A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the University of Southampton (UOS) on 13 October 2016 for establishing the Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CUHK-UOS Joint Lab).  As one of the collaborative initiatives agreed under the MOU, three PhD students from UOS were arranged to receive research training at the CUHK-UOS Joint Lab located at the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS), CUHK and conducted their research projects focusing on stem cells, developmental biology and regenerative medicine, and the related translational research.

Alia Hafiz, one of the PhD students visited SBS in October 2016 and spent six weeks in the CUHK-UOS Joint Lab, conducting research by making use stem cells 3D printing to print live bone tissues, under supervision of Prof. Kenneth K.H. Lee.  Alia regarded her visit at SBS was fruitful as she had tremendous exposure to the fields of biomaterials and stem cells 3D printing and acquired the necessary skills and research tools essential for making further progress in her research.  Another PhD student, Ada Antypiuk worked on her research at SBS in May 2017 for six weeks as well.  Under Prof. Wan Chao’s supervision, she conducted proteomic study on human embryonic stem cells cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and was able to identify important protein profile changes when they were cultured under hypoxia. 

The last student, Grete Iaane has started her PhD studies at Prof. Kenneth Lee’s lab since 1 August 2017.  She has been conducting research on using human cells to generate lung organoids for drug screening and assisting Prof. Lee on the research project of “Lung Fibrosis and Drug Screening” funded by the Hong Kong Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund jointly secured by Prof. Lee and Prof. Sylvia Pender, a member of the CUHK-UOS Joint Lab in UOS. 

The partnership with UOS has offered a valuable learning opportunity for postgraduate students of both sides to acquire the core and specialized research techniques in stem cells and regenerative medicine not commonly available at other institutions.  It also continually helps enrich our student’s learning experience  and widen the international outlook of our School.

 
Alia Hafiz (1st from right) with Prof. Kenneth Lee (middle) and his research team members at the CUHK-UOS Joint Lab in SBS, CUHK

Ada Antypiuk (3rd from left) with her supervisor Prof. Wan Chao (middle) and her lab mates

Grete laane