Hong Kong Stories - Inventors in Hong Kong：Reborn

Many believe that having children completes a family, and infertility remains a lifelong regret for countless couples. Driven by a passion for reproductive medicine, Lee Tin-lap began researching how to enhance the quality of eggs a decade ago, aiming to increase the success rate of in vitro fertilization and fulfil the dreams of many aspiring parents.

In 2018, Lee Tin-lap, then an associate professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the Chinese University's medical centre, discovered that mitochondria in women's menstrual blood could transfer energy to their eggs. This process can "mature" immature eggs within 12 hours, thereby enhancing the chances of conception. This ground-breaking egg preservation research was the first in the world to use menstrual blood's mitochondria to cultivate eggs without the need for egg donors or other invasive methods, avoiding ethical disputes and breaking a two-decade scientific impasse.

Earlier this year, Lee Tin-lap bid farewell to his ten-year teaching career, armed with his research accomplishments. He hoped to introduce his egg preservation technique to society but faced numerous challenges. This documentary episode delves into Lee Tin-lap’s world of scientific research, exploring his achievements and visions, while also addressing the rocky path of developing biotechnology in Hong Kong.