Bulletin Winter 1999

This work involves the transfer o f specific human genes into mouse fibroblast (skin) cells to construct specific genetic-engineered cell lines useful for elucidating the molecular mechanism of certain brain functions such as vision, learning and memory. The cell lines are also useful for the discovery of novel pharmaceutical agents against certain brain and cardiovascular diseases. This is the first research programme in Hong Kong that utilizes human-mouse transgenic cell lines to study information processing in the nervous system. This project involves staff members not only from Professor Lam's laboratory but also from other departments at the University, as well as scientists from other institutions in Hong Kong and from China. Donation for Japanese Studies CUHK w i ll be given HK$2.27 million by the Japanese government for the purchase of teaching and audio-visual equipment to strengthen its Japanese studies programme, according to a recent agreement reached between the Hong Kong and Japanes e governments. The agreement was signed by the Secretary for Education and Manpower and the Japanese Consul- General in Hong Kong at the Government Secretariat on 10th November, 1989. Also present was Professor Charles K . Kao, the University's Vice-Chancellor. The University has previously received financial assistance from both the Japan Foundation and the Japan Exposition Commemorative Fund for similar purposes. This donation is another example of the continued support rendered by the Japanese government for the promotion of Japanese studies in the University. Donation from Yung Foundation The University recently received a donation of HK$200,000 from Yung Foundation Ltd., of which HK$150,000 is designated for the purchase of 10 electronic hand prosthesis for the Children Prosthetic Clinic run by the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Established in 1987 ， the Children Prosthetic Clinic has over the last two years fitted 15 electronic hands for needy children with upper limb deficiencies. It is also the first and only clinic in Hong Kong to provide this kind of service. The other HK$50,000 is earmarked for the installation of an ultra-low temperature freezer at the hospital's operating theatre, for the storage for future A girl fitted with an electronic hand use of bone grafts removed from patients with frac- tures of the hip bone. Children's Cancer Fund Set Up The Children's Cancer Fund under the auspices of the University was set up on 2nd November, 1989 to help child cancer patients receiving treatment at the Prince of Wales Hospital. I t is run by a team of specialist doctors from the hospital's Department of Paediatrics together with a group of parents and dedicated volunteers. Resources w i l l be used to provide professional counselling, subsidize families that cannot afford expensive treatment expenses, improve medical facilities for cancer treatment, upgrade training for medical staff concerned, and finance research projects. The Shaw Foundation took the lead to donate one million dollars to support the organization's activities. Lady Ford, patron of the fu d, visited the child cancer patients in the hospital on 2nd November, accompanied by Dr. T.Y. Chau of the Hospital Services Department and the Vice- 10