4th International Conference on Photopharmacology

Join us for the latest in design, synthesis and application of drugs and molecular probes controlled by light!

Started in Groningen in 2017, then hosted in Barcelona in 2018, in New York (by Zoom) in 2021, we are proud to host the 4th installment of Photopharmacology. This event is co-organized by Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacy, The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, and Dr Li Dak-Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong. The scientific program for Photopharmacology IV includes invited and contributed lectures, as well as a vibrant poster session.

Dr Weiping Wang
The University of Hong Kong

Meeting Themes

Photopharmacology aims at using photosensitive compounds combined with light irradiation to spatiotemporally control their structures and functions. This property allows for the use of light as an external control for therapeutic applications and research tools. Photopharmacology is a multidisciplinary field that integrates chemistry, biology, and pharmacology, which has been emerging rapidly in the recent years. However, more problems still need to be solved for the clinical translation of light-responsive materials. Bearing this in mind, Photopharmacology IV seeks to bring together world experts in photopharmacology to present, discuss, and collaborate between their own areas of expertise. One topic of interest at the conference will be the prospective clinical translation attempts of the light-responsive compounds or materials, which are designed for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer as well as skin and eye diseases, etc. Another topic of interest is the relationship between photopharmacology and photoresponsive drug delivery, which are based on similar photochemistry techniques and application objectives. The design of novel photosensitive molecules with long-wavelength excitation and high responsiveness for deep-seated diseases will be discussed in terms of photochemistry and light delivery. During the conference, emerging photoswitches and photocaging groups that meet these challenges will be introduced. In addition, new strategies on optogenetics, photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy will be introduced and discussed.

Important Dates

Abstract submission 
- Deadline for poster submission is extended to Aug 31, 2023 23:30 HKT (GMT+8)
- Deadline for oral submission is now CLOSED

Early Bird Registration
- Discount rate extended to Aug 31, 2023

Regular Registration
- Close on Nov 24, 2023

International Organizing Committee Members:

Professor Ben. L. Feringa (Nobel Prize Laureate), University of Groningen
Professor Pau Gorostiza, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia
Professor Amadeu Llebaria, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia
Professor Wiktor Szymanski, University of Groningen
Professor Dirk Trauner, University of Pennsylvania
Professor Andrew Woolley, University of Toronto

Local Organizing Committee Members:

Professor Ying Chau, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Prof. Wai-Lung Ng, School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. Hongyan Sun, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong
Professor Paul Kwong-Hang Tam, Vice President, Macau University of Science and Technology
Professor Alice S.T. Wong, Associate Vice-President (Research); Interim Director, Dr. Li Dak-Sum Research Centre; Interim Director, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Professor Ian C.K. Wong, Head, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong
Professor Aimin Xu, Director, The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong
Dr. Xin Zhao, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University