Research & Achievements
Health and Medical Sciences
HKU Dentistry Develops World’s First AI System for Single-Tooth Prediction of Early Childhood Caries Detection with Over 90% Accuracy
Affecting over 70% of 5-year-olds in Chinese Mainland, early childhood caries (ECC) is the most prevalent chronic childhood disease worldwide, disproportionately affecting specific teeth. Current prevention strategies typically treat all teeth equally, despite clear differences in susceptibility. A research team from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with multiple research teams in Qingdao, has developed the world’s first AI system — Spatial-MiC, which is capable of predicting early childhood caries risk for individual teeth based on microbial characteristics. By combining data from a tooth's microbial community with information from its neighbours, Spatial-MiC achieved 98% accuracy in detecting existing cavities and 93% accuracy in predicting cavities two months before they became clinically apparent — significantly outperforming current whole-mouth assessment methods. This research paves the way for precision dentistry approaches that could provide targeted preventive care to high-risk teeth before damage occurs.
Achievements and Milestones
HKU State Key Labs Honoured for Advancing Science Nationwide and Globally
Five HKU State Key Laboratories were honoured with plaques by the Ministry of Science and Technology. These labs are among the nation’s top publicly funded research facilities, dedicated to innovative basic and applied research in areas aligned with national priorities and development goals. The plaque presentation ceremony was officiated by Mr Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology; Mr Zhou Ji, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R.; and Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. On the same day, Minister Yin led a delegation to visit HKU, engaging in in-depth discussions with Professor Xiang Zhang, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor, the University’s Senior Management team, and the directors of HKU’s State Key Labs.
Health and Medical Sciences
HKUMed Identifies Key Protein in Liver Cancer Resistance and Develops Inhibitor to Enhance Therapy and Prevent Cancer Recurrence
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer, which often resists treatment and recurs. HKUMed researchers have made a breakthrough by discovering a protein called AGPAT4 that promotes cancer cell growth, spread, and drug resistance. The team developed a compound named CL26 that specifically inhibits AGPAT4. In preclinical models, CL26 combined with sorafenib significantly suppressed tumour growth and exhibited low side effects. This discovery presents a new direction for liver cancer treatment by precisely targeting cancer cells and enhancing treatment options for patients.
Teaching and Learning
AI for All: HKU Delivers Mandatory AI Programmes to Undergraduate Students
AI education and literacy are increasingly essential skills, comparable to mastering fundamental communication languages. As technology continues to advance, it will become inevitable that students need to effectively interact with and understand intelligent machines. With that in mind, HKU has launched a mandatory course on AI literacy to equip students with fundamental knowledge of AI, covering its history, core concepts, ethical considerations, capabilities and limitations. This initiative aims to cultivate graduates with strong international competitiveness to meet industry demands for emerging technology talent. New cross-faculty programmes are also being introduced with the Faculties of Social Sciences, Arts and Law, to encourage diverse learning. Additionally, the “AI+X” double degree programme allows students to earn a Master’s degree alongside their major, promoting cross-disciplinary innovation.
Natural Science
HKU Astrophysics Research Captures 130 Years of Evolution of a Dying Star
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Manchester have captured a 130-year record of the non-explosive evolution of Planetary Nebula IC418, the longest such observation in stellar history. By analysing spectroscopic data from 1893 to recent times, they observed significant changes in emission line ratios, indicating rapid evolution of the nebula’s central star. This finding challenges existing stellar evolution models, suggesting a slower process and potentially lower masses for carbon star formation. IC418, one of the brightest and earliest discovered planetary nebulae, offers crucial insights into the lifecycle of dying stars as their cores heat up and become white dwarfs. The study emphasises the importance of historical data, revealing that stellar evolution can occur faster than previously thought, prompting a re-evaluation of current theories.
Achievements and Milestones
Strong Employer Confidence in HKU Graduates: 99.4% Plan to Continue Hiring
Two survey reports recently released by HKU highlight strong employer confidence and impressive graduate performance. The “Industry Report for Early Career: Bridging Future – Employer Insights on Graduate Career Readiness for Hong Kong” revealed that 99.4% of employers plan to continue their hiring of HKU graduates. Employers particularly valued qualities such as a positive work attitude, interpersonal skills, and digital competencies. The “2024 HKU Graduate Employment Survey” reported a 98.7% employment rate among HKU Bachelor’s degree graduates, most of whom are working in Hong Kong. Non-local HKU graduates also perform well, with over 74% employed in Hong Kong. HKU will continue to enhance its career programmes and industry collaborations, reaffirming its role as a key talent source for Hong Kong’s future growth and innovation.
