Network extended

Chinese University of Hong Kong and University Hospital, Mainz, sign research partnership agreement

11.12.2007

The Institute of Digestive Diseases at the famous Chinese University of Hong Kong and the 1st medical department of University Hospital, Mainz, are planning to cooperate and to perform joint research in the field of new endoscopic imaging methods for diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases – and have founded a formal partnership for this purpose. Today, in Hong Kong, this partnership was officially sealed with the celebratory signing of a „Memorandum of Understanding“. The network and scientific alliance of advanced imaging techniques is now completed and bridges Asia, Europe and USA, after last year a similar partnership was signed with the US-American Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.  The partnership will initially focus on the further development of new imaging techniques in gastrointestinal endoscopy, especially Endomicroscopy. Endomicroscopy is a revolutionary new endoscopic technique which allows for the first time microscopic imaging of the mucosa during colonoscopy. „This allows for the first time that cancerous cells can be recognized during the actual endoscopy, which in turn allows a better diagnosis of early stage colorectal cancer“, underscores Prof. Dr. Joseph Sung MD, director of the Institute of Digestive Diseases at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Precise and early diagnosis is extremely important for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, from infections to cancer precursors to advanced cancer. The new imaging possibilities in gastrointestinal endoscopy have advanced rapidly in the last few years thanks to intense research and technological developments. „With the upcoming joint projects we thrive to improve early cancer diagnosis further – for instance in the colon or the esophagus – which will open new doors for patients to achieve a cure“, explains Dr. Ralf Kiesslich MD, head of the endoscopic unit at the 1st medical department in Mainz. „Goal of the partnership will be to establish projects for early cancer recognition in Mainz and Hong Kong. In the future we would also like to expand cooperation to other research-intensive areas in medicine“, adds Prof. Dr. Peter Galle MD, director of the 1st medical department. In addition there will be an exchange of postgraduate students and medical staff between the two institutions as well as joint education and training programmes in the field of endoscopic techniques.  In the last year the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, signed a research partnership agreement with the renowned Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, which in turn also cooperates with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “Three universities from three different continents – representing Europe, America and Asia – have established a powerful network in the field of new endoscopic imaging methods for diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. This network is certainly able to play a globally leading role in this field”, emphasizes Prof. Dr. Dr. Reinhard Urban, dean of the faculty of Medicine at Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz. Chinese University of Hong Kong The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is recognized nationally and internationally as a renowned comprehensive research university whose bilingual and bicultural dimensions of student education, scholarly output and contribution to the community consistently meet standards of excellence.  The Institute of Digestive Disease (IDD), led by Joseph Sung, MD, is a clinical and research institute under the auspices of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It is well organized and experienced in basic science and clinical research that draws upon the expertise of a strong team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, scientists, epidemiologists, nurses, biostatisticians, health economists and specially trained research coordinators. The research portfolio of IDD spans from gastrointestinal bleeding, H. pylori and NSAID-related gastrointestinal diseases and identification of markers for early diagnosis of various gastrointestinal (GI) cancers to new medical treatment as well as advances in imaging technology.  The IDD provides tertiary care to a local population of 1.5 million.  It is also the quaternary referral centre for difficult cases within the region. The large clinical load in an academic institution with close collaborations from various disciplines provides a unique environment for research leading to advancement in medical sciences.