The investigation, diagnosis and treatment of mitochondrial disease in Hong Kong.

Our funding application was made to develop strategic, international relationships with leading Universities in Hong Kong and China (HKU, Chinese University of Hong Kong) around the clinical and basic science research agenda of the WTCMR (understanding the natural history and prevalence or mitochondrial disease; clinical presentations of paediatric and adult mitochondrial disease; developing transitional care pathways and patient management; the laboratory investigation and diagnosis of mitochondrial disease; implementation of next generation sequencing strategies in mitochondrial diagnostics; improving genetic counselling including prenatal and preimplantation genetic diagnosis; the development of mitochondrial replacement therapies) by delivering a 2-day symposium across both campuses and establishing links with local clinicians and researchers in this field.

Longer term, we hope to be able to provide opportunities to train and support research fellows from Hong Kong in Newcastle, as well as provide diagnostic services through our NHS Highly Specialised Commissioned laboratory to support the local clinical team and promote collaborative research around novel mitochondrial genetic diseases/mechanisms. The team visited Hong Kong in November 2015, and whilst progress in some areas has been limited to date, samples have been sent to Newcastle for diagnostic evaluation and discussions are continuing around establishing training opportunities. The local teams have also recently established a network to develop a patient registry within Hong Kong for patients with mitochondrial disease.

Professor Robert Taylor (Institute of Neuroscience)

Funding was provided to support Newcastle University’s Membership of the RENKEI Network and related activities.

With the Promoting Excellence: International Partnerships Fund award in 2015-16, we:

• Continued membership of the RENKEI network
• Lauren Powell (Sociology PHD) attended UK-Japan workshop at UCL (August 2015)
• PI attended inaugural RENKEI Operations Meeting (London, Sept 2015)
• John Fitzgerald attended RENKEI AGM in Tokyo (Oct 2015)
• PI and Prof. Robin Humphrey attended RENKEI Operations meeting (Bristol, Dec 2015)
• Dr Lisa Newton (Ageing Institute), though unavoidably unable to attend Osaka workshop, will attend 2^nd leg in Liverpool (July 2016)

The main outcomes/outputs of the project were:

• Reputational enhancement of membership of the RENKEI network leading to a strong and growing link with network members, especially Osaka University
• Lauren Powell – researcher development and opportunities to network. Growing the Newcastle RENKEI alumni network. See http://www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/about/news/item/lauren-powell-reports-on-renkei.
• RENKEI Operations group – influencing the criteria for RENKEI workshop applications and strengthening links with British Council, Japan. Plans for the group to further develop a RENKEI website with potential for sharing resources and maximising profile raising.
• Engaging Prof. John Fitzgerald as Newcastle RENKEI champion (RENKEI Steering Group member) and raising the profile of Newcastle with SIN, Japan. Leading to an approach from the director asking to learn more about Newcastle’s famously good links with Japan and our areas of particular research strength.
• Engaged NUIA in RENKEI building on their strong links with Japan with new partners.

Dr Elisa Lawson (Research & Enterprise Services)