Published: 07-10-2016 11:24 | Updated: 19-10-2016 15:53

KI’s research center in Hong Kong inaugurated

Invigningen av Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine i Hongkong.

On 7 October the Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine was inaugurated in Hong Kong. Researchers from around the world will be able to conduct research within regenerative medicine at the new facility with the future goal of being able to replace damaged or lost tissue.

Bandet klipps vid invigning av Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine i Hongkong.The centre is Karolinska Institutet’s first hub outside of Sweden. By establishing this node in Hong Kong, Karolinska Institutet is strengthening its research within regenerative medicine.

”This is a natural step for KI, given our ambition of continuing to be a leading international university in medical research. Hong Kong is a global hub for research and innovation and provides unique opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange. By establishing this new centre, we hope to take a significant step forward in an area that can have important future implications for human health,” says Karin Dahlman-Wright, Karolinska Institutet’s Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Two nodes headed by KI

The Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine will consist of two nodes, one in Stockholm and one in Hong Kong. Under KI's leadership, the centre will conduct basic research using technologies that are relevant for regenerative medicine. One of the primary goals is to develop new knowledge and tools to repair damaged or lost tissue.

“We believe that people who are skilled in this area will be attracted by the new centre. Research today is all about partnerships, especially for newly established groups. Much of the best stem cell research today is being done in Asia, and KI wants to be a part of it,” says Ola Hermanson, scientific director of the new centre and researcher at KI’s Department of Neuroscience.

The centre has been fully funded through a donation from the Hong Kong-based businessman Ming Wai Lau.