Application of convergent principles and technologies of science and engineering to restore structure and function to injured, diseased and degenerated tissues and organs for the enhancement of quality of life through biomedical research and development.
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:
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: