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Clinical Investigation Track with Specialisation in
Metabolic Medicine
The Specialisation in Metabolic Medicine aims to help students develop skills and critical thinking for both basic, clinical and translational research on metabolic diseases. It is designed for postgraduate students interested in metabolic diseases and related biotechnology development, especially those who want to pursue a career in biomedical science, clinical research, biotechnology, nutrition, and related health sciences. Students will gain a comprehensive and updated understanding of major metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic syndrome, MASLD and cancers. Students will also learn about current and emerging biotechnologies for the development and manufacturing of macromolecular drugs such as long-acting peptide hormones and antibody therapeutics, drug discovery processes, and the impact of lifestyle modifications on metabolic health and longevity.
Highlights
- Exploration of cutting-edge topics in energy balance, adipose tissue biology, and research technologies.
- Comprehensive study of diverse metabolic disorders involving cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, lipid abnormalities, autoimmune diseases, and aging-related metabolic changes.
- In-depth coverage of current therapeutic strategies for major metabolic diseases, including drugs and lifestyle interventions.
Target Students
- Students seeking to enhance their research and critical thinking skills in metabolism and related biotechnology.
- Medical students seeking training in metabolic medicine.
- Students interested in both basic, clinical and translational research aspects of metabolic disorders and their prevention.
Curriculum
Total: 69 Credits
Core Course
(24 credits)
Specialised Course
(18 credits)
Capstone Experience
(27 credits)
The courses listed below are offered subject to availability and minimum student number.
Courses marked with an asterisk “*” are compulsory.
Core Courses (24 credits required)
Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
MSPH7901 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 6 |
MSPH7902 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 6 |
MEDI7901 | Cell Metabolism* | 6 |
PAED7901 | Principles to Genetic Counselling | 6 |
PAED7902 | Introduction to Genomic Medicine and Precision Health | 6 |
PATH7901 | Laboratory Methods and Instrumentation | 6 |
PATH7902 | General Cytopathology | 6 |
PATH7903 | Practical Course in Laboratory Methods | 6 |
PATH7904 | Fundamentals of Common Human Diseases | 6 |
PATH7905 | Recent Advances in Cancer Biology | 6 |
PHAR7901 | Principles of Drug Action | 6 |
PHAR7902 | Clinical Trials Management and Pharmacovigilance | 6 |
MSBS7901 | Molecular Biology of the Gene and Diseases | 6 |
MSBS7902 | Advanced Cell Biology | 6 |
MSBS7903 | Integrative Perspectives of Body Functions | 6 |
SURG7901 | Human Genomics in Healthcare and Society | 6 |
Specialised Courses (18 credits required)
Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
MEDI7101 | Current Therapeutic Strategies for Metabolic Diseases* | 6 |
MEDI7102 | Current Topics in Energy Balance and Obesity* | 6 |
MEDI7103 | Recent Advances in Metabolic Disorders* | 6 |
Capstone Experience
Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
MEDI7000 | Capstone: Metabolic Medicine* | 27 |
MMSC6001 | Dissertation Writing* | N/A |
MMSC6003 | Research Ethics* | N/A |
The Capstone experience in this specialization of metabolic diseases typically involves a research-oriented project guided by a faculty mentor, through which students apply and integrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the program. Students can expect to select or design a project related to metabolic disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, or clinical applications, often requiring them to collect or analyze original or existing data. The experience culminates in multiple forms of communication, such as a formal scientific report, and an oral presentation. This capstone project aims to deepen critical thinking, research methodology, and communication skills, preparing students for both academic and clinical research careers in metabolic diseases.
Admission Advisor
Professor Xu Aimin
Rosie TT Young Professor in Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Department of Medicine,
School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine
Email: amxu@hku.hk
Professor Aimin Xu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine and also the director for State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (www.sklpb.hku.hk) at the University of Hong Kong. He received his BS (Hons) in medicine at Anhui Medical University in China in 1989 and his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in 1999. He received his postdoctoral training at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, working on the proteomic identification of novel adipocyte-derived factors involved in obesity and insulin resistance.
Professor Xu’s primary research focus is on discovery, characterization, clinical implementation of peptide hormones and biomarkers that can be used for risk prediction, early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of cardiometabolic diseases. His team has discovered several important peptide hormones involved in metabolic regulation, and has developed a series of diagnostic assays widely used for community-based risk screening and precision management of chronic metabolic diseases.