CUHK Research: Changing the world

background in immunology inspired her to look at ways to empower the immune system instead, and she found the key within those clotted vessels. She discovered that many immune cells lay within these plaques, yet their potential uses remained unexplored. “After we discovered this problem, we started many projects to see if we can control these immune cells, so that these plaques can be dissolved.” The professor knows that the exploration of immune cells and their therapeutic value is relatively uncharted territory. “These cells are tricky in that they can prove beneficial at times and malevolent at others, and only by pinpointing their beneficial uses can we use them on patients… Our research is all about stabilising these wild swings.” Although her academic journey has taken her to both Oxford and Harvard — gaining her three patents and allowing her to translate her bench work into clinical trials, uncovering the therapeutic potential of modified mRNA vaccines against cardiovascular disease — Professor Lui emphasises her desire to do research at CUHK, her alma mater, and Hong Kong. One reason is the potential to work with international academics: “CUHK is a very international university, and we collaborate with laboratories, both in the mainland and globally.” But she also notes how homegrown talent in her field is currently lacking. With more researchers becoming interested in immunology and cardiovascular diseases, she has established the Lui Laboratory for Cardiovascular Immunology and Regeneration, hoping to do cardiovascular research while inspiring and nurturing future talent. One of the main goals of the Laboratory is to further elucidate the connection between immune cells, stem cells and human diseases. To enable that, Professor Lui and her team developed mouse models with a humanised immune system to understand how human cardiovascular disease develops. “Many of our bench trials were conducted on mice, and we hope to see if humans can have the same pathophysiology.” Her laboratory is also looking into T cells and their role in vascular regeneration: the regenerative ability of diabetic patients is often hampered by inflammation of blood vessels. Moreover, she feels that the developmental difference in the immune systems of children and adults has great implications for cell renewal and ageing, and is interested in exploring this further in her research. Besides academics, Professor Lui hopes to work with pharmaceutical companies and contribute to the development of medicines. “During my training, I met many scientists and some of them have not stayed in academia; instead they have launched or work for pharmaceutical companies. We occasionally meet up to discuss whether our research is applicable.” Only by pinpointing the beneficial uses of immune cells can we use them on patients… our research is all about stabilising these wild swings to target cardiovascular disease. 73