founded 1,747 active start-ups, including 9 Unicorns and 13 exits (IPO or M&A), generating economic impact worth over HK$ 400 billion. InvestHK cited QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 to demonstrate the performance of five world’s top 100 local universities in several innovation-centric areas, among which HKUST ranked top in four engineering and materials science subjects.    

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Chemists Pave the Way for Sustainable Organic Synthesis with Innovative Heterogeneous Copper Photocatalysis, Enabling Efficient Production of Diverse Bioactive Compounds

Professor Jian HE, from the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has spearheaded a research endeavour aimed at revolutionising organic synthesis. His research team has successfully developed a novel heterogeneous copper photocatalyst that enables the efficient formation of cyclobutane rings, a crucial structural element in a vast array of bioactive molecules. Cyclobutane rings are prominently featured in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and various biologically active compounds. By enabling researchers to construct these rings easily and selectively, Professor He's team has unlocked greater control over the synthesis of these vital molecules. The research findings are recently published online in the top scientific journal Nature Catalysis. In recent two decades, visible-light photocatalysts have been employed to drive such transformations through photochemical [2+2] cycloadditions; however, their substrate scope has been limited. Moreover, existing photocatalytic systems often rely on homogeneous precious metal catalysts, which pose challenges in catalyst recycling and hinder large-scale organic synthesis. Addressing these limitations head-on, Professor He and his team have developed an innovative heterogeneous copper photocatalyst. This catalyst effectively facilitates energy-transfer processes for a range of intermolecular crossed [2+2] cycloadditions, including those previously inaccessible in conventional homogeneous photocatalysis. This new reaction system has excellent catalyst stability and recyclability, and it does not rely on precious metals, making it more economically and environmentally sustainable. Professor He expressed great enthusiasm for the potential impact of this discovery, stating, ‘Our novel heterogeneous copper photocatalyst opens up new possibilities for synthesising bioactive molecules with enhanced efficiency and selectivity. By eliminating the reliance on precious metals and improving catalyst recyclability, we have addressed critical challenges in large-scale organic synthesis, paving the way for more sustainable and economically viable chemical production.’ Key findings In this study, the team developed a special kind of copper photocatalyst that can help make cyclobutane molecules more efficiently. They successfully prepared a stable heterogeneous copper triplet photosensitiser by constructing binap-ligated heteroleptic copper(I) complexes in the pores of zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Upon heterogenisation, reactive copper(I) species in photoexcited states show increased transition energies and lifetime, which is essential for boosting catalytic efficiency in energy-transfer-mediated [2+2] cycloadditions of styrenes with a variety of olefins, including electron-deficient alkenes. Unlike the corresponding homogeneous copper photocatalysts, the MOF-supported copper photocatalyst exhibits high stability and catalytic activity, and can be recycled multiple runs without catalyst decomposition. This work provides a general and interdisciplinary approach to designing highly reactive copper photocatalysts for a wide range of practical organic reactions, and it could help make the process of producing diverse bioactive compounds easier and more efficient in the future. About Professor Jian He Professor Jian He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong. His independent research programme, at the interface between organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and materials science, is rooted in the design of novel framework- and cluster-based catalysts for the advancement of sustainable organic synthesis. He has received multiple awards, including The Alfred R. Bader Award for Student Innovation in 2014, International Precious Metals Institute Student Award in 2015, Reaxys PhD Prize Finalist in 2015, ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Travel Award in 2015, Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad in 2015, IUPAC-Solvay Honorable Mention Prize in 2017, and Croucher Innovation Award in 2021. About the Research Team Dr Jun GUO and Mr Qi XIA from Professor HE’s group are the co-first authors. Other researchers, including Wing Yi TANG, Zekun LI, Xia WU, Li-Juan LIU, Wai-Pong TO, Hui-Xing SHU, Kam-Hung LOW, and Professor Philip C. Y. CHOW from HKU and Professor Tsz Woon Benedict LO from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, contribute to this project. Journal title: ‘Visible light-mediated intermolecular crossed [2+2] cycloadditions using a MOF-supported copper triplet photosensitizer’ (Nature Catalysis, 2024).  

NEWS DETAIL

2023 Chinese Chemical Society Young Chemist Award

NEWS DETAIL

Diverse Ancient Volcanoes on Mars Discovered by HKU Planetary Scientist May Hold Clues to Pre-plate Tectonic Activity on Earth

Volcanoes are a common feature on the surfaces of solid planets within the solar system, resulting from magmatic activity occurring within the planetary crust. On Earth, volcanism is driven primarily by heat and crustal recycling associated with plate tectonics, but Mars lacks plate tectonics and the driver of volcanism is not well understood. Recent research by Professor Joseph MICHALSKI, a geologist in the Department of Earth Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), has revealed intriguing insights into the volcanic activity on Mars. He proposes that Mars has significantly more diverse volcanism than previously realised, driven by an early form of crust recycling called vertical tectonics. The findings, recently published in Nature Astronomy, shed light on the ancient crust of Mars and its potential implications for understanding early crustal recycling on both Mars and Earth. Traditionally, Mars has been known to have large shield volcanoes similar to those in Hawaii. However, it was not known that Mars also possessed the diverse, explosive volcanoes that form on Earth due to crustal recycling. The recent research conducted by Professor Michalski and his international team discover a vast number of diverse volcanoes in the ancient crust of Mars. ‘We have known for decades that Mars has volcanoes, but most of the recognised volcanoes correspond to large basaltic shield volcanoes similar to the ones that make up Hawaii,’ he explains. ‘In this work, we show that the ancient crust has many other types of volcanoes such as lava domes, stratovolcanoes, calderas and large shields of ash, not lava. Further, most scientists see Mars as a planet composed of basalt, which has low silica content and represents little crustal evolution, but these volcanoes have high silica content which means they formed from a complex process of magma evolution not known before.’ Colour image data are draped onto topography to show a 3-D view of a large stratovolcano in the Eridania region of Mars. Image Credit: NASA/ESA/HRSC. The paper suggests that intense volcanism occurred on ancient Mars, causing the crust to collapse into the mantle, where the rocks re-melted, resulting in magmas that have high silica. This tectonic process, called vertical tectonics, is hypothesised to have occurred on the ancient Earth, but rocks on Earth from that period (the Archean, more than 3 billion years ago) are highly modified by later geological activity, so we cannot see evidence for this process clearly on this planet. Therefore, exploring other planets like Mars, which has volcanism but no plate tectonics, can help reveal the mysteries of early crustal recycling on both the Red Planet, and by analogy, on early Earth. Professor Michalski concluded, ‘Mars contains critical geological puzzle pieces that help us understand not only that planet, but the Earth as well. Martian volcanism is much more complex and diverse than has been previously thought.’ ‘This is a significant discovery because it has revealed that crustal recycling can occur not only in plate tectonic regimes dominated by horizontal movements, but can also occur in pre-plate tectonic regimes dominated by vertical movements. This finding can help earth scientists revolve the long-term controversial issues of how and when felsic continents formed in our planet (Earth)’, said Professor Guochun ZHAO, the Chair Professor of HKU Earth Sciences.   The journal paper can be accessed here.    About Professor Joseph Michalski A Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Deputy Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at HKU, he collaborated with colleagues from mainland China and USA on this research project. He is a Research Fellow of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, and winner of a Tencent Xplorer Prize in 2023. The funding for this work was provided by the RGC Collaborative Research Fund. For more information on Professor Joseph Michalski's research, please visit here.  Twitter: @JoePlanets 

NEWS DETAIL

The Art of Sparkling Tea: A Fusion of Science and Craftsmanship

Lifestyle embodies an attitude, and the philosophy behind business operations is truly invaluable. When we merge these principles and infuse mindfulness into our everyday existence, we ignite genuine sparks in our lives. In an enlightening conversation with Winston LAU, the visionary behind Mindful Sparks, we delved into the origins of his venture. As a Food and Nutritional Science graduate from HKU, Winston's love for wine sparked a desire to develop an exquisite beverage to those who sought an alcohol-free yet sophisticated option. ‘What we’re trying to do is to maximise the flavour experience that people can enjoy, the aroma, the taste, and the aftertaste during fine-dining food pairings,’ said Winston. A Journey Fueled by Passion and Purpose ‘By utilising a multidimensional extraction technique and focusing on the full potential of Chinese tea, we aim to elevate the tea-drinking experience to a fine-dining level,’ Winston revealed the meticulous craftsmanship behind Mindful Sparks' sparkling tea. Through a unique extraction method named 'Layer Six Extraction', developed in collaboration with Professor Jetty LEE of the School of Biological Sciences, the team extracts the polyphenols - the nutrients and complex flavours - from tea leaves. This process, combined with a three-day maturation and delicate carbonation, results in a champagne-like sparkling tea that exudes sophistication. As a graduate in food science, Winston consistently prioritises upholding a strong food safety management system. ‘Despite our relatively short two-year establishment, we’ve successfully secured ISO 22,000, HACCP and HALAL certifications – a noteworthy accomplishment for a company of our size,’ remarked Winston. He highlights that these certifications are pivotal in advancing the company’s food safety management and production processes, facilitating collaborations with leading top hotel chains and retailers.   BSc Alumus (majored in Food and Nutritional Science) Winston Lau, Founder and CEO of Mindful Sparks Elevate and innovate tea traditions to create a healthy luxury lifestyle, a new culture to the world! Winston collaborated with the team led by Professor Jetty LEE (second person from the right in the first row) from HKU School of Biological Sciences to develope the Layer 6 Extraction method to craft his sparkling teas.  The Intersection of Science, Sustainability, and Innovation Drawing from his scientific background, Winston shared how his Food and Nutritional Science education contributed to his business operations. ‘My scientific training at HKU equipped me with critical thinking skills and a problem-solving mindset that are invaluable in the business world,’ explained Winston. The knowledge gained in food chemistry, marketing, and sensory evaluation courses empowered him to develop innovative solutions, such as the upcycling of cacao waste into the Blood Orange Cacao Husk Sparkling Tea. Winston emphasised the importance of aligning one's academic pursuits with personal interests and career goals. ‘My four years of studying food and nutritional science not only broadened my knowledge but also provided a solid foundation for my entrepreneurial journey,’ highlighted Winston. Dedicated to complexity, flavour, and sustainability, Winston has skillfully established a presence in the non-alcoholic beverage market, presenting a luxurious and health-conscious alternative. His journey is a source of inspiration for individuals aspiring to blend their passions with academic pursuits, paving the way for a fulfilling and impactful career. Mindful Sparks' sparkling tea leaves us with an elevated appreciation for the artistry and innovation encapsulated in every sip. Click here to learn more about Mindful Sparks. 

NEWS DETAIL

HKU Astrophysicists Crack the Case of the “Disappearing” Sulphur in Planetary Nebulae

Two astrophysicists from the Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have finally solved a 20-year-old astrophysical puzzle concerning the lower-than-expected amounts of the element Sulphur found in Planetary Nebulae (PNe) in comparison to expectations and measurements of other elements and other types of astrophysical objects. The expected levels of Sulphur have long appeared to be “missing in action”. However, they have now finally reported for duty after hiding in plain sight, as a result of leveraging highly accurate and reliable data. The team has recently reported their findings in Astrophysical Journal Letters. Background PNe are the short-lived glowing, ejected, gaseous shrouds of dying stars that have long fascinated and enthused professional and amateur astronomers alike with their colourful and varied shapes. PNe live for only a few tens of thousands of years compared to their host stars, which can take billions of years before they pass through the PN phase on the way to becoming “white dwarfs”. Consequently, PNe provide an almost instantaneous snapshot of stellar death throes. They are a vital, scientific window into late-stage stellar evolution as their rich emission line spectra enable detailed studies of their chemical compositions. The Enigmatic Sulphur Anomaly Past studies showed that PNe optical spectra appeared to have a varying deficit of the element Sulphur. This deficit was difficult to explain because Sulphur, known as an “α element”, should be produced in lockstep with other elements like oxygen, neon, argon and chlorine in more massive stars. As a result, its cosmic abundance should also be directly proportional. Surprisingly, while strong correlations between Sulphur and Oxygen abundances have been observed in H II regions (Hydrogen ionised region) and blue compact galaxies (see figure 2), PNe originating from low- to intermediate-mass stars consistently exhibit lower Sulfur levels, giving rise to the so-called mysterious “sulfur anomaly” that has perplexed and annoyed astronomers for decades. Our Work Solving the Mystery Ms Shuyu TAN, a graduate of HKU MPhil in Physics and Research Assistant at HKU LSR, along with her supervisor Professor Quentin PARKER, the Director of LSR, utilised an unprecedented sample of exceptional high signal to noise (S/N) optical spectra for approximately 130 PNe located in the centre of our Galaxy. This exceptional dataset had minimal background noise, allowing for a clear and detailed examination of the spectral features, helping the team effectively tackle and solve the mystery. These PNe were observed using the world-leading European Southern Observatory (ESO) 8m Very Large Telescope in Chile. It turns out the anomaly was essentially a result of poor data quality for Sulphur emission lines in PNe spectra. It was found that using Oxygen as the base metallicity comparator to other elements was not accurate, and instead, Argon demonstrated a stronger correlation with Oxygen for Sulphur and has been suggested as a more reliable indicator of metallicity and a suitable comparison element. So, when a large, carefully selected sample of PNe are spectroscopically observed at high S/N on a large telescope, not only did the data reveal a strong “lock-step” behaviour or Sulphur in PNe for the first time, as seen and expected for other types of astrophysical objects, but the anomaly itself effectively went away.   This is shown in the two key plots from the paper below: Figure 2. The vertical axis for both plots – sulphur abundance relative to Hydrogen. Left plot – the sulphur anomaly (blue points are for PNe, green points for HII regions and blue compact galaxies) where Sulfur is shown relative to Oxygen. There is a large scatter for PN measure compared to the 1:1 lock-step behaviour expected and seen for other alpha elements in PNe. Right plot: The green points are as before but this time the orange points are for the PNe from our VLT galactic centre PN sample and with sulphur plotted against Argon rather than Oxygen. There is now lock-step behaviour seen for sulphur for the first time and a parallel track and much tighter relationship where the anomaly is almost extinguished. Image credit: Figure adapted from The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 961:L47(9pp),2024 February 1. The authors have effectively disproven previous claims suggesting that the sulfur anomaly in Planetary Nebulae was a result of underestimated higher sulfur ionization stages or weak sulfur line fluxes. This finding underscores the critical importance of high-quality data in unraveling scientific mysteries. The Journal paper can be accessed here: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad1ed9/pdf   Figure 3. Image from an ESO telescope in Chile of Planetary Nebulae PN NGC 5189. Some say it looks like a Chinese flying Dragon in space. Image credits: ESO          

NEWS DETAIL

Recovering Lossless Propagation: HKU Physicists Overcoming Optical Loss in Polariton System with Synthetic Complex Frequency Waves

A collaborative research team co-led by Professor Shuang ZHANG, the Interim Head of the Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), along with Professor Qing DAI from National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, has introduced a solution to a prevalent issue in the realm of nanophotonics – the study of light at an extremely small scale. Their findings, recently published in the prestigious academic journal Nature Materials, propose a synthetic complex frequency wave (CFW) approach to address optical loss in polariton propagation. These findings offer practical solutions such as more efficient light-based devices for faster and more compact data storage and processing in devices such as computer chips and data storage devices, and improved accuracy in sensors, imaging techniques, and security systems. Surface plasmon polaritons and phonon polaritons offer advantages such as efficient energy storage, local field enhancement, and high sensitivities, benefitting from their ability to confine light at small scales. However, their practical applications are hindered by the issue of ohmic loss, which causes energy dissipation when interacting with natural materials. Over the past three decades, this limitation has impeded progress in nanophotonics for sensing, superimaging, and nanophotonic circuits. Overcoming ohmic loss would significantly enhance device performance, enabling advancement in sensing technology, high-resolution imaging, and advanced nanophotonic circuits. Professor Shuang Zhang, corresponding author of the paper, explained the research focus, ‘To address the optical loss challenge in key applications, we have put forward a practical solution. By employing a novel synthetic complex wave excitation, we can achieve virtual gain and counteract the intrinsic loss of the polariton system. To validate this approach, we applied it to the phonon polariton propagation system and observed a significant improvement in polariton propagation.’ ‘We demonstrated our approach by conducting experiments using phonon polariton material, such as hBN and MoO3, in the optical frequency range. As expected, we obtained nearly lossless propagation distance consistent with our theoretical predictions,’ added Dr Fuxin GUAN, the paper’s first author and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Physics at HKU.   Multi-frequency approach to overcome optical loss In this research, the team developed a novel multiple-frequency approach to address energy loss in polariton propagation. They used a special type of wave called ‘complex frequency waves’ to achieve virtual gain and compensate for the loss in an optical system. While a regular wave maintains a constant amplitude or intensity over time, a complex frequency wave exhibits both oscillation and amplification simultaneously. This characteristic allows for a more comprehensive representation of wave behaviour and enables compensation for energy loss. While frequency is commonly perceived as a real number, it can also have an imaginary part. This imaginary part tells us how the wave either gets stronger or weaker over time. Waves with a complex frequency featuring a negative (positive) imaginary part decay (amplify) over time. However, directly carrying our measurement under the excitation of complex frequency waves in optics is challenging because it requires complex time-gated measurements. To overcome this, the researchers employed the Fourier Transformation mathematical tool to break down a truncated complex frequency wave (CFW) into multiple components with individual frequencies. Just like when you are cooking and need a specific ingredient that is hard to find, the researchers used a similar idea. They broke down the complex frequency waves into simpler components, like using substitute ingredients in a recipe. Each component represented a different aspect of the wave. It is like creating a delicious dish by using substitute ingredients to get the desired flavour. By measuring these components at different frequencies and combining the data, they reconstructed the behaviour of the system illuminated by the complex frequency wave. This helped them understand and compensate for the energy loss. This approach greatly simplifies the practical implementation of CFWs in different applications, including polariton propagation and superimaging. By conducting optical measurements at different real frequencies with a fixed interval, it becomes feasible to construct the optical response of the system at a complex frequency. This is achieved by mathematically combining the optical responses obtained at different real frequencies. Professor Qing DAI, the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology and another corresponding author of the paper, stated that this work has provided a practical solution to address the long-standing issue of optical loss in nanophotonics. He highlighted the significance of the synthesised complex-frequency method, stating that it can be easily applied to various other applications like molecular sensing and nanophotonic integrated circuits. He further emphasised that ‘this method is remarkable and universally applicable, as it can also be utilised to address loss in other wave systems, including sound waves, elastic waves, and quantum waves, thereby enhancing the quality of imaging to unprecedented levels.’ This work was supported by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation, the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. The journal paper ‘Compensating losses in polariton propagation with synthesized complex frequency excitation’ can be accessed here. Click here to learn more about Professor Shuang Zhang.    Supplementary Note: Experimental Demonstration As a proof of concept, the team started with phonon polaritons (PhPs) propagation at optical frequencies about 1450 cm-1 using hBN films. A long gold antenna placed on the hBN film is used to launch the 1D PhPs. The field distributions of the two real frequencies and the two complex frequencies are displayed in Fig. 2a and 2b, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that while the propagation at the real frequencies suffers strong attenuation, the polariton at the complex frequencies experiences almost no decay along the propagation. Figure 2. 1D Polariton propagation (from left to right) using hBN film operating at optical frequency. (a) Real frequency images show obvious decay field profile at propagation direction. (b) Complex frequency measurements provide almost non-dissipative propagation behavior. Figures adapted from Nature Materials, 2024, doi.org/10.1038/s41563-023-01787-8. The team further applied the complex frequency approach to investigate the more complicated field distributions supported by a thin film of van der Waals crystal α-MoO3, which is highly anisotropic and supports natural in-plane hyperbolic polaritons. A metal antenna as an excitation source is placed on the α-MoO3 film as shown in Fig. 3a. The field distribution variation exhibits a characteristic hyperbolic propagation behaviour with a concave wavefront see Fig. 3b. With the increase of the frequency, the wavelength decreases with a stronger field confinement, and meanwhile, the propagation becomes more attenuated. All of these real frequency plots are combined according to the ratio of complex frequency to obtain the complex frequency result in Fig. 3c. The team finally investigated the interference behavior of PhPs using the complex frequency approach. Two circular antennas with different diameters are fabricated on the MoO3 film to excite the phonon polaritons, as shown in Fig. 3d. While the real frequency plots cannot show clear interference fringes, as shown in Fig. 3e, the complex frequency plots of clear interference fringes can be synthesised after combining the results of different real frequencies and as shown in Fig. 3f.   Figure 3. Hyperbolic phonon polariton and elliptical phonon polariton propagation on α-MoO3 film. (a) AFM of an antenna placed on the α-MoO3 film. (b) Real frequency measurements of hyperbolic polariton in different real frequencies. (c) Complex frequency measurement provides an ultra-long distance propagation behavior. (d) AFM of two different spaced gold antennas. (e) The amplitude and real part of the measurements at real frequency f=990cm-1. (f) The amplitude and real part of measurements at complex frequency f=(990-2i)cm-1. Figures adapted from Nature Materials, 2024, doi.org/10.1038/s41563-023-01787-8.

NEWS DETAIL

Science Teachers Recognised with HKU Excellence Awards 2023

Congratulations to our academics for receiving the University's innovator, research and teaching excellence awards in the HKU Excellence Award Scheme 2023. The list of award recipients is appended as follows:    HKU Innovator Award Professor Hongzhe SUN  Norman & Cecilia Yip Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chair Professor of Chemistry   Outstanding Researcher Awards Outstanding Researcher Award  Professor Xiang David LI  Professor, Department of Chemistry   Outstanding Young Researcher Award Professor Junzhi LIU  Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry   Research Output Prize Professor Aleksandra DJURIŠIĆ Professor, Department of Physics Details of the awarded journal paper: 'Monolithic perovskite/organic tandem solar cells with 23.6% efficiency enabled by reduced voltage losses and optimized interconnecting layer', Nature Energy 2022, 7(3), 229–237 by Chen, Wei, Zhu, Yudong, Xiu, Jingwei, Chen, Guocong, Liang, Haoming, Liu, Shunchang, Xue, Hansong, Birgersson, Erik, Ho, Jian Wei, Qin, Xinshun, Lin, Jingyang, Ma, Ruijie, Liu, Tao, He, Yanling, Ng, Alan M.C., Guo, Xugang, He, Zhubing, Yan, He, Djurišić, Aleksandra B.*, & Hou, Yi.   Teaching Excellence Award   Early Career Teaching Award Professor Ying Wai CHAN  Assistant Professor, School of Biological Sciences     Congratulations to all the recipients on their well-deserved achievements!     The university-level HKU Innovator Award recognises outstanding Faculty members whose innovations demonstrate exceptionally high potential impact (legacy or projected legacy) with transformative results to foster development.    The Outstanding Researcher Awards scheme aims to recognise, honour and reward exceptional work in research by staff of the University. The scheme includes the Distinguished Research Achievement Award (DRAA), Outstanding Researcher Award (ORA), Outstanding Young Researcher Award (OYRA), Outstanding Research Student Supervisor Award (ORSSA), and Research Output Prize (ROP). The DRAA, ORA and OYRA are awards made to recognise individuals for their outstanding research accomplishments. The ORSSA is to recognise exemplary and effective supervisory guidance and support to their research postgraduate students. The ROP is a Faculty-based award to honour the best research output from each Faculty.   The Teaching Excellence Award Scheme aims to recognise, reward and promote excellence in teaching at the University. Under the Scheme, there are four categories of awards, viz. University Distinguished Teaching Award, Outstanding Teaching Award (OTA), Early Career Teaching Award (ECTA) and Teaching Innovation Award (TIA). Besides individual awards, both OTA and TIA comprise team awards to recognise and encourage collaborative effort and achievement in enhancing teaching and learning. Faculties should encourage their teachers with outstanding contributions to teaching and learning to apply for these awards.

NEWS DETAIL

Faculty of Science secures funding for high-quality cross-disciplinary research projects in 2023/24 Collaborative Research Fund (CRF)

In the recent announcement of the Research Grants Council (RGC) 2023/24 funding exercise, the Faculty of Science has achieved funding for two projects under the Collaborative Research Fund (CRF), with a total funding of HK$12.2 million. This year, the awarded projects include one Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG) and one Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG).   Established by the University Grants Committee (UGC), the CRF encourages and supports multi-investigator collaboration in diverse disciplines to engage in creative and high-quality cross-disciplinary projects.    The Collaborative Research Project Grant and the Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG) aim to enhance university research output and support early-stage academic staff. By encouraging research groups in UGC-funded universities to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, these grants foster both project development and the career progression of researchers.   The following projects have been awarded: Department/ School Project Title Project Coordinator RGC  Fund Approved Project Period Collaborative Research Project Grant (CRPG) Biological Sciences Integrative structural and chemical biology approaches to investigate pre-replicative complex assembly and its applications in human diseases 整合結構和化學生物學方法研究人體細胞複製前始複合物的組裝及其在疾病治療中的應用 Professor Yuanliang ZHAI HK$8,190,772  3 Years Young Collaborative Research Grant (YCRG) Chemistry   Accessing Molecular Complexity and Functionality from Active Methylene Compounds via Asymmetric Catalysis 通過亞甲基化合物的不對稱轉化構建複雜和功能分子 Professor Zhongxing HUANG HK$4,024,624  3 Years    For more details about the funding results, please click here.  

NEWS DETAIL

Three Research Projects from Faculty of Science Secured Funding under the NSFC/RGC Joint and Collaborative Research Schemes

Nine research projects from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have successfully secured funding under the National Natural Science Foundation for China and the Research Grants Council (NSFC/RGC) 2023/24 Exercise. Notably, three of these projects are from the Faculty of Science. Two of the successful projects were selected for funding under the NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (JRS), with Professor Lixin DAI from the Department of Physics and Professor Xiaoyu LI from the Department of Chemistry leading as Principal Investigators. Additionally, another project secured funding through the NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS), spearheaded by Professor Yuanliang ZHAI from the School of Biological Sciences. The Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (RGC) earlier announced the funding results. The JRS aims to foster collaboration between researchers and research teams in Hong Kong and the mainland, leveraging the unique strengths of both regions. On the other hand, the CRS focuses on promoting larger-scale, interdisciplinary collaborative research involving universities across mainland China and Hong Kong, with the goal of enhancing research output and impact for both areas.   Details of the funded projects from Faculty of Science are as follows: HKU Science project funded under NSFC/RGC Collaborative Research Scheme: Mechanistic Study of the Parental Histone Recycling at Replication Forks Project Coordinator (Hong Kong): Professor Yuanliang Zhai, School of Biological Sciences   HKU Science projects funded under NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme: Investigating the Properties and Impacts of the Wind Launched from Black Hole Super-Eddington Accretion Flow Principal Investigator (Hong Kong): Professor Lixin Dai, Department of Physics Discovery of Novel Molecular Glue Molecules by Using DNA-encoded Chemical Libraries (DELs) Principal Investigator (Hong Kong): Professor Xiaoyu Li, Department of Chemistry

NEWS DETAIL

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 

NEWS DETAIL

Physics PhD Student Honoured with Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award (2023/24) for Insights into Dark Matter Research

Congratulations to Mr Alfred Amruth, a PhD student at the Department of Physics, on receiving the Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award 2023/24. Amruth's research focuses on dark matter and gravitational lensing. His innovative approach to solving the mystery of dark matter in the universe has attracted widespread attention in academia. His research paper ‘Einstein rings modulated by wavelike dark matter from anomalies in gravitationally lensed image’ was selected as the cover article for Nature Astronomy, a renowned scientific journal in the field. Dark matter constitutes the majority of mass in our Universe, yet its true nature remains a mystery. Understanding what dark matter is stands as one of the most fundamental questions in physics. Amruth believes that dark matter could potentially be the next ‘fuel’ for elevating human civilisation and possibly help us become true space explorers. Currently, Amruth is working actively with collaborators worldwide to study the effects of wave-like dark matter in galaxies. He attributes his development as a scientist to the invaluable mentorship of his supervisor, Dr Jeremy LIM, as well as the unwavering support of his collaborators and colleagues. Established in 2022 by the HKU Graduate School and the Technology Transfer Office, the Research Postgraduate Student Innovation Award recognises up to ten research postgraduate students each year for their most exciting and innovative research ideas. Additionally, Amruth has been awarded the 2023 Hong Kong Young Scientist Award in Physical/Mathematical Science by the Hong Kong Institution of Science. This award recognises the young scientists and engineers in Hong Kong who demonstrate exceptional potential in their respective fields of study. It aims to foster the development of science and technology in the region.

NEWS DETAIL