Media

HKU with overseas universities discover a key molecule on egg for sperm binding Reveal the mystery of how human life begins

23 Aug 2011

It has long been a mystery on how human egg binds to an incoming sperm. Although sugar molecules on egg surface have been implicated in sperm-egg binding for more than 30 years, the nature of the molecules is not known. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine together with an international research team identified a key sugar molecule on human egg that binds to sperm enabling the initiation of fertilization. The finding brings new direction to the study of fertilization and assisted reproduction. The novel finding has just been published in one of the most prestigious international scientific journals, Science.

A press conference will be organised to introduce the findings. Details are listed as follows:

Date: August 25, 2011 (Thursday)
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Venue: Exhibition Area, G/F, Laboratory Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Speakers:
Professor William YEUNG Shu-biu, Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Philip CHIU Chi-ngong, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
Dr. LEE Cheuk-lun, Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

A shuttle bus is arranged to pick up the press from Admiralty for the press conference. Members of the press please wait at the bus stop near Café de Coral of Admiralty Centre (Exit A of the Admiralty MTR Station). The bus will leave at 10:00 am sharp.