Campus Digest

HKBU to establish Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis

22 Jul 2013

The University received approval from The Ministry of Science and Technology of China to establish the “Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis (Hong Kong Baptist University)” The University received approval from The Ministry of Science and Technology of China to establish the “Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis (Hong Kong Baptist University)”
The University received approval from The Ministry of Science and Technology of China to establish the “Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis (Hong Kong Baptist University)”

 

HKBU recently received approval from The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of China to establish the “Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis (Hong Kong Baptist University)”. This is the University’s first partner state key laboratory (PSKL) and it will play a significant role in enhancing exchange and cooperation between HKBU and the Mainland.

 

HKBU was recommended by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government to apply for establishing a PSKL. After evaluating HKBU’s application, MOST granted HKBU PSKL status. MOST was of the view that HKBU’s research standard in environmental and biological analysis has reached the relevant requirements of a PSKL and thus granted approval to the University to establish the “Partner State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis (HKBU)” as a partner laboratory to the “State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Eco-toxicology” on the Mainland.

 

Professor Albert Chan, President and Vice-Chancellor, was delighted that the University was granted PSKL status. He said: “The decision of MOST signifies that our research standard has been affirmed and recognised. It is not only an honour for HKBU but also a great encouragement to the University community. We will continue to pursue excellence and creativity in our scientific research and make use of this new platform to enhance the academic exchange and research collaboration with the Mainland to make a contribution to the nation and the world in the areas of environmental and biological analysis.”

 

The PSKL is an interdisciplinary research platform focusing on three correlated fields, namely environmental science, biological science and material science. The laboratory will promote novel analytical fundamental research and develop new analytical instruments/facilities and methods for life science research, with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which affect environment, food safety and public health, as the first targeted research object. The major research areas are environmental analysis, toxicology and human health; integration of proteomics and metabolomics for POPs-related disease and human health protection; and biosensing, bioimaging and their applications in POPs-associated diseases and human health protection.

 

The PSKL has a multidisciplinary research team from environmental, biological and material sciences. The team consists of Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), awardees under the national “Thousand-Talent Plan”, chair professors from the national Chang-Jiang Scholar Programme, Distinguished Young Scientists selected by the National Science Foundation, chair professors and professors of HKBU, etc. The director of PSKL is Professor Cai Zongwei, Distinguished Young Scholar and Chair Professor of HKBU. Key members include Professor Jiang Guibin (CAS Academician and University Fellow of HKBU), Professor Zhang Yukui (CAS Academician and Advisory Board member of Department of Chemistry in HKBU), Professor Raymond Wong, Professor Tang Leihan, Professor Michael Yang (City University of Hong Kong), Professor Guo Lianghong (CAS), Professor Chan Wing-hong, Professor Wang Hailin (CAS), Professor Ricky M.S. Wong, Professor Chris Wong, Professor Martin Choi, Professor Ken Yung, Dr. Xia Yiji, Dr. Shi Jue, Dr. Kelvin Leung, Dr. Li Hung-wing and Dr. Edmond Ma.