EduAsiaNews, Hong Kong — The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has secured HK$15.94 million, equivalent to approximately Rp 34 billion, from the 2025/2026 Research Impact Fund (RIF) administered by the Research Grants Council (RGC). The funding supports two strategic research projects in regenerative medicine and deep-sea exploration, both regarded as critical fields in addressing global health and environmental challenges.
The first project focuses on developing therapies for traumatic cartilage injuries, a medical condition that has long been difficult to treat effectively. Titled Consolidating clinical translation of the first locally developed advanced therapeutic product (ATP) – engineered osteochondral tissue (eOCT), the research is led by Professor Barbara Chan Pui from CUHK’s School of Biomedical Sciences and has received HK$8.8 million in funding.
The study develops engineered osteochondral tissue (eOCT), an advanced therapeutic product in the form of a single implantable graft that mimics the natural structure of joints and is created using patients’ own bone marrow stem cells. Based on preclinical results and initial first-in-human safety trials, eOCT has demonstrated good safety profiles and promising potential for restoring joint function. In the next phase, the research team will transfer the validated Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production process back to Hong Kong while conducting an exploratory efficacy trial as a foundation for subsequent clinical trials.
Meanwhile, the second project highlights deep-sea exploration, a domain that still holds many scientific mysteries. The project, titled Development of an in-situ sensing platform for deep-sea exploration, is coordinated by Professor Ren Wei from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, who also serves as Assistant Dean (Research) of CUHK’s Faculty of Engineering. This research has been awarded HK$7.14 million.
The team will develop a high-precision sensing platform to detect dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) directly in deep-sea environments. The technology is designed to overcome the limitations of conventional sampling methods, which are unable to capture fine-scale chemical variations in the ocean. Field trials are planned for cold seep areas and hydrothermal zones, including the Haima Trench, reaching extreme depths of up to 10,000 meters.
CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Sham Mai-har, said the two projects reflect CUHK’s strengths in interdisciplinary and innovative research. “The University will continue to support research teams, strengthen global partnerships, and promote the translation of research outcomes into tangible solutions for society,” he said.
The funding also reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a regional hub for innovation and technology in Asia. Through research that directly addresses human health needs and deepens understanding of Earth’s ecosystems, CUHK positions higher education institutions not only as centers of knowledge creation but also as key contributors to tackling future global challenges. (**)
