Scholars from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau Receive the 2024 Science and Technology Awards

The Macao SAR Government awarded the ‘2024 Science and Technology Awards’ on 28 May, and research teams from the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) received accolades. A team led by FHS Dean and Chair Professor Chuxia DENG, including Assistant Professors Qiang CHEN and Miao KAI and Research Assistant Professor Heng SUN, was honoured with the second prize in the Natural Science Award category. Associate Professor Yunlu DAI was awarded the third prize in the same category, recognising their outstanding achievements in the field of health sciences.

The research topic of Prof Deng’s team is ‘Precision Oncology: from Breast Cancer Associated Gene 1 (BRCA1) to Clinical Application’. The team is dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms by which BRCA1 gene mutations lead to tumour heterogeneity. BRCA1 is a key gene associated with hereditary susceptibility to breast cancer, yet the mechanisms by which its mutations cause tumour heterogeneity remain unresolved. The research team constructed BRCA1 mutant mouse models to systematically reveal, for the first time, how this gene regulates tumour stem cells and the microenvironment through multiple pathways, leading to treatment resistance. The greatest challenge was simulating the complexity of human tumours, as traditional mouse models fail to reflect the clinical diversity present in humans. To address this, the research team developed a three-dimensional tumour slice culture technique (3D-TSC) and, through multi-omics analysis, successfully mapped the dynamic evolution of tumours. They emphasised that the key to translating from basic research to clinical application lies in ‘bi-directional validation’, where driver genes discovered in the laboratory must be validated in clinical samples, while clinical feedback drives deeper exploration of basic mechanisms. This integrated approach enhances the actual therapeutic efficacy for patients, providing a reliable ‘bridge’ for precision treatment strategies.

Prof Dai’s research focuses on ‘The Fabrication of Metal-Phenolic Coordination Biomaterials and Its Application in Anti-Tumor Therapy’. His focus is on the study of metal-polyphenol coordination biomaterials to regulate the tumour microenvironment. By utilising the inherent advantages and functional potential of nanobiomaterials, his team designed smart nanobiomaterials tailored to the characteristics of the tumour microenvironment, which is significant for developing new-generation anti-tumour therapeutic strategies. His research has achieved a series of innovative results addressing bottlenecks in the tumour microenvironment: (1) Innovatively designing a versatile strategy for polyphenol ligands targeting pathological features of the tumour microenvironment, proposing a new approach for the modular construction of metal-polyphenol coordination biomaterials by deeply studying the self-assembly mechanisms of these materials; (2) Developing a smart responsive metal-polyphenol coordination composite material platform for the tumour microenvironment, achieving precise and efficient drug release, significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy; (3) Customising multifunctional biomaterials to address key limiting factors in the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, thereby overcoming the challenges of tumour immune silence and enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Prof Deng’s research team noted that this award is not only recognition of their decades of dedication to understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumours but also a strong encouragement for UM’s commitment to the philosophy of ‘bench-side to bedside’. They expressed that receiving this award will motivate the team to accelerate progress in two directions: first, to improve a precision medical technology system with Macao characteristics by developing precise diagnostic reagent kits and targeted treatment plans for multi-drug resistance; and second, to leverage the policy advantages of the Hengqin Cooperation Zone to establish a tumour big data centre in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, integrating genomic and clinical data to promote comprehensive innovation in the ‘early screening-diagnosis-treatment’ chain. Prof Dai stated that the receipt of the Science and Technology Awards is not only his honour but also a motivation for all researchers and an acknowledgment of the research direction for him and his team. He expressed that this recognition will further strengthen his commitment to conducting thorough research, hoping to achieve even more excellent results.

Prof Deng and Prof Dai remarked that the path of scientific research is filled with challenges, requiring researchers to endure solitude and withstand failure; only in this way can they achieve success. They emphasised that only truly valuable research constitutes excellent scientific output, and seeking the essence is more important than chasing trending topics. Communication, exchange, and in-depth understanding are the foundations for successful research. The establishment of the Macao Science and Technology Awards Scheme aims to recognise individuals and institutions making significant contributions to scientific and technological research and development, inspiring the scientific community in Macao to foster proactivity and creativity, thereby promoting the diversification of scientific and technological development in the Macao SAR. A total of 57 applications were received for the 2024 Science and Technology Awards, with 22 outstanding entries ultimately receiving honours.