Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2007

Research Non-invasive Prenatal Testing Research Selected AoE The project 'Centre for Research into Circulating Foetal Nucleic Acids' was one of two projects selected by the University Grants Committee for funding in the fourth round of the Areas of Excellence (AoE) scheme, as announced in September 2007. The centre was awarded HK$29.92 million for long-term development. In 1997, Prof. Dennis Y.M. Lo (right 1), Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine, and his team discovered for the first time in the world the presence of cell-free foetal DNA in the blood plasma of pregnant women. The discovery opens up new possibilities in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. By measuring the ratio of RNA molecules copied from gene copies that the foetus inherited from the parents, non-invasive prenatal detection of Down's Syndrome with a 90% rate of sensitivity was achieved. Currently, 200,000 babies with Down's Syndrome are born each year. The revolutionary testing would theoretically half the number of invasive tests and contribute to the early diagnosis of abnormalities. It would also lower the possible risk posed to the unborn child. The Centre for Research into Circulating Foetal Nucleic Acids, established in 2004, addresses high-profile unsolved questions in the field of circulating foetal nucleic acids. Its members including Prof. Rossa Chiu (left 1) and Prof. T.K. Lau (middle), work closely with multi-disciplinary basic scientists, clinician-scientists and clinical specialists from Hong Kong, US, UK, the Netherlands and Italy. 40 Chinese University Bulletin