|
Dr.
Leo L.M. Poon is a molecular virologist specialized in RNA
viruses and interested in viral RNA transcription and replication. In
addition, he is also interested using reverse genetic techniques to
generate attenuated viruses of vaccine potential and elucidate the
pathogenesis of human H5N1 influenza virus infection. He is also one of the
scientists who identified the SARS coronavirus RNA sequence, early in the
2003 SARS outbreak. Currently, Dr Poon’s activities involve molecular
diagnosis and biology of SARS-coronavirus.
Prof.
J.S.M. Peiris has a long track record in the virology. Previous
areas of research have included the epidemiology and pathogenesis of
arbovirus infections, the epidemiology of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia
coli and aspects of immunity in malaria. Currently, he mainly participates
in influenza virus and SARS-Cov virus research programs. His current
research interests are clinical diagnosis of viral infections,
virus-macrophage interaction and viral evolution.
The HKU Department of
Microbiology undertakes research on emerging infections with a
particular emphasis on those relevant to Asia. The virological team in this
department has an internationally recognized record on human influenza
virus H5N1 and SARS-CoV. Its scope encompasses both basic and applied
research and covers aspects of virus evolution, pathogenesis, epidemiology
and clinical diagnosis. The laboratory is well equipped with facilities
ranging from genome sequencing to BSL-3 level containment for culturing
SARS-coronavirus. Ethical approval for working on clinical samples from
SARS patients was obtained.
Selected
publications of Partner 13:
- Guan Y., Zheng B.J., He Y.Q., Liu X.L.,
Zhuang Z.X., Cheung C.L., Luo S.W., Li P.H., Zhang L.J., Guan Y.L.,
Butt K.M., Wong K.L., Chan K.W., Lim W., Shortridge K.F., Yuen K.Y.,
Peiris J.S.M., and Poon L.L.M. 2003. Isolation and characterisation of
viruses related to the SARS coronavirus from animals in southern
China. Science (Published online at 4 Sept 2003: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1087139v1)
- Poon L.L.M., Wong O.K.,
Luk W., Yuen K.Y., Peiris J.S.M., and Guan Y. 2003. Rapid diagnosis of
a coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS). Clin. Chem. 49:953-955.
- Peiris J.S.M., Lai S.T.,
Poon L.L.M., Guan Y., Yam L.Y.C., Lim W., et al. 2003. A coronavirus
is associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Lancet
361:1319-1325.
- Nicholls J.M., Poon L.L.,
Lee K.C., Ng W.F., Lai S.T., Leung C.Y., Chu C.M., Hui P.K., Mak K.L.,
Lim W., Yan K.W., Chan K.H., Tsang N.C., Guan Y., Yuen K.Y., Peiris
J.S.. 2003. Lung pathology of fatal severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Lancet. 361:1773-1778.
- Peiris J.S.M., Chu C.M., Cheng V.C., Chan K.S., Hung I.F., Poon
L.L.M. et al. 2003. Clinical progression and viral load in a community
outbreak of coronavirus-associated SARS pneumonia: a prospective
study. Lancet 361:1761-1772.
Dr. L.L.M. Poon
llmpoon@hkucc.hku.hk
Dr. J.S.M. Peiris
malik@hkucc.hku.hk
|
