Infectious Diseases
This research programme establishes a world-leading infectious disease hub built on three synergistic pillars: Comprehensive Pathogen Surveillance, Advanced Diagnostics, and Microbial Virulence and Pathogen-Host Interaction Research. We aim to create a seamless feedback loop where each pillar informs and enhances the others.
- Comprehensive Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Platform under One Health
- Advanced Diagnostics for Acute Invasive Diseases
- Microbial Virulence and Pathogen-Host Interaction
Research Programme 1
Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance under One-Health
In this programme, we will focus on investigating bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under One-Health framework through establishing a robust, cost-effective, sustainable surveillance system, which will provide comprehensive data to depict the evolutional and transmission mechanisms of AMR. This knowledge should enable us to develop a mitigation plan to slow down or halt the further development of AMR.
- Establish a Robust, Cost-Effective, Sustainable Surveillance System
- Deciphering the Mechanisms of AMR
- Mitigation of Bacterial AMR
Research Programme 2
Drug and Vaccine Development
By using a combination of different approaches including natural products, target-based discovery, phage therapy and vaccines, we can build a resilient pipeline of anti-infectives and immunomodulators to address current challenge and future microbial threats. We will shift new therapy research from descriptive cataloguing to predictive and translational science by delivering a new discovery and development platform that links different cutting-edge technologies such as genomes, transcriptomes, metabolomes and artificial intelligent (AI) with standardized bioactivity and toxicology profiles. These advances directly combat the future AMR crisis by delivering novel antibiotics, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agents.
- Novel Antimicrobial Drug Development
- Development of Bacterial Phage Therapy
- Vaccine Development
Research Programme 3
Beneficial Microorganisms and Health
Demand for microbiome solutions (probiotics, functional foods) is rising, yet gaps persist: unknown microbiome dynamics, limited novel microbial agents, and slow translation to products. This research programme addresses these via three goals: defining microbiome-health mechanisms, exploring new probiotics/prebiotics/postbiotics, and using AI to speed microbiome-friendly food development, unlocking microbes’ health potential.
- Define Microbiome-Driven Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease
- Functional Exploration of Novel Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics
- AI-assisted Novel Food Product Development
Research Programme 4
AI Core to Integrate Research Programmes
The AI Core empowered by advanced AI and machine learning methods will be established to integrate four research programmes in RIM. It will function as a multidisciplinary engine that accelerates discovery, strengthens One-Health surveillance, enables rapid diagnostics, and supports translational programmes in vaccines, therapeutics, microbiome health, and bioproduction. The AI Core directly advances RIM’s vision to be a world-leading hub for microbiology, addressing global microbial challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (health, clean water, innovation, life below water, life on land).
- Infrastructure and Data Management in Collaboration with PolyU ITS
- Integration with RIM Research Programmes
Research Programme 5
