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Molecular Diagnostics
Centre for Novostics
PushingForward the Frontiers of Molecular Diagnostics
Institutes
I am pleased to see the launch of the InnoHK scheme and excited about being part of this initiative. I hope that through InnoHK, Hong Kong’s research would attain the next level of global excellence, generating valuable intellectual property, enhancing the health and quality of life of local, regional and international communities, and creating economic benefits for the region.
Professor Dennis Lo
Director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine and Professor of Chemical Pathology of The Chinese University of Hong Kong
PushingForward the Frontiers of Molecular Diagnostics
The past decade has witnessed a number of breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics. In 2011, the analysis of fetal DNA in maternal plasma was successfully translated into a clinical non-invasive prenatal test for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies such as Down syndrome. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA test for non-invasive screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is a common cancer in Hong Kong and southern China, was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2017 as a life-saving tool in asymptomatic persons. The three leading scientists behind these milestones, Professor Dennis Lo, Professor Rossa Chiu and Professor Allen Chan, have now come together to establish the Centre for Novostics in Hong Kong. With the meaning of novel diagnostics in its name, the Centre aims to push forward the frontier of molecular diagnostics, particularly around prenatal and cancer diagnostics.
Spokesperson of Centre for Novostics: Prof Dennis Lo
Group Photo of Prof Dennis Lo’s Research Team
Logo of Centre: A key visual that can represent the R&D centre
DNA sequencing facilities
Dennis Lo receiving the Future Science Prize
Non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free fetal nucleic acids
Nasopharyngeal cancer screening using cell-free DNA in blood
With extensive experience in developing prenatal testing of fetal chromosome disorders, the Centre plans to extend its work to single gene disease and other pregnancy-associated conditions. A combination of genomic, methylomic, trancriptomic and fragmentomic technologies will be employed to tackle bottlenecks in cancer diagnostics and investigate the tissue origin of malignancy by circulating nucleic acid analysis, particularly for cancer types prevalent in Hong Kong, mainland China and Asia.
These research areas will accelerate the application of liquid biopsy and promote Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading molecular diagnostic centres. Leveraging Hong Kong’s well-developed public healthcare system and its strategic location for easy access to major cities worldwide, the Centre aims to create a conducive environment for collaborations with other renowned research institutes and universities. The compact size of the city also allows city-wide programmes to be set up and tested.
Project team members
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Henry ChowProfessor of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University -
Henry ChowProfessor of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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Henry ChowProfessor of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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