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Seventh International Symposium on Healthy Aging –
“Live Well Age Well”
The Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy
Aging held its Seventh International Symposium on
Healthy Aging on March 3-4, 2012. At the conference, 24
renowned local and overseas speakers delivered lectures
on related issues including cardiology, degeneration &
regeneration, diabetes & metabolism, neurology and
ophthalmology to around 500 participants from local and
overseas institutions. Overseas speakers included Professor
Jubin Abutalebi from Italy, Professor Robert A Moore
and Professor Bryan Williams from the UK, and Professor
Lars S Rasmussen from Denmark.
The symposium received a total of 71 presentations in oral and poster formats. Eight presenters gained
best presentation awards, with four under the sponsorship of the Sun Chieh Yeh Heart Foundation, and
four from the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging. The Eighth Symposium is
scheduled for March 2-3, 2013.
5th Shirley Boyde Memorial
Lecture – “From Reading to
Writing the Genetic Code”
World-renowned scientist Dr J Craig Venter delivered the 5th Shirley Boyde Memorial Lecture, entitled “From
Reading to Writing the Genetic Code”, on March 15, 2012. Among his numerous contributions to genomic
research, Dr Venter created the first living cell with synthetic DNA, which has been hailed as a scientific
landmark of the 21st century. He received an honorary doctorate in science for his contributions to medical
research and society from HKU.
In his public lecture, Dr Venter shared his design of bacterial cells that would produce medicines and fuels,
and even absorb greenhouse gases. The presentation attracted more than 400 people, including
120 local secondary school students. Established in 1989 in memory of Mrs Shirley
Boyde, the Shirley Boyde Trust supports original scientific research on medical topics or
directed at improved conservation of wildlife and the environment.
3rd International Symposium on
Development of the Enteric Nervous
System Cells, Signals and Genes
MARCH 3-4, 2012
After the first and second International Symposium on Development of the
Enteric Nervous System, held in New York and London respectively, the third
symposium was held in Hong Kong from March 25-28, 2012. At the conference,
30 renowned local and overseas speakers delivered lectures on areas of enteric nervous system
development. Over 150 participants from 15 countries gathered to share their expertise and
experience in related research. The triennial symposium has become one of the most important
gatherings for scientists, clinicians and researchers in the field. The 2012 symposium was
sponsored by the Medical Faculty and the Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth.
MARCH 25-28 2012
MARCH 15, 2012
MEDICAL FACULTY NEWS 11