Speaker: Prof James McCluskey, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Redmond Barry Distinguished
Knowledge Exchange
Seminar: The Emerging Role of Mucosal Associated Invariant T Cells (MAIT) Cells and Broader MR1-Reactive T Cell Immunity
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
L9-53, Conference Room, 9/F, laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Seminar 2025
From proof-of-concept research to commercialization a drug candidate
12:30 pm
Lecture Theatre, 2/F, Block T, Queen Mary
Speaker: Dr. Jin Xia
Honorary Professor of Department of Microbiology, HKU
Co-founder and CEO of Immuno Cure Biotech Limited
Dr. Jin Xia has experienced a full transition from a university professor to entrepreneurship in various BioTechs. He will share his perspective with the audience onthe joys and challenges of the journey.
Cancer-causing pathogens, cell plasticity and upper GI cancers
11:00-12:00 am
G/F, Room LG-S4, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building
Speaker: Prof. Lu Xin,
Professor
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford
Abstract:
One of the main research focuses of Porf. Lu Xin's group is the molecular switches of cell plasticity – the ability of cells to change their characteristics and fate. Cell plasticity is a key feature of development, regeneration and cancer and they recently revisited the role of cancer-causing pathogens, such as H. pylori and Epstein Barr virus on their ability to control the cell plasticity of host cells and vice versa. She will discuss thier recent advances in achieving an effective ‘kick and kill’ strategy to purge EBV-infected epithelial cancer cells through a combination of high throughput drug screening and state of the art single cell sequencing technologies.
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[Invited] Isoformic PD-1 regulates host immunity against cancer and infection
12:00 pm - 13:00 pm
Doherty Institute - Auditorium
Speaker: Prof. Zhiwei Chen,
Professor
Chair Professor for Immunology and Immunotherapy
AIDS Institute and Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical medicine, Li Ka Sing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Abstract:
Prof Chen’s research focuses on AIDS/SARE/COVID-19 pathogenesis and immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on the early events of viral infection. He pioneered the creation of HKU-patented platforms of technologies, including the PD1-based vaccine, the tandem anti-HIV-1 bi-specific antibody, and anti-Δ42PD1 antibody drug for the fight against viral infection and cancer. He has been ranked by Clarivate Analytics among the top 1% of researchers worldwide by citations and a Highly Cited Researchers in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He has won numerous research grants as PI from RGC GRF/CRF/TRS, ITC RAISe+, HMRF, NIH RO1, amfAR, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and so forth. He also won the HKU Knowledge Exchange Excellence Award 2019, Outstanding Researcher Award 2021 and Outstanding Researcher Student Supervisor Award 2021.
Applying Clinical Endoscopic Techniques to Preclinical Viral Research in Monkeys and Beyond
11:00 am - 12:00pm
Room 36, 5/F, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road
Speaker: Dr. De Tan,
Doctor
Sutter Medical Center of Sacramento, California, USDr.
Abstract: Dr. De Tan is currently an attending gastroenterologist
at Sutter Medical Group in Sacramento, California, USA. He bring extensive expertise in patient care, advanced endoscopic procedures, esophageal motility, and 24-hour pH studies. In addition to his clinical skills, he is deeply passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of medical professionals, including gastroenterologists, residents, and medical students.
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