Core Insights - The project led by Zheng Zongli, focusing on in vivo somatic human genome editing for treating genetic diseases, has received significant support from the Hong Kong government under the "Industry-Academia-Research 1+ Plan" [1][4] - The emergence of CRISPR gene editing technology presents a transformative opportunity in medicine, with the FDA's approval of Casgevy, the first CRISPR therapy, highlighting its potential [1][4] Research and Development Environment - Zheng Zongli joined City University of Hong Kong (CityU) in 2015, attracted by the university's commitment to biomedical research and its supportive environment for innovation [3] - The establishment of the Liu Mingwei Regenerative Medicine Research Center by Karolinska Institute in Hong Kong has provided additional resources and collaboration opportunities for Zheng's research [4] Technological Advancements - The "DNA surgery" technique aims to directly repair disease-causing genes, offering a potential alternative to long-term medication [5][6] - Zheng's team has developed a protein-based "gene surgical knife" that acts quickly and degrades rapidly, minimizing off-target effects, which is a significant challenge in gene editing [6] Clinical Applications and Challenges - The innovative use of "viral-like particles" as delivery vehicles for the gene editing components enhances the efficiency of cellular entry while addressing safety concerns [6] - Current challenges include improving gene insertion efficiency and targeting difficult tissues, with aspirations to expand applications to cancer treatment [6][8] Industry Collaboration and Impact - The dual role of researchers as academics and entrepreneurs fosters a synergistic environment for translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications [7] - The growth of the life and health industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area presents unprecedented opportunities for advancing biomedical innovations [8]