PolyU Science in the News

PolyU study reveals probiotics almost non-existent in cesarean-born babies

A research by PolyU has revealed that Bifidobacteria, a probiotic, was nearly non-existent in the gut of babies born by cesarean section (C-section). Bifidobacteria is viewed as an essential probiotic for proper immune development and good gut health among infants which protects the neonates from various intestinal and immunity disorders. Commissioned by Danone Nutricia, PolyU researchers from the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology examined 70 fecal samples of newborn babies after their first 2 weeks of life for the study. They found that the Bifidobacterium species almost did not exist in samples from C-section babies. In comparison, 37 fecal samples from vaginally birthed, breastfed babies had the necessary probiotic levels. Dr. Chiou Jiachi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology said 38% of births in Hong Kong are C-section deliveries, so it is crucial to understand the special nutrition needs of C-section babies. 有線財經新聞 理大研究：剖腹產嬰腸道缺益生菌　較易患過敏、濕疹、上呼吸道疾病 31 March 2022 東方日報 理大研究：剖腹嬰腸道益生菌較少 1 April 2022 星島日報 研究指剖腹生產嬰兒腸道雙歧桿菌近乎零 兒科醫生促及早補充益生菌 31 March 2022 am730 理大研究｜剖腹產嬰腸道益生菌較少 易患食物過敏或濕疹 1 April 2022 頭條日報 研究指剖腹生產嬰兒腸道雙歧桿菌近乎零 兒科醫生促及早補充益生菌 31 March 2022 文匯報 剖腹產嬰兒 腸道缺益生菌 1 April 2022 Hk01 初生剖腹產嬰兒腸道內個別益生菌種近乎零　易有過敏哮喘及濕疹 31 March 2022 巴士的報 理大研究指剖腹生產嬰兒腸道雙歧桿菌近乎零 兒科醫生促及早補充益生菌 31 March 2022

Startup founded by PolyU professor enters finale in global startup competition

A startup founded by Prof. Li Pei of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology has become one of the top 10 finalists in the JUMPSTARTER Global Pitch Competition 2022. The two winning startups standing out in the grand finale to be held at the end of the month will receive a prize of US$4 million in total. Through the startup Grand Rise Technology, Prof. Li developed a biocompatible antimicrobial coating that can effectively kill common bacteria and viruses. Prof Li said her dream is to contribute to society and mankind with scientific research. 信報 JUMPSTARTER 2022環球創業比賽10強誕生 初創以創新方案令世界變得美好 25 March 2022

PolyU-developed anti-virus 3D printing material featured on TV programme

PolyU-developed anti-virus 3D printing material featured on TV programme

AiDLab aims to utilise creative innovation with AI technology for greater good

The Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) at PolyU is working on applying the AI gesture recognition technology on the illuminating Polymeric Optical Fibre textiles. The gestures posed by users would be recorded by the sensors on the textile and analysed by the AI computer, and the textiles would emit different colours according to different gestures after analysis. The research team hopes to apply this technology on various areas, such as multi-sensory treatment to help children with special educational needs and dementia patients. 文匯報 人工智能手部識別系統應用光纖布料 14 March 2022

PolyU develops world’s first coronavirus-killing 3D printing material

Researchers from PolyU have developed the world’s first 3D printing material with a surface that can kill the coronavirus and can be used to produce low-cost, durable lift buttons and door handles to reduce infection risks. Dr Chris Lo Kwan-yu, Associate Professor of PolyU's Institute of Textiles and Clothing (ITC), who led the research team, said they found the material could still kill 70% of the COVID-19 virus and other viruses/bacteria in two minutes, and almost eliminate them in 20 minutes. The team announced it would collaborate with the Sham Shui Po District Office to make doorknob protective covers for more than 100 poorly maintained buildings that lacked any management organisations. They would also consider applying the material to primary and secondary schools, health care facilities, and public transport. Professor Kan Chi-wai of ITC said the disinfection components of the material were embedded in the products rather than coated on the surface, preventing daily cleaning from compromising its antiviral performance. Dr Amber Chiou Jia-chi, Assistant professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, said it could also kill virus variants because it physically attacked viruses’ membranes, regardless of what proteins they contained. Press release PolyU develops novel anti-virus 3D printing material that terminates over 90% of COVID-19 in 10 minutes 理大研發全新防病毒三維打印物料十分鐘殺滅逾九成新冠病毒 (Chinese) 無綫新聞 理大研發聲稱能殺滅新冠病毒物料可製手柄等 冀未來廣泛使用 13 January 2022 Now TV 理工大學研發出三維打印物料可殺滅表面病毒 13 January 2022 有線電視 3D打印材料混抗菌劑　兩分鐘滅七成病毒　電梯按鈕濕地公園實測一年無損壞 13 January 2022 香港電台 理大研發出三維打印物料可殺滅表面新冠病毒及細菌等 13 January 2022 SCMP Coronavirus killer material developed in 3D printing project by Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University paves way for new lift buttons, door handles 13 January 2022 東方日報 理大研抗菌塑膠物料 20分鐘可殺99.2%病毒 14 January 2022 明報 理大研製3D打印物料 10分鐘殺九成新冠病毒 14 January 2022 am730 防疫抗疫｜理大研防新冠物料 10分鐘殺逾九成病毒 14 January 2022 大公報 理大首创抗新冠3D打印物料 14 January 2022 香港01 理大研防病毒塑膠　10分鐘殺逾9成新冠病毒　可製手柄、電梯按鈕 13 January 2022 Xinhua Net Hong Kong researchers say they develop novel material able to kill COVID-19 virus 13 January 2022 新华网 香港理大研发全新物料 可有效杀灭表面新冠病毒 13 January 2022 台灣蘋果日報 門把、按鈕都適用！香港理工大學研發物料可滅新冠病毒 13 January 2022

PolyU AiDLab showcased in 14th Five-year Plan TV feature

The Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab), a new InnoHK research centre jointly founded by PolyU and the Royal College of Art (RCA), United Kingdom, was showcased in a programme about the National 14th Five-year Plan by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, which was aired on TVB Jade yesterday (8 January). Prof. Calvin Wong, Centre Director of AiDLab, introduced the centre’s cutting-edge research and explained how international collaborations would provide opportunities for local talents to joint top-notch research projects. TVB 「十四五」規劃新遠景 (16’45”) 10 January 2022

PolyU invests HK$400m in new interdisciplinary research institutes for improving people’s lives

Prof. Wing-tak Wong, PolyU’s Deputy President and Provost, said in an interview that the University will invest HK$400 million in the next three years in 15 new research institutes and centres for areas like smart city, wearable smart devices and Chinese medicine. Prof. Wong said the research will focus on people’s key daily life issues like clothing and food, with an emphasis on addressing societal challenges. One of the institutes established lately is the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood). Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of RiFood and Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, told media that RiFood is currently conducting a research on the efficacies of traditional Chinese dietary supplements like bird's nest and sea cucumbers. Another research undergoing at RiFood is how to convert food waste into 3D printing materials with nanotechnology. The institute is also conducting projects about AI food authentication and food sustainability. 香港經濟日報 A10 理大未來食品研究院探索食品科學　盼培養可持續糧食系統 13 December 2021 晴報 P08 理大未來食品研究院 拆解補品營養謎團 製成全球首個「金絲燕」基因圖譜 13 December 2021

PolyU scholar wins Croucher Innovation Award 2021

Dr Franco Leung King-chi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at PolyU, was presented the Croucher Innovation Award 2021 organised by the Croucher Foundation yesterday (8 December) in recognition of his excellent scientific research achievements.

AiDLab launched as pioneer in integration of AI and design

Founded jointly by PolyU and the Royal College of Art, UK, the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) was officially launched on 4 November as one of the multiple research centres within the InnoHK research clusters.

PolyU establishes new research lab to pursue impactful research in probiotics and prebiotics

PolyU has received a donation of HK$2 million last month from Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd. to establish the world’s first Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Health to conduct research on areas like gut and brain health.   Dr William Tai Chi-shing, Executive Director of the Joint Lab, stated that the team is working on how different probiotics and prebiotics cure inflammatory bowel disease with mice. The preliminary results implied that probiotics could reduce some inflammatory factors almost by half and restore the impaired intestinal structure.   The Joint Lab is under the PolyU Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) newly established in May. Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of RiFood, said that with the new Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem instrument acquired last year, they would be able to develop new solutions, such as medicines and supplements, for preventing and managing diseases with probiotics.  Topick 【益生菌治療】理大夥益力多創建實驗室　盼開發益生菌醫病新方案 20 October 2021 香港經濟日報 理大揭益生菌 助治療炎症腸炎 20 October 2021 晴報 獲捐200萬設實驗室 理大研益生菌療效 助治腸炎濕疹 20 October 2021 HK01 益力多捐二百萬予理大成立實驗室　研究應用益生菌及益生元治病 20 October 2021 六度網 【益生菌治療】理大與益力多合作共建實驗室　冀開發益生菌治療不同疾病新方案 20 October 2021