Infection and Immunity Research Group

Overview of Group Research Activities

Microbes are involved in many common oral diseases in humans, such as caries, periodontal diseases, and fungal infections. Recent studies have increasingly shown that these oral infections may be implicated in a number of systemic diseases or disorders. The Infection and Immunity Research Group aims to study such topics in a comprehensive manner by using biomedical, clinical, and translational approaches, in line with the research goals of the Faculty of Dentistry and the relevant University Strategic Research Theme. Members of this research group come from various disciplines in the Faculty, and they have established local and international research collaborations. Our group is supported by extensive human resources and up-to-date laboratories in the Faculty and the University.

The principal research focuses are:

• Oral microbiology of healthy as well as medically compromised individuals, including patients with HIV infection, those with diabetes, those undergoing irradiation, and renal transplant cohorts
• Molecular pathogenesis and epidemiology of oral Candida infections
• In vitro studies into the formation and structure of microbial biofilms
• Genetic and proteomic analysis of microbes commonly found within the mouth
• Development of new technologies for microbial genome engineering
• Basic and applied research into microbiological profiles and molecular mechanisms of bacteria-host interactions in patients with periodontal diseases
• Risk factors, biological and genetic markers of periodontal diseases
• Development of appropriate therapeutic modalities to control periodontal diseases
• The application of traditional Chinese medicines in oral health care

If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the research group convenor, Dr Rory Watt (e-mail: rmwatt@hku.hk).

Members of the Infection and Immunity Research Group

Group Convenor
Dr R.M. Watt

Primary Members
Dr J.W.W. Chang
Professor L.J. Jin
Dr D.D.W. Kuo
Professor W.K. Leung
Dr Lu Qian
Professor L.P. Samaranayake
Dr Y.H. Samaranayake
Dr C.J. Seneviratne
Dr P.C.S. Tsang
Dr R.M. Watt

Affiliated Members
Dr G.S.P. Cheung
Professor E.F. Corbet
Dr X.L. Gao
Dr S.M.L. Lai
Professor E.C.M. Lo
Dr J. Lo
Professor A.S. McMillan
Professor A.B.M. Rabie
Dr A.T.H. Tang
Dr H.M. Wong