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{{Short description|Hong Kong molecular biologist}}
{{Short description|Hong Kong molecular biologist}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Lu (surname )|Lo]]|Dennis Lo|Lo Yuk Ming|lang=Hong Kong}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Lu (surname )|Lo]]|Dennis Lo|Lo Yuk-ming|lang=Hong Kong}}
{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[Professor]]
| name = Dennis Yuk Ming Lo<ref name="cuhkmed">{{cite web |title=Professor LO Yuk Ming, Dennis, SBS, JP |url=https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/staff/professor-lo-yuk-ming-dennis-sbs-jp |publisher=[[CUHK Faculty of Medicine]] |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908151005/https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/staff/professor-lo-yuk-ming-dennis-sbs-jp |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
| name = Dennis Lo
| native_name = {{nobold|盧煜明}}
| native_name = {{nobold|盧煜明}}
| native_name_lang = zh-hk
| image =
| native_name_lang = zh-hk
| caption =
| image = Prof Dennis Lo Yuk Ming.jpg
| caption = Lo attending an academic conference at [[University of Cambridge]] on 20 April 2023
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=HKG|sep=,|SBS|JP|size=100%}}, {{postnominals|country=GBR|sep=,|FRS|FRCP|FRCPath|size=100%}}, {{post-nominals|unlinked=International Member ([[National Academy of Sciences|NAS]]), Fellow ([[The World Academy of Sciences|TWAS]]), Founding Member (ASHK)|size=100%}}<ref name="cuhkmed"/><ref name="ashk">{{cite web |title=Prof Dennis Y M LO |url=http://www.ashk.org.hk/en/ourMembers/details/29 |publisher=Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908152322/http://www.ashk.org.hk/en/ourMembers/details/29 |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|10|12}}<ref name="kingfaisal">{{cite web |title=Professor Yuk Ming Dennis Lo |url=https://kingfaisalprize.org/professor-yuk-ming-dennis-lo/ |publisher=[[King Faisal Prize]] |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908150027/https://kingfaisalprize.org/professor-yuk-ming-dennis-lo/ |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=HKG|SBS|JP|size=100%}} {{postnominals|country=GBR|FRS|FRCP|FRCPath|size=100%}}<ref name="cuhkmed"/><ref name="ashk">{{cite web |title=Prof Dennis Y M LO |url=http://www.ashk.org.hk/en/ourMembers/details/29 |publisher=Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908152322/http://www.ashk.org.hk/en/ourMembers/details/29 |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[British Hong Kong]]<ref name="embryo">{{cite web |last1=Abboud |first1=Alexis |title=Dennis Lo (1963- ) |url=https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/dennis-lo-1963 |publisher=Embryo Project Encyclopedia |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908150301/https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/dennis-lo-1963 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |date=4 November 2014}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|10|12}}<ref name="kingfaisal">{{cite web |title=Professor Yuk Ming Dennis Lo |url=https://kingfaisalprize.org/professor-yuk-ming-dennis-lo/ |publisher=[[King Faisal Prize]] |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908150027/https://kingfaisalprize.org/professor-yuk-ming-dennis-lo/ |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[British Hong Kong]]<ref name="embryo">{{cite web |last1=Abboud |first1=Alexis |title=Dennis Lo (1963- ) |url=https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/dennis-lo-1963 |publisher=Embryo Project Encyclopedia |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908150301/https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/dennis-lo-1963 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |date=4 November 2014}}</ref>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_date =
| nationality =
| death_place =
| order =
| office = 9<sup>th</sup> Vice-Chancellor and President of the [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]]
| term_start = 8 January 2025
| succeeding = [[Rocky Tuan]]
| chancellor = [[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]]
| nationality =
| religion =
| spouse = Alice Siu Ling Wong<ref name="embryo"/>
| partner =
| children =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox scientist
| embed = yes
| field = [[Molecular biology]]
| field = [[Molecular biology]]
| work_institution = [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] <br/> [[University of Oxford]]
| work_institution = [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] <br/> [[University of Oxford]]
| education = [[University of Oxford]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]], [[Doctor of Medicine|DM]]) <br/> [[University of Cambridge]] ([[Master of Arts (Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin)|MA]])
| education = [[University of Oxford]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]], [[Doctor of Medicine|DM]], [[Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery|BM BCh]])<br/> [[University of Cambridge]] ([[Master of Arts (Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin)|MA]])
| doctoral_advisor = Kenneth Anthony Fleming
| doctoral_advisor = Kenneth Anthony Fleming
| doctoral_students =
| doctoral_students =
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| author_abbreviation_zoo =
| author_abbreviation_zoo =
| prizes = [[King Faisal Prize]] in [[Medicine]] <small>(2014)</small> <br/> [[Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences]] <small>(2021)</small> <br/> [[Royal Medal]] <small>(2021)</small> <br/> [[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award]] <small>(2022)</small>
| prizes = [[King Faisal Prize]] in [[Medicine]] <small>(2014)</small> <br/> [[Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences]] <small>(2021)</small> <br/> [[Royal Medal]] <small>(2021)</small> <br/> [[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award]] <small>(2022)</small>
}}
| religion =
| spouse = Alice Siu Ling Wong<ref name="embryo"/>
| partner =
| children =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


{{Infobox Chinese
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 盧煜明
| t = 盧煜明
| s = 卢煜明
| s = 卢煜明
| j = Lou<sup>4</sup> Juk<sup>1</sup> Ming<sup>4</sup>
| j = Lou<sup>4</sup> Juk<sup>1</sup> Ming<sup>4</sup>
| y = Lòuh Yūk Mìhng
| y = Lòuh Yūk Mìhng
}}
}}


'''Dennis Yuk Ming Lo''' {{post-nominals|country=HKG|SBS|JP}} {{post-nominals|country=GBR|FRS|FRCP|FRCPath}} ({{zh|t=盧煜明|j=Lou4 Juk1 Ming4}}, born 12 October 1963) is a [[Hong Kong]] [[molecular biologist]], and an important contributor to the development of [[non invasive prenatal testing|non-invasive prenatal testing]]. He is the current [[Dean (education)|Associate Dean]] (Research) and [[Li Ka Shing]] Professor of Medicine at the [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] (CUHK), as well as the Head of the Department of [[Clinical chemistry|Chemical Pathology]] of CUHK and the Director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences.<ref name="cuhkmed"/> His research focuses on the detection of [[cell-free fetal DNA]] in [[blood plasma]].<ref name="cuhkchempath">{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/cpy/Research/AcademicProfiles.htm |publisher=CUHK Faculty of Medicine |access-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910162351/https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/cpy/Research/AcademicProfiles.htm |archive-date=10 September 2021}}</ref>
'''Dennis Lo Yuk-ming'''<ref name="cuhkmed">{{cite web |title=Professor LO Yuk Ming, Dennis, SBS, JP |url=https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/staff/professor-lo-yuk-ming-dennis-sbs-jp |publisher=[[CUHK Faculty of Medicine]] |access-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908151005/https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/staff/professor-lo-yuk-ming-dennis-sbs-jp |archive-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> ({{zh|t=盧煜明|j=Lou4 Juk1 Ming4}}, born 12 October 1963) is a [[Hong Kong]] [[molecular biologist]], best known for his contributions to the development of [[non invasive prenatal testing|non-invasive prenatal testing]].
Lo is the current [[Dean (education)|Associate Dean]] (Research) and [[Li Ka Shing]] Professor of Medicine at the [[CUHK Faculty of Medicine|Faculty of Medicine]] of the [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] (CUHK), where he is also the head of the Department of [[Chemical pathology|Chemical Pathology]] and the director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences.<ref name="cuhkmed" /> His research focuses on the detection of [[cell-free fetal DNA]] in [[blood plasma]].<ref name="cuhkchempath">{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/cpy/Research/AcademicProfiles.htm |publisher=CUHK Faculty of Medicine |access-date=10 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910162351/https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/med/cpy/Research/AcademicProfiles.htm |archive-date=10 September 2021}}</ref>

Lo is set to succeed [[Rocky Tuan]] as the vice-chancellor and president of CUHK on 8 January 2025, following his nomination as the sole candidate and the unanimous approval of his nomination.


== Early life and education==
== Early life and education==
Lo was born in [[Hong Kong]] in 1963.<ref name="embryo"/> His mother taught music and his father, Wai-hoi Lo,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Special Issue: In Memory of the late Dr. Lo Wai-hoi |journal=Hong Kong Journal of Mental Health |date=2017 |volume=43 |issue=1 |url=https://www.mhahk.org.hk/index.php/journal2017s/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920143207/https://www.mhahk.org.hk/index.php/journal2017s/}}</ref> who immigrated from [[Chaozhou]] to Hong Kong in 1946,<ref name="ajog">{{cite journal |last1=Romero |first1=Roberto |title=Giants in Obstetrics and Gynecology Series: A Profile of Dennis Lo, DM, DPhil, FRCP, FRCPath, FRS |journal=[[American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology]] |date=2018 |volume=218 |issue=4 |pages=371–378 |doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2018.01.027 |pmid=29598980 |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210923143325/https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(18)30076-0/fulltext%23relatedArticles |url=https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(18)30076-0/fulltext |access-date=22 September 2021 |pmc=5987209}}</ref><ref name="clinchem">{{cite journal|title=Inspiring Minds: Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo|author=Misia Landau|journal=[[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|Clinical Chemistry]]|volume=56|issue=4|pages=784–786|date=April 2012|doi=10.1373/clinchem.2011.179069|pmid=22461516|doi-access=free}}</ref> was a [[psychiatrist]] and the former head of [[Castle Peak Hospital]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=蕭 |first=曉華 |date=12 June 2017 |title=【當科學遇上醫療】一碗即食麵破解 血漿基因的秘密 |url=https://www.mpweekly.com/culture/%e7%95%b6%e7%a7%91%e5%ad%b8%e9%81%87%e4%b8%8a%e9%86%ab%e7%99%82-%e5%9f%ba%e5%9b%a0-%e6%af%8d%e9%ab%94%e8%a1%80%e6%bc%bf%e6%b8%ac%e8%a9%a6-36217 |magazine=Ming Pao Weekly |publisher=[[Ming Pao]] |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226005058/https://www.mpweekly.com/culture/%e7%95%b6%e7%a7%91%e5%ad%b8%e9%81%87%e4%b8%8a%e9%86%ab%e7%99%82-%e5%9f%ba%e5%9b%a0-%e6%af%8d%e9%ab%94%e8%a1%80%e6%bc%bf%e6%b8%ac%e8%a9%a6-36217 |language=Chinese}}</ref> He also has a younger brother.<ref>{{cite web |title=卢煜明:与艺术结合的科学更有想象力 |url=http://www.futureprize.org/cn/nav/detail/7.html |publisher=Future Science Prize |access-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922133853/http://www.futureprize.org/cn/nav/detail/7.html |archive-date=22 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref>
Lo was born in [[Hong Kong]] in 1963.<ref name="embryo"/> His mother taught music and his father, Lo Wai-hoi,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Special Issue: In Memory of the late Dr. Lo Wai-hoi |journal=Hong Kong Journal of Mental Health |date=2017 |volume=43 |issue=1 |url=https://www.mhahk.org.hk/index.php/journal2017s/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920143207/https://www.mhahk.org.hk/index.php/journal2017s/}}</ref> who immigrated from [[Chaozhou]] to Hong Kong in 1946,<ref name="ajog">{{cite journal |last1=Romero |first1=Roberto |title=Giants in Obstetrics and Gynecology Series: A Profile of Dennis Lo, DM, DPhil, FRCP, FRCPath, FRS |journal=[[American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology]] |date=2018 |volume=218 |issue=4 |pages=371–378 |doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2018.01.027 |pmid=29598980 |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210923143325/https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(18)30076-0/fulltext%23relatedArticles |url=https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(18)30076-0/fulltext |access-date=22 September 2021 |pmc=5987209}}</ref><ref name="clinchem">{{cite journal|title=Inspiring Minds: Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo|author=Misia Landau|journal=[[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|Clinical Chemistry]]|volume=56|issue=4|pages=784–786|date=April 2012|doi=10.1373/clinchem.2011.179069|pmid=22461516|doi-access=free}}</ref> was a [[psychiatrist]] and the former head of [[Castle Peak Hospital]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=蕭 |first=曉華 |date=12 June 2017 |title=【當科學遇上醫療】一碗即食麵破解 血漿基因的秘密 |url=https://www.mpweekly.com/culture/%e7%95%b6%e7%a7%91%e5%ad%b8%e9%81%87%e4%b8%8a%e9%86%ab%e7%99%82-%e5%9f%ba%e5%9b%a0-%e6%af%8d%e9%ab%94%e8%a1%80%e6%bc%bf%e6%b8%ac%e8%a9%a6-36217 |magazine=Ming Pao Weekly |publisher=[[Ming Pao]] |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226005058/https://www.mpweekly.com/culture/%e7%95%b6%e7%a7%91%e5%ad%b8%e9%81%87%e4%b8%8a%e9%86%ab%e7%99%82-%e5%9f%ba%e5%9b%a0-%e6%af%8d%e9%ab%94%e8%a1%80%e6%bc%bf%e6%b8%ac%e8%a9%a6-36217 |language=Chinese}}</ref> Lo also has a younger brother.<ref>{{cite web |title=卢煜明:与艺术结合的科学更有想象力 |url=http://www.futureprize.org/cn/nav/detail/7.html |publisher=Future Science Prize |access-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922133853/http://www.futureprize.org/cn/nav/detail/7.html |archive-date=22 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref>

Lo attended [[St Joseph's College, Hong Kong|St Joseph's College]] for his [[Education in Hong Kong|primary and secondary education]]. After secondary school, he was accepted by [[Stanford University]] for [[electrical engineering]], and by the [[University of Hong Kong]] and [[University of Cambridge]] for [[medicine]]. He selected to study medicine abroad.<ref name="ajog"/> In 1983, at the age of 20, Lo arrived at Cambridge, where he spent two years completing his preclinical medical training and a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] degree, and his third studying genetic cloning.<ref name="clinchem"/><ref name="ouhkhon">{{cite web |title=Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, SBS, JP |url=http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/PAU/Pressrelease/2020/201008/HonDoc2019_DennisLo_e.pdf |publisher=[[Hong Kong Metropolitan University]] |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205115724/http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/PAU/Pressrelease/2020/201008/HonDoc2019_DennisLo_e.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2020 }}</ref> In 1986,<ref name="ouhkhon" /> Lo moved to the [[University of Oxford]] for his clinical training, in part, he claimed, thanks to [[Christopher Wren|Christopher Wren's]] architectural works at Oxford.{{Clarify|date=October 2024|reason=Why is his move thanks to these architectural works? What does this mean?}}<ref name="ajog" /><ref name="clinchem" /> Lo completed his [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|medical degree (BM BCh)]] in 1989; he was at [[Christ Church, Oxford|Christ Church College]] during this period.<ref name="ajog" /><ref name="oxfordchina">{{cite web |title=Encounters with Alumni from Greater China: Dennis Lo |url=http://www.oxforduchina.org/dennis-lo.html |publisher=[[University of Oxford]] China Office |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603025644/http://www.oxforduchina.org/dennis-lo.html |archive-date=3 June 2021}}</ref>


After obtaining his medical degree, Lo continued to study at Oxford, first obtaining a [[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]] (during which he was at [[Hertford College, Oxford|Hertford College]]) in 1994, and then a [[Doctor of Medicine]] (DM) degree in 2001.<ref name="ouhkhon" /> He was also a junior research fellow in natural sciences at Hertford College between 1990 and 1993, and the Wellcome Career Development Fellow in Clinical Medicine from 1993 to 1994.<ref name="kingfaisal" />
Lo attended [[St Joseph's College, Hong Kong|St Joseph's College]] for [[Education in Hong Kong|primary and secondary schools]].<ref name="ajog"/> After [[secondary school]], he was accepted by [[Stanford University]] for [[electrical engineering]] and by the [[University of Hong Kong]] and [[University of Cambridge]] for [[medicine]]. He selected medicine and decided to study abroad.<ref name="ajog"/> In 1983, at the age of 20, Lo arrived at Cambridge, where he spent 2 years to complete preclinical medical training and a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] degree, and studied genetic cloning in his third.<ref name="clinchem"/><ref name="ouhkhon">{{cite web |title=Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, SBS, JP |url=http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/PAU/Pressrelease/2020/201008/HonDoc2019_DennisLo_e.pdf |publisher=[[Hong Kong Metropolitan University]] |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205115724/http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/PAU/Pressrelease/2020/201008/HonDoc2019_DennisLo_e.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2021 }}</ref> In 1986,<ref name="ouhkhon"/> he moved to the [[University of Oxford]] for his clinical training, in part, he claimed, thanks to [[Christopher Wren|Christopher Wren's]] architectural works at Oxford.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="clinchem"/> Lo was at [[Christ Church, Oxford|Christ Church College]] during this period.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="oxfordchina">{{cite web |title=Encounters with Alumni from Greater China: Dennis Lo |url=http://www.oxforduchina.org/dennis-lo.html |publisher=[[University of Oxford]] China Office |access-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603025644/http://www.oxforduchina.org/dennis-lo.html |archive-date=3 June 2021}}</ref> He first completed his [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|BM BCh]] in 1989, and then a [[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]] (during which he was at [[Hertford College, Oxford|Hertford College]]) in 1994 and [[Doctor of Medicine|DM]] in 2001, all at Oxford.<ref name="ouhkhon"/> He was also a Junior Research Fellow in Natural Sciences at Hertford College between 1990 and 1993, and the Wellcome Career Development Fellow in Clinical Medicine from 1993 to 1994.<ref name="kingfaisal"/>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Lo began his research career studying [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR), a [[molecular biology|molecular biological]] technique for rapidly generating millions of copies of a desired [[DNA]] sequence. He first heard about the technique at a lecture by [[John Bell (physician)|John Bell]], now [[Regius Professor of Medicine (Oxford)|Regius Professor of Medicine]], at Oxford, and asked to learn the technique from Bell.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="clinchem"/><ref name="pnas">{{cite journal |last1=Viegas |first1=Jennifer |title=Profile of Dennis Lo |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] |date=2013 |volume=110 |issue=47 |pages=18742–18743 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1317868110 |pmid=24145450 |pmc=3839783 |bibcode=2013PNAS..11018742V |doi-access=free }}</ref> Working with Kenneth Anthony Fleming, his future PhD advisor, Lo found the relatively new technique generated a lot of [[false positives]] due to contamination.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y-M. D. |last2=Mehal |first2=W. Z. |last3=Fleming |first3=K. A. |title=False-positive results and the polymerase chain reaction |journal=[[The Lancet]] |date=1988 |volume=332 |issue=8672 |page=679 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(88)90487-4 |pmid=2901532 |s2cid=34101803 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673688904874 |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref> He then wondered if [[fetus|fetal]] DNA was detectable in mother's blood. Using PCR, he detected the [[Y chromosome]] in a mother bearing a baby boy.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y-M. D. |last2=Wainscoat |first2=J. S. |last3=Gillmer |first3=M. D. G. |last4=Patel |first4=P. |last5=Sampietro |first5=M. |last6=Fleming |first6=K. A. |title=Prenatal sex determination by DNA amplification from maternal peripheral blood |journal=The Lancet |date=1989 |volume=334 |issue=8676 |pages=1363–1365 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(89)91969-7 |pmid=2574306 |s2cid=26365991 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673689919697 |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref> During his PhD, Lo wanted to develop his research into prenatal diagnostic test, using fetal DNA from fetal [[Cell (biology)|cells]] in the mother's blood. This, however, was stymied by a number of factors, including low concentration of fetal cells, high false positive rate and the persistence of fetal cells after giving birth.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="clinchem"/>
Lo began his research career studying [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR), a [[molecular biology|molecular biological]] technique for rapidly generating millions of copies of a desired [[DNA]] sequence. He first heard about the technique at a lecture by [[John Bell (physician)|John Bell]], now [[Regius Professor of Medicine (Oxford)|Regius Professor of Medicine]], at Oxford, and asked to learn the technique from Bell.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="clinchem"/><ref name="pnas">{{cite journal |last1=Viegas |first1=Jennifer |title=Profile of Dennis Lo |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] |date=2013 |volume=110 |issue=47 |pages=18742–18743 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1317868110 |pmid=24145450 |pmc=3839783 |bibcode=2013PNAS..11018742V |doi-access=free }}</ref> Working with Kenneth Anthony Fleming, his future PhD advisor, Lo found the relatively new technique generated a lot of [[false positives]] due to contamination.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y-M. D. |last2=Mehal |first2=W. Z. |last3=Fleming |first3=K. A. |title=False-positive results and the polymerase chain reaction |journal=[[The Lancet]] |date=1988 |volume=332 |issue=8672 |page=679 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(88)90487-4 |pmid=2901532 |s2cid=34101803 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673688904874 |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>


Lo then wondered if [[fetus|fetal]] DNA was detectable in mother's [[blood]]. Using PCR, he detected the [[Y chromosome]] in a mother bearing a baby boy.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y-M. D. |last2=Wainscoat |first2=J. S. |last3=Gillmer |first3=M. D. G. |last4=Patel |first4=P. |last5=Sampietro |first5=M. |last6=Fleming |first6=K. A. |title=Prenatal sex determination by DNA amplification from maternal peripheral blood |journal=The Lancet |date=1989 |volume=334 |issue=8676 |pages=1363–1365 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(89)91969-7 |pmid=2574306 |s2cid=26365991 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673689919697 |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref> During his PhD, Lo wanted to develop his research into [[Prenatal testing|prenatal diagnostic test]], using fetal DNA from fetal [[Cell (biology)|cells]] in the mother's blood. This, however, was stymied by a number of factors, including low concentration of fetal cells, high false positive rate and the persistence of fetal cells after giving birth.<ref name="ajog"/><ref name="clinchem"/>
After obtaining his PhD, Lo became a University Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry and Fellow at [[Green Templeton College, Oxford#Green College|Green College]], Oxford (now part of [[Green Templeton College, Oxford|Green Templeton College]]).<ref name="kingfaisal"/><ref name="ouhkhon"/> He was also an Honorary Consultant Chemical Pathologist at [[John Radcliffe Hospital]], the major [[teaching hospital]] for Oxford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://scholars.croucher.org.hk/scholars/dennis-lo |publisher=Croucher Foundation |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155256/https://scholars.croucher.org.hk/scholars/dennis-lo |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Professor Dennis Lo |url=https://cpm.well.ox.ac.uk/person/professor-dennis-lo |publisher=Centre for Personalised Medicine, University of Oxford |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155528/https://cpm.well.ox.ac.uk/person/professor-dennis-lo |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>


After obtaining his PhD, Lo became a [[lecturer]] in [[Clinical chemistry|clinical biochemistry]] and a fellow at [[Green Templeton College, Oxford#Green College|Green College]], [[University of Oxford]] (now part of [[Green Templeton College, Oxford|Green Templeton College]]).<ref name="kingfaisal"/><ref name="ouhkhon"/> He was also an honorary consultant [[Clinical chemistry|chemical pathologist]] at [[John Radcliffe Hospital]], the major [[teaching hospital]] for Oxford.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://scholars.croucher.org.hk/scholars/dennis-lo |publisher=Croucher Foundation |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155256/https://scholars.croucher.org.hk/scholars/dennis-lo |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Professor Dennis Lo |url=https://cpm.well.ox.ac.uk/person/professor-dennis-lo |publisher=Centre for Personalised Medicine, University of Oxford |access-date=5 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006155528/https://cpm.well.ox.ac.uk/person/professor-dennis-lo |archive-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>
In 1997, again using the Y chromosome as a marker in mothers bearing baby boys, Lo reported the presence of cell-free fetal DNA in most of the test subjects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Corbetta |first2=Noemi |last3=Chamberlain |first3=Paul F. |last4=Rai |first4=Vik |last5=Sargent |first5=Ian L. |last6=Redman |first6=Christopher W. G. |last7=Wainscoat |first7=James S. |title=Presence of fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum |journal=The Lancet |date=1997 |volume=350 |issue=9076 |pages=485–487 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(97)02174-0 |pmid=9274585 |s2cid=14234791 |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)02174-0/fulltext |access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> This was after he read that [[circulating tumor DNA]] were detectable in cancer patients' [[blood plasma]] and switched strategy to search for [[Cell-free fetal DNA|cell-free fetal DNA]] in mother's blood.<ref name="ajog"/>

In 1997, again using the Y chromosome as a marker in mothers bearing baby boys, Lo reported the presence of cell-free fetal DNA in most of the test subjects.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Corbetta |first2=Noemi |last3=Chamberlain |first3=Paul F. |last4=Rai |first4=Vik |last5=Sargent |first5=Ian L. |last6=Redman |first6=Christopher W. G. |last7=Wainscoat |first7=James S. |title=Presence of fetal DNA in maternal plasma and serum |journal=The Lancet |date=1997 |volume=350 |issue=9076 |pages=485–487 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(97)02174-0 |pmid=9274585 |s2cid=14234791 |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)02174-0/fulltext |access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref> This was after he read that [[circulating tumor DNA]] were detectable in cancer patients' [[blood plasma]] and switched strategy to search for [[cell-free fetal DNA]] in mother's blood.<ref name="ajog"/>


Lo, who by the time was married, returned to [[Hong Kong]] the same year with his wife, as the city was preparing its [[Handover of Hong Kong|handing back]] to [[China]]. He became a senior lecturer in the Department of [[Clinical chemistry|Chemical Pathology]] at the [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] (CUHK) in January 1997.<ref name="clinchem"/> In an interview years later, he called this discovery was like "finding your car's engine somewhere other than under the bonnet."<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last1=Corbyn |first1=Zoë |title=Dennis Lo: 'Should parents be told about a disease their child might get?' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/01/dennis-lo-prenatal-research-cancer |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017015808/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/01/dennis-lo-prenatal-research-cancer |archive-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>
Lo, who by the time was married, returned to [[Hong Kong]] the same year with his wife, as the city was preparing its [[Handover of Hong Kong|handing back]] to [[China]]. He became a senior lecturer in the Department of [[Clinical chemistry|Chemical Pathology]] at the [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]] (CUHK) in January 1997.<ref name="clinchem"/> In an interview years later, he called this discovery was like "finding your car's engine somewhere other than under the bonnet."<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last1=Corbyn |first1=Zoë |title=Dennis Lo: 'Should parents be told about a disease their child might get?' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/01/dennis-lo-prenatal-research-cancer |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017015808/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/sep/01/dennis-lo-prenatal-research-cancer |archive-date=17 October 2020}}</ref>


One of the first disorders for which Lo developed [[non invasive prenatal testing|non-invasive prenatal testing]] using cell-free fetal DNA was [[Rh disease]], a type of [[anaemia]] that occurs when the foetus is [[Rh blood group system|Rh]]-positive but the mother is Rh-negative.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Hjelm |first2=N. Magnus |last3=Fidler |first3=Carrie |last4=Sargent |first4=Ian L. |last5=Murphy |first5=Michael F. |last6=Chamberlain |first6=Paul F. |last7=Priscilla M.K. |first7=Poon |last8=Christopher W.G. |first8=Redman |last9=Wainscoat |first9=James S. |title=Prenatal diagnosis of fetal RhD status by molecular analysis of maternal plasma |journal=[[The New England Journal of Medicine]] |date=1998 |volume=339 |issue=24 |pages=1734–1738 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |pmid=9845707 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525180402/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |url=https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Separately, Lo also detected fetal [[RNA]] in mother's blood, which indicated what [[genes]] were [[Gene expression|expressed]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poon |first1=Leo L. M. |last2=Leung |first2=Tse N. |last3=Lau |first3=Tze K. |last4=Lo |first4=Y. M. Dennis |title=Presence of Fetal RNA in Maternal Plasma |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2000 |volume=46 |issue=11 |pages=1832–1834 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/46.11.1832 |pmid=11067820 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/46/11/1832/5641416 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010151142/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/46/11/1832/5641416 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref> He then sought novel methods to isolate fetal DNA from mother's blood, which in 2002 came in the form of difference in [[DNA methylation]] between the mother and foetus.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poon |first1=Leo L. M. |last2=Leung |first2=Tse N. |last3=Lau |first3=Tze K. |last4=Chow |first4=Katherine C. K. |last5=Lo |first5=Y. M. Dennis |title=Differential DNA Methylation between Fetus and Mother as a Strategy for Detecting Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2002 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=35–41 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/48.1.35 |pmid=11751536 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008151406/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/48/1/35/5641529 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/48/1/35/5641529 |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref>
One of the first disorders for which Lo developed [[non invasive prenatal testing|non-invasive prenatal testing]] using cell-free fetal DNA was [[Rh disease]], a type of [[anaemia]] that occurs when the foetus is [[Rh blood group system|Rh]]-positive but the mother is Rh-negative.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Hjelm |first2=N. Magnus |last3=Fidler |first3=Carrie |last4=Sargent |first4=Ian L. |last5=Murphy |first5=Michael F. |last6=Chamberlain |first6=Paul F. |last7=Priscilla M.K. |first7=Poon |last8=Christopher W.G. |first8=Redman |last9=Wainscoat |first9=James S. |title=Prenatal diagnosis of fetal RhD status by molecular analysis of maternal plasma |journal=[[The New England Journal of Medicine]] |date=1998 |volume=339 |issue=24 |pages=1734–1738 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |pmid=9845707 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525180402/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |url=https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392402 |access-date=7 October 2021|doi-access=free }}</ref> Separately, Lo also detected fetal [[RNA]] in mother's blood, which indicated what [[genes]] were [[Gene expression|expressed]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poon |first1=Leo L. M. |last2=Leung |first2=Tse N. |last3=Lau |first3=Tze K. |last4=Lo |first4=Y. M. Dennis |title=Presence of Fetal RNA in Maternal Plasma |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2000 |volume=46 |issue=11 |pages=1832–1834 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/46.11.1832 |pmid=11067820 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/46/11/1832/5641416 |archive-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010151142/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/46/11/1832/5641416 |access-date=8 October 2021|doi-access=free }}</ref> He then sought novel methods to isolate fetal DNA from mother's blood, which in 2002 came in the form of difference in [[DNA methylation]] between the mother and foetus.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Poon |first1=Leo L. M. |last2=Leung |first2=Tse N. |last3=Lau |first3=Tze K. |last4=Chow |first4=Katherine C. K. |last5=Lo |first5=Y. M. Dennis |title=Differential DNA Methylation between Fetus and Mother as a Strategy for Detecting Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2002 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=35–41 |doi=10.1093/clinchem/48.1.35 |pmid=11751536 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008151406/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/48/1/35/5641529 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/48/1/35/5641529 |access-date=8 October 2021|doi-access=free }}</ref>


Lo's research into non-invasive prenatal testing was interrupted in 2003 by the [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|SARS outbreak]]. An infected patient was treated at the [[Prince of Wales Hospital]], the teaching hospital for [[CUHK Faculty of Medicine]], turning the hospital into one of the epicenters in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Expert Committee |title=SARS in Hong Kong: from Experience to Action |date=2 October 2003 |url=https://www.sars-expertcom.gov.hk/english/reports/reports/files/e_chp3_21.pdf |access-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413071340/https://www.sars-expertcom.gov.hk/english/reports/reports/files/e_chp3_21.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2021 |chapter=The SARS Epidemic: The Prince of Wales Hospital Outbreak}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Brian |last2=Cockram |first2=Clive |title=SARS: experience at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong |journal=The Lancet |date=2003 |volume=361 |issue=9368 |pages=1486–1487 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13218-7 |pmid=12737853 |pmc=7134636 }}</ref> His group was one of the first to sequence the [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1|SARS virus]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Peta |title=Watch this face - Dennis Lo Yuk-ming |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/441278/watch-face-dennis-lo-yuk-ming |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=15 January 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010150159/https://www.scmp.com/article/441278/watch-face-dennis-lo-yuk-ming |archive-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> and to discover the existence of multiple [[virus|viral]] [[Strain (biology)|strains]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tsui |first1=Stephen K. W. |last2=Chim |first2=Stephen S. C. |last3=Lo |first3=Y. M. Dennis |title=Coronavirus Genomic-Sequence Variations and the Epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |date=2003 |volume=349 |issue=2 |pages=187–188 |doi=10.1056/NEJM200307103490216 |pmid=12853594 |url=https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJM200307103490216 |access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>
Lo's research into non-invasive prenatal testing was interrupted in 2003 by the [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|SARS outbreak]]. An infected patient was treated at the [[Prince of Wales Hospital]], the teaching hospital for [[CUHK Faculty of Medicine]], turning the hospital into one of the epicenters in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Expert Committee |title=SARS in Hong Kong: from Experience to Action |date=2 October 2003 |url=https://www.sars-expertcom.gov.hk/english/reports/reports/files/e_chp3_21.pdf |access-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413071340/https://www.sars-expertcom.gov.hk/english/reports/reports/files/e_chp3_21.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2021 |chapter=The SARS Epidemic: The Prince of Wales Hospital Outbreak}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Brian |last2=Cockram |first2=Clive |title=SARS: experience at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong |journal=The Lancet |date=2003 |volume=361 |issue=9368 |pages=1486–1487 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13218-7 |pmid=12737853 |pmc=7134636 }}</ref> His group was one of the first to sequence the [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1|SARS virus]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Peta |title=Watch this face - Dennis Lo Yuk-ming |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/441278/watch-face-dennis-lo-yuk-ming |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=15 January 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010150159/https://www.scmp.com/article/441278/watch-face-dennis-lo-yuk-ming |archive-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> and to discover the existence of multiple [[virus|viral]] [[Strain (biology)|strains]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tsui |first1=Stephen K. W. |last2=Chim |first2=Stephen S. C. |last3=Lo |first3=Y. M. Dennis |title=Coronavirus Genomic-Sequence Variations and the Epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |date=2003 |volume=349 |issue=2 |pages=187–188 |doi=10.1056/NEJM200307103490216 |pmid=12853594 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


Lo returned to studying detection of cell-free fetal DNA after the SARS outbreak. In 2008, he reported the use of [[Massive parallel sequencing|next-generation sequencing]] (NGS), which has a much higher [[throughput]] than traditional PCR and was a relatively new technology at the time.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chiu |first1=Rossa W. K. |last2=Chan |first2=K. C. Allen |last3=Gao |first3=Yuan |last4=Lau |first4=Virginia Y. M. |last5=Zheng |first5=Wenli |last6=Leung |first6=Tak Y. |last7=Foo |first7=Chris H. F. |last8=Xie |first8=Bin |last9=Tsui |first9=Nancy B. Y. |last10=Lun |first10=Fiona M. F. |last11=Zee |first11=Benny C. Y. |last12=Lau |first12=Tze K. |last13=Cantor |first13=Charles R. |last14=Lo |first14=Y. M. Dennis |title=Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy by massively parallel genomic sequencing of DNA in maternal plasma |journal= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|date=2008 |volume=105 |issue=51 |pages=20458–20463 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0810641105 |pmid=19073917 |pmc=2600580|bibcode=2008PNAS..10520458C |doi-access=free }}</ref> When used to detect [[Down syndrome]], which is caused by an extra [[chromosome 21]], this method was later shown to have a 100% [[Sensitivity and specificity|sensitivity]] and a nearly 98% [[Sensitivity and specificity|specificity]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chiu |first1=Rossa W. K. |last2=Akolekar |first2=Ranjit |last3=Zheng |first3=Yama W. L. |last4=Leung |first4=Tak Y. |last5=Sun |first5=Hao |last6=Chan |first6=K. C. Allen |last7=Lun |first7=Fiona M. F. |last8=Go |first8=Attie T. J. I. |last9=Lau |first9=Elizabeth T. |last10=To |first10=William W. K. |last11=Leung |first11=Wing C. |last12=Tang |first12=Rebecca Y. K. |last13=Au-Yeung |first13=Sidney K. C. |last14=Lam |first14=Helena |last15=Kung |first15=Yu Y. |last16=Zhang |first16=Xiuqing |last17=van Vugt |first17=John M. G. |last18=Minekawa |first18=Ryoko |last19=Tang |first19=Mary H. Y. |last20=Wang |first20=Jun |last21=Oudejans |first21=Cees B. M. |last22=Lau |first22=Tze K. |last23=Nicolaides |first23=Kypros H. |last24=Lo |first24=Y. M. Dennis |title=Non-invasive prenatal assessment of trisomy 21 by multiplexed maternal plasma DNA sequencing: large scale validity study |journal=[[The BMJ]] |archive-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012132348/https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7401.long |date=2011 |volume=342 |page=c7401 |doi=10.1136/bmj.c7401 |pmid=21224326 |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7401.long |access-date=12 October 2021 |pmc=3019239}}</ref> prompting its introduction into clinics in 2011.<ref name="ajog"/>
Lo returned to studying detection of cell-free fetal DNA after the SARS outbreak. In 2008, he reported the use of [[Massive parallel sequencing|next-generation sequencing]] (NGS), which has a much higher [[throughput]] than traditional PCR and was a relatively new technology at the time.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chiu |first1=Rossa W. K. |last2=Chan |first2=K. C. Allen |last3=Gao |first3=Yuan |last4=Lau |first4=Virginia Y. M. |last5=Zheng |first5=Wenli |last6=Leung |first6=Tak Y. |last7=Foo |first7=Chris H. F. |last8=Xie |first8=Bin |last9=Tsui |first9=Nancy B. Y. |last10=Lun |first10=Fiona M. F. |last11=Zee |first11=Benny C. Y. |last12=Lau |first12=Tze K. |last13=Cantor |first13=Charles R. |last14=Lo |first14=Y. M. Dennis |title=Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy by massively parallel genomic sequencing of DNA in maternal plasma |journal= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|date=2008 |volume=105 |issue=51 |pages=20458–20463 |doi=10.1073/pnas.0810641105 |pmid=19073917 |pmc=2600580|bibcode=2008PNAS..10520458C |doi-access=free }}</ref> When used to detect [[Down syndrome]], which is caused by an extra [[chromosome 21]], this method was later shown to have a 100% [[Sensitivity and specificity|sensitivity]] and a nearly 98% [[Sensitivity and specificity|specificity]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chiu |first1=Rossa W. K. |last2=Akolekar |first2=Ranjit |last3=Zheng |first3=Yama W. L. |last4=Leung |first4=Tak Y. |last5=Sun |first5=Hao |last6=Chan |first6=K. C. Allen |last7=Lun |first7=Fiona M. F. |last8=Go |first8=Attie T. J. I. |last9=Lau |first9=Elizabeth T. |last10=To |first10=William W. K. |last11=Leung |first11=Wing C. |last12=Tang |first12=Rebecca Y. K. |last13=Au-Yeung |first13=Sidney K. C. |last14=Lam |first14=Helena |last15=Kung |first15=Yu Y. |last16=Zhang |first16=Xiuqing |last17=van Vugt |first17=John M. G. |last18=Minekawa |first18=Ryoko |last19=Tang |first19=Mary H. Y. |last20=Wang |first20=Jun |last21=Oudejans |first21=Cees B. M. |last22=Lau |first22=Tze K. |last23=Nicolaides |first23=Kypros H. |last24=Lo |first24=Y. M. Dennis |title=Non-invasive prenatal assessment of trisomy 21 by multiplexed maternal plasma DNA sequencing: large scale validity study |journal=[[The BMJ]] |archive-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012132348/https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7401.long |date=2011 |volume=342 |page=c7401 |doi=10.1136/bmj.c7401 |pmid=21224326 |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7401.long |access-date=12 October 2021 |pmc=3019239}}</ref> prompting its introduction into clinics in 2011.<ref name="ajog"/>


The next year, while watching a [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]] movie in [[3D film|3D]], the flying "H" reminded him of 2 [[homologous chromosomes]] and gave him an idea on how to sequence the fetal [[genome]]: to separately sequence the 2 halves of DNA that the foetus inherited from the father and the mother. For the father's half, they searched for DNA sequences present only in the father but not the mother; for the mother's half, they counted the DNA sequences from the mother to deduce the sequences inherited by the foetus, which would be found in excess in the mother's blood plasma. This discovery created a non-invasive method to detect fetal [[mutations]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Chan |first2=K. C. Allen |last3=Sun |first3=Hao |last4=Chen |first4=Eric Z. |last5=Jiang |first5=Peiyong |last6=Lun |first6=Fiona M. F. |last7=Zheng |first7=Yama W. |last8=Leung |first8=Tak Y. |last9=Lau |first9=Tze K. |last10=Cantor |first10=Charles R. |last11=Chiu |first11=Rossa W. K. |title=Maternal Plasma DNA Sequencing Reveals the Genome-Wide Genetic and Mutational Profile of the Fetus |journal=[[Science Translational Medicine]] |date=2010 |volume=2 |issue=61 |page=61ra91 |doi=10.1126/scitranslmed.3001720 |pmid=21148127 |s2cid=206677298 |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3001720 |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> In 2013, his group showed that the fetal [[epigenome]] could also be determined from mother's blood plasma.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lun |first1=Fiona M. F. |last2=Chiu |first2=Rossa W. K. |last3=Sun |first3=Kun |last4=Leung |first4=Tak Y. |last5=Jiang |first5=Peiyong |last6=Chan |first6=K. C. Allen |last7=Sun |first7=Hao |last8=Lo |first8=Y. M. Dennis |title=Noninvasive prenatal methylomic analysis by genomewide bisulfite sequencing of maternal plasma DNA |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2013 |volume=59 |issue=11 |pages=1583–1594 |doi=10.1373/clinchem.2013.212274 |pmid=23857673 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/59/11/1583/5622072 |access-date=16 October 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016141516/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/59/11/1583/5622072}}</ref>
The next year, while watching a ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' movie in [[3D film|3D]], the flying "H" reminded him of 2 [[homologous chromosomes]] and gave him an idea on how to sequence the fetal [[genome]]: to separately sequence the 2 halves of DNA that the foetus inherited from the father and the mother.<ref name="pnas"/> For the father's half, they searched for DNA sequences present only in the father but not the mother; for the mother's half, they counted the DNA sequences from the mother to deduce the sequences inherited by the foetus, which would be found in excess in the mother's blood plasma. This discovery created a non-invasive method to detect fetal [[mutations]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Y. M. Dennis |last2=Chan |first2=K. C. Allen |last3=Sun |first3=Hao |last4=Chen |first4=Eric Z. |last5=Jiang |first5=Peiyong |last6=Lun |first6=Fiona M. F. |last7=Zheng |first7=Yama W. |last8=Leung |first8=Tak Y. |last9=Lau |first9=Tze K. |last10=Cantor |first10=Charles R. |last11=Chiu |first11=Rossa W. K. |title=Maternal Plasma DNA Sequencing Reveals the Genome-Wide Genetic and Mutational Profile of the Fetus |journal=[[Science Translational Medicine]] |date=2010 |volume=2 |issue=61 |page=61ra91 |doi=10.1126/scitranslmed.3001720 |pmid=21148127 |s2cid=206677298 |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.3001720 |access-date=12 October 2021}}</ref> In 2013, his group showed that the fetal [[epigenome]] could also be determined from mother's blood plasma.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lun |first1=Fiona M. F. |last2=Chiu |first2=Rossa W. K. |last3=Sun |first3=Kun |last4=Leung |first4=Tak Y. |last5=Jiang |first5=Peiyong |last6=Chan |first6=K. C. Allen |last7=Sun |first7=Hao |last8=Lo |first8=Y. M. Dennis |title=Noninvasive prenatal methylomic analysis by genomewide bisulfite sequencing of maternal plasma DNA |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2013 |volume=59 |issue=11 |pages=1583–1594 |doi=10.1373/clinchem.2013.212274 |pmid=23857673 |s2cid=9742965 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


Apart from non-invasive prenatal testing, Lo started investigating cancer [[Medical diagnosis|diagnosis]], profiling and [[prognosis]] from [[circulating tumor DNA]] using NGS in 2012, when he reported the genetic profiling of cancer in patients' blood plasma.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chan |first1=K. C. Allen |last2=Jiang |first2=Peiyong |last3=Zheng |first3=Yama W. L. |last4=Liao |first4=Gary J. W. |last5=Sun |first5=Hao |last6=Wong |first6=John |last7=Siu |first7=Shing Shun N. |last8=Chan |first8=Wing C. |last9=Chan |first9=Stephen L. |last10=Chan |first10=Anthony T. C. |last11=Lai |first11=Paul B. S. |last12=Chiu |first12=Rossa W. K. |last13=Lo |first13=Y. M. D. |title=Cancer genome scanning in plasma: detection of tumor-associated copy number aberrations, single-nucleotide variants, and tumoral heterogeneity by massively parallel sequencing |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2013 |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=211–224 |doi=10.1373/clinchem.2012.196014 |pmid=23065472 |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/59/1/211/5622098 |access-date=16 October 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016145420/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article/59/1/211/5622098}}</ref>
Apart from non-invasive prenatal testing, Lo started investigating cancer [[Medical diagnosis|diagnosis]], profiling and [[prognosis]] from [[circulating tumor DNA]] using NGS in 2012, when he reported the genetic profiling of cancer in patients' blood plasma.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chan |first1=K. C. Allen |last2=Jiang |first2=Peiyong |last3=Zheng |first3=Yama W. L. |last4=Liao |first4=Gary J. W. |last5=Sun |first5=Hao |last6=Wong |first6=John |last7=Siu |first7=Shing Shun N. |last8=Chan |first8=Wing C. |last9=Chan |first9=Stephen L. |last10=Chan |first10=Anthony T. C. |last11=Lai |first11=Paul B. S. |last12=Chiu |first12=Rossa W. K. |last13=Lo |first13=Y. M. D. |title=Cancer genome scanning in plasma: detection of tumor-associated copy number aberrations, single-nucleotide variants, and tumoral heterogeneity by massively parallel sequencing |journal=Clinical Chemistry |date=2013 |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=211–224 |doi=10.1373/clinchem.2012.196014 |pmid=23065472 |s2cid=5164201 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


As of October 2021, Lo is an associate editor of [[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|''Clinical Chemistry'']].<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial Board |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/pages/Editorial_Board |publisher=Clinical Chemistry |access-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030114117/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/pages/editorial_board |archive-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>
As of October 2021, Lo is an associate editor of [[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|''Clinical Chemistry'']].<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial Board |url=https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/pages/Editorial_Board |publisher=Clinical Chemistry |access-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030114117/https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/pages/editorial_board |archive-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>


Lo is the co-founder of 2 biotechnology companies, both established in 2014. Using funding from the [[venture capital]] firm Decheng Capital, he co-founded Cirina with his longtime CUHK collaborators Rossa Chiu and Allen Chan.<ref name="company">{{cite news |title=Dennis Lo’s three-decade journey to science’s greatest prizes |url=https://projects.croucher.org.hk/news/dennis-lo-s-three-decade-journey-to-science-s-greatest-prizes |access-date=26 October 2021 |publisher=Croucher Foundation |date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026152359/https://projects.croucher.org.hk/news/dennis-lo-s-three-decade-journey-to-science-s-greatest-prizes |archive-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> The company focuses on cancer detection with circulating tumor DNA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cheung |first1=Eric |title=How did 2 Hong Kong innovative pioneers turn ideas into reality that can change the world? |url=https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/hong-kong-innovators/article/3113413/how-did-2-hong-kong-innovative |access-date=23 October 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023160554/https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/hong-kong-innovators/article/3113413/how-did-2-hong-kong-innovative |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> The company was acquired by [[GRAIL (company)|GRAIL]] in 2017,<ref>{{cite press release |date=31 March 2017 |title= GRAIL and Cirina Combine to Create Global Company Focused on Early Detection of Cancer |url=https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-and-cirina-combine-to-create-global-company-focused-on-early-detection-of-cancer/ |publisher=[[GRAIL (company)|GRAIL]] |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023161028/https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-and-cirina-combine-to-create-global-company-focused-on-early-detection-of-cancer/ |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> which, in turn, was acquired by [[Illumina, Inc.|Illumina]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Espinoza |first1=Javier |title=Illumina pushes ahead with closing $8bn Grail merger in defiance of EU probe |url=https://www.ft.com/content/df9bf7bc-e839-420f-9905-fdfadfeb6bd1 |access-date=23 October 2021 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=19 August 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The 3 of them also co-founded Xcelom, which commercialised their research in non-invasive prenatal testing.<ref name="company"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Reassurance without Risk |url=https://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A4IRR/venture-hong-kong/Reassurance-without-Risk |publisher=[[Hong Kong Trade Development Council]] |access-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026152832/https://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A4IRR/venture-hong-kong/Reassurance-without-Risk |archive-date=26 October 2021 |date=10 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Revolutionary Prenatal Test |url=https://www.hkstp.org/our-partner-companies/our-partners-stories/success-stories/xcelom/ |publisher=[[Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation]] |access-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026153040/https://www.hkstp.org/our-partner-companies/our-partners-stories/success-stories/xcelom/ |archive-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>
Lo is the co-founder of 2 biotechnology companies, both established in 2014. Using funding from the [[venture capital]] firm Decheng Capital, he co-founded Cirina with his longtime CUHK collaborators Rossa Chiu and Allen Chan.<ref name="company">{{cite news |title=Dennis Lo's three-decade journey to science's greatest prizes |url=https://projects.croucher.org.hk/news/dennis-lo-s-three-decade-journey-to-science-s-greatest-prizes |access-date=26 October 2021 |publisher=Croucher Foundation |date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026152359/https://projects.croucher.org.hk/news/dennis-lo-s-three-decade-journey-to-science-s-greatest-prizes |archive-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> The company focuses on cancer detection with circulating tumor DNA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cheung |first1=Eric |title=How did 2 Hong Kong innovative pioneers turn ideas into reality that can change the world? |url=https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/hong-kong-innovators/article/3113413/how-did-2-hong-kong-innovative |access-date=23 October 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=14 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023160554/https://www.scmp.com/native/tech/start-ups/topics/hong-kong-innovators/article/3113413/how-did-2-hong-kong-innovative |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> The company was acquired by [[GRAIL (company)|GRAIL]] in 2017,<ref>{{cite press release |date=31 March 2017 |title= GRAIL and Cirina Combine to Create Global Company Focused on Early Detection of Cancer |url=https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-and-cirina-combine-to-create-global-company-focused-on-early-detection-of-cancer/ |publisher=[[GRAIL (company)|GRAIL]] |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023161028/https://grail.com/press-releases/grail-and-cirina-combine-to-create-global-company-focused-on-early-detection-of-cancer/ |archive-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> which, in turn, was acquired by [[Illumina, Inc.|Illumina]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Espinoza |first1=Javier |title=Illumina pushes ahead with closing $8bn Grail merger in defiance of EU probe |url=https://www.ft.com/content/df9bf7bc-e839-420f-9905-fdfadfeb6bd1 |access-date=23 October 2021 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=19 August 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The 3 of them also co-founded Xcelom, which commercialised their research in non-invasive prenatal testing.<ref name="company"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Reassurance without Risk |url=https://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A4IRR/venture-hong-kong/Reassurance-without-Risk |publisher=[[Hong Kong Trade Development Council]] |access-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026152832/https://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A4IRR/venture-hong-kong/Reassurance-without-Risk |archive-date=26 October 2021 |date=10 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Revolutionary Prenatal Test |url=https://www.hkstp.org/our-partner-companies/our-partners-stories/success-stories/xcelom/ |publisher=[[Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation]] |access-date=26 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026153040/https://www.hkstp.org/our-partner-companies/our-partners-stories/success-stories/xcelom/ |archive-date=26 October 2021}}</ref>


In the [[2021 Hong Kong legislative election]], Lo was a registered elector in the [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)|functional constituency]] of [[Technology and Innovation (constituency)|Technology and Innovation]] and the [[geographical constituency]] of [[Kowloon West (2021 constituency)|Kowloon West]].<ref name="2021lego">{{cite news |last=FactWire |date=2021-12-15 |title=Factwire: 41 privileged voters have 7,200 times greater power than a regular Hong Kong voter following election revamp |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/12/16/factwire-41-privileged-voters-have-7200-times-greater-power-than-a-regular-hong-kong-voter-following-election-revamp/ |access-date=2021-12-16 |work=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220107164108/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/12/16/factwire-41-privileged-voters-have-7200-times-greater-power-than-a-regular-hong-kong-voter-following-election-revamp/ |archive-date=7 January 2022}}</ref> The State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology at CUHK, with which he is affiliated, is also a [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)#Present|corporate elector]] (an elector that is a [[Legal person|legal entity]], as opposed to a [[natural person]]) at the same functional constituency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schedule 1D Composition of the Technology and Innovation Functional Constituency |url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap542!en-zh-Hant-HK/sch1D.pdf?FILENAME=%E9%99%84%E8%A1%A81D.pdf&DOC_TYPE=E&PUBLISHED=true |publisher=[[Department of Justice (Hong Kong)|Department of Justice]], Government of Hong Kong |access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Legislative Council Ordinance|542|20Z}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Registration in the Technology and Innovation Functional Constituency ("FC") |url=https://www.reo.gov.hk/pdf/fc/TI_E.pdf |publisher=Registration and Electoral Office, Government of Hong Kong |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202035221/https://www.reo.gov.hk/pdf/fc/TI_E.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2022}}</ref> As Lo is also a member of the [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee of Hong Kong]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Results: Second Sector, Technology And Innovation |url=https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2021/eng/results_s2.html |publisher=Registration and Electoral Office, Government of Hong Kong |access-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201235804/https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2021/eng/results_s2.html |archive-date=1 February 2022}}</ref> making him eligible to vote in the [[Election Committee (constituency)|Election Committee constituency]], he was one of the 41 voters who held 4 votes and whose voting power would be approximately 7,215 times of an ordinary citizen.<ref name="2021lego"/>
In the [[2021 Hong Kong legislative election]], Lo was a registered elector in the [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)|functional constituency]] of [[Technology and Innovation (constituency)|Technology and Innovation]] and the [[geographical constituency]] of [[Kowloon West (2021 constituency)|Kowloon West]].<ref name="2021lego">{{cite news |last=FactWire |date=2021-12-15 |title=Factwire: 41 privileged voters have 7,200 times greater power than a regular Hong Kong voter following election revamp |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/12/16/factwire-41-privileged-voters-have-7200-times-greater-power-than-a-regular-hong-kong-voter-following-election-revamp/ |access-date=2021-12-16 |work=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220107164108/https://hongkongfp.com/2021/12/16/factwire-41-privileged-voters-have-7200-times-greater-power-than-a-regular-hong-kong-voter-following-election-revamp/ |archive-date=7 January 2022}}</ref> The State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology at CUHK, with which he is affiliated, is also a [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)#Present|corporate elector]] (an elector that is a [[Legal person|legal entity]], as opposed to a [[natural person]]) at the same functional constituency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schedule 1D Composition of the Technology and Innovation Functional Constituency |url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap542!en-zh-Hant-HK/sch1D.pdf?FILENAME=%E9%99%84%E8%A1%A81D.pdf&DOC_TYPE=E&PUBLISHED=true |publisher=[[Department of Justice (Hong Kong)|Department of Justice]], Government of Hong Kong |access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Hong Kong ordinance|name=Legislative Council Ordinance|542|20Z}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Registration in the Technology and Innovation Functional Constituency ("FC") |url=https://www.reo.gov.hk/pdf/fc/TI_E.pdf |publisher=Registration and Electoral Office, Government of Hong Kong |access-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202035221/https://www.reo.gov.hk/pdf/fc/TI_E.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2022}}</ref> As Lo is also a member of the [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee of Hong Kong]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Results: Second Sector, Technology And Innovation |url=https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2021/eng/results_s2.html |publisher=Registration and Electoral Office, Government of Hong Kong |access-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201235804/https://www.elections.gov.hk/ecss2021/eng/results_s2.html |archive-date=1 February 2022}}</ref> making him eligible to vote in the [[Election Committee (constituency)|Election Committee constituency]], he was one of the 41 voters who held 4 votes and whose voting power would be approximately 7,215 times of an ordinary citizen.<ref name="2021lego"/>

On 22 September 2024, Lo was nominated a candidate to succeed [[Rocky Tuan]] as CUHK president and vice-chancellor and was the sole candidate.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong molecular biologist Dennis Lo ‘sole candidate’ to become CUHK head |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3279477/hong-kong-molecular-biologist-dennis-lo-sole-candidate-become-cuhk-president |work=South China Morning Post |date=22 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> His nomination was approved unanimously on 27 September 2024 and will assume office on 8 January 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong scientist Dennis Lo approved as next head of Chinese University |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/3280142/hong-kong-scientist-dennis-lo-approved-serve-next-head-chinese-university |work=South China Morning Post |date=27 September 2024 }}</ref>


== Honours and awards ==
== Honours and awards ==
* 2000 - Ten Outstanding Young Person of Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web |title=Past HK TOYP Awardees |url=http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-hk-toyp-awardees/ |publisher=Junior Chamber International of Hong Kong |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118103816/http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-hk-toyp-awardees/ |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2000 - Ten Outstanding Young Person of Hong Kong<ref>{{cite web |title=Past HK TOYP Awardees |url=http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-hk-toyp-awardees/ |publisher=Junior Chamber International of Hong Kong |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118103816/http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-hk-toyp-awardees/ |archive-date=18 January 2021}}</ref>
* 2001 - [[Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Past World TOYP from HK |url=http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-world-toyp-from-hk/ |publisher=Junior Chamber International of Hong Kong |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914143940/http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-world-toyp-from-hk/ |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2001 - [[Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Past World TOYP from HK |url=http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-world-toyp-from-hk/ |publisher=Junior Chamber International of Hong Kong |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914143940/http://toyp1.jcihk.org/en/past-world-toyp-from-hk/ |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2005 - State Natural Science Award, Second-class, [[Ministry of Science and Technology (China)|Ministry of Science and Technology]], [[China]]<ref>{{cite press release |title= Local scientists receive State Science and Technology awards |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/09/P200601090120.htm |publisher=[[Government of Hong Kong]] |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=9 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913141932/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/09/P200601090120.htm |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2005年度国家自然科学奖目录 |url=http://www.most.gov.cn/cxfw/kjjlcx/kjjl2005/200604/t20060421_31675.html |publisher=[[Ministry of Science and Technology (China)|Ministry of Science and Technology]] |language=Chinese |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913140442/http://www.most.gov.cn/cxfw/kjjlcx/kjjl2005/200604/t20060421_31675.html |archive-date=13 September 2021 |date=21 April 2006}}</ref>
* 2005 - State Natural Science Award, Second-class, [[Ministry of Science and Technology (China)|Ministry of Science and Technology]], [[China]]<ref>{{cite press release |title= Local scientists receive State Science and Technology awards |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/09/P200601090120.htm |publisher=[[Government of Hong Kong]] |access-date=13 September 2021 |date=9 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913141932/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/09/P200601090120.htm |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2005年度国家自然科学奖目录 |url=http://www.most.gov.cn/cxfw/kjjlcx/kjjl2005/200604/t20060421_31675.html |publisher=[[Ministry of Science and Technology (China)|Ministry of Science and Technology]] |language=Chinese |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913140442/http://www.most.gov.cn/cxfw/kjjlcx/kjjl2005/200604/t20060421_31675.html |archive-date=13 September 2021 |date=21 April 2006}}</ref>
* 2006 - Award for Significant Contributions in Molecular Diagnostics, [[International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine]]<ref name="ifcclm">{{cite web |title=Awards Committee |url=http://www.ifcc.org/executive-board-and-council/eb-committees/awards-committe/ |publisher=[[International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine]] |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913142837/http://www.ifcc.org/executive-board-and-council/eb-committees/awards-committe/ |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2006 - Award for Significant Contributions in Molecular Diagnostics, [[International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine]]<ref name="ifcclm">{{cite web |title=Awards Committee |url=http://www.ifcc.org/executive-board-and-council/eb-committees/awards-committe/ |publisher=[[International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine]] |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913142837/http://www.ifcc.org/executive-board-and-council/eb-committees/awards-committe/ |archive-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2007 - Award for Outstanding Contribution for a Publication in the International Journal ''[[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|Clinical Chemistry]]'', [[American Association for Clinical Chemistry]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo, MD |url=https://www.aacc.org/community/merit-awards/hall-of-fame/bios/t-to-z/yuk-ming |publisher=[[American Association for Clinical Chemistry]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914142451/https://www.aacc.org/community/merit-awards/hall-of-fame/bios/t-to-z/yuk-ming |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2007 - Award for Outstanding Contribution for a Publication in the International Journal ''[[Clinical Chemistry (journal)|Clinical Chemistry]]'', [[American Association for Clinical Chemistry]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo, MD |url=https://www.aacc.org/community/merit-awards/hall-of-fame/bios/t-to-z/yuk-ming |publisher=[[American Association for Clinical Chemistry]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914142451/https://www.aacc.org/community/merit-awards/hall-of-fame/bios/t-to-z/yuk-ming |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2011 - [[Fellow of the Royal Society]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://royalsociety.org/people/dennis-lo-11830/ |publisher=[[Royal Society]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144612/https://royalsociety.org/people/dennis-lo-11830/ |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2011 - [[Fellow of the Royal Society|Fellow]] of the [[Royal Society]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Dennis Lo |url=https://royalsociety.org/people/dennis-lo-11830/ |publisher=[[Royal Society]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144612/https://royalsociety.org/people/dennis-lo-11830/ |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2012 - Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry in a Selected Area of Research, American Association for Clinical Chemistry Academy<ref>{{cite web |title=AACC Academy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry in a Selected Area of Research |url=https://www.aacc.org/community/aacc-academy/awards-and-events/aacc-academy-award-for-outstanding-contributions-to-clinical-chemistry |publisher=American Association for Clinical Chemistry |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914143636/https://www.aacc.org/community/aacc-academy/awards-and-events/aacc-academy-award-for-outstanding-contributions-to-clinical-chemistry |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2013 - [[Member of the National Academy of Sciences|Foreign Associate]] of the [[National Academy of Sciences]]<ref name="pnasmember">{{cite web |title=Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo |url=http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/members/20030497.html |publisher=[[National Academy of Sciences]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144916/http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/members/20030497.html |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2013 - [[Member of the National Academy of Sciences|Foreign Associate]] of the [[National Academy of Sciences]]<ref name="pnasmember">{{cite web |title=Yuk-Ming Dennis Lo |url=http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/members/20030497.html |publisher=[[National Academy of Sciences]] |access-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914144916/http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/members/20030497.html |archive-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2013 - Fellow of [[The World Academy of Sciences]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Fifty-two new TWAS members |url=https://twas.org/article/fifty-two-new-twas-members |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=[[The World Academy of Sciences]] |date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915143743/https://twas.org/article/fifty-two-new-twas-members |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2013 - Fellow of [[The World Academy of Sciences]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Fifty-two new TWAS members |url=https://twas.org/article/fifty-two-new-twas-members |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=[[The World Academy of Sciences]] |date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915143743/https://twas.org/article/fifty-two-new-twas-members |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2014 - [[King Faisal Prize]] in [[Medicine]]<ref name="kingfaisal"/>
* 2014 - [[King Faisal Prize]] in [[Medicine]]<ref name="kingfaisal"/>
* 2016 - Future Science Prize Life Science Prize<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 The Life Science Prize Laureate |url=http://www.futureprize.org/en/laureates/detail/24.html |publisher=Future Science Prize |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915144222/http://www.futureprize.org/en/laureates/detail/24.html |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2016 - [[Future Science Prize]] Life Science Prize<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 The Life Science Prize Laureate |url=http://www.futureprize.org/en/laureates/detail/24.html |publisher=Future Science Prize |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915144222/http://www.futureprize.org/en/laureates/detail/24.html |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2020 - Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics, [[Association for Molecular Pathology]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Recipients |url=https://www.amp.org/membership/awards-grants-honors/amp-award-for-excellence-in-molecular-diagnostics/past-recipients/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Association for Molecular Pathology |language=en}}</ref>
* 2017 - Distinguished Clinical Chemist Award, International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (now known as IFCC-Howard Morris Distinguished Clinical Chemist Award) <ref name="ifcclm"/>
* 2021 - [[Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Yuk Ming Dennis Lo |url=https://breakthroughprize.org/Laureates/2/L3894 |publisher=[[Breakthrough Prize]] |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915145220/https://breakthroughprize.org/Laureates/2/L3894 |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2021 - [[Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Yuk Ming Dennis Lo |url=https://breakthroughprize.org/Laureates/2/L3894 |publisher=[[Breakthrough Prize]] |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915145220/https://breakthroughprize.org/Laureates/2/L3894 |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2021 - [[Royal Medal]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Medal winners 2021 |url=https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/royal-medal/ |publisher=[[Royal Society]] |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915145532/https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/royal-medal/ |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2021 - [[Royal Medal]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Royal Medal winners 2021 |url=https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/royal-medal/ |publisher=[[Royal Society]] |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915145532/https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/royal-medal/ |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>
* 2022 - [[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award]]<ref>[https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/noninvasive-prenatal-testing-using-fetal-dna/ Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award 2022]</ref>
* 2022 - [[Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award]]<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award |url=https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/noninvasive-prenatal-testing-using-fetal-dna/ |publisher=[[Lasker Foundation]] |access-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420035336/https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/noninvasive-prenatal-testing-using-fetal-dna/ |archive-date=20 April 2023}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Lo is married to Alice Siu Ling Wong. They met each other while Lo was pursuing his [[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]] at the [[University of Oxford]], where Wong was completing her DPhil in [[semiconductor]] [[physics]].<ref name="embryo"/> They got married in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=探射燈:膝下猶虛視科研為兒女 |url=https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20110612/00176_098.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |work=[[Oriental Daily News]] |date=12 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911135033/https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20110612/00176_098.html |archive-date=11 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref> As of 2016, Wong is an [[associate professor]] and the Head of the formerly Division of [[Mathematics education|Mathematics]] and [[Science Education]], Faculty of Education at the [[University of Hong Kong]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=19 December 2016 |title=好奇心泛起了漣漪——專訪盧煜明 |url=https://ubeat.com.cuhk.edu.hk/127_lo/2/ |magazine=U-Beat Magazine |access-date=11 September 2021 |language=Chinese |publisher=Chinese University of Hong Kong |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911140503/https://ubeat.com.cuhk.edu.hk/127_lo/2/}}</ref> She is no longer on the faculty list as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty Academics |url=https://web.edu.hku.hk/staff/academic |publisher=Faculty of Education, [[University of Hong Kong]] |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911141504/https://web.edu.hku.hk/staff/academic |archive-date=11 September 2021}}</ref>
Lo is married to Alice Siu Ling Wong. They met each other while Lo was pursuing his [[Doctor of Philosophy|DPhil]] at the [[University of Oxford]], where Wong was completing her DPhil in [[semiconductor]] [[physics]].<ref name="embryo"/> They got married in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=探射燈:膝下猶虛視科研為兒女 |url=https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20110612/00176_098.html |access-date=11 September 2021 |work=[[Oriental Daily News]] |date=12 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911135033/https://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/news/20110612/00176_098.html |archive-date=11 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref>
As of 2016, Wong is an [[associate professor]] and the head of the former Division of [[Mathematics education|Mathematics]] and [[Science Education]], Faculty of Education at the [[University of Hong Kong]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=19 December 2016 |title=好奇心泛起了漣漪——專訪盧煜明 |url=https://ubeat.com.cuhk.edu.hk/127_lo/2/ |magazine=U-Beat Magazine |access-date=11 September 2021 |language=Chinese |publisher=Chinese University of Hong Kong |archive-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911140503/https://ubeat.com.cuhk.edu.hk/127_lo/2/}}</ref> She is no longer on the faculty list as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faculty Academics |url=https://web.edu.hku.hk/staff/academic |publisher=Faculty of Education, [[University of Hong Kong]] |access-date=11 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911141504/https://web.edu.hku.hk/staff/academic |archive-date=11 September 2021}}</ref>


It was reported in 2021 that Lo bought a [[Apartment|flat]] at [[The Masterpiece (Hong Kong)|The Masterpiece]] in [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], [[Hong Kong]] for [[Hong Kong dollar|HKD]]$210 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=「無創產前檢測之父」2.1億購名鑄 實呎逾7萬創新高 |url=https://www.mpfinance.com/fin/instantp2.php?node=1621587584147&issue=20210521 |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Ming Pao |date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917140900/https://www.mpfinance.com/fin/instantp2.php?node=1621587584147&issue=20210521 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref>
It was reported in 2021 that Lo bought a [[Apartment|flat]] at [[The Masterpiece (Hong Kong)|The Masterpiece]] in [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], [[Hong Kong]] for [[Hong Kong dollar|HKD]]$210 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=「無創產前檢測之父」2.1億購名鑄 實呎逾7萬創新高 |url=https://www.mpfinance.com/fin/instantp2.php?node=1621587584147&issue=20210521 |access-date=17 September 2021 |work=Ming Pao |date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917140900/https://www.mpfinance.com/fin/instantp2.php?node=1621587584147&issue=20210521 |archive-date=17 September 2021 |language=Chinese}}</ref>


Lo is one of the initiators of the Hong Kong Coalition, co-founded by 2 former [[Chief Executives of Hong Kong]] [[Tung Chee-hwa]] and [[Leung Chun-ying]].<ref>{{cite web |title=組織架構 |url=https://www.hkcoalition.com/info/organization |publisher=Hong Kong Coalition |access-date=31 January 2022 |language=Chinese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131022635/https://www.hkcoalition.com/info/organization |archive-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>
Lo is one of the initiators of the Hong Kong Coalition, co-founded by two former [[Chief Executives of Hong Kong]] [[Tung Chee-hwa]] and [[Leung Chun-ying]].<ref>{{cite web |title=組織架構 |url=https://www.hkcoalition.com/info/organization |publisher=Hong Kong Coalition |access-date=31 January 2022 |language=Chinese |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131022635/https://www.hkcoalition.com/info/organization |archive-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star]]
[[Category:Chemical pathologists]]
[[Category:Chemical pathologists]]
[[Category:Chinese University of Hong Kong faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the Chinese University of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians]]

Latest revision as of 14:42, 26 October 2024

Dennis Lo
盧煜明
Lo attending an academic conference at University of Cambridge on 20 April 2023
9th Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Assuming office
8 January 2025
ChancellorJohn Lee
SucceedingRocky Tuan
Personal details
Born (1963-10-12) October 12, 1963 (age 61)[3]
British Hong Kong[4]
SpouseAlice Siu Ling Wong[4]
EducationUniversity of Oxford (DPhil, DM, BM BCh)
University of Cambridge (MA)
Known forNon-invasive prenatal testing
Liquid biopsy
Cell-free fetal DNA detection in blood plasma
AwardsKing Faisal Prize in Medicine (2014)
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2021)
Royal Medal (2021)
Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2022)
Scientific career
FieldsMolecular biology
InstitutionsChinese University of Hong Kong
University of Oxford
ThesisGenetic analysis of fetal cells in maternal blood (1994)
Doctoral advisorKenneth Anthony Fleming
Dennis Lo
Traditional Chinese盧煜明
Simplified Chinese卢煜明
Transcriptions
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationLòuh Yūk Mìhng
JyutpingLou4 Juk1 Ming4

Dennis Lo Yuk-ming[1] (Chinese: 盧煜明; Jyutping: Lou4 Juk1 Ming4, born 12 October 1963) is a Hong Kong molecular biologist, best known for his contributions to the development of non-invasive prenatal testing.

Lo is the current Associate Dean (Research) and Li Ka Shing Professor of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he is also the head of the Department of Chemical Pathology and the director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences.[1] His research focuses on the detection of cell-free fetal DNA in blood plasma.[5]

Lo is set to succeed Rocky Tuan as the vice-chancellor and president of CUHK on 8 January 2025, following his nomination as the sole candidate and the unanimous approval of his nomination.

Early life and education

[edit]

Lo was born in Hong Kong in 1963.[4] His mother taught music and his father, Lo Wai-hoi,[6] who immigrated from Chaozhou to Hong Kong in 1946,[7][8] was a psychiatrist and the former head of Castle Peak Hospital.[9] Lo also has a younger brother.[10]

Lo attended St Joseph's College for his primary and secondary education. After secondary school, he was accepted by Stanford University for electrical engineering, and by the University of Hong Kong and University of Cambridge for medicine. He selected to study medicine abroad.[7] In 1983, at the age of 20, Lo arrived at Cambridge, where he spent two years completing his preclinical medical training and a BA degree, and his third studying genetic cloning.[8][11] In 1986,[11] Lo moved to the University of Oxford for his clinical training, in part, he claimed, thanks to Christopher Wren's architectural works at Oxford.[clarification needed][7][8] Lo completed his medical degree (BM BCh) in 1989; he was at Christ Church College during this period.[7][12]

After obtaining his medical degree, Lo continued to study at Oxford, first obtaining a DPhil (during which he was at Hertford College) in 1994, and then a Doctor of Medicine (DM) degree in 2001.[11] He was also a junior research fellow in natural sciences at Hertford College between 1990 and 1993, and the Wellcome Career Development Fellow in Clinical Medicine from 1993 to 1994.[3]

Career

[edit]

Lo began his research career studying polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular biological technique for rapidly generating millions of copies of a desired DNA sequence. He first heard about the technique at a lecture by John Bell, now Regius Professor of Medicine, at Oxford, and asked to learn the technique from Bell.[7][8][13] Working with Kenneth Anthony Fleming, his future PhD advisor, Lo found the relatively new technique generated a lot of false positives due to contamination.[14]

Lo then wondered if fetal DNA was detectable in mother's blood. Using PCR, he detected the Y chromosome in a mother bearing a baby boy.[15] During his PhD, Lo wanted to develop his research into prenatal diagnostic test, using fetal DNA from fetal cells in the mother's blood. This, however, was stymied by a number of factors, including low concentration of fetal cells, high false positive rate and the persistence of fetal cells after giving birth.[7][8]

After obtaining his PhD, Lo became a lecturer in clinical biochemistry and a fellow at Green College, University of Oxford (now part of Green Templeton College).[3][11] He was also an honorary consultant chemical pathologist at John Radcliffe Hospital, the major teaching hospital for Oxford.[16][17]

In 1997, again using the Y chromosome as a marker in mothers bearing baby boys, Lo reported the presence of cell-free fetal DNA in most of the test subjects.[18] This was after he read that circulating tumor DNA were detectable in cancer patients' blood plasma and switched strategy to search for cell-free fetal DNA in mother's blood.[7]

Lo, who by the time was married, returned to Hong Kong the same year with his wife, as the city was preparing its handing back to China. He became a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Pathology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in January 1997.[8] In an interview years later, he called this discovery was like "finding your car's engine somewhere other than under the bonnet."[19]

One of the first disorders for which Lo developed non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free fetal DNA was Rh disease, a type of anaemia that occurs when the foetus is Rh-positive but the mother is Rh-negative.[20] Separately, Lo also detected fetal RNA in mother's blood, which indicated what genes were expressed.[21] He then sought novel methods to isolate fetal DNA from mother's blood, which in 2002 came in the form of difference in DNA methylation between the mother and foetus.[22]

Lo's research into non-invasive prenatal testing was interrupted in 2003 by the SARS outbreak. An infected patient was treated at the Prince of Wales Hospital, the teaching hospital for CUHK Faculty of Medicine, turning the hospital into one of the epicenters in Hong Kong.[23][24] His group was one of the first to sequence the SARS virus[25] and to discover the existence of multiple viral strains.[26]

Lo returned to studying detection of cell-free fetal DNA after the SARS outbreak. In 2008, he reported the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS), which has a much higher throughput than traditional PCR and was a relatively new technology at the time.[27] When used to detect Down syndrome, which is caused by an extra chromosome 21, this method was later shown to have a 100% sensitivity and a nearly 98% specificity,[28] prompting its introduction into clinics in 2011.[7]

The next year, while watching a Harry Potter movie in 3D, the flying "H" reminded him of 2 homologous chromosomes and gave him an idea on how to sequence the fetal genome: to separately sequence the 2 halves of DNA that the foetus inherited from the father and the mother.[13] For the father's half, they searched for DNA sequences present only in the father but not the mother; for the mother's half, they counted the DNA sequences from the mother to deduce the sequences inherited by the foetus, which would be found in excess in the mother's blood plasma. This discovery created a non-invasive method to detect fetal mutations.[29] In 2013, his group showed that the fetal epigenome could also be determined from mother's blood plasma.[30]

Apart from non-invasive prenatal testing, Lo started investigating cancer diagnosis, profiling and prognosis from circulating tumor DNA using NGS in 2012, when he reported the genetic profiling of cancer in patients' blood plasma.[31]

As of October 2021, Lo is an associate editor of Clinical Chemistry.[32]

Lo is the co-founder of 2 biotechnology companies, both established in 2014. Using funding from the venture capital firm Decheng Capital, he co-founded Cirina with his longtime CUHK collaborators Rossa Chiu and Allen Chan.[33] The company focuses on cancer detection with circulating tumor DNA.[34] The company was acquired by GRAIL in 2017,[35] which, in turn, was acquired by Illumina in 2021.[36] The 3 of them also co-founded Xcelom, which commercialised their research in non-invasive prenatal testing.[33][37][38]

In the 2021 Hong Kong legislative election, Lo was a registered elector in the functional constituency of Technology and Innovation and the geographical constituency of Kowloon West.[39] The State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology at CUHK, with which he is affiliated, is also a corporate elector (an elector that is a legal entity, as opposed to a natural person) at the same functional constituency.[40][41][42] As Lo is also a member of the Election Committee of Hong Kong,[43] making him eligible to vote in the Election Committee constituency, he was one of the 41 voters who held 4 votes and whose voting power would be approximately 7,215 times of an ordinary citizen.[39]

On 22 September 2024, Lo was nominated a candidate to succeed Rocky Tuan as CUHK president and vice-chancellor and was the sole candidate.[44] His nomination was approved unanimously on 27 September 2024 and will assume office on 8 January 2025.[45]

Honours and awards

[edit]

Personal life

[edit]

Lo is married to Alice Siu Ling Wong. They met each other while Lo was pursuing his DPhil at the University of Oxford, where Wong was completing her DPhil in semiconductor physics.[4] They got married in 1994.[60]

As of 2016, Wong is an associate professor and the head of the former Division of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong.[61] She is no longer on the faculty list as of 2021.[62]

It was reported in 2021 that Lo bought a flat at The Masterpiece in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong for HKD$210 million.[63]

Lo is one of the initiators of the Hong Kong Coalition, co-founded by two former Chief Executives of Hong Kong Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying.[64]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Prof Dennis Y M LO". Hong Kong Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Professor Yuk Ming Dennis Lo". King Faisal Prize. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
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  9. ^ 蕭, 曉華 (12 June 2017). "【當科學遇上醫療】一碗即食麵破解 血漿基因的秘密". Ming Pao Weekly (in Chinese). Ming Pao. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
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  22. ^ Poon, Leo L. M.; Leung, Tse N.; Lau, Tze K.; Chow, Katherine C. K.; Lo, Y. M. Dennis (2002). "Differential DNA Methylation between Fetus and Mother as a Strategy for Detecting Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma". Clinical Chemistry. 48 (1): 35–41. doi:10.1093/clinchem/48.1.35. PMID 11751536. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
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  26. ^ Tsui, Stephen K. W.; Chim, Stephen S. C.; Lo, Y. M. Dennis (2003). "Coronavirus Genomic-Sequence Variations and the Epidemiology of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome". The New England Journal of Medicine. 349 (2): 187–188. doi:10.1056/NEJM200307103490216. PMID 12853594.
  27. ^ Chiu, Rossa W. K.; Chan, K. C. Allen; Gao, Yuan; Lau, Virginia Y. M.; Zheng, Wenli; Leung, Tak Y.; Foo, Chris H. F.; Xie, Bin; Tsui, Nancy B. Y.; Lun, Fiona M. F.; Zee, Benny C. Y.; Lau, Tze K.; Cantor, Charles R.; Lo, Y. M. Dennis (2008). "Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy by massively parallel genomic sequencing of DNA in maternal plasma". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 105 (51): 20458–20463. Bibcode:2008PNAS..10520458C. doi:10.1073/pnas.0810641105. PMC 2600580. PMID 19073917.
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