News

RCMI Leaders Strengthen Global Pathways for TCM at International Conference on Modernization of Chinese Medicine at ICMCM 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) played a pivotal role in the International Conference on the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products, held from August 13–15, 2026. This landmark event convened global experts to shape the future of Clinical Translation, Regulatory Policies, and Innovative Pathways for Traditional Medicine. 🤝 Representing PolyU On August 13, Dr. Mok, Associate Director of RCMI, attended the opening ceremony and key plenary sessions as a distinguished guest. Her participation underscored RCMI's unwavering dedication to fostering global collaboration and advancing the standards of Chinese medicine. 🎙️ Shaping the Global Dialogue The highlight of our delegation was Session 3 on August 14. Prof. Wong Man-sau, Director of RCMI, served as Co-Moderator for the high-level panel: "Traditional Medicine / Chinese Medical Development and Clinical Research" (傳統醫學/中醫科研發展與臨床研究). Standing alongside Prof. Feng Yibin (Co-Director, HKUMed Centre of Integrative Medicine, HKU), Prof. Wong led insightful discussions on strategies to elevate evidence-based TCM on the global stage. Her leadership facilitated critical conversations on bridging traditional wisdom with modern scientific rigor. We are incredibly proud of our team for contributing to the future of this vital field! 

RCMI and Shanghai Yueyang Hospital Forge Strategic Alliance in Integrative Medicine

In a significant step forward for global healthcare collaboration, the Research Center for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) and the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (hereinafter "Yueyang Hospital") officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 4, 2026. The ceremony was held at the state-of-the-art facilities of the PolyU Shenzhen Research Institute (SZRI), bringing together delegations from both prestigious institutions to formalize a partnership dedicated to advancing the frontiers of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medical integration. Key Collaboration Scope: Joint R&D: Focused on kidney diseases, dermatological external drugs, tumor immunology, gynecology, organ anti-aging, and medicine-food homology. Talent & Education: Joint student training, faculty exchanges, and regular academic symposiums. Resource Integration: Shared access to clinical databases, literature, and research facilities.   Prof. Lee signed the MoU on behalf of RCMI.This alliance underscores SZRI's commitment to serving as a hub for international medical innovation. As both institutions move forward, the partnership aims to develop new treatment protocols for complex chronic diseases and share findings with the global medical community. With this MoU in place, RCMI and Yueyang Hospital are poised to lead the next wave of breakthroughs in integrative medicine, ensuring that the wisdom of tradition meets the precision of modern science.  

Dr. Poon Showcases Team Breakthroughs at CGCM 2026 in Taichung

RCMI members- Dr. Poon successfully presented our latest findings at the CGCM 2026 conference, held from July 25–27 in Taichung, Taiwan. It was a privilege to showcase our team's work in two distinct formats: a detailed poster session that facilitated a deep dive into our data and methodology, and an oral presentation where Dr. Poon shared key insights and future directions with the global scientific community. The conference provided an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, exchange ideas, and discuss the future of our field. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who stopped by our booth to engage, ask questions, and share their insights. These valuable conversations have further strengthened our network and will undoubtedly continue to drive our research forward.

Advancing Integrative Medicine: Key Insights from the 14th GP‑TCM RA Annual Meeting

We are proud to share the success of the 14th Annual Meeting of the GP‑TCM Research Association (GP‑TCM RA), held July 7–9, 2026, at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Under the theme "Bridging East and West: Global Collaboration in Integrative Medicine," the event united global leaders to shape the future of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 🎤 Featured Presentations: Our team made significant contributions to the dialogue: Prof. Jerry Yeung (Associate Director of RCMI) delivered a pivotal talk on "Major Interventions in Clinical Practice Guidelines of Major Depressive Disorder," offering critical insights into evidence-based mental health care. Prof. Simon Ming Yuen Lee (RCMI Management Committee & GP‑TCM RA President‑Elect) presented on "Natural Products and Neuroprotection," highlighting the potential of TCM in protecting neurological health. Prof. Lee also emphasized the Association's commitment to strengthening international collaboration and advancing scientific rigor across the integrative medicine landscape. 🔬 Key Themes: The three-day agenda covered a vast spectrum of topics, including: ✅ Quality Control & Pharmacology ✅ Regulatory Science & Industry Perspectives ✅ Clinical Practice Guidelines ✅ Acupuncture-Moxibustion & Meridian Science ✅ Translational Research & Scientific Publishing Through poster sessions, networking, and an awards ceremony, participants forged new partnerships and reaffirmed the need for harmonized standards to drive the modernization of TCM globally. A huge thank you to all speakers, attendees, and partners for making this event a resounding success!

Advancing Global Standards for Chinese Materia Medica

Our team recently represented our institution at the 14th Meeting of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS), convened by the Department of Health (DH). Associate Director Dr. Mok Kam Wah Daniel, RCMI International Advisory Board (IAB) Chairman Prof. Che Chun Tao, and IAB Member Prof. Rudolf Bauer joined over 60 experts from the Chinese Mainland, overseas, and Hong Kong for the event held on July 14. Key Outcomes: Standards Review: The board successfully concluded a review of safety and quality standards for 16 types of Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) commonly used in Hong Kong. Safety Testing: Experts examined updated safety testing requirements for CMM. Future Development: The meeting included strategic discussions on the future development of the HKCMMS framework. Since 2002, the DH has implemented the HKCMMS project in phases to ensure the safety and quality of commonly used CMM. Site Visit: On July 15, IAB members visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI). The visit provided an overview of the institute's work in: Establishing quality standards Researching and developing innovative testing methods Supporting the industry in CM identification Promoting CM culture

🌿 Unlocking the Gut-Brain Axis: A Recap of RCMI's Latest Event

On July 13, 2026, the RCMI community gathered for a fascinating deep dive into the complex interactions between herbal extracts and the human gut microbiota. We were honored to host Prof. Rudolf Bauer (Emeritus Professor, University of Graz; PAIR Fellow, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), a global leader in pharmacognosy and ethnopharmacology. Key Takeaways from the Session: 🔬 The Symbiotic Relationship: Gut microbiota are not just passive residents; they actively metabolize plant constituents, often turning them into the true active principles of herbal medicine. 🧪 Research Platform: Prof. Bauer showcased a cutting-edge platform combining LC-HRMS and 16S rRNA sequencing to track these metabolic shifts. 💊 Case Studies Presented: STW 5: Rapid metabolic turnover by fecal microbiota creates anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic products, explaining its efficacy in functional GI disorders. St. John's Wort (STW 3-VI): Flavonoids and hypericins act as prodrugs, transformed by the microbiome to influence the gut-brain axis in treating depression. Valerian Extract: Metabolites like enterolactone and phenylpropionic acid derivatives were linked to reduced depressive symptoms and improved sleep. The Verdict: Gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation is a critical factor in the pharmacological activity of herbal medicinal products. A huge thank you to Prof. Bauer for sharing his insights and for his continued leadership in bridging traditional medicine with modern microbiome science.

DoRCMI Presented at the 27th Vitamin D Workshop

We are honored to announce that Prof. Wong Man-sau, Director of Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) presented her talk titled "Takeda G Protein-coupled Receptor 5 (TGR5) is Involved in Mediating the Effect of Lithocholic Acid (LCA) on Vitamin D and Bone Metabolism" at the 27th Vitamin D Workshop, held from June 30 – July 3, 2026, in Strasbourg, France. This prestigious gathering is organized by the Vitamin D Workshop, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to disseminating scientific information on the functions and health benefits of Vitamin D. The event is proudly supported by an NIH Conference Grant, bringing together approximately 100 of the world's leading experts in the field. 🔬 Our Key Presentation: We unveiled a significant discovery regarding the role of TGR5 (Takeda G Protein-coupled Receptor 5) as a critical mediator in regulating Vitamin D metabolism within bone tissues. Our findings build upon our previous work on Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (a traditional Chinese medicine) and its bioactive ingredient, Oleanolic Acid. Presenting at an NIH-supported, non-profit forum allowed us to engage in high-level discourse with global leaders. We extend our gratitude to the organizers and attendees for the stimulating discussions on bridging traditional medicine insights with modern metabolic pathways.  

Strengthening Cross-Strait TCM Collaboration: Our Management Committee's Visit to Taiwan

From June 3–6, 2026, members of the RCMI Management Committee, led by Director Prof. Wong Man-sau, embarked on a strategic visit to Taiwan to deepen our academic and research partnerships in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural products. This productive trip was dedicated to fostering in-depth dialogue and exploring future opportunities with leading institutions across the island. Our key engagements included: Chang Gung University & Chang Gung University of Science and Technology: Engaged in detailed dialogues with the Institute of Natural Products to explore joint research avenues and academic exchanges. China Medical University (Taichung): Held a symposium between RCMI and CMU, toured the renowned Li-Fu Museum of Chinese Medicine and the Department of Chinese Medicine, and met with Prof. Yen and the university president to discuss strategic collaboration. Academia Sinica: Visited the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center to meet Prof. Shyur and discuss advancements in biotech applications for herbal medicine. Ministry of Health and Welfare: Met with representatives at the National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine (NRICM) to align on national health strategies and the future development of TCM in Taiwan. The trip proved incredibly fruitful, allowing us to connect with top TCM experts, gain valuable insights into Taiwan's advancements in the field, and lay a solid groundwork for significant future collaborations. We look forward to turning these discussions into tangible projects that will ultimately benefit the global TCM community. Online coverage: Central News Agency - https://polyu.me/3SuVwVT 台灣新新聞報 - https://polyu.me/4utSm1X PC home - https://polyu.me/4fuSEC5 MSN - https://polyu.me/4vxJF7L   #TCM #TraditionalChineseMedicine #AcademicCollaboration #Research #Taiwan #ProfWongMansau #NaturalProducts #HigherEducation #HealthcareInnovation

Strengthening Global Partnerships for Traditional Medicine Innovation

On May 27, 2026, the Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine and Innovation (RCMI) visited the Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development Limited. This strategic visit served as a pivotal step in the collaborative network that has been developing between CEVR, RCMI, and the Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine Drug Development Limited. The core focus of these ongoing discussions is to develop TCM-based solutions for eye diseases. During the visit, the delegation joined key representatives from the University of Waterloo. Together, the partners convened to expand their research network and advance the following initiative: 🔬 The Mission: Developing novel, TCM-based solutions specifically for Eye Diseases. By uniting the expertise of CEVR, RCMI, and the Center, the collaboration aims to bridge traditional wisdom with modern drug development to improve global eye health outcomes.

PolyU Researchers Pioneer Protein-Based Data Storage to Tackle AI Data Explosion

 An interdisciplinary team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a major breakthrough in molecular data storage, demonstrating a sustainable, high-capacity alternative to traditional digital media. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, detail a method for storing and retrieving digital data using de novo designed unnatural proteins. The Challenge: The AI Data Surge With AI driving exponential data growth, current storage solutions face limits. DNA storage, while promising, suffers from low capacity (4 nucleotides) and degradation. Peptide-based methods offer higher capacity (20+ amino acids) but are costly to synthesize and limited in sequence length. The Solution: Engineered Proteins Led by Prof. Yao Zhongping (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology) and Prof. Francis Lau (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering), the team developed a protein-based framework that overcomes these hurdles: Unmatched Efficiency: The new method achieves 30 times the storage density of peptide-based systems at just 10% of the cost, leveraging biological expression in E. coli for scalable production. Superior Stability: Unlike DNA, which degrades in solution or acid, the engineered proteins remain readable for extended periods. Advanced Functionality: The team introduced random access (retrieving specific data without decoding the whole set) and encryption (securing data via affinity tags), adding layers of security previously unavailable in molecular storage. How It Works Inspired by the stability of collagen, the team designed a protein "backbone" to host data-bearing amino acid sequences. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and proprietary algorithms, they successfully reconstructed full sequences from digested fragments, converting them back into accurate bit strings with error correction. This research, supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, builds on PolyU's previous success in peptide storage for space exploration, marking a significant step toward a sustainable, secure, and high-capacity future for global data management.    Read the full study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-70061-7 Press release: https://polyu.me/4daJaKD Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/4wMwzoX Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/42w9YPv (subscription required) Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/4doi6GJ Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4do8rA2