Related Initiatives
Hub of Advanced Technology for Child Health (HATCH)
HATCH is a community-driven initiative focused on early-life health innovation. Through microbial diagnostics, therapeutic development, and cohort recruitment, HATCH aims to advance early detection and treatment of childhood conditions like autism and eczema—while nurturing young researchers and engaging the wider community.
The MOMMY Project
The MOMMY project, led by MagIC and CU Medicine, is a large-scale longitudinal study launched in 2019 to explore microbiome development across the early-life trajectory—from pregnancy through early childhood. MOMMY investigates how maternal, paternal, and perinatal microbiota influence child health outcomes.
Our Collaborators
Zhuhai Center for Maternal and Child Health Care
The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University
The First Hospital of Jilin University
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Peking University Sixth Hospital
Our Team
Prof Francis KL Chan
Microbiota I-Center
Centre for Gut Microbiota Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Siew C Ng
Microbiota I-Center
Centre for Gut Microbiota Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Sandra SM Chan
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Oscar WH Wong
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Qi Su
Microbiota I-Center
This project is funded by the Hong Kong government’s InnoHK initiative.
About Us
The project is a pioneering initiative led by Microbiota I-Center (MagIC) and the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, focused on advancing research at the intersection of microbiome science and neurodevelopment.
At its core is a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, microbiologists, and data scientists working together to uncover how early-life microbiota influences brain development and behavior.
With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as our starting point, the project explores microbial biomarkers, mechanistic pathways, and clinical applications that can transform early diagnosis and intervention for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Industry Partners
MicroSigx
G-NiiB GenieBiome
