School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Research Excellence

The School is renowned for its research excellence, fostering groundbreaking discoveries in different research areas. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong interdisciplinary approach, the school attracts world-class researchers and collaborators. Its faculty members have made significant contributions to global scientific advancements, earning prestigious awards and high-impact publications. By integrating cutting-edge technology with innovative research, the School continues to lead in addressing critical challenges in life sciences and nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders.

CUHK research team awarded over HKD 11 million to develop next-generation probiotics – Helping coral combat climate change – Hong Kong-led project receives first-ever G20 CORDAP funding

25 Sep 2025
Some members of the research team led by Professor Luo Haiwei (front row, second from the right).

(Photo credit: Mr. Cheung Kwok-chu)
Research Area: Conservation & Environmental Sciences; Genomics & Bioinformatics
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Email:
Prof. Luo, Haiwei haiweiluo@cuhk.edu.hk

初創研血管再生技術 免血管閉塞截肢

11 Sep 2025
中大生命科學學院副教授黃永德(左二)提出,同時製造和激活血管的「內皮細胞」,令患處生長出新微絲血管應付血管閉塞問題,獲小學同學、曾當基金經理的吳廣基(右二)支持,兩人創辦脈源創科生物科技有限公司,吳並出任財務總監。圖為兩人與該公司研究科學家柯征沂(左一)、博士後研究員劉聰蕙(右一)合照。(明報薛偉傑攝)
Research Area: Neuroscience & Stem Cell Biology
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Email:
Prof. Wong, Wing Tak Jack jack_wong@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK researchers unlock the pathway for piecemeal removal of plant mitochondria to cope with heat stress

11 Sep 2025
Some members of the research team: (from left) Mr Li Chaorui, Professor Zhuang Xiaohong, Professor Kang Byung-ho and Dr Ma Juncai

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Plant Cell & Agricultural Biology
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Email:
Prof. Zhuang, Xiaohong XhZhuang@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK unveils a new gene therapy targeting Parkinson’s disease

28 Jul 2025
Some members of the research team: (from left) Professor Edwin Chan Ho-yin, Dr Marianne Lee, Professor Michael Chan, Dr Liang Zhaohui, Ms Lai Man-nga and Dr Suresh Kanna Murugappan

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Structural Biology & Protein Science
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Email:
Prof. Chan, Ho Yin Edwin hyechan@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Chan, Michael Kenneth michaelkchan88@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK study identifies 11 allergens in crabs for precision diagnosis of allergy and discovers a new allergen for king crab, which is not a “true crab”

28 Jul 2025
CU Medicine analysed the six widely consumed edible crab species with 64 serum samples from crab-allergic patients, and found 11 crab allergens. The research team also discovered a distinct allergen of king crab and registered as Para c 11. These findings will help promote accurate diagnosis of shellfish allergies.

Research team members include (from left) Professor Chu Ka-hou; Professor Emeritus of the School of Life Sciences at CUHK, Professor Leung Ting-fan, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation Professor of Paediatrics and Dr Christine Wai Yee-yan, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics of CU Medicine.

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Conservation & Environmental Sciences; Biodiversity
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Email:
Prof. Chu, Ka Hou kahouchu@cuhk.edu.hk

$87m+ New Area of Excellence Project – Bringing CUHK to Forefront of Plant Science Innovation on Global Stage

10 Jul 2025
Professor Jiang Liwen

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Plant Cell & Agricultural Biology
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Email:
Prof. Jiang, Liwen ljiang@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK unveils a novel disease mechanism for Huntington’s disease and directs new treatment paths

28 Apr 2025
Professor Edwin Chan (3rd right, back row), Dr Stephen Chen (3rd left, back row) and research team members at CUHK’s School of Life Sciences, and Mr Lui Man-lam (1st left, front row) and Ms Jintana Sae Sow (1st right, back row) from the HKNMDA, pose for a group photo with ALS patients Mr Wu and Mr Sze (middle and 1st right, front row).

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Neuroscience & Stem Cell Biology
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Email:
Prof. Chan, Ho Yin Edwin hyechan@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Chen, Zhefan Stephen stephenchen@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK research project receives HK$7.9 million from RGC Research Impact Fund

17 Jan 2025
Professor Jerome Hui Ho-lam

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Genomics & Bioinformatics; Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Hui, Ho Lam Jerome jeromehui@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK collaborative study reveals hidden complexity of ancient Peruvian tattoos using laser-stimulated fluorescence technology

14 Jan 2025
Scientists have used laser-imaging to unveil exceptional fine-line tattoos with details as narrow as 0.1-0.2 mm on 1,200-year-old mummified human remains from Peru’s ancient Chancay culture. The discovery reveals details far surpassing the resolution of even modern tattooing techniques. Picture A: a tattoo under natural light. Picture B: the same tattoo under laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF).
Image credit: Thomas G. Kaye, Judyta Bąk, Henry William Marcelo and Michael Pittman
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK and University of Edinburgh palaeobiologists solve tail function mystery in the earliest flying vertebrates Revealing never-seen-before soft tissue details using laser imaging

19 Dec 2024
A research team led by CUHK and University of Edinburgh scientists discovered never-seen-before structural details within the soft tissue tail vane of an early flying reptile using laser imaging. This allowed the team to solve the mystery of how the tail vane was used and clarify its role in enabling pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, to dominate the skies before birds.
Image credit: Natalia Jagielska, Thomas G Kaye, Michael B Habib, Tatsuya Hirasawa & Michael Pittman
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

Sixteen CUHK projects funded by 2024/25 NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme The highest number among Hong Kong institutions

12 Dec 2024
(From left) Professor Li Cheng, Professor Liang Zizhen, Professor Zhong Silin

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Plant Cell & Agricultural Biology; Food & Nutrition; Genomics & Bioinformatics
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Email:
Prof. Li, Cheng cheng.li@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Liang, Zizhen zizhenliang@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Zhong, Silin silin.zhong@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK Professor wins world-renowned Falling Walls Science Breakthrough Award with School Coral Nursery Education Programme

8 Nov 2024
Professor Apple Chui, Research Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has been named the laureate of the prestigious Falling Walls Science Breakthrough Award in the Science Engagement category for her innovative School Coral Nursery Education Programme. She presents her project at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on 7 November 2024.

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Chui, Pui Yi Apple applepychui@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK leads Hong Kong scientists to participate in China’s Antarctic expedition for the first time Flag presentation and farewell ceremony held today

1 Nov 2024
Among the six scientists taking part in the 41st Antarctic expedition, four are from CUHK and two are from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The CUHK scientists include (upper row middle) Professor Alex Chow Tat-shing, Chairman of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, (upper row right) Professor Martin Tsui Tsz-ki, Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences and Department of Earth and Environmental Science, and (upper row left) Professor Michael Pittman, Assistant Profes-sor, School of Life Sciences. Professor Liu Lin, Associate Professor from CUHK’s De-partment of Earth and Environmental Science, will join the expedition team later. The two HKUST scientists are Professor Li Jiying (As-sistant Professor, Department of Ocean Sci-ences) and Dr Chen Zhaoliang (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Ocean Sciences).

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Tsui, Tsz Ki Martin mtktsui@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK and Dakota State University palaeontologists reveal “flap running” widely distributed in pre-avian dinosaurs through fossil trackway research

22 Oct 2024
A research team led by CUHK and Dakota State University scholars discovered that a famous pre-avian dinosaur trackway was produced by the animal flapping its arms to help it run at high speed. This “flap running” behaviour probably just preceded takeoff or just followed landing. The team’s findings confirm that pre-avian flap running was not limited to birds.
Image Credit: Julius T. Csotonyi.
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

25 CUHK professors receive funding support from National Natural Science Foundation of China worth over RMB41 million in total

3 Sep 2024
Professor Chen Sijie.

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Structural Biology & Protein Science; Neuroscience & Stem Cell Biology
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Email:
Prof. Chen, Sijie sijie.chen@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK scholar and National Geographic Explorer discover a new carnivorous dinosaur species Koleken inakayali in Patagonia

22 May 2024
A research team led by a CUHK scholar and a National Geographic Explorer discovered a new species of abelisaurid theropod in Patagonia called Koleken inakayali. Their discovery increases the diversity of these dominant carnivores within Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems.
Image Credit: Illustration by Gabriel Diaz Yantén.
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK palaeontologist uncovers the diverse diets of birds during the era of dinosaurs

1 May 2024
The research team produced a life reconstruction of the early bird Bohaiornis (centre), flanked by Longipteryx (left) and Pengornis (right), which lived during the Early Cretaceous period in what is now Northeastern China. They reconstructed Bohaiornis as eating plants like the pictured conifer, Longipteryx as likely eating invertebrates like the pictured mayfly, and Pengornis as a generalist feeder capable of killing large prey like the pictured fish.
Image credit: Julius T. Csotonyi.
Research Area: Biodiversity, Conservation & Environmental Sciences
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Email:
Prof. Pittman, Michael mpittman@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK Team develops a big data analysis method to study senescent neurons Providing new directions for precision medicine in neurodegenerative diseases

24 Apr 2024
(From right) Professor Kim Chow Hei-man, Miss Jacquelyne Sun Ka-li, and Dr Wu Deng.

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Neuroscience & Stem Cell Biology; Genomics & Bioinformatics
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Email:
Prof. Chow, Hei Man Kim heimanchow@cuhk.edu.hk

CUHK research unveils novel disease mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and opens up new treatment paths

8 Jan 2024
Professor Edwin Chan (3rd right, back row), Dr Stephen Chen (3rd left, back row) and research team members at CUHK’s School of Life Sciences, and Mr Lui Man-lam (1st left, front row) and Ms Jintana Sae Sow (1st right, back row) from the HKNMDA, pose for a group photo with ALS patients Mr Wu and Mr Sze (middle and 1st right, front row).

(Photo credit: CUHK CPR)
Research Area: Neuroscience & Stem Cell Biology
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Email:
Prof. Chan, Ho Yin Edwin hyechan@cuhk.edu.hk
Prof. Chen, Zhefan Stephen stephenchen@cuhk.edu.hk