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The research project titled “EarthBioGenome Project Hong Kong: Butterflies and the Next Generation of Scientists,” coordinated by Professor Jerome Hui Ho-lam from the School of Life Sciences in the Faculty of Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has been awarded HK$7.9 million from the 2024/25 Research Impact Fund (RIF) by the Research Grants Council (RGC). In collaboration with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong government, the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, and seven other local universities, the team will conduct life sciences research on butterflies.

CUHK’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sham Mai-har said: “CUHK is proud of the recognition of Professor Hui’s groundbreaking research. This research not only facilitates the understanding of biodiversity in Hong Kong but also underscores our commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering the next generation of scientists. The support from the Research Grants Council is a testament to the importance of this research and its potential impact at both the local and the global scale.”

The funded project “EarthBioGenome Project Hong Kong: Butterflies and the Next Generation of Scientists” 

Butterflies play crucial, unique roles in the natural environment, particularly in their interactions with plants. For scientists, studying butterflies provides insights into various scientific fields, including ecology, evolution, plant interactions and responses to climate change. While butterfly genomics have been explored in other regions, the subject remains relatively understudied in Hong Kong, despite its impressive butterfly quantities.

The research team will study the genomes of more than 100 butterfly species in Hong Kong, creating a comprehensive knowledge base and developing advanced biodiversity genomic techniques and methods to enhance understanding of butterfly biology. They will also collaborate with local educational institutions and conservation organisations to train the next generation of scientists through innovative methods which have not been previously used in Hong Kong. For example, a new campaign will be launched, engaging all participating secondary schools in Hong Kong in a three-year butterfly monitoring project. In the long term, this project could lead to a better understanding of butterfly diversity under climate change and the discovery of new biological knowledge that could aid technological advancements in Hong Kong.