Prof. Huang Yu, Associate Director (External Links) of the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS), together with his research team members, Dr. Wang Li and Dr. Luo Jiang-Yun, received the First-class award in Natural Sciences under the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Science and Technology) 2019 from the Ministry of Education (MoE), China. The awarded project investigates the new role of “Hippo signalling pathway” in atherosclerosis caused by turbulent blood flow.

This study conducted by Prof. Huang’s team in collaboration with Tianjin Medical University found that the occurrence of vascular inflammation by inhibiting the “Hippo signalling pathway” of the vascular endothelium leads to development of atherosclerosis. Further study found that statins commonly used in clinical practice to lower blood lipid level can activate the “Hippo signalling pathway” and it is expected that new drugs for atherosclerotic vascular diseases can be developed by searching for activators of the “Hippo signalling pathway”. The team has established a drug screening platform targeting the Hippo pathway and several compounds that have a relatively stronger stimulatory effect on this pathway have been obtained through preliminary screening. The therapeutic effects of some drugs are currently being verified on mouse models.

We sincerely congratulate Prof. Huang, Dr. Wang and Dr. Luo on their remarkable accomplishments and wish them continued success in their research endeavors in the future.

The related coverage by the Communications and Public Relations Office, CUHK can be viewed HERE.

(From left) Dr. Luo Jiangyun, Prof. Huang Yu and Dr. Wang Li