Industry-University-Research 1+｜5 HKUST projects funded Microscope system detects cancer cells in 3 minutes

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90% accuracy in clinical trials in public hospitals Patented technology reduces decontamination costs by more than 20%Support EJ Tech

originalPublished in Hong Kong Economic Times Financial NewsStartupBeat Innovation Lab“

The SAR government established a 10 billion yuan fund last year“Industry-Academic-Research 1+ Program” (RAISe+)to accelerate the transformation and commercialization of scientific research results in Hong Kong, and each project can receive funding between 10 million and 100 million yuan.First batch of fundingAmong the 24 university projects, 5 projects from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology were approved, covering gene therapy, cancer tumor imaging, sewage treatment, sensor chips and artificial BroadCast Unitedligence robots. One of the research projects is the CHAMP (Computational High-Throughput Autofluorescence Microscopy through Patterned Illumination) advanced microscopic imaging system, which claims to be able to detect cancer cells in 3 minutes with an accuracy of more than 90%, reducing the need for secondary surgery.

Five HKUST research projects received funding from the Industry-University-Research 1+ Program; from left to right: Ye Cuifen, Huang Ziwei, Chen Guanghao, Yuan Jie and Shen Yajing. (Photo by Qiu Mincong)

90% accuracy in clinical trials in public hospitals

Associate Professor of Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, HKUSTHuang ZiweiDeveloped by the teamCHAMP Systemwhich mainly uses ultraviolet rays of a specific wavelength to stimulate the tissue surface and generate grayscale cell images based on the autofluorescence produced by biological molecules in the cells. Afterwards, the team used its own deep learning algorithm to virtually dye the grayscale images, making it easier for pathologists to make real-time assessments and confirm whether all cancer cells have been removed during surgery.

The CHAMP imaging system uses a deep learning algorithm to virtually stain grayscale images of tissue fibers, facilitating real-time evaluation by pathologists; the red frame represents unstained tissue.

CHAMP technology is applicable to all organ types. It is currently mainly used to detect breasts and lungs, and will later conduct small-scale tests on the thyroid gland and large intestine. The team has obtained six U.S. provisional invention patents for related technologies and is preparing to launch large-scale clinical trials in five hospitals, including Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, as well as Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, and Anyang Cancer Hospital in the Mainland.

In order to transform and apply his research results, Huang Ziwei founded the medical technology startup “Aotian Medical Technology Co., Ltd.” In an interview with this newspaper, he said that the product has been developed to the fourth generation and the price has not yet been determined.

Huang Ziwei believes that the biggest obstacle for doctors to adopt the technology is certification. In view of the severe shortage of pathology talents in the mainland, the application must first be submitted to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and the next step is to go through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The HKUST team developed a “one-to-many” gene editing strategy for the treatment of familial Alzheimer’s disease; the third from the left is Ye Cuifen. (Photo by Qiu Mincong)

Hong Kong Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseaseschief scientistYe CuifenAccording to the report, the HKUST team has developed a novel “one-to-many” gene editing strategy for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), which affects 2 to 3 million people worldwide. This innovative approach only requires a few sets of gene editing tools to eliminate the expression of genes carrying specific disease-causing mutations in different patients. The technology will be licensed to HKUST for early clinical development and commercialization.

Patented technology reduces decontamination costs by more than 20%

Chair Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, HKUSTChen GuanghaoThe team led by him has developed two patented technologies using electrochemical principles for treating sewage and sludge. The LEEO technology can eradicate highly toxic and smelly hydrogen sulfide, and the cost is 20% lower than existing technologies. Another ECO technology uses a photoelectric oxidation process to target leachate from landfills, and the cost is halved compared to existing technologies. The team has established “Hong Kong Science and Technology Water Innovation Co., Ltd.” and is working with two major government departments, the Drainage Services Department and the Environmental Protection Department, to launch demonstration projects at Siu Ho Wan and Northeast New Territories landfills.

LEEO technology can eliminate highly toxic and smelly hydrogen sulfide at a cost 20% lower than existing technologies. (Photo by Qiu Mincong)

Regarding sensor chips and AI robots, Professor of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) of the School of Engineering at HKUSTYuan JieThe team established Atom Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., and developed three high-BroadCast Unitedligence and ubiquitous sensing chips that can be placed in microelectronic devices. Associate Professor of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, HKUSTShen Yajingfounded the startup “Lingxi Robotics” and demonstrated a series of tactile sensors yesterday. In addition to humanoid robot fingertips, it is also suitable for manufacturing and assembly processes to enhance industrial automation.