Prof YANG Mo and Dr ZHAO Xin received RGC Collaborative Research Fund 2021/22
Our warmest congratulations to Prof YANG Mo and Dr ZHAO Xin who receive RGC Collaborative Research Fund in 2021/22.
Name
Proposal Title
RGC Amount Awarded
Prof YANG Mo
An upright multiphoton microscope for intravital imaging and optogenetic studies
HKD 3,910,000
Dr ZHAO Xin
Development of high-resolution 3D scaffolds with biomimetic triply periodic minimal surface structure for bone tissue repair
HKD 4,185,000
In this Exercise, PolyU submitted 50 CRF preliminary proposals with PolyU staff as PC. After a long and rigorous selection procedure, 5 proposals (including 3 Research Equipment Grant and 2 Research Project Grant) were supported by RGC with a total amount of awarded funding of $24.109 million.
About the projects
Prof YANG Mo - An upright multiphoton microscope for intravital imaging and optogenetic studies
An upright multiphoton microscopy system will be established with intravital imaging and optogenetic stimulation function. An interdisciplinary team with background in neuroscience, visual science, neural rehabilitation and nanobiotechnology will collaborate together. The proposed equipment will help the development of new engineering approaches based on novel functional bioprobes to realise simultaneous deep-brain imaging and optogenetic studies, which can be used to study the fundamental problems in neuroscience, visual science and neuro-rehabilitation, enable deeper understanding of neuronal behaviour in vivo, elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying a broad spectrum of neuronal diseases, and tackle human health-related challenges.
Dr ZHAO Xin - Development of high-resolution 3D scaffolds with biomimetic triply periodic minimal surface structure for bone tissue repair
Surface topology has demonstrated significant influence on regulating stem cell behaviors, functions and regenerating bone tissues. Notably, the hyperboloid structure is one that many species around the globe (e.g., coral calcification, leaves’ photosynthesis, mammalian trabecular bone) have adopted due to evolutionary advantages related to their amplified surface area, curvature, and energy dissipation. To recapitulate the architectural marvel of the hyperboloid structure, we propose a three-dimensional (3D) Triply Periodic Minimal Surface
(TPMS) scaffolds with varying Gaussian curvatures to embody a trabecular bone mimicking hyperboloidal topography. TPMS is a crystallographic symmetric and lattice-based structure in three directions, with excellent surface area, porosity and interconnectivity for both mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) adhesion/migration and vascular infiltration, effectively achieving osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling through activation of many cell signaling pathways. Ultrahigh resolution of 3D scaffolds with TPMS structure can be achieved through digital light processing (DLP) printing of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) slurry alongside addition of various metal ions for modulation of bone mineralization and covering with therapeutic gas nitric oxide generating coatings for enhanced angiogenesis. The resultant
TPMS scaffolds will undergo (1) mechanical assessment and characterization to ensure high resolution printing and prevention of stress shielding, (2) in vitro assays for assessment of osteogenic and angiogenic capabilities, and study of underlying molecular mechanisms, and (3) in vivo models to assess the clinical relevancy of the resultant TPMS scaffolds in terms of new bone formation and neovascularization.
With diverse talents and rich experience in fabrication of TPMS scaffolds, functionalized surfaces and coatings for osteogenic-angiogenic coupling, the team well demonstrates their capability and previous knowledge to complete the research project. The cell-/growth factor-free nature of the TPMS scaffolds will facilitate clinical translation as it is much closer towards a safe bone graft than implanted alternatives. The successful implementation of the
TPMS bone scaffolds will not only benefit patients struggling to recover from long-term bone diseases and fractures, but also initiate the evolution of a revolutionary regeneration concept in biomaterials, i.e., direction of the cell behaviors/functions and tissue formation exclusively through tuning the physical cues, without additional exogenous growth factors, drugs or cytokines. In the long term, commercialization of this project will also reinforce the status quo of the Greater Bay Area as a technological innovative sector, and alleviate the social problems
(e.g., growing population with bone diseases/fractures) arising from the aging population of surrounding regions.
About RGC CRF
For more information about the CRF, please visit https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/
For the full list of funded projects in 2021/22 CRF Exercise, please visit https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/crf/funded%20research/21-22.html
