News

PolyU scientists find new ways to combat drug resistance in cancers, featured in Nature

Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) are advancing new strategies to combat drug resistance in hard-to-treat cancers. The latest Nature Index features groundbreaking cancer research led by Prof. LEE Kin-wah Terence, and Prof. ZHAO Yanxiang, both Associate Heads and Professors in the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology.  Liver cancer poses a significant treatment challenge due to the liver’s natural detoxification function, which can diminish the effectiveness of therapies. Once a drug is administered, cancer cells often activate alternative signaling pathways to resist treatment. Prof. LEE’s research focuses on overcoming drug resistance from multiple fronts.  To understand why some liver cancer cells develop resistance to lenvatinib, a targeted cancer drug used to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Prof. LEE’s research team identified a protein called CDK6 as a key player in helping cancer stem cells survive, thereby making the cancer more difficult to treat. To counter this, the team tested drugs that block or break down CDK6, both in vitro and in lenvatinib-resistant HCC mouse models.  Autophagy is a vital cellular process through which cells degrade and recycle their own components, particularly in response to stress or nutrient deprivation. However, its role in cancer is complex. Both insufficient and excessive autophagy can be lethal to cancer cells. To explore this further, Prof. ZHAO proposed potential therapeutic strategies that specifically target autophagy.  Prof. ZHAO’s research team has been studying the possibility of manipulating autophagy as a potential route to new cancer treatments. These include strategies to overcome drug resistance in specific tumour types, such as certain liver cancers, where autophagy tends to occur at low levels.  PolyU’s interdisciplinary excellence is propelling advances in cancer drug research. Both professors are currently exploring strategies to overcome resistance to immunotherapy through autophagy induction and gut microbiota interventions. Stimulating the immune system to produce precise, tumour-specific responses represents a promising path forward. A personalised approach is essential, as each patient’s tumour is biologically unique.  For More:  https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-025-00320-6  

PolyU immersive VR gamification advancing digital health education received honour at the IEEE ISMAR 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has gained international recognition for its impactful contributions to immersive digital health education. Prof Lik-Hang LEE, Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and his research team have received the “Honourable Mention - Best Paper Award” at the IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR) 2025 for their pioneering work in integrating virtual reality into biomedical learning. The research titled “MetaRoundWorm: A Virtual Reality Escape Room Game for Learning the Lifecycle and Immune Response to Parasitic Infections”, led by Prof LEE, conducted with Ms Xuanru CHENG, and Ms Xian WANG, PhD students at Prof LEE’s Research Group in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and coordinated with Dr TAI Chi-lok, Associate Division Head of the Division of Business and Hospitality Management at the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) of PolyU, has been recognised for its innovative application of Virtual Reality (VR) in complex biomedical education. MetaRoundWorm is an immersive VR escape room that makes abstract public health topics more approachable by simulating the lifecycle of Ascaris lumbricoides and immune responses within anatomically accurate virtual environments. In a controlled study, it outperformed a strong baseline of interactive slides in immediate learning outcomes, engagement, and emotional response, while maintaining knowledge retention. The research findings indicate that VR gamification holds promise as an effective pedagogical tool for communicating complex biomedical concepts and advancing digital health education. Prof LEE said, “We are deeply honoured by this recognition. It is a meaningful affirmation of the PolyU research team’s dedication and passion to advance immersive learning. With MetaRoundWorm, we used a controlled study to test a simple idea: gamified immersive tasks should lead to visible, measurable gains in learning and better emotional experience. We will continue to explore the impact and the broader impact and potential of immersive, game-based learning across diverse fields.” Building on the results, which show that VR can make complex public health knowledge more accessible and classroom-ready, the research team has developed a multi-user, room-scale version of MetaRoundWorm for deployment in the HIVE (Highly Immersive Visualization Environment) at the Industrial Centre of PolyU. This enhanced version is also integrated into metaverse-based courses, aiming to boost students’ motivation and interest in biomedical learning. The IEEE ISMAR is the premier conference that gathers the world’s leading researchers from both academia and industry to explore advances in commercial and research activities related to Augmented Reality (AR), MR, and VR. This year, it was held at Daejeon, South Korea.

Media report: PolyU and Hongkong Land collaborate to apply waste glass in low-carbon construction materials promoting a sustainable environment

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has partnered with Hongkong Land Holdings Limited to develop eco-blocks made from glass waste for use in renovating the enterprises’ properties, promoting green building initiatives. Prof. Poon Chi-sun, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Michael Anson Professor of Civil Engineering of PolyU, and Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality, and his team have developed eco-blocks made from recycled glass waste. The blocks not only help reduce carbon emissions during construction but also offer superior strength and durability compared to traditional bricks. The new blocks are 10 to 20% stronger than conventional bricks, and waste materials from existing properties are sufficient to produce over 20,000 eco-blocks, demonstrating a practical and scalable solution for green renovation. This partnership exemplifies how academic research can drive real-world applications, turning waste into valuable resources and advancing the construction industry towards carbon neutrality. Prof. Poon’s work continues to connect academia and industry, delivering innovative solutions for a greener future. It effectively transforms construction waste into valuable resources, enabling more environmentally friendly and efficient building practices.  

PolyU delegation shines at 2025 World Laureates Forum

Four distinguished scholars from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) were invited to present their latest research at the 2025 World Laureates Forum (WLF), held in Shanghai from 24 to 25 October. Under the theme “Science in Future: Shanghai and the World”, the event brought together more than 100 leading scientists from over 10 countries and regions to explore future trends in science and technology and to strengthen global collaboration. As one of the few educational delegations from Hong Kong, PolyU’s participation underscored its vital role in the global scientific landscape. The invited scholars included, Prof. Dahua Shou, Limin Endowed Young Scholar in Advanced Textiles Technologies, Associate Professor of the School of Fashion and Textiles, Associate Director of the Research Centre of Textiles for Future Fashion, and Associate Director of the PolyU-Xingguo Technology and Innovation Research Institute; Prof. Zhang Caicai, Associate Professor of the Department of Language Science and Technology; Prof. Zheng Pai, Associate Professor of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Wong Tit Shing Young Scholar in Smart Robotics, and Member of the Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing;  Prof. Zhao Xin, Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology Prof. Zhang also hosted a face-to-face workshop with Lingang Youth on the topic of “Sleep and Cognitive Development,” providing an inspiring platform for fruitful discussion and sparking students' curiosity in cognitive science. PolyU remains committed to advancing scientific research, promoting science education, and supporting Hong Kong’s development as a global innovation and technology hub. WLF, hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology, is Asia’s most prestigious international science conference. Since its launch in 2018, it has become a premier platform for global scientific dialogue, fostering cross-border, cross-disciplinary, and cross-generational collaboration.  

PolyU project on HFpEF therapy supported by Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to pioneering healthcare innovation and medical advancement. A PolyU project aimed at improving treatment outcomes for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) through the development of a novel nanoparticle-based delivery platform, has been honoured with the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) 2025 (HLCA (HK) 2025). Led by Prof. CAI Yin, Assistant Professor of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics, the project titled “Targeting the Heart: Nanoparticle Drug Carriers for Innovative HFpEF Therapy” has received the HLCA (HK) 2025, with funding support of HK$389,000 for a duration of 12 months. HFpEF has become a serious health issue, especially among older adults. This condition is characterised by a stiffened heart that cannot properly fill with blood, and current treatment options are severely limited. Although certain natural cofactors can help regulate the underlying biological pathways, their clinical use has been hindered by instability and unintended effects. To overcome these challenges, Prof. CAI and his research team have developed a novel nanoparticle-based delivery platform. This system utilises a naturally derived, FDA-approved ingredient to transport a therapeutic agent specifically to the heart. This design protects the cargo from degradation, enhances its bioavailability, and concentrates its action precisely within cardiac tissue. The result is a targeted therapy that maximises therapeutic potential while reducing side effects. Prof. CAI expressed gratitude for the award and said, “Our compelling pre-clinical data demonstrates a significant reversal of key HFpEF symptoms. This project will now advance to comprehensive efficacy and safety testing. Our long-term goal is to translate this targeted nanotherapy through larger animal studies and into human trials, ultimately offering a transformative strategy to improve the quality of life and healthy longevity for patients suffering from HFpEF.” The Research Grants Council has collaborated with the National Academy of Medicine of the United States for the HLCA (HK) since 2022. Being part of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition at its Catalyst Phase, HLCA (HK) aims to call for bold and innovative ideas from any discipline that have the potential to extend the human healthspan. Each award includes a US$50,000 (approx. HK$389,000) cash prize at a maximum for a period of 12 months.

PolyU reshapes AI training paradigm, significantly reducing costs and democratising AI research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Academy for Artificial Intelligence (PAAI) has announced achieving several milestones in Generative AI (GenAI) research. The PAAI team is pushing the boundaries of AI with a novel collaborative GenAI paradigm known as Co-GenAI, which has the potential to transform frontier model training from a centralised, monolithic approach into a decentralised one. Significantly lowering training resource requirements, protecting data privacy and removing resource barriers such as graphics processing unit (GPU) monopolies paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible environment for global institutions to participate in AI research. Advances in GenAI research are presently constrained by three major barriers: training foundation models being so computationally prohibitive that only a few organisations can afford it, effectively excluding global academia from frontier model development; domain knowledge and data remaining siloed due to privacy and copyright concerns, particularly for sensitive information in healthcare and finance; and foundation models being static and unable to evolve with emerging knowledge, while retraining each frontier model ab initio consumes an enormous amount of resources and makes rapid iteration impossible. To tackle these challenges, the PAAI team has developed a novel model training framework that enables ultra-low-resource training and decentralised model fusion. The framework is theoretically grounded and has been validated through extensive real-world applications. PolyU is the first academic institution to open-source an end-to-end FP8 low-bit training solution that covers both continual pre-training (CPT) and post-training stages. This approach will set a new standard for training models with FP8 ultra-low resources while maintaining BF16 precision, in turn revolutionising the practice of model training and positioning PolyU among the few institutions worldwide to master this advanced training technique. Compared with BF16, FP8 delivers over 20% faster training, reduces peak memory by over 10% and dramatically lowers training overheads while maintaining performance. The pipeline integrates CPT, supervised fine-tuning (SFT) and reinforcement learning (RL) to achieve BF16 quality while shortening training time and reducing memory footprint. The team has begun exploring even lower-cost FP4 precision training, with initial results reported in academic publications1. In medical applications, the models trained by these pipelines outperform all peer models on diagnosis and reasoning across all key areas2. In research agent application, the models also demonstrate exceptional performance in complex task handling, generalisation and report quality3. Until now, foundation model training has followed scaling laws: more parameters yield broader knowledge and stronger performance. However, centralised training typically requires millions of GPU hours—a resource available to only a few organisations. The PolyU InfiFusion model fusion achieves a key milestone in model fusion research: it uses only hundreds of GPU hours to fuse large models that would otherwise require 1–2 million GPU hours to train from scratch. The team has merged four state-of-the-art models in 160 GPU hours4-5, avoiding million-scale training budgets while delivering fused models that significantly outperform the originals across multiple key benchmarks. The team has published the first theoretical validation of model fusion—a concept championed by Thinking Machines Lab. Through rigorous mathematical derivation, they proposed the “Model Merging Scaling Law,” suggesting there is another viable pathway to artificial general intelligence (AGI)6. Prof. YANG Hongxia, Executive Director of PolyU PAAI, Associate Dean (Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, and Professor of the Department of Computing, stated, “Ultra-low-resource foundation model training, combined with efficient model fusion, enables academic researchers worldwide to advance GenAI research through collaborative innovation.” The team has also demonstrated the potential of its training pipelines through applications across specific domains, including state-of-the-art medical foundation and cancer AI models that achieve best-in-class performance. With the integration of high-quality domain-specific data, these models can adapt to medical devices for different scenarios, including personalised treatment and AI-based radiotherapy for oncology. In this context, the team is now collaborating with Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong. PAAI has also introduced a leading agentic AI application in deep search and academic paper assistance—a graduate-level academic paper writer with agentic capability that supports a multimodal patent-search engine for end-to-end research and manuscript drafting. Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, stated, “AI is a key driver in accelerating the development of new quality productive forces. The newly established PAAI is dedicated to expediting AI integration across key sectors and developing domain-specific models for diverse industries. These initiatives will not only solidify the leading position of PolyU in related fields, but also help position Hong Kong as a global hub for GenAI.” The research project led by Prof. Yang Hongxia is supported and funded by the Theme-based Research Scheme 2025/26 under the Research Grants Council, the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus Scheme under the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government, and the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme under Cyberport. It marks a significant step forward for Hong Kong in global AI innovation and accelerating the democratisation and industrial implementation of AI technology.   1InfiR2: A Comprehensive FP8 Training Recipe for Reasoning-Enhanced Language Models,  https://arxiv.org/html/2509.22536v3 2InfiMed: Low-Resource Medical MLLMs with Advancing Understanding and Reasoning, https://arxiv.org/html/2505.23867 3InfiAgent: Self-Evolving Pyramid Agent Framework for Infinite Scenarios, https://arxiv.org/html/2509.22502 4InfiGFusion: Graph-on-Logits Distillation via Efficient Gromov-Wasserstein for Model Fusion, https://arxiv.org/html/2505.13893 5InfiFPO: Implicit Model Fusion via Preference Optimization in Large Language Models, https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.13878 6Model Merging Scaling Laws in Large Language Models, https://arxiv.org/html/2509.24244

PolyU research achieves record efficiency in semi-transparent solar cells, advancing the development of building-integrated photovoltaics

Transparent solar cells can be integrated into windows, screens and other surfaces, with immense potential for them to revolutionise the renewable energy sector. However, there are challenges to overcome, one of which is balancing transparency with power conversion efficiency. Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) that offer the dual advantages of efficient energy generation and visually appealing design are thus attracting significant research interest. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have recently developed an innovative parameter to evaluate the potential of photoactive materials for ST-OPVs. By screening for the most promising materials and their combinations, the research has advanced the development of high-performance ST-OPVs and paved the way for their widespread applications in smart windows and sustainable buildings. With their unique discrete absorption, low-cost production and environmental sustainability, ST-OPVs have very significant development potential in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). To fully realise their potential in the BIPV market and beyond, scientists have combined different materials and leveraged advanced device engineering technologies to enhance the efficiency and stability of ST-OPVs, while ensuring that the colour of the product appears natural under sunlight so that the photovoltaic system does not compromise the building’s visual appeal. Prof. LI Gang, Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology and Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy of the PolyU Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, together with Research Fellow Dr YU Jiangsheng, introduced a dimensionless parameter, FoMLUE, to screen a series of classic photoactive materials. It takes into account the materials’ average visual transmittance, bandgap and current density by investigating their normalised absorbance. The researchers found that ST-OPVs based on the ternary materials with the highest FoMLUE values demonstrated enhanced thermal insulation and operational stability compared with their counterparts, and achieved record light utilisation efficiency of 6.05% - the highest figure of merit reported for any semi-transparent solar cell. Their research additionally revealed the influence of geographical factors on ST-OPV performance. To explore the power generation and energy-saving performance of ST-OPV glazed windows, the research team developed a transient model to simulate power output and assess its impact on building space cooling and heating loads. The model, applied in 371 cities across China, has shown that over 90% achieved annual load reductions. Geographical analysis has further indicated that regions with hot summers and warm winters are the most suitable for the installation of ST-OPV glazed windows, with the annual total energy saving in these regions reaching up to 1.43 GJ m ⁻². A paper reporting the research, “Semitransparent organic photovoltaics with wide geographical adaptability as sustainable smart windows,” has been published in Nature Communications. Prof. Li said, “As an emerging solar photovoltaic technology, solar windows offer new possibilities for practical deployment in BIPV, renewable energy vehicles and agricultural greenhouses. Our findings highlight the multifunctionality and geographical adaptability of high-performance ST-OPVs in the construction of sustainable and energy-saving smart windows without compromising the integrity of architectural design, showcasing their highly promising commercial prospects.” Moving forward, the research team will continue to enhance the long-term stability of ST-OPVs and scale up development to large-area solar modules, both of which are essential for achieving commercialisation.

Six PolyU projects receive support from Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Technology Research Programme (Type C)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research and contributing to the development of a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Six projects led by PolyU, spanning new energy, advanced materials, aerospace, electronic information, intelligent manufacturing, and high-tech services, have received support from the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Technology Research Programme (Type C) 2025. PolyU has emerged as the top performer in the 2025 funding exercise, securing the highest number of awarded projects among institutions in Hong Kong and Macau. Six PolyU projects were granted, each receiving close to the maximum funding of RMB 3 million, for a total of RMB 17.79 million.  This outstanding result underscores PolyU’s leadership in research transfer and collaborative innovation across the GBA. These projects are dedicated to delivering impactful innovations that drive the development of high-tech industries, including novel battery technology, coating materials for offshore engineering, aero-engine maintenance, AI-driven sensing, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopes, and construction safety in the low-altitude economy. Funded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality (深圳市科技創新局), the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Technology Research Programme (Type C) is a flagship initiative designed to foster innovation-driven collaboration across the GBA. It encourages universities, research institutions, and enterprises in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao to harness their complementary strengths, catalyse globally impactful scientific breakthroughs, and drive industrial transformation. PolyU 6 projects supported by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Technology Research Programme (Type C) Principal Inverstigator Project Title (Chinese Only) Funding Amount (RMB) Prof. NI Meng Associate Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Head of Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, Chair Professor of Energy Science and Technology 面向載具及便攜設備的增材製造輕質高性能質子導體燃料電池或電解池關鍵技術開發 3,000,000 Prof. WANG Zuankai Associate Vice President (Research), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering, Chair Professor of Nature-Inspired Engineering   高端海工裝備關鍵運動部件多功能塗層材料開發 3,000,000 Prof. H.C. MAN Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Cheng Yick-chi Chair Professor in Manufacturing Engineering, Chair Professor of Materials Engineering 數據驅動的航空發動機葉片多態協同激光熔絲修復技術 3,000,000 Prof. YU Changyuan Professor of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering 基於AI驅動的用於機器人的柔性光纖多參量觸覺傳感的研究 2,990,000 Prof. WEN Xiewen Presidential Young Scholar, Assistant Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering 面向診療一體內窺鏡的跨尺度玻璃增材製造技術與裝備研發 3,000,000 Prof. YI Wen Associate Professor of Department 低空經濟背景下面向智慧城市的高空施工安全巡檢研究 2,800,000      

Media interview: PolyU applies groundbreaking body measurement technology to develop compression garments

Prof. Joanne Yip, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been featured on RTHK’s TV programme “Hong Kong United” to present her team’s pioneering research in body measurement technology. In the interview, Prof. Yip introduced a groundbreaking anthropometric method capable of precisely measuring tissue deformation during movement, opening up new possibilities for functional apparel design. This research employs an innovative image recognition algorithm that enables precise body measurement by capturing 3D tissue deformation with an accuracy of under 2.36 millimetres in real-time. This dynamic approach tackles a critical issue in sportswear design, such as ill‑fitting garments that can restrict movement and increase the risk of injury, and significantly differs from traditional static scanning methods. The dynamic technology tracks actual tissue deformation, facilitating the creation of athletic apparel with zoned elasticity for optimal muscle support and the development of medical compression garments with personalised gradient pressure. These features enhance both comfort and therapeutic effectiveness. Such advancements demonstrate how the technology can improve performance, safety, and well‑being across multiple sectors. In addition, this research contributes to sustainable innovation within the fashion industry. By enabling the design of personalised functional clothing, the technology supports small and medium‑sized enterprises in developing high‑value apparel that meets specific needs while reducing material waste, aligning with broader sustainability goals. Prof. Yip highlights the transformative potential of advanced measurement technologies in apparel design. Her research not only addresses long‑standing challenges in fit and function but also opens new avenues for personalised, high‑performance clothing.  

PolyU student won Esri Young Scholars Award for advancing rooftop solar energy assessment

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to cultivating talent and fostering innovation to shape a brighter future. Mr TONG Lai-yiu Jimmy, a student from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, has won the Esri Young Scholars Award 2025 (Individual Application) for his project titled “Assessing Rooftop Solar Energy Potentials in Hong Kong”. The awarded project aims to enhance rooftop solar energy assessment in Hong Kong by developing a GIS-based framework and algorithms to improve the accuracy of estimation models. It investigates the spatial-temporal patterns of solar energy potential across different districts and land-use and land-cover categories. This research provides novel insights for green building and sustainable development in Hong Kong. Mr. TONG expressed gratitude to his project supervisor, Dr Zhiwei Li, a former Research Assistant Professor at PolyU, and said, “Our ambition is to contribute to a sustainable future through innovative research.” Learn more: Assessing Rooftop Solar Energy Potentials in Hong Kong The Esri Young Scholars Award (YSA) is a competition aimed at recognising exemplary work in geospatial sciences and the creative use of applications for a smarter Hong Kong.