Newsletter No. 28

中 — 大 — 通 — 訊 CUHK Newsletter Vol.3.3 No. 28 March 1992 University News HKIB Formally Opened The newly completed building complex by the side of Tolo Harbour which houses the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology (HKIB) was formally opened by the Hon. Sir David Ford on 25th February. Other officiating guests included Mr. David Gairns, Steward of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club; Sir Quo-wei Lee, chairman of the Council of The Chinese University; Prof. Charles K. Kao, chairman of the Board of Directors of HK IB and vice-chancellor of the University; Prof, the Hon. Wang Gungwu, member of the Board of Directors of HKIB; and Prof. Dominic Man-kit Lam, honorary director of HKIB. In his welcoming address. Prof. Kao represented the Board of Directors of HKIB to thank all parties involved in launching the institute in 1988 and gave a brief account of the progress made by the institute to foster collaboration with business corporations and tertiary institutions on biotech-related projects and to attract investments. He gave examples of various agreements signed with research institutes in the USA, mainland China and Taiwan to develop biotechnical products targeted at the world market, and stated that researchers had so far been concentrating their efforts on discovering new drugs based on oriental health concepts and materials, and on pollution control by bio-processes. The institute, he said, had plans to expand into areas such as pharmaceutical and diagnostic agents based on genetic engineering, and high-nutrition food products. After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the facilities in the new complex and watch demonstrations performed by researchers and technicians. The function was attended by over 150 guests. HKIB formally opened by the Hon.SirDavid Ford Guests tour the facilitie s in the new complex. The Hong Kong Flap - A New Dimension in Ear Surgery The Department of Surgery has successfully developed a new technique to help sufferers of cholesteatoma, a disease which causes cells to grow abnormally in the ear and which may lead to deafness, brain infection and even death. While doctors have long known how to remove the tumour- like growth between the middle and inner ear, the surgery will leave a cavity where dirt and unnatural ‘A'shows the area of the issue to be harvested ： 'B'shows the location of the unnatural hole in the skull created after removing the tumour-like growth. discharge may accumulate and cause further hearing impairment. Doctors have tried for years using a lot of artificial materials to repair the ear, but without much success. Surgeons from the Department of Surgery have now discovered a delicate piece of tissue close to the ear which is ideal for repairing the cavity. The tissue 1