The tremendous advancements in life sciences, engineering and information technology that have taken place in the last several decades have combined to make biomedicine a uniquely promising research discipline. Recent advances in biomedicine, in areas such as stem cells and molecular biology, and in bioengineering and biomaterials, have led to the emergence of the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TE/RM). The field has captured the attention and imagination of young and established scientists, as well as the general public and medical and biotech industries, and is one of the most rapidly developing fields in biomedicine. There is keen interest and commitment at CUHK in developing TE/RM on campus, supported by existing strengths, which include:

• Consortium of scientists, clinicians in neuro-musculo-skeletal regenerative medicine and stem cell research
• Existing platform technology in vascular regeneration
• Strong research in cartilage and tendon regenerative medicine in the SMART program in LCW Institute of Innovative Medicine
• Effective and multi-disciplinary research infrastructure and laboratories
• Strong link with key institutes and universities, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering in mainland China
• Established joint research centers with
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health (GIBH)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ)
  • MOE Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Jinan University

The disease burden of musculoskeletal disorders on the quality of life is well recognized, as they represent the primary cause of physical disability. The social and economic burden of musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoarthritis and low back pain, and post-stroke neuromuscular rehabilitation are of particular concern, in view of the global aging demographic.

There is a timely and justified need to establish an infrastructural component, the iTERM, building on existing excellence and strengths in CUHK to make high impact advances in neuromusculoskeletal TE/RM. The iTERM is a center of excellence that aims to:

• Advance multidisciplinary scientific knowledge and discovery in tissue development, repair, and regeneration
• Translate the scientific knowledge gained by designing and developing relevant engineering tools and technologies
• Educate and train the next generation of cross-disciplinary scientists, engineers, and clinicians in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Transmit and share advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine with researchers, clinicians and the public through educational activities, training, and community enrichment projects
• Strategize and coordinate institutional research programs to meet current and anticipated research and clinical needs
• Enhance programmatic funding to the institution by promoting interdisciplinary consortia of collaboration among scientists, clinicians and engineers.