But Pui Hay is the world pioneer in applying molecular approaches to authenticate Chinese medicinal materials. Since 1992, the team has successfully developed various techniques to authenticate more than 50 species of medicinal materials, as well as their adulterants and has established its lead in the field. The Chinese University has recently obtained a US patent for one of the processes developed and filed the patent in China. This technology transfer of a patented technology represents the first of its kind in Chinese medicinal research in Hong Kong. With a recent grant from the Environment and Conservation Fund and helps from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, the Chinese Medicinal Material Research Centre is now generating DNA probes for the authentication of endangered animal and plant species used in Chinese medicine.
Materials being studied include orchids, crocodile and snake meats.