Calendar 2002–03

Faculty andDepartmentalResearch/ConsultancyUnits 103 Amajor goal of thelaboratory isto identify areas of research in biotechnology which are of local relevance. Ongoing major research projects include the cloning of fish growth hormone/receptor gene,theproduction of recombinant fish growth hormone, studies on the structural modification of an abortifacient plant protein, and the identification of unique genes associated with thehuman heart. The laboratory also serves as an education centre. Its facilities are available to students of the MPhil programme in biotechnology as well as undergraduates taking courses in this field. To promote a wider interest in biotechnology, the laboratory also organizesworkshops on special topics for both local and overseas researchers. Brain Disease Laboratory Tel.:2632 3335 Fax.:2637 6274 E-mail: hkng@cuhk.edu.hk The Brain DiseaseLaboratory conducts clinical andmultidisciplinary laboratory research on diseases related to thehuman nervous system. Based at the Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, the labor atory was set up with a grant from the Ho Sin-Hang Education Endowment Fund and the University’s One- time Support Fund. The laboratory accommodates research scientists, fellows and students from diverse disciplines engaged in research on molecular genetics of brain tumours, neurodegenerative diseases in Chinese, and animalmodels of diffuse and focal brain injuries. Cantonese Research Centre Tel.:2609 7160 Fax.:2603 6048 E-mail :chilan@cuhk.edu.hk With the University’s endorsement, the Department of Chinese Language and Literature adopted ‘Cantonese in Research, Education and Creative Writing’ as its Area of Ex cellence (AoE) in 1998 . The Cantonese Research Centre was subsequently established in February 2 001 to coordinate research activities, centralize human resources, and apply for funding for future development. The centr e, located in Room 524 of the Fung King Hey Building, is expected to contributeto the developmentofHongKong languageand culturein collaboration with the department. Ongoing projects of the centre include the following: • Cantonese databank building; • applying for funding for research projects related to Cantonese studies; • consultation services for the public with regard to Cantonese studies; and • research publication in the name of the centre.