News & Stories

2026

HKUST Researchers Develop GenAI Framework for Misalignment-Resistant Virtual Staining to Accelerate Histopathology Workflows
News
Research and Technology
HKUST Researchers Develop GenAI Framework for Misalignment-Resistant Virtual Staining to Accelerate Histopathology Workflows
Histopathology is a cornerstone of clinical diagnosis, especially in cancer care. However, conventional chemical staining is often time-consuming and labor-intensive and may consume precious tissue samples. A research team from the School of Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a novel generative AI (GenAI) framework that can produce high-fidelity virtually stained images even when training image pairs are imperfectly aligned, paving the way for faster and more tissue-saving histopathology workflows. The study titled “Generative AI for misalignment-resistant virtual staining to accelerate histopathology workflows” was recently published in the international journal Nature Communications.
HKUST researchers reveal the pathogenesis of a rare respiratory disease through super-resolution microscopy
News
HKUST researchers reveal the pathogenesis of a rare respiratory disease through super-resolution microscopy
Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have uncovered how mutations in a specific gene can trigger a rare respiratory disease, shedding light on the critical role played by cellular structures known as cilia. Cilia are tiny and hair-like organelles extruding from the surface of most cell types, serving either sensory or motile functions. In the eyes, photoreceptor cells possess sensory cilia that are important for vision. Meanwhile, motile cilia align along the surface of the respiratory tract and function in airway clearance of mucus and inhaled pathogens.
HKUST Establishes Robotics Industrial Alliance to Advance Industry-Academia-Research
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HKUST Establishes Robotics Industrial Alliance to Advance Industry-Academia-Research
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s Cheng Kar-Shun Robotics Institute (CKSRI) today announced the establishment of its Industrial Alliance, alongside the inaugural CKSRI Industrial Summit. The initiative brings together leaders from academia and industry to strengthen connections between HKUST research teams and a broad network of industry partners, fostering collaboration in research development, technology translation, and talent development. Through the Alliance, CKSRI aims to establish a practical, sustainable collaboration platform that supports the deployment of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across diverse application scenarios.
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News
Recognition, Ranking
HKUST Leaps 11 Places to Rank 33rd Globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced today that it has risen significantly by 11 places to 33rd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027.HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP celebrated the university's upward momentum in the rankings, stating, "This year's notable progress is truly heartening. It stands as clear evidence of the collective synergy among our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and reaffirms our excellence in teaching, research, and nurturing future talent."
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News
HKUST Study Finds Urbanization in the Greater Bay Area Intensifies Extreme Heat and Heavy Rainfall Risks
In recent years, Hong Kong has experienced repeated episodes of intense rainfall that left significant impacts on social operations, including the “once‑in‑a‑century” rainstorm in September 2023, the exceptionally heavy rain in May 2024, and a series of Black Rainstorm events in early August 2025. These extreme weather events have not only disrupted residents’ daily travel and public infrastructure but have also highlighted the challenges faced by high‑density coastal cities in coping with extreme weather.
HKUST and HKUST(GZ) Present SURREALITY MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition
News
Artificial Intelligence, Arts and Creativity
HKUST and HKUST(GZ) Present SURREALITY MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University's Clear Water Bay campus.Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.
HKUST Develops World's First AI Slide-Free Pathology Imaging System
News
Innovation, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Imaging, Bioengineering
HKUST Develops World's First AI Slide-Free Pathology Imaging System
A research team from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), together with an HKUST-incubated medtech startup, PhoMedics Limited, has developed Glanzir®, the world's first artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled, slide-free pathology imaging system. The system enables direct imaging of fresh tissue without the need for conventional procedures such as freezing, sectioning, and staining, producing histological images in approximately three minutes in an operating room setting for intraoperative assessment.
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HKUST Uncovers Mechanism behind Accelerated Interfacial Polymerization
Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have achieved two major breakthroughs in interfacial polymerization, a key technique for preparing advanced functional materials. By integrating quantum mechanics with machine learning, the team has elucidated the mechanism by which water molecules facilitate reactions at the molecular level. At the same time, they have transformed microcapsule design from a traditional trial-and-error approach into a predictive science.