KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU scientists discover a drought tolerance gene that may help plants survive global warming

In recent years, scientists have been researching how to improve drought resistance in plants, so as to enhance growth and productivity of crops in dry weather conditions. Groundbreaking technology from HKU may provide a solution to this problem on drought stress. Funded by the Wilson and Amelia Wong Endowment Fund, Professor Chye Mee Len at the HKU School of Biological Sciences and her lab members have identified a gene from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana which encodes an acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP). The gene, designated as ACBP2, can confer drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Overexpression of ACBP2 in these transgenic lines promoted stomatal closure, reduced water loss and enhanced drought tolerance. With the assistance of the University's Technology Transfer Office, the technology has been licensed to an internationally recognized agricultural company specializing in the development of biofuel and biolubricant production crop, Camelina sativa, for potential applications in oil production and commercialization.

HKU Students join the "Cyberport University Partnership Programme"

The University of Hong Kong has six teams selected to join the "Cyberport University Partnership Programme" (CUPP) organized by Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport), in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), with a focus on financial technology (FinTech). The programme offers a unique opportunity for students of local universities to unlock their potential, gain insights into the global market, and receive world-class training through a customized boot camp and mentorship in Hong Kong and overseas. All teams will join a free one-week CUPP Entrepreneurship Boot Camp at Stanford GSB in late September 2015. The boot camp will include lectures, case studies, group work, guest speaker sessions, personal coaching and pitch training.

All teams will present their ideas and business models on the Demo Day during the Global Entrepreneurship Week China – Hong Kong at Cyberport in November 2015. A distinguished panel of judges will select the most outstanding teams, which will each be awarded a cash prize of HK$100,000 and shortlisted to join Cyberport Incubation Programme interview.

Bio International Convention 2015

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) co-ordinated HKU's participation in the Bio International Convention 2015, which was held in Philadelphia, USA, from June 15-18, 2015. Five projects relating to treatment of infectious diseases as well as treatment of cancer by bacterial therapy and chemical drugs were showcased at the event.

HKU holds an entrepreneurship forum with 67 speakers sharing their experiences at DreamCatchers

Sixty-seven speakers shared their experience on start-ups at an entrepreneurship forum, DreamCatchers, held at The University of Hong Kong on May 31, 2015. The forum was attended by 1000 delegates. The keynote was delivered by Mr Pony Ma, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Tencent.

High-energy efficient LED driver invented by HKU researchers and commercialized

A research team of HKU Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering led by Professor Ron Hui Shu-yuen, Chair of Power Electronics, invented a passive LED driver that has an edge over conventional LED in terms of lifespan and environment friendliness. Its components can last 10 years and are 80% recyclable. With the assistance of the University's Technology Transfer Office, the technology has been licensed to a tech company in Hong Kong. It is being tested in Heshan, Guangdong, and will be tested in places with more extreme temperatures before going into mass production.

HKU at InnoCarnival 2014

The InnoCarnival 2014, organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) as a major event of the InnoTech Month 2014, was held from November 1-9, 2014 in the Hong Kong Science Park. The Technology Transfer Office coordinated the University's participation in the InnoCarnival 2014.

HKU at InnoCarnival 2013

The InnoCarnival 2013, organized by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) as a major event of the InnoTech Month 2013, was held from November 2-10, 2013 in the Hong Kong Science Park. The Technology Transfer Office co-ordinated the University's participation in the InnoCarnival 2013.