MEDIA RELEASE HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, Hong Kong, April 2026 Hong Kong, 27/04/26 A new study in Nature Health (published on 01 April 2026) links environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides with increased cancer risk. Combining environmental modeling, a nationwide cancer registry and molecular analyses, researchers from theIRD (National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, France), the Pasteur Network (HKU-Pasteur Research Pole and the Institut Pasteur in Pa

We were delighted to welcome back Jean Millet, an alumnus of the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, for a special seminar in which he shared both his research and his scientific journey. Jean Millet began his work here at HKU-Pasteur, where he studied human coronavirus–host interactions in the pre-pandemic era. This early experience, combined with an international exchange at the Institut Pasteur, played a defining role in shaping his research trajectory. These formative years not on

Join us for a presentation from HKU-Pasteur's alumnus Dr Jean Millet, INRAE, France. Date : Monday 20 April 2026 Time : 4:30PM Venue : SR2, HKJC Building for Interdisciplinary Research This is a research journey that started right here at HKU-Pasteur studying human coronavirus-host interactions in the pre-pandemic era with international exchange at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. These formative years opened the doors to postdoctoral work in the US at Cornell studying the exci

Date: 12–16 October 2026 Venue: The University of Hong Kong The 7th International Society of Respiratory Viruses (ISRV) School, hosted by the School of Public Health, in collaboration with HKU-Pasteur Research Pole and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute, at The University of Hong Kong, is a 5-day residential school aimed to provide early career scientists and postgraduate students with an intensive, multidisciplinary training on respiratory viruses, includin

We are pleased to welcome Cyrus Liu to the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole. Having been part of The University of Hong Kong throughout his academic journey, Cyrus brings with him a strong and diverse background in biomedical sciences and research support to the administrative team. Cyrus completed his Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at HKU before pursuing an MPhil in the Department of Microbiology, where he focused on respiratory viruses and vaccinology. He then went on to hold bo

HKU–Pasteur Research Pole is pleased to highlight a new publication co-authored by Dr. Eric Deharo, Co-Director of the Pole, in Nature Health : Honles, J., Cerapio, J.P., Monge, C. et al. Mapping pesticide mixtures to cancer risk at the country scale with spatial exposomics. Nature Health (2026). Published on 1 April 2026, this study led by Stephane BERTANI proposes a new framework for understanding how environmental pesticide exposure may contribute to cancer risk in real-w

The HKU-Pasteur Research Pole is delighted to announce the new edition of its Immunology Course co-organised with the Centre for Immunology & Infection . Quantitative Immunology: From population to individual immunity NOVEMBER 15-20, 2026 Deadline for Applications: 30 June 2026 The 12th HKU-Pasteur Immunology Course will explore the frontiers of quantitative immunology to describe the function of the immune system in health and disease at a population and individual level. T

Co-Director Eric Deharo travelled to Vientiane to establish the foundations of a new collaborative project to be led by HKU Pasteur’s You Che , focusing on nutritional interventions and microbiome dynamics. During the visit he met with local partners from the Faculty of Pharmacy (Vientiane) , the Pierre Fabre Foundation , the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF ), and the Institut Pasteur du Laos to discuss project design and partnership roles. An opportunity to co

A new publication in Nature Lab Animal from Professor Leo Poon's team demonstrates that the emerging SARS‑CoV‑2 Omicron EG.5 and JN.1 variants induce enhanced pathogenicity in K18‑hACE2 mice, overcoming limitations of early Omicron models and enabling more robust preclinical assessment of vaccines and antivirals. Abstract : The reduced pathogenicity of early SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants in human ACE2-expressing K18-hACE2 mice has posed challenges for assessing vaccine

On Friday 20 March 2026 , the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole , in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao , hosted a panel discussion entitled “Women in Science: Career Paths, Challenges and Equal Opportunities,” as part of the initiative “Science Talks are Women Talks” marking International Women’s Rights Day . The event brought together members of the academic community, researchers, students, and invited guests for an engaging and thoughtful

We are proud to celebrate Zaolan Liang , PhD student in Professor Sook San Wong’s laboratory at the HKU–Pasteur Research Pole, who has received the HKU Foundation Publication Award 2025 . This distinction recognises her publication: “ A(H2N2) and A(H3N2) influenza pandemics elicited durable cross-reactive and protective antibodies against avian N2 neuraminidases” (Liang et al., Nature Communications , 2024). Her work provides important insights into immune responses to influ

On 12 March 2026, the HKU–Pasteur Research Pole had the pleasure of welcoming a group of outstanding young students for a visit organised with the Hong Kong Laureate Forum (HKLF), as part of the “Exploring New Horizons 2026” programme. The visit began with a welcome and introduction by Dr Wuji Zhang , who presented the mission, research focus, and collaborative environment of HKU–Pasteur Research Pole. This was followed by an engaging Q&A session, during which students had t

New publication for HKU-Pasteur’s Wuji Zhang ! Published in EMBO Molecular Medicine , the study explores how the human immune system responds to influenza vaccination and natural infection by dissecting the molecular features of influenza‑specific B cells. Using single‑cell RNA sequencing, the team compared responses to influenza A and B viruses and uncovered striking differences—particularly a strong interferon‑driven signature in B cells from influenza B patients. Their fin

Join us for a panel discussion organised by HKU-Pasteur Research Pole in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau , in the framework of International Women’s Rights Day and the initiative “Science Talks are Women Talks.” This event aims to highlight the experiences and perspectives of women in research and to foster an open discussion on career trajectories, challenges encountered in academic environments, and equal opportunities in scientif

Please join us for a seminar from Dr Lukasz Kedzierski , Group Leader, Kedzierska Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne: Date and time: 24 March 2026, 4:30pm - 6:00 PM Venue : Seminar Room 2, G/F, HKJC Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road Viral co-infections can profoundly alter immune responses, influencing both disease severity and vaccine efficacy. Using a novel

Many thanks to Nick Chung , Regional Strategic Development Officer at the Pasteur Network , for his engaging and insightful presentation on the Network’s activities and the many opportunities it offers for collaboration, research development, and capacity building across its global community. HKU-Pasteur Research Pole is very proud to be part of this dynamic international network, working together to advance scientific excellence and global health impact. We were also ple

In this talk, Julian Stargardt examines health challenges and global change and how in a carbon-based global economy the right to economic and social development implies the right to pollute – a key issue in climate and pollution reduction and mitigation policies, especially for emerging economies. Julian discusses how pollution and environmental degradation as by-products of industrial agriculture and manufacturing may imply a globalization of liability for pollution and he

Ever wondered what it’s like to come face-to-face with the world’s most elusive predators and rarest blooms? Join us for an electrifying evening with Nathanael Maury and Somchit Sudavanh —the visionary explorers behind the viral global hit TV show, Snake Tracker (20M+ viewers). These world-class conservationists are stepping off the screen and onto the stage to take you deep into the heart of Laos and beyond. Event Highlights: Stunning Photography Exhibition: Breathtaking

Congratulations to Dr Zhang, Research Assistant Professor of HKU-SPH and the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, for winning “ The Chancellor's Prize for Excellence in the PhD Thesis 2025 ” by the University of Melbourne . His thesis, "Understanding human immunity to influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccinations," has received this prestigious recognition for its significant impact on public health research. The Chancellor's Prize is awarded each year up to six outstanding c

The vaccine not only prevents severe disease, but also effectively blocks viral transmission in animal models, offering a promising strategy for pandemic preparedness against future coronavirus threats. A research team at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has developed a novel live-attenuated vaccine candidate, cb1, capable of generating broad immunity against a wide range of beta-coronaviruses with a single intranasal dose. The vaccine not on