Connecting research excellence with societal innovation

Academic research is a driving force behind growth. However, a lack of focus can be detrimental to research excellence and relevance. When institutions tailor their research priorities to local and national needs, they generate knowledge and solutions that contribute to economic progress and fuel lasting impact.

Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) is committed to becoming a world-class, research-intensive university by prioritising groundbreaking research. MUST’s research strategy rests on four pillars: interdisciplinary research excellence; the integration of industry, academia and research; international strategic partnerships; and national-level research platforms.

Since its founding in 2000, researchers at MUST have received over 350,000 citations, reflecting the university’s ongoing success in producing high-impact research. It prioritises impactful research through commercialisation and technology transfer, securing several patents in recent years. The university has forged partnerships with leading international institutions to promote joint research, student exchange and collaborative projects.

Notably, MUST’s research efforts in science and technology align with Macao’s economic diversification objectives and the development needs of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The university supports regional innovation through groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research in areas such as space science, traditional Chinese medicine, biomedical science and engineering, materials science and engineering, environmental and ecological engineering, AI, financial technology, and gaming.

Materials engineering, medicine, and space science are among the core strengths of MUST’s research ecosystem. The university has identified these as some of the strategic areas for enhancing employment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, and talent cultivation across the region. This supports Macao’s efforts to diversify its economic activity beyond the gaming industry. Research in materials and biomedicine, for example, contributes directly to regional development and fosters collaboration within the Greater Bay Area.

Materials innovations for tomorrow

The Macao Institute of Materials Science and Engineering at MUST connects Macao with international research communities in disciplines such as novel energy materials, electronics, optoelectronics, and advanced functional materials. These fields were strategically chosen based on their relevance and potential to meet emerging global demands.

Electronic and optoelectronic materials are essential for advancing computing and communication technologies. Materials science research is central to global sustainability efforts. Advanced functional materials support sustainable transformation within industry, while novel energy materials can accelerate the transition towards renewable energy. Research into green graphene and other sustainable electronic materials can be crucial in tackling e-waste and energy efficiency challenges.

In 2025, MUST hosted the Symposium on Materials Science and Industry-University-Research Collaborations, featuring world-renowned scholars. In the same year, the university formed a strategic international partnership with CENIMAT, a leading materials science research hub in Portugal. This led to the establishment of a joint facility dedicated to materials engineering and nanotechnology, promoting collaborative research and student exchange.

Pioneering health solutions

The State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine drives innovation in medical science by harnessing insights from traditional Chinese medicine. One of its key objectives is to advance the modernisation and industrialisation of Chinese medicine, strengthening the discipline’s global presence and recognition. By researching traditional mechanisms and small molecule-based approaches, the laboratory develops innovative methods for evaluating quality and safety in Chinese medicine, strengthening novel drug discovery, and improving clinical efficacy. Notable projects include molecular pharmacology in herbal medicine and drug development for arthritis and cancer treatment.

MUST’s research on long-term fluorescence imaging analysis and targeted detection has led to advances in eye disease diagnosis technologies. Another example of successful technology transfer is the new small interfering RNA drug technology, which generated significant investments in 2020 and 2021.

MUST founded the Macau Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine to merge advanced research in AI with fields such as genomics, cell biology and pathology. Founded in 2023, the institute uses medical imaging and clinical data to improve accuracy in diagnosis, treatment response and survival prognosis prediction models, while cultivating the next generation of world-class researchers who can meet evolving healthcare challenges.

The university hosted the International Precision Regenerative Medicine Symposium in 2025, offering a platform for international scholars to exchange knowledge on regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy and translational research.

Exploring space science

MUST’s contributions to space science reflect its ambition to position Macao as a hub for innovation.Macao Science Satellite-1, developed jointly by scientists from Macao and mainland China, was the first scientific satellite to map the Earth’s low-latitude magnetic field. Launched in 2023, data from the satellite is available publicly to researchers.

As China’s only state key laboratory dedicated to lunar and planetary science, the State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences at MUST is at the forefront of deep space exploration. It cultivates world-class talent and research teams in planetary sciences to contribute to Macao’s technological advancement and provide scientific support for deep space exploration projects. Researchers from MUST were part of China’s lunar and Mars missions, with their responsibilities ranging from data analysis to active payload development. Serving as a hub for international collaboration in planetary science research, it facilitates knowledge exchange and joint initiatives to tackle global challenges. The Solar System Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory, established in 2025, is another pillar of MUST’s research infrastructure that supports space exploration and spacecraft and planet protection strategies.

The Macau International Forum on Space and Planetary Sciences, organised annually by MUST, convenes academics and researchers to exchange best practice and research insights in space and planetary sciences.

Environmental sustainability remains a priority for the university. The National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao bridges gaps in ecosystem monitoring in China’s subtropical coastal zone. Designed to provide scientific and technological data to inform decisions about environmental management, it enhances the scientific observation of the coastal environment’s ecological evolution and examines regulatory mechanisms through long-term, systematic research.

By strategically recalibrating its research efforts to address societal needs, MUST produces research that builds talent, informs policy and promotes sustainable innovation, while enhancing its impact and contribution to local and global development.

Find out more about Macau University of Science and Technology.