Research: Our vision
HKU-PRC's research is designed to elucidate the fundamental biological processes of the viruses which cause SARS, AIDS, Dengue Fever and Avian Influenza. A better understanding of the biology of these viruses will reveal vulnerabilities which can be attacked through therapeutic invention. Our vision is to translate scientific discoveries into applications to benefit society.

Research: The need for new antivirals
The emergence of new infectious diseases is a consequence of the increase in international travel, climate changes, more intensive agricultural practices and shifting demographics. As these factors are unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, the international community must establish the capability to detect, contain and treat new diseases promptly in both the developed and developing worlds. There is an overwhelming need for effective antiviral vaccines and therapeutics to better treat existing and emerging viral infections.

Understanding the virus strategy
Viruses are true parasites, needing the support of human cells to live. Despite their microscopic size, viruses hijack and manipulate complex human cellular processes to achieve their own multiplication. Infection by viruses may provoke cell suffering and death, leading to the damage of entire organs and the death of the infected patient.

Our research provides answers to key questions: How does the virus interact with the cell, and which cell components help the virus enter? How does it assemble its individual building blocks to make a new infectious virus? Answering these questions is our scientific mission, which will lead to new strategies to combat viruses through vaccines and therapeutics.

SARS-CoV: The search for a vaccine
In 2003/2004, the centre's activities were part of a research-driven response of the international scientific community to the SARS outbreak. We developed a candidate vaccine against SARS which has been successfully tested in experimental animals at the US National Institutes of Health. The centre's research output on SARS-CoV will foster understanding of this new human pathogen and help the international scientific community devise strategies against SARS and related coronavirus infections.

AIDS, Hepatitis C, Avian Influenza and Dengue Fever: New therapeutics are needed
Our fundamental and applied drug research programmes are closely linked. HKU-PRC employs state-of-the-art genomic research tools, imaging and high throughput technology to identify new small molecule inhibitors of virus replication. New molecules are identified from synthetic compound libraries and Traditional Chinese Medicine-based libraries (established by our partners at SIMM in Shanghai) with a single goal: to bring new antiviral compounds from the research phase to the clinic. Intellectual property and business development of HKU-PRC's discoveries are managed by Institut Pasteur in Paris, a world leader in technology transfer from academia to the private sector.

International collaborations
HKU-PRC is a leading partner in international networks and collaborations with France, Europe, China, Japan, Israel, Australia and the United States (visit our partnerships' page).