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New Asia College and the School of Life Sciences of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) are honoured to have Sir Richard J. Roberts, 1993 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, and Chief Scientific Officer of the New England Biolab, to deliver three lectures for the Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences. 

All the three lectures will be conducted in English and members of the public are welcome to attend. Details are as follow: 

We are living in a fascinating world surrounded by living things, some of which are clearly visible like plants and animals that we see every day. However, far more living organisms are invisible, and it is this microscopic world that will be discussed in these three talks. The first lecture will focus on bacterial DNA methyltransferases, with which bacteria could exert epigenetic regulation to accommodate variable environments. 

In the second lecture, Sir Richard will talk about the unseen bugs, of which we know very little. Without them, be they friendly or unfriendly, we would be unable to survive on Earth. 

Sir Richard will use Golden Rice as an example in the third lecture to illustrate his views on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). In fact, Sir Richard is currently leading a campaign that includes 131 Nobel Laureates who support the use and inherent safety of GMO techniques for improving plant varieties, especially those needed by the developing countries. 

For enquiries or reservation, please call 3943 6793 / 3943 8703 or email to:
celia-poon@cuhk.edu.hk / carmen.lee@cuhk.edu.hk 

Since 1992, Sir Richard has been working as a research director at New England Biolabs, a molecular biology reagent company located in Massachusetts. His current research focuses on DNA methylation in bacteria and the use of bioinformatics to discover new bacterial gene functions. 

About the 70^th Anniversary Lectures of New Asia College, CUHK

In celebration of the 70^th Anniversary of New Asia College, distinguished scholars have been invited to deliver a series of public lectures exploring topics from their own professions. 

About the Yen Kwo-Yung Lecture in Life Sciences

The Lecture was established in 2015 as a result of a generous donation of HK$1.69 million to New Asia College from the family of Dr. Yen Kwo-Yung, founding chairman of the Biology Department of the College. This Lecture series aims to improve the understanding of life sciences and their societal impact and applications among students and the general public.