“Plaque Unveiling Ceremony for MUST-PRMRC and the IPRM Symposium 2023” Has Successfully Launched

Group photo of guests

“The Plaque Unveiling Ceremony for the Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center and the International Precision Regenerative Medicine Symposium 2023” has successfully launched at the University’s N101 Lecture Hall on 16^th December, 2023, in hybrid form.

Officiating guests  attending the plaque unveiling ceremony include: Dr. Alvis Iek Long Lo, Director of Health Bureau of Macau SAR Government, Mr. Kuok Leong Ng, Acting Director of Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of Macau SAR Government, Mr. Kun Wai Cheang , Member of the Administrative Committee of FDCT, Mr. Carlos Roberto Xavier, Head of the Department of Tertiary Education of Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macau SAR Government, Chair Professor Ruiping Xiao, Dean of the College of Future Technology of the Peking University, Prof. Guokai Chen, Interim Director of Zhuhai UM Science and Technology Insitute, Professor Ren-He Xu, Associate Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Macau, Associate Professor Lam Nogueira Oi Ching Bernice, Associate Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and Sports of the Macao Polytechnic University, Dr. Wa Hou Tai, Director of Clinical Services of Centro Hospitalar Conde de São Januário, Dr. Jing Quan He, Assistant to Director of Macau Kiang Wu Hospital, Dr. Dan Li, Chief of Research Department of The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Our distinguished guests from the Macau University of Science and Technology include: Vice Chancellor and President, Chair Professor Joseph Hun-wei Lee, Dr. Ji Min Chen, Secretary General of the University Council, Dr. Ka Lok Tong, Vice President, Chair Professor Paul Tam, Vice President and Director of MUST Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Chair Professor Zhihong Jiang, Vice President, Professor Chuan Pang, Vice President, Chair Professor Yizhun Zhu, Associate Vice President and Director of School of Pharmacy, Professor Aliana Leong, Associate Vice President and Dean of School of Liberal Arts, Professor Manson Fok, Dean of Faculty of Medicine and President of University Hospital, Dr. Valencia Chang, Director (Development and Clinical) of Medical Sciences Division, Vice President and Administrative Director of University Hospital, Professor Vincent Wong, Assistant Director of the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and over 80 teachers and students from the Medical Science Division attended the event.

Advances in precision and regenerative medicines are providing new insights and directions for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The ‘M.U.S.T. Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center’ houses a team of highly skilled researchers form the Medical Science Division (MSD) of M.U.S.T. and is supported by renowned scientists around the world, aiming to solve some of the major health and society needs of Macau and the country through internationally recognized discoveries and talent-nurturing. The center will carry out cutting-edge research in the fields of embryonic stem cells, regenerative medicine, and prenatal and postnatal treatment of congenital anomalies. The center will also hold in-depth discussions around a number of interdisciplinary topics, such as stem cell and mammalian embryo engineering, in order to promote the clinical research and innovative applications in the field of translational regenerative medicine.

President Joseph Hun-wei Lee delivered a Speech

Vice Chancellor and President of M.U.S.T. Chair Professor Joseph Hun-wei Lee delivered a speech introducing the overview of Macau University of Science and Technology and its development achievements in recent years. The university has three national-level research platforms and more than 20 interdisciplinary research centers. The first scientific satellite "Macao Science-1" jointly developed by the China National Space Administration and the Macao SAR Government was successfully launched on May 21 this year. President Xi Jinping responded to representatives of M.U.S.T. faculty and students who participated in the satellite project with cordial encouragement. President Lee calls on the Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center will become a beacon of hope, a symbol of our unwavering commitment to advancing medical science, and a testament to our vision of a healthier, brighter future.

Director Alvis Iek Long Lo delivered a speech

Dr. Alvis Iek Long Lo, Director of Health Bureau of Macau SAR Government, said in his speech that regenerative medicine is a very important medical frontier. Through the research and application of regenerative medicine, more therapeutic methods can be explored and developed which help patients to restore health and prolong their lifespan. He hopes that the center can become a brand new academic platform in Macau to promote scientific research and innovative applications of regenerative medicine, as well as facilitate academic exchanges and collaboration between Macau, Mainland China, and the world. By making full use of local scientific research advantages, it is expected that the center will integrate novel elements into the research field of Macau, and to promote the cultivation of scientific researchers locally, which lead eventually to the overall enhancement of Macau’s comprehensive strength and core competitiveness. Director Lo believes that it will be able to make greater contributions to Macau’s medical and health undertakings, thereof promote the development of great health industry and moderately diversify economy of Macau through the joint efforts of the Macau SAR government and M.U.S.T..

Vice President Paul Tam Kwong-Hang delivered a speech

Chair Professor Paul Tam Kwong-Hang, Vice President of M.U.S.T. and the Director of the Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center delivered a speech. He pointed out that the establishment of the center marks a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of advancing medical science and enhancing the lives of millions of individuals in Macau, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond. The Precision Regenerative Medicine Research Center will feature state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technologies, empowering researchers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop innovative therapies. Serving as a vibrant hub, the center will facilitate collaboration and idea exchange between scientists, clinicians, and industry experts. Together, they will drive forward the translation of regenerative medicine discoveries into practical applications that directly benefit patients and to make outstanding contributions to the development of translational regenerative medicine in Macau and the Greater Bay Area.

Officiating guests of the Plaque Unveiling Ceremony

Starting from the left: Carlos Roberto Xavier, Kun Wai Cheang,

Kuok Leong Ng, Alvis Iek Long Lo, Joseph Hun-wei Lee, Ji Min Chen, Ka Lok Tong, Tam Kwong-Hang

After the plaque unveiling ceremony, the International Precision Regenerative Medicine Symposium began. The symposium invited 10 international renowned scholars to be speakers at the event to discuss the basic clinical research and innovative applications under the field of precision regenerative medicine and to achieve the purpose of promoting academic cooperation and research exchanges in related fields national local and overseas. They are: Professor Fotios Sampaziotis from the Wellcome-MR Cambridge Stem Cell Institute of the University of Cambridge; Professor Paolo De Coppi from the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health of the University College London; Professor Urban Lendahl from the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet in Sweden; Professor James Wells from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the United States; Professor Huck Hui Ng from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore; Chair Professor Rui-Ping Xiao  and Dr. Yang Zhao from the College of Future Technology of the Peking University; Professor Fan Yi Zeng from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Medical Genetics; Professor Pengtao Liu from the Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology and Professor Vincent Lui from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong.

Vice President Paul Tam Kwong-Hang and Professor Pengtao Liu signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of both parties. Afterwards, the symposium continued with two sessions of panel discussions regarding translational medicine and emerging technologies in regenerative medicine. During these discussions, the experts and audience exchanged ideas and shared the latest advancements in regenerative medicine. The symposium came to a close with notable accomplishments and meaningful discussions.

Vice President Paul Tam Kwong-Hang (right) and Professor Pengtao Liu (left) signed on the Memorandum of Understanding.

 The event was witnessed by Vice President Jiang Zhihong (right at the back) and Ms. Angel Lee (left at the back)

Panel discussions