News

HKIE Scholarship 2019/20

Congratulations to Year 4 student TONG Cheuk Ying for receiving the HKIE Scholarship 2019/20! Let's enjoy the video illustrating her involvement in the HKIE activities in the past years: Video credit: TONG Cheuk Ying; original links(https://youtu.be/ipNA9MytvDA)  

PolyU develops groundbreaking targeted osteoarthritis pain reliever

Researchers at PolyU introduced their development of an imaging-guided nanoparticle photothermal treatment for osteoarthritis pain that uses the concept of targeted cancer therapy in a press conference held yesterday (14 September). The targeted osteoarthritis pain theranostics, which offer both diagnostics and therapeutics, are made of gold nanorods which are fused with antibodies directed against the nerve growth factor (NGF), the pain-triggering protein.   Professor Yang Mo, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, said it is the first time the concept of targeted photothermal therapy for osteoarthritis pain via nanotechnology is being introduced. He said testing on mice suggests the targeted photothermal treatment achieves satisfactory pain relief and improvement of motor function. It holds good promise for clinical translation to achieve long-lasting pain relief for days.   Dr Wen Chunyi, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, said the dual-track pain treatments with the antibody-fused nanorods and laser stimulation reduced the amount of NGF in joint tissues more efficiently and did not cause damage to the surrounding soft tissues or bone.    The research findings have been published in the prestigious journal ACS Nano by the American Chemical Society and were reported by Nature Reviews Rheumatology.  Press release: English - https://polyu.me/3hA6ggG; Chinese - https://polyu.me/3CckkVr   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3AdzqJM Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/2Xg21iT Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/399PEHM Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/397R8T0 Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/39mttOZ Sky Post - https://polyu.me/2YM8XVF The Standard - https://polyu.me/3ljM8QS HK01 - https://polyu.me/3Aov6Hq Urban Life Health - https://polyu.me/3C9QJMk Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3nvR6wH Line Today - https://today.line.me/hk/article/akN2KG MSN HK - https://polyu.me/2YMcOC7 PR Newsire - https://polyu.me/3ls6p6K

Dr Xin ZHAO awarded China’s Excellent Young Scientists Fund

Dr Xin ZHAO, Associate Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, PolyU, has been awarded funding from the highly competitive China’s Excellent Young Scientists Fund 2021 (國家優秀青年科學基金) with the project “Engineering biomimetic microenvironment for bone repair”. She will receive HKD1.92 million to support her research project in Hong Kong over a three-year period. Under the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Fund was extended to young scientists in Hong Kong and Macau at eight designated universities since 2019. A total of 25 young scholars from Hong Kong and Macau are awarded funding this year. Congratulations to Dr Zhao! 今年，香港理工大學(理大)有一個項目獲選「優秀青年科學家基金項目」。該項目名為「骨修復材料仿生微環境構建」，由理大生物醫學工程學系副教授趙昕博士負責。趙博士從臨床病理出發，研究細胞外微環境中各類因素對細胞行為及功能影響，通過材料設計、修飾及加工，構建具有不同功能的新型組織工程支架，以期提高相關疾病臨床診療效果。 Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao -https://polyu.me/3j7UuLD  

Ir Prof. Yongping Zheng invents Liverscan : a portable non-invasive system for liver fibrosis assessment

Alcohol abuse and hepatic tissue scarring due to long-term inflammation may cause liver fibrosis. In severe cases, liver fibrosis may develop into serious problems like liver cirrhosis, dysfunction and cancer. In recent years, transient elastography (TE) diagnostic technology has emerged as a non-invasive method to assess liver fibrosis by measuring the stiffness of the liver, but it has the disadvantages of high cost and insufficient accuracy. In view of this, Ir Professor Zheng Yong-ping, Department of Biomedical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has led a research team to develop Liverscan, a palm-sized wireless device that combines TE with a real-time ultrasound image guided system, substantially bringing down the cost and greatly enhancing the accuracy of measurement through the real-time imaging. Its lightweight and portable design allows medical staff to perform liver fibrosis detection for patients anytime, anywhere.

PolyU develops AI-based screening system for Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic degenerative disease with no cure. Early detection is critical for early intervention to prevent disease progression and to reduce the need for salvage joint replacement surgery.   A team led by Dr Chunyi Wen, Associate Professor of PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, has developed an artificial intelligence-based KOA screening system that can predict the risk of KOA progression at different time points in the future with an accuracy of 80%. The system won “Global Innovation Awards” at the TechConnect Business Virtual Summit and Showcase 2020.   The system was trained by US Dataset with data of over 10,000 KOA patients. Mr Justin Chan, MPhil student in Biomedical Engineering at PolyU, said the system can predict the risk of KOA with basic information of the patient, such as age and daily habit, plus a medical-related questionnaire of about 20 questions responded by the patient’s family doctor.   Dr Wen noted that under the current hospital flow, new KOA patients have to wait for years for treatment in public hospitals. Their system can provide early diagnosis and therefore reduce the consultation time by up to 90%. The outcome would also aid clinical practitioners to perform efficient triage and construct personalised treatment plans.   Mr Toby Li, also MPhil student in Biomedical Engineering at PolyU, pointed out that the AI system can deepen the collaboration between community medical and clinical systems, as well as improve the management of chronic diseases, and hence an expected reduction of health costs of HK$1.4 billion each year.   The team is currently applying to the Hospital Authority for the use of data of 100,000 KOA patients in Hong Kong, with an aim of enhancing the system’s accuracy to 90%. It is also applying for subsidies from the government to recruit 2,000 people for clinical tests within five years.   Moreover, a mobile application is being developed to measure and record relevant physiological data of the patients regularly, so as to facilitate continuous tracking and self-management of the disease. (Oriental Daily News A13, Hong Kong Economic Times A19, Ta Kung Pao A09)   Online coverage: Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3fJBssQ Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3Atd1rD Sky Post - https://polyu.me/3xrEsjy HK01 - https://polyu.me/3fMyfIS Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3AmlTPE U Lifestyle - https://polyu.me/2U2T1MN

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer 2020/21

We are pleased to announce that Professor Yongping Zheng's project " A Novel Radiation-free Assessment for Scoliosis Using 3D Ultrasound Imaging" has won the Outstanding awards from the Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Knowledge Transfer 2020/21.  Prof. Zheng has invented a way to harness 3D ultrasound imaging technology to monitor the spinal condition scoliosis in children. The innovative solution makes the assessment of scoliosis both easier and safer. Prof. Zheng has been working on the development of a 3D ultrasound solution for scoliosis diagnosis since 2006. His research has demonstrated that 3D ultrasound technology can be used for both spinal imaging and spinal deformity measurement, with the novel volume projection method able to generate a radiography-like image of the spine. The Outstanding Awards winners will receive a cash prize of HK$10,000 for individual awards. Our hearty congratulations to Prof. Zheng for his achievements!

Hypertension Meets Osteoarthritis - Revisiting the Vascular Aetiology Hypothesis

Dr. Chunyi WEN and his team, is one of the leading research groups worldwide, focusing on vascular origin of aging and age-related diseases. Dr. Wen observed a clinical association between hypertension and osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2013). This finding led a way in Dr. Wen’s research to searched for the underlying molecular link between these two prevalent debilitating age-related diseases (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2015). Under the auspices of RGC, Dr. Wen and his team finally identified endothelin-1 (ET-1), the most potent vasoconstrictor in hypertension, contributing to articular chondrocyte senescence and osteoarthritis pathology (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2020). It substantiates the vascular aetiology hypothesis of osteoarthritis and opens up a new avenue for discovery of novel mechanism-based disease-modifying therapies against osteoarthritis.Therefore, Dr. Wen has been invited to review current knowledge and to discuss future development along this direction on Nature Review Rheumatology in July, 2021.

Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department 2022

Deadline extended to 14 Nov 2021 The Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department aims to give public recognition to outstanding graduates of a PolyU academic department for their professional achievements and significant contributions to the community and their alma mater.   The year of 2022 marks the 85th Anniversary of PolyU.  New features are introduced to recognise our distinguished alumni’s diverse accomplishments and contributions. Four award categories to recognise:  Professional achievement Entrepreneurial achievement Scholarly achievement Community service achievement Special recognition to young alumni awardees  Awards will be conducted at three levels: Department level, Faculty/School level and University level Nomination and Selection Schedule Nominations for Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department are invited for submission.  Call for nomination starts from August/ September 2021  Nomination Form returns by 31 October 2021  Selection for Department Award will be conducted in late 2021.   Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a bona fide graduate who has successfully completed full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, Hong Kong Polytechnic; and its constituent units: School of Professional Education & Executive Development and Hong Kong Community College) which led to academic award accredited by the respective Institution. The proposer can be PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, current PolyU Council and Court member and current Advisory Committee member.  There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer.  However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself/ herself or a direct relative of the candidate. Award Categories and Selection Criteria There are four award categories, namely “Professional Achievement”, “Entrepreneurial Achievement”, “Scholarly Achievement” and “Community Service Achievement”.  Selection criteria for each category are listed below. Selection is based on the nominee’s accomplishments in his/her personal achievements in the field, contributions to the community, and support and contributions to PolyU. Award Category Description Professional Achievement This category recognises alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership and made a strong impact on their profession/ industry. Entrepreneurial Achievement This category recognises alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, founded and advanced business or technology ventures with social impact. Scholarly Achievement This category recognises alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with proven track record and excellent reputation in the field. Community Service Achievement This category recognises alumni who have made impactful contributions to the communities, or demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment, volunteerism and/or philanthropy for promoting the wellbeing of the communities.   Special recognition to young alumni awardees in the award category is added.  Candidate who is aged under 40 by the end of the award year can be considered under the Outstanding PolyU Young Alumni stream. Notes: The bestowal of the award shall subject to individual merits of the candidates.  No award shall be given out in a certain category if no suitable candidate is identified. Panel of Judges Panel of Judges, comprising both internal and external members, will be formed to examine the nominations and assess candidates’ qualifications and performance for the awards.  Application If you would like to nominate an individual for this award, please return the completed nomination form (click here) by 14 Nov 2021 by email to man-na.chan@polyu.edu.hk. 

Loo Hiu Tung recipient of Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2021

Congratulations go to Loo Hiu Tung, a Year 3 student in Biomedical Engineering. She has been recognized as one of the three outstanding students at PolyU who have received the Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2021 jointly sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission and HSBC, and organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG). She will receive a scholarship of up to HK$150,000. Loo Hiu Tung is very grateful to receive this prestigious scholarship, which has encouraged her pursuit of prosthetics and orthotics.

Promotion to Chair Professorship - Ir Professor Ming Zhang

We are pleased to announce that Ir Professor Ming ZHANG, Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been appointed as Chair Professor of Biomechanics with effect from 1 July 2021.    Prof. Zhang graduated from the Beijing Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Automation Control Engineering and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He was awarded a Doctor of Medical Engineering from King’s College, University of London, where he inspired applying the engineering knowledge to biomedical engineering research and education.   Prof. Zhang has a long-term relationship with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he joined the Rehabilitation Engineering Centre as a Lecturer in 1999 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2000, Associate Professor in 2005 and then Professor in 2008 in the Department of Health Technology and Informatics.  He was appointed as the Director of Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Bioengineering from 2012 to 2017.  He is also the Director of the Biomechanics Lab and the Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering from 2020.   Prof. Zhang is an internationally renowned and prominent scholar and his research is focused on biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and body support design applied to the fields of orthopaedics, sports science, and rehabilitation engineering.  He has published extensively in more than 300 international and domestic journal publications and won a number of international awards, including the Natural Science Award (First-class) of 2015 Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards by the Ministry of Education, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University President’s Awards for Excellent Performance/Achievement in Research and Scholarly Activities 2016.   He has also established or headed numerous academic committee for the development and scholarship of Biomechanics.  Most notably, Prof Zhang is Councilor of World Council of Biomechanics (WCB), President of World Association for Chinese Biomedical Engineers (WACBE), Chair of Chinese Society of Rehabilitation Engineering under both Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering and Chinese Rehabilitation Devices Association, Committee member of Chinese Society of Biomechanics, Committee member of Biomedical Division of Hong Kong Institute of Engineers, and Standing Council Member of Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering and Vice President of China Rehabilitation Devices Association. He also serves as Proposal Selection Panel Member for NSFC China and Hong Kong Research Grant Council.