What is Areas of Excellence Scheme (AoE)?
Following a comprehensive review of higher education of Hong Kong, the University Grants Committee (UGC) advised the Government in a report published in October 1996 that Hong Kong would need world-class institutions with distinct areas of excellence in order to retain its leading economic position in the development of China and the Pacific Rim. The UGC recommended, and the Government agreed, that the UGC-funded institutions should build upon their existing strengths and develop them into Areas of Excellence (AoE).
Such Areas would be recognised internationally as of equal status to their peers in the same subject areas, and justify the additional investment in state-of-the-art facilities and activities which would maintain them among the world leaders.
The AoE Scheme was launched by the UGC in 1998. With effect from February 2012, the AoE Scheme has been transferred to the RGC. Six rounds of AoE exercises had been undertaken.
Centre for Plant Vacuole Biology and Biotechnology awarded the thirteenth round of AoE
Project Title: Centre for Plant Vacuole Biology and Biotechnology
Total Funding Approved: HK$47.25M
Coordinating Institution: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Project Coordinator: Prof. Jiang Liwen
Abstract
Plant vacuoles play essential roles in cellular recycling and homeostasis. Vacuoles dynamically alter their size and shape during plant growth and development, responding adaptively to environmental stresses such as heat, salt, and drought, as well as pathogen attacks. Understanding vacuole formation, regulation, and interaction with other organelles under stresses remains largely elusive yet critical for advancing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
Our inter-institutional and inter/multidisciplinary research team, specializing in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced imaging techniques, aims to illustrate these fundamental processes of vacuole biology and biotechnology. By leveraging cutting-edge electron microscopy and biotechnology approaches, we aim to establish the Centre for Plant Vacuole Biology and Biotechnology (CPVBB) as an international hub for innovative research and biotechnology advancement. CPVBB will foster global collaborations, develop new technologies to enhance crop resilience and productivity, as well as provide comprehensive training programs for young scientists. This initiative will position Hong Kong as a leader in plant organelle biology research, contributing significantly to scientific knowledge, sustainable agriculture practices, food security, and economic growth in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.
PC
Prof. JIANG Liwen, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Co-PI (s)
Prof. BI Yang, Department of Biology ,HKBU
Prof. CHEN Sijie, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. DUAN Liting, Department of Biomedical Engineering, CUHK
Prof. GUO Yusong, Division of Life Science, HKUST
Prof. HUI, Ho Lam, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. KANG Byung-Ho , School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. KWAN Kin-ming, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. LAO Xiangzhou, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. LI Baiying, Department of Biology, HKBU
Prof. LI Jianming, STEM Professor and Head of Department, HKBU
Prof. LIANG Zizhen, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. LIAO Pan, Department of Biology, HKBU
Prof. NI Tao, School of Biomedical Sciences, HKU
Prof. WANG Guanqun, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. WONG Kam-bo , School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. XIA Jiang, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. XIA Yiji, Department of Biology, HKBU
Prof. YAO Xiaoqiang, School of Biomedical Sciences, CUHK
Prof. YAO Zhongping, N.A, PolyU
RAP. ZHAI Liting, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. ZHAI Yuanling, Department of Chemistry, HKUST
Prof. ZHANG Congyan, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Prof. Zhuang Xiaohong, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Co-I (s)
Dr. CAO Junfeng, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Dr. NIU, Fangfang, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
Collaborators
Prof. SCHEKMAN Randy W, Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, USA
Prof. ERDMANN Philipp, Human Technopole, Italy
Prof. WAN Jianmin, Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Prof. LI Xin, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Canada
Prof. YANG Ge, School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China