The Ministry of Science and Technology of the Central Government has given approval to HKU to establish a State Key Laboratory (SKL) of Liver Diseases. A State Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry will also be established in collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The decision was made by the Ministry in recognition of HKU's excellence in research in the two areas, citing its outstanding research team and advanced laboratory facilities. The move represents another significant step in the collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland in frontier research that will ultimately benefit the country's technological advancement.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui expressed delight at the decision of the Ministry. He believes the setting up of the two SKLs will provide good opportunities for HKU to further its academic and technological collaboration with the Mainland.

The two SKLs are the newest additions to those already at the University, following the SKL of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and the SKL of Emerging Infectious Diseases established in 2005 at HKU, which were then the first and only SKLs in their respective fields located outside of the Mainland.

The HKU SKL of Liver Diseases will be led by Professor Irene Ng Oi-lin, Loke Yew Professor in Pathology, Faculty of Medicine. It will partner with the SKL of Oncogenes and Related Genes of the Shanghai Cancer Institute, while operating independently.

The SKL of Synthetic Chemistry will be directed by the HKU Dr Hui Wai Haan Chair of Chemistry, Professor Che Chi-ming. Professor Henry N.C. Wong, Professor of Chemistry of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, will act as Deputy Director. The SKL will partner with the SKL of Organometallic Chemistry of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry.

SKLs are regarded as key components of China's science and technology research system. They serve as hubs for top-level basic research and applied basic research development, the assembling and nurturing of outstanding researchers, and for scholarly exchanges throughout the country.

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