Prof. Bjorn Olsen and Prof. Henry Kronenberg from Harvard University visited the Department of Biochemistry at HKU from 3rd-6th May 2006 to advise on the Area of Excellence (AoE) scheme in Developmental Genomics and Skeletal Research. These world-renowned experts in skeletal biology are Scientific Advisory Board members of the AoE, and came to take part in the AoE retreat and to give critical feedback of the progress of the programme. The two-day retreat was held both within the Faculty of Medicine building at HKU, where both advisers gave lectures, and at the HKU Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre, a more contemplative setting in the New Territories. The retreat gave an opportunity for the 40-50 participants of the AoE to come together, present science and discuss ideas in an informal atmosphere. The retreat and their feedback was invaluable for communicating and assessing the present state of the research, and for planning scientific developments within the AoE in the coming year.