Microbiota I-Center (MagIC)

First Asia-based, leading International Microbiome Innovation Centre

Pioneering microbiome research leading to scientific discoveries and clinical applications of gut microbiota has set foot in the newly founded Microbiota I-Center (MagIC) in Hong Kong. Together with top-notch researchers across four continents (Prof David T. Rubin and Prof Eugene B. Chang from The University of Chicago; Prof Michael Kamm from The University of Melbourne; Prof Arthur Kaser and Dr. Nicole Kaneider from University of Cambridge), the center will focus on utilising the human gut microbiome for development of novel microbial biomarkers and personalised microbiome therapeutics. This approach sets a new frontier for pharmaceutical, healthcare and food industries in Hong Kong.

MICROBIOTA I-CENTER (MagIC) - Asia's first microbiota innovation center.

Co-director Professor Francis Chan with Key Principle Investigators; MagIC has attracted experienced scientists spanning across disciplines of medicine, microbiology, biology, food science and bioinformatics.

Prof. Siew Ng is identifying optimal healthy microbiome from a donor for personalized therapy in Asia’s first research stool bank (left); while pipelines of human-derived microorganisms are being tested in our in- house animal facility that can hold up to 2,500 mice (right).

MagIC is dedicated to developing an effective and accessible new class of microbiome medicine that will revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases and ultimately improve human health. In particular, four major research programs have been set up:

• “Healthy Microbiome in Early Life” will explore the development of microbiome in early life and its association with infants' health to unravel the mystery of gut microbiota signatures in early life that predicts future health.
• “ Microbiome in Obesity and Metabolic Disease” will target obese-related microbes in the gut. Modulation of gut microbiota in obesity will offer hope for weight control and halt the rising incidence of obesity.
• “Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease” will identify potential pathobionts and facilitate development of beneficial microbes and metabolites to alleviate this chronic and debilitating condition.
• “Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (IMT) and Development of Microbial Products” will establish a standardized IMT donor stool bank, which will be the sole provider of IMT to the entire Hospital Authority in Hong Kong, for approved and investigational therapies in Hong Kong and Asia.

As a dedicated innovation hub utilising state-of-the art microbiome facilitie and big microbiome datasets, MagIC will serve as a powerhouse of groundbreaking innovations that will not only answer important clinical questions but also lead to downstream translation and commercialization of microbiome products by industrial partners.