Ageing is a primary factor contributing to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, individuals age differently, exhibiting distinct patterns known as ageotypes. Current research lacks a comprehensive view of these varied ageing pathways. To address this, PolyU has partnered with Stanford Medicine through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the PolyU-Stanford Joint Collaboratory for Longitudinal Deep Omics (LDO). By combining PolyU’s strengths in biomedical engineering, AI-driven health analytics, and precision medicine, with Stanford Medicine’s expertise in genetics and multi-omics, this collaboration aims to establish a standardised multi-omics ageing cohort to investigate the biological mechanisms underpinning healthy and pathological ageing, identify personalised biomarkers, predict ageing-related diseases, and advance the development of precision medicine.

Witnessed by Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President; Professor David Shum, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Professor Larry Chow, Head of the PolyU Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology; Professor Kee Chea-su, Head and Professor of the PolyU School of Optometry and Associate Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision; Professor He Mingguang, Chair Professor of Experimental Ophthalmology of the PolyU School of Optometry, Director of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision and Global STEM Scholar; Professor Yip Shea-ping, Chair Professor of Diagnostic Science and Molecular Genetics of the PolyU Department of Health Technology and Informatics; academic staff of PolyU; and Dr Zhou Xin, Basic Life Research Scientist in Genetics at Stanford Medicine, the MoU was signed by Professor Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Professor Michael Snyder, Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Genetics at Stanford Medicine.

In this partnership, PolyU and Stanford Medicine will conduct joint research on deep omics and related disciplines, focusing on the Asian population. Research will centre on the integrative analysis of ageing mechanisms and individual variability. LDO will perform longitudinal multi-omics analysis of existing cohorts, including genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiling, along with retinal imaging and electronic health records. The collaboration will also develop a real-time health monitoring platform, predictive algorithms for age-related diseases, and institutional exchanges for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.

Professor Jin-Guang Teng stated, “PolyU’s commitment to advancing medical innovation and nurturing talent for positive health outcomes has never been stronger. Recently, the University submitted a comprehensive and innovative proposal to the HKSAR Government to establish the city’s third medical school. Our aim is to cultivate the next generation of medical professionals and leaders who can excel in the future AI-driven healthcare landscape by leveraging our strong foundation of excellence in health sciences, engineering, and AI. The establishment of LDO will further develop and reinforce our strengths in the fields of healthcare and AI.”

Professor Michael Snyder also shared Stanford Medicine’s commitment to advancing research on ageing, improving lives and promoting healthy ageing.

For nearly half a century, PolyU has trained more than 50,000 healthcare professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists, radiologists and more, playing a pivotal role in the development of Hong Kong’s medical system. Supported by a robust team of over 1,300 healthcare-related teaching and research staff and equipped with more than 90 specialised laboratories and research facilities, PolyU has leveraged its strengths in medicine-engineering integration to advance healthcare technology. In addition to its collaboration with Stanford Medicine, PolyU has established partnerships with several universities and hospitals both globally and in Mainland China, and is actively preparing for the establishment of the third medical school to address the medical needs of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.