What one of China’s most prestigious medical research centres’ arrival in Hong Kong could do for local innovation

Local scientists say arrival of the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health at city’s Science Park will bring much-needed staff and funding for vital stem cell research

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Liu Pengtao made a “super stem cell”, capable of developing a wider range of other human cells. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:00am, 3 Sep 2018Updated: 4:32pm, 3 Sep 2018

Rising cancer rates and a dire shortage of blood and organ donors are among Hong Kong’s big health care problems, and the arrival of one of China’s best research centres is expected to provide solutions.

The Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health is due to establish a full-scale branch at Hong Kong’s Science Park, bringing much-needed staff and funding to boost stem cell research in the city, local scientists say.

Stem cells, extracted from bone marrow, blood or fat, can develop into different cells and are thought to be able to replace diseased or damaged tissue. For example, researchers are studying how these cells can generate other cells, such as red blood cells or cells that can kill cancer.

The institute is one of two state-backed laboratories from the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences that are coming to the city. It is part of Beijing’s stated commitment to boost innovation and technology, forming Hong Kong, Macau and nine Guangdong cities into a “Greater Bay Area” powerhouse rivalling Silicon Valley.

The second lab is the Institute of Automation, which specialises in artificial intelligence.

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