School of Biomedical Sciences cordially invites you to join the following seminar:

Speaker: Professor Mathias François, Professor of Developmental Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney; Founder and Academic Director, Genome Imaging Center, The Centenary Institute and The University of Sydney
Talk Title: From story to strategy: The art of writing winning grants

Date: 4 August 2025 (Monday)
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 3, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road

Biography

Prof. Mathias François is a developmental biologist and molecular geneticist whose research career is notable for groundbreaking discovery, technological innovation and dissemination, strategic collaboration, and translation in commercial and medical contexts.

He discovered that the gene Sox18 is the ‘master switch’ for formation of the lymphatic vasculature, essential for embryo survival, cardiovascular health, and tumour metastasis. Using advanced biophysical, biochemical, and genomic imaging methods, he has exposed the molecular mechanisms by which SOX18 activates the gene network that directs lymphangiogenesis. He identified first-in-class SOX18 inhibitors, now in commercial development as new anti-cancer therapeutics. Further, he has successfully demonstrated that repurposing an FDA-approved drug with anti-SOX18 activity is effective in treating vascular anomalies in children with a rare disease.

Together, his work represents an exemplary trajectory from ‘textbook’ discovery to clinical application.

*One-to-one consultation meetings will be held in the morning of 5-7 August 2025. Group proposal reviews and discussions will be held in the afternoon of 5-7 August 2025. If you wish to seek advice from Professor François, please contact Crystal (cytc@hku.hk) or Veronica (veronkpy@hku.hk) to schedule a slot. Thank you.

All are welcome.