Calendar 2001–02

94 Part 3 • Research Units and University Extensions Chinese medicine research in Hong Kong to a higher plane. Set up in January 2000, the ICM is made up of five sections: Clinical Trials, Standardization and Safety of Chinese Medicines, Drug Development, Information, and Public and General Education. The Clinical Trials Section, based at the Prince of Wales Hospital, engages in multilateral trials of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. It conducts evidence- based and scientific clinical trials in the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines and treatments. The Standardization and Safety of Chinese Medicines Section has rich experience in authentication work, and is involved in the quality control and safety assurance of various Chinese medicinal materials and health foods. It also helps local and overseas organizations in analysing suspected cases of poisoning. The Drug Development Section, coordinated by the School of Pharmacy, develops Chinese medicines with proven efficacy, turning them into sophisticated drugs. The Chinese Medicine Museum of the Information Section houses over 2,500 kinds of medicinal materials, and its Chinese Medicine Library contains professional publications and journals in the field, as well as major manuscripts related to Chinese medicine published over the last three decades. The Public and General Education Section sets up herbal gardens on campus and participates in other local public education programmes on Chinese medicine of varying scales. Current research foci of the ICM include treatments for cancer, ageing, viral infections, chronic diseases, diabetic foot ulcer, detoxification, allergic illnesses, gynaecological diseases, and heart disease. Institute of Science and Technology Tel.: 2609 6279 Fax.: 2603 5057 E-mail: tcwmak@cuhk.edu.hk The Institute of Science and Technology was first established in 1965 to promote interdisciplinary research in various faculties with particular emphasis on projects with long-term regional significance or application value. It is also an important vehicle for inter-institutional cooperation in scientific research and technological development, and consultation for industries, government departments, and other organizations. Under the institute are three major research centres and a laboratory. Hong Kong Bioinformatics Centre Tel.: 2609 6256 Fax.: 2603 7732 E-mail: kpfung@cuhk.edu.hk Website: http://www.hkbic.bch.cuhk.edu.hk The Hong Kong Bioinformatics Centre (HKBIC) was established in February 1998 with two generous grants from the University and the Hong Kong Industry