From Nobel-winning autophagy science to Chinese medicine: HKBU explores new frontiers in treating brain diseases

11 August 2026

How can the cell’s natural “self-cleaning” system be harnessed to combat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases?

Nobel Prize-linked autophagy pioneer Professor Noboru Mizushima, Professor and Vice Dean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, and Professor Li Min, Chair Professor and Dean, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), explored this question at the inaugural “CxC” Series event, held at HKBU on 11 August 2026.

The event, titled “The Cell That Cleans Itself: From a Novel Discovery to New Hope for Brain Diseases,” brought together research on autophagy—the cellular process recognised by the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine—and HKBU’s efforts to identify neuroprotective drug candidates derived from traditional Chinese medicine.

“Neurological dysfunction and abnormal morphology caused by autophagy defects can be reversed by autophagy restoration,” said Professor Mizushima, who was among the first scientists to visualise autophagy in mammalian tissues. 

Professor Mizushima then traced the historical evolution of autophagy research. As a mentee of Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi, the 2016 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, he first visualised autophagy in mammalian tissues—an achievement that established his standing in the field. His presentation outlined the fundamental molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of autophagy, offering an overview of a scientific domain that has transitioned from obscure observations into global medical significance over recent decades.

Professor Li’s presentation, titled "The Cell that Cleans Itself: Novel Drug Discovery from TCM for Brain Diseases", began by addressing the rising prevalence of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases globally. She noted that current pharmaceuticals do not offer a cure, and certain treatments may introduce safety concerns such as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), driving the search for novel therapeutic targets.

Named the First Cohort of National Outstanding Female Chinese Medicine Practitioner in 2007, Professor Li explained her team’s discoveries on the autophagy-regulating mechanisms of neuroprotective agents derived from Chinese medicine Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng in Chinese) and curcumin derivatives over the years, showing how TCM wisdom is integrated with cutting-edge molecular science.

“Clinically, Gouteng is frequently utilised in traditional formulas to treat tremors and clear heat,” noted Professor Li, who is consistently ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists by Stanford University.

“In clinical Chinese medicine, we typically prescribe a multi-herb formula rather than a single compound. By utilising traditional wisdom and clinical experience, we can optimise therapeutic outcomes by combining different active compounds,” she added. 

The event concluded with a panel dialogue moderated by Professor Shen Hanming (Chair Professor and Interim Associate Dean (Teaching), Faculty of Medicine, University of Macau), where the speakers discussed how autophagy could be successfully harnessed to treat neurodegenerative disorders. 

Professor Shen, who specialises in autophagy and cancer biology, pointed out that autophagy acts as a double-edged sword in oncological contexts. While generally protective in neurodegenerative disorders, its role in cancer is stage-dependent—suppressing tumour development in early stages but actively supporting the survival of cancer cells in advanced stages.