Biotechnology Innovations from HKUST Professor Nancy Y Ip Director, Biotechnology Research Institute, HKUST
To support the development of a Hong Kong-based biotechnology industry, the Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) at HKUST has strategically selected several research focuses which have great potential for generating high value-added products for worldwide markets. These areas include protein engineering, drug delivery systems, drug discovery, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), plant biotechnology, and cutting-edge technologies such as genechips. In its research on diseases, BRI is interested in the discovery of new treatments for neuro-diseases. Novel neuro-drugs will have tremendous value from both economic and scientific standpoints, since neuro-diseases have become growingly "expensive" and there is still a lack of effective treatments. In 1998, neuro-drugs of the US pharmaceutical industry grew by 18% and, for the first time, drugs in this category outsold cardiovascular therapeutics. BRI scientists have recently discovered several novel proteins which play key roles in brain functions and could potentially act as therapeutic agents for certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. BRI is also studying TCM as a promising source of new drugs for these disorders as well as for stroke and pain. In addition, the Institute is verifying the efficacy and safety of TCM as well as providing reformulation services as a means to expand the international market for TCM products. BRI also explores cutting-edge technologies that will quickly give rise to commercializable products. In particular, it is focusing on the development of genechip technology. Genechips resemble microprocessors, but instead of being covered with electronic components, they are covered with DNA probes. This powerful technology allows doctors and scientists to analyze thousands of genes at one time. The implications of this technology to biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, and drug discovery are staggering. Since there remain numerous unexplored applications, the development of genechip technology in Hong Kong presents enormous opportunities and an ideal platform for "seeding" the local development of biotechnology. BRI is currently establishing genechip fabrication expertise as well as various genechip applications, including the use of this technology for authentication of TCM. BRI strives to provide leadership and direction for the advancement of innovative biotechnology in Hong Kong. In addition to "Commercialization of genechip products," three presentations on respective topics of "Production of human epidermal growth factor", "A novel heart attack test", and "Drug delivery systems" will be given to highlight innovative biotechnology products developed at HKUST.   A genechip resembles a microprocessor, but instead of having electronic components, it is covered with DNA probes. The DNA probes are of known sequence and location on the wafer surface. A biological sample, for example, herbal traditional Chinese medicine DNA or human DNA, is known as the target DNA which can hybridize to the surface probes. The target DNA is usually labeled with a marker which will fluoresce when it hybridizes to its complimentary surface probe. The fluorescence is detected and converted into an image diagram. Having knowledge of the exact sequence and location of the surface DNA probes, the identity of the biological sample can be determined.	Professor Nancy Y Ip is currently Associate Dean of Science, Professor of Biology, and Director of the Biotechnology Research Institute. After obtaining her PhD in Pharmacology from Harvard Medical School, Professor Ip held key positions at two successful biotechnology companies in the US, Lifecodes Corporation and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. She is currently a Member of the Biotechnology Committee of the Industry and Technology Development Council, and a Panel Member for the Biological Sciences and Medicine Committee of the Research Grants Council. Professor Ip's major research interests focus on the growth factors that are important to the functioning of the nervous system. Several of the growth factors she has discovered are now in clinical trials for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Ip's contributions to neuroscience and biotechnology are well documented with over 100 scientific papers and 20 patents awarded or pending. She is also the recipient of the 1999 Croucher Foundation Senior Research Fellowship.
Next
Home | HKUST Business Roundtable | Biotechnology Innovations from HKUST