Media

HKU chemists develop world’s first light-seeking synthetic nanorobot for potential biomedical applications

20 Oct 2016

A team of researchers led by Dr Jinyao Tang of the Department of Chemistry, the University of Hong Kong, has developed the world’s first light-seeking synthetic nanorobot. With size comparable to a blood cell, those tiny robots have the potential to be injected into patients’ bodies, helping surgeons to remove tumors and enabling more precise engineering of targeted medications. The findings have recently been published in a leading international academic journal.  

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 was awarded to three scientists for “the design and synthesis of molecular machines”. The development of tiny nanoscale machines for biomedical applications has been a major trend of scientific research in recent years. Any breakthroughs will potentially open the door to new knowledge and treatments of diseases and development of new drugs. 

Dr Tang and his research team will meet the media to elaborate the design, operation, advantages and possible applications of this light-seeking synthetic nanorobot. Details of the media briefing are as below:

Date:  October 24, 2016 (Monday)
Time: 11:00am
Venue: Conference Room, Room 6N-11, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Main Campus, HKU, Pokfulam (Map)

Media enquiry:
Communication and Public Affairs Office Ms Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600; email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Faculty of Science Ms Cindy Chan (Tel: 3917 5286/ 6703 0212; email: cindycst@hku.hk)