Media

HKU Chemists develops novel fluorescent probe for monitoring
cell activities to achieve breakthrough in future drug discovery

13 Mar 2015

After three-year of efforts, Professor Sun Hongzhe of the Department of Chemistry and his team of researchers, together with his collaborators in the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, is the first to develop the novel fluorescent probe that can rapidly trace the tens of thousands of tagged proteins inside cells. The findings were published in a prestigious international journal – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. This unprecedented strategy of designing fluorescent probes reported by Professor Sun’s team has filed the patents from the US and Europe.

Scientists have been searching for ways to observe the location of tagged proteins within the cell and to understand how this changes with time as the cell performs different functions. The HKU research team led by Professor Sun provides quick labeling of tagged protein inside cells (in min) for observing the precise localisation of proteins for studying their functions in all types of cells, from bacterial cell to mammalian cells and even to highly complex plant tissues. The new fluorescent probe provides an inexpensive and effective tool for real-time monitoring of cell activities. It may be used to visualise the invasion events of pathogenic microbes and to analyse the actions of drug on its target, to assess the effectiveness of target drugs on cancer cells, and to trace and understand drug resistance in bacteria etc.. It will facilitate drug screening for future drug discovery, in particular the development of more effective target drugs. The fluorescent probe may also be applied to agricultural advancements in developing plant species with favorable genetic variations.

Professor Sun and his research team will tell more about the advantages and applications of this new technology at a media briefing on March 17 (Tuesday). Details are as below:

Date: March 17, 2015 (Tuesday)
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Venue: 6N11, 6/F, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building (near Haking Wong Building)

For enquiry, please feel free to contact Ms. Cindy Chan, Senior Communication Manager of Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong (Tel: 3917-5286/ 6703-0212; E-mail: cindycst@hku.hk), or Ms. Melanie Wan, Senior Manager (Media) of Communications and Public Affairs Office, The University of Hong Kong (Tel: 2859-2600; E-mail: melwkwan@hku.hk).