Newsletter No. 339

No. 339, 4.6.2009 抗流感研究獲蓋茨基金會資助 Grand Challenges Explorations Grant Acquired for Combating Flu 中 大內科及藥物治療學系陳揚超教授領導的對抗禽 流感研究，獲比爾及梅琳達蓋茨基金會（蓋茨基 金會）探索大挑戰計劃頒發十萬美元的研究資助，是香港 唯一獲資助的研究項目。 該計劃名為「三聯慢病毒載體介導的基因改造抗流感病 毒雞」，針對侵入飼養雞隻中並複製的流感病毒，提出建 立一種慢病毒載體，改造雞隻的基因，減少禽流感的發病 率，最終減低人類感染禽流感的機會。評審認為陳教授的 計劃非常創新，突破現時科學研究的框架，相信能為全球 健康帶來重大貢獻。 陳教授對於獲得蓋茨基金會資助感到十分榮幸，並表示： 「我將運用分子生物學及基因改造的專識，研發對抗流感 病毒的創新方法。」 探索大挑戰計劃旨在鼓勵世界各地科學家構思大膽而未 經實踐的方案，以改善發展中國家人民的健康。是次第二 輪的資助計劃收到全球逾三千份計劃書，競爭激烈，最後 選出八十一項研究，資助來自六大洲共十七個國家的科學 家，包括中大的陳揚超教授。 陳教授為中大第二位獲得蓋茨基金會資助的學者，另一位 為生物學榮休教授及研究講座教授辛世文教授，他獲蓋 茨基金會全球健康重大挑戰計劃頒發為期五年（2005 – 2010）共一百萬美元的資助，研究改良水稻的營養成分。 C UHK is recognized internationally for its efforts at combating the flu epidemic in poultry and humans. The University acquired a US$100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for an innovative global health research project conducted by Prof. Chen Yangchao, assistant professor at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics. The research is the only project in Hong Kong receiving support from the latest funding round of the scheme. In his research titled ‘Generation of influenza-resistant chicken by triple combination lentiviral vector- mediated genetic modification’, Prof. Chen proposes the development of a lentiviral vector that targets the entry and replication of influenza viruses in domestic chickens. His team plans to test the resistance of these genetically modified chickens to various influenza viruses in an effort to reduce the frequency of flu epidemics in poultry and, ultimately, in humans. His novel concept is considered to be outside current scientific paradigms and might lead to significant advances in global health. ‘It is my great honour to be awarded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As planned in my proposal, I will use my expertise in molecular biology and gene manipulation to explore an innovative way to fight the flu pandemic,’ said Prof. Chen. Prof. Chen’s project is one of 81 grant-receiving projects announced by the Gates Foundation in the second funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to help scientists around the world explore bold and largely unproven ways to improve health in developing countries. With more than 3,000 proposals received, competition was keen. The grants were provided to scientists in 17 countries on six continents. Prof. Chen is the second CUHK scientist to receive a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges. Prof. Samuel Sun Sai-ming, Emeritus Professor of Biology and Research Professor of Biology, received a five-year (2005–2010) grant of US$1 million to increase the nutritive value of rice from the Foundation’s Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. 內科及藥物治療學系助理教授陳揚超教授 Prof. Chen Yangchao, assistant professor at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics 梁秉中教授獲頒人道年獎 Prof. PC Leung Wins Humanity Award 中 大矯型外科創傷學榮休講座教授梁秉中教授（ 右 ） 獲頒第二屆香港人道年獎，頒獎禮於5月2日舉行。 該獎由香港紅十字會及香港電台合辦，以表揚社會上發揮 人道精神的人士。 梁教授行醫四十多年，屢次遠赴貧窮地方提供醫療服務， 包括印尼、印度、錫蘭、孟加拉、坦桑尼亞、烏干達等。十五 年前，他組織義務醫療康復隊「關懷行動」，到中國偏遠 地方，為居民免費做手術，提供培訓及康復治療等。「關懷 行動」迄今共診治了超過一萬五千多人，進行了二千三百多 宗手術，並訓練了逾三百名醫護人員。 梁教授對獲獎表示高興，他表示：「這獎項不只 是屬於個人，應屬於所有參與健康護理慈善工 作的人，1993年我在新亞書院支持下成立『關懷 行動』，我代表這組織以及所有醫護界人士領 此獎，包括內外科醫生、護理人員及復康護理人 員，他們皆有志為貧困人士出一分力。 「『關懷行動』很幸運有機會協助內地偏遠地區 傷殘及貧困人士，以及四川地震災民，實踐組織 的使命。我相信其他醫護界人士若碰上相同的 情況，同樣會義不容辭，因為大家同抱着懸壺濟 世，救助貧病的宏願，並希望可以做得更多。」 P rof. Leung Ping-chung (right), Professor Emeritus of Orthopaedics and Traumatology has been selected for the Second Hong Kong Humanity Award. The award presentation ceremony was held on 2 May. The award was co-organized by the Hong Kong Red Cross and Radio Television Hong Kong with the aim of paying tribute to people who live up to and put into practice the spirit of humanity. Prof. Leung has served in the medical field for 40 years. He has visited poverty-stricken regions, such as Indonesia, India, Ceylon, Bangladesh, Tanzania and Uganda, to provide medical services. He set up Operation Concern, a voluntary medical rehabilitation team, which offers free surgery, training and rehabilitation support to residents of remote areas in mainland China. The teamhas treatedmore than 15,000 patients, conducted more than 2,300 surgical operations and trained over 300 medical and nursing staff over the past 15 years. Prof. Leung said with delight, ‘The award does not belong to me but to all those who participated in charity work relating to health care. I represent Operation Concern (which I started with the encouragement of the Governors of New Asia College in 1993) and all medical workers: physicians, surgeons, nurses, and rehabilitation workers, who have helped the under-privileged, to accept the award. ‘Operation Concern has been lucky to have had many opportunities to express its good will—helping the disabled and deprived in remote areas of China, and recently, in the Sichuan Quake area. I believe other colleagues in the medical field would have done the same if they were presented the opportunity. Benevolence is our common goal. We hope to do more.’