Director's message | Research Institute for Microbiology

RIM is an interdisciplinary platform dedicated to addressing global microbial challenges under the One Health framework. Integrating microbiology, food science, environmental science, health sciences, and artificial intelligence, RIM strives to translate innovative research into transformative solutions spanning precision diagnostics and novel therapeutics. It safeguards public health and advances biotechnology, with the ultimate aim of establishing RIM as a globally recognized research institute.

Head (FSN) & Chair Professor of Microbiology

Director of Research Institute for Microbiology

Professor CHEN Sheng

Welcome to the Research Institute for Microbiology (RIM). Founded in September 2026, RIM is a university-level platform established to drive impactful interdisciplinary research at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The institute oversees five core Research Programmes: Infectious Diseases, One Health Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug and Vaccine Development, Beneficial Microorganisms and Health, and AI-Driven Health Technologies.

RIM aspires to become a world-leading research institute. It advances and disseminates knowledge through research, public outreach and professional services to tackle critical challenges surrounding infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and global biosecurity. RIM also promotes the beneficial application of microorganisms to improve human health, delivering benefits to Hong Kong, the nation and the wider world.

Committed to open science, RIM fosters extensive collaboration with external academic and industry partners. We develop joint research initiatives, facilitate academic exchanges and enable resource sharing to build global research networks. These partnerships accelerate cross-border innovation under the One Health paradigm and maximise the societal impact of microbiological research.

Prof. CHEN Sheng
Director, Research Institute for Microbiology
Chair Professor of Microbiology
Head of Department of Food Science and Nutrition
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University