Bulletin No. 2, 2011

42   Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2011 CUHK Pioneers DNA Chip for Prenatal Diagnosis The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology introduced a DNA chip for prenatal diagnosis in 2009, the first-ever in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. The fetal DNA chip can detect Down syndrome and other genetic diseases. A recent research led by Prof. Leung Tak-yeung (left) and Prof. Choy Kwong-wai Richard (right) demonstrated that the DNA chip was more accurate than conventional analysis in diagnosing lethal and severe congenital disorders. Researchers Find Androgen-controlled Gene Promotes Liver Cancer Liver cancer ranks third among the major causes of cancer-related deaths in Hong Kong. It has been known for some time that liver cancer occurs far more frequently among men than women. Scholars examined all relevant factors but no conclusive results were available until quite recently. A research team at CUHK announces that the Cell-Cycle Related Kinase (CCRK), a gene significant in the process leading to abnormal liver cell growth and the formation of tumour, is directly controlled by androgen, the male hormone. There is a proven link between the occurrence of liver cancer and a high level of CCRK. Robots Go Arboreal Prof. Xu Yangsheng (right), Pro -Vice - Chancellor and director of the Advanced Robotics Laboratory, and Dr. Lam Tin-lun (left) from the same laboratory invented a tree-climbing robot called the Treebot. It can be used to monitor tree health and control pests, and as a tool for ecological observation. RESEARCH