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Three PolyU smart city projects win the 2021 Smart 50 Awards for Hong Kong

Three smart city projects of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won the 2021 Smart 50 Awards. It is the first time that PolyU’s research teams have seized the prestigious awards, which recognise global innovative smart city projects annually. The 2021 Smart 50 Awards features winners from all over the world, such as Canada, Japan, Germany, Israel, Spain and the United States, and PolyU is the only award recipient from Hong Kong. The award presentation ceremony will be held in the United States later this year. In support of Hong Kong’s Smart City Blueprint, PolyU has been working closely with the government and community partners to implement smart projects to address various societal and environmental issues, as well as to safeguard public health in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects have earned various international accolades, including the 2021 Smart 50 Awards. The three winning projects from PolyU are: (1) “First-Ever Smart Tree Monitoring Project Using Low-Power Wireless Network for Urban Forestry and Tree Management” by Professor Charles WONG Man-sing, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics Tree risk assessment and risk mitigation measures in areas with high pedestrian and traffic flow need to be conducted so as to alleviate the risk of trees against human life and property. The research team collaborated with the Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to monitor tree stability on a territory-wide scale through the Jockey Club Smart City Tree Management Project. The team assessed the risk of tree failure by monitoring the trees’ swaying or tilting condition by applying spatial big data analytics with AI on the GIS-based platform. The project involved the installation of about 8,000 sensors on selected urban trees across Hong Kong. (2) “The Tai O Village Pedestrian Traffic Monitoring Project” by Mr Daniel ELKIN, School of Design Tai O Village was recently included in the Sustainable Lantau Blueprint of Hong Kong as an ecological and cultural tourism centre. As the tourist traffic is anticipated to surge, the research team partnered with the Tai O Village Rural Committee and various community groups to monitor the pedestrian traffic entering the village, using infrared passage gates installed at eight major infrastructure locations. The project is distinct in that it follows a collaborative model using inexpensive technology developed from consumer products to roll out data collection quickly and with high accessibility for village stakeholder engagement and feedback. (3) A Comprehensive Spatial Analysis and Onset Risk Prediction Platform for the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong by Professor John SHI, Smart Cities Research Institute In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public has been on high alert regarding the community spread and how it may pose risks to everyday activities. The research team established a city-level epidemic data dashboard and risk prediction system for the public to track the community spread of the epidemic. The COVID-19 risk prediction algorithm is developed by analysing Hong Kong’s urban structure, transportation network, population environment and other socio-economic data through the use of spatial big data technologies and analysis. This provides an accurate prediction of the development trend of the epidemic in a timelier manner and supports the public health department to formulate more precise prevention and control strategies. About Smart 50 Awards In partnership with Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation and the US Ignite, the Smart 50 Awards recognises impactful smart cities projects across the world annually. They aim to honour the most innovative and influential technologies in the areas of digital transformation, urban infrastructure and community engagement. The award presentation ceremony for this year will be held at the Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo in Washington DC in October 2021. For more details about the 2021 Smart 50 Awards and the list of award recipients, please refer to https://smartcitiesconnect.org/2021-smart-50-awards/。

PolyU Food Safety Consortium Convener Receives International Leadership Award in Food Safety

Steering one of the most representative food safety organizations in Hong Kong to promote in food safety and quality, the Convener of Food Safety Consortium (FSC) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Professor Terence Lok-ting Lau was granted with the 2021 International Leadership Award by the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), a professional industry association established in 1911 in Wisconsin, United States with over 4,000 members from more than 50 countries to promote food safety globally. Promoting Global Recognition and Partnerships FSC was initiated by Prof. Lau in 2015 and is now home to 70 Corporate Members. It is the first and only non-governmental organization Observer from Hong Kong and mainland China at the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. As IAFP’s Hong Kong Affiliate, FSC bears the regional responsibility to IAFP’s mandate of Advancing Food Safety Worldwide®. FSC is also the key driver to the establishment of DISH Global Centre for Food Safety and Quality (DISH) – a unique platform founded by four economies to foster European - Hong Kong/China - Asia Pacific collaborations in food safety and quality. Leading Technology Advancement, Education, and Research With over 20 years of experience in molecular biology and food safety, Prof. Lau’s expertise spans from the detection of food and zoonotic pathogens, genetically modified organisms (GMO), food allergen, food authentication, to others through molecular diagnostics and various multidisciplinary approaches (integrating engineering, big data, artificial intelligence, etc.) to bring about innovative and smart applications. Prof. Lau is managing EU-China-Safe, a €10 million EU-China partnership under Horizon 2020 which PolyU is the only university joining from Hong Kong. He is also the co-developer of 5 National Chinese Standards in GMO and avian influenza virus detection, the co-inventor and co-author of a number of patents and peer-reviewed scientific articles, as well as the organizer of various international food conferences. “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to IAFP and also my nominator, supporters, and the Food Safety Net Services for sponsoring this award. Food safety is a major public health concern and given the challenges arising every day and practices of the global food supply chain having shifted since the pandemic, we still have much to accomplish. I look forward to joining hands with experts and bring to the world a safer food supply,” said Prof. Lau, Convener of FSC and Adjunct Professor at Department of Industrial Systems Engineering, PolyU. Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU and member of Steering Committee of FSC, added that “embracing global collaborations to foster progress in food safety in quality is a strategic focus for PolyU. This recognition from the IAFP is a significant endorsement for Prof. Lau’s achievement in the field and we are grateful for his efforts in bringing PolyU’s contribution in food safety and quality to the next level. We will continue to support technology development and applications in this area to benefit the Nation and the global community.” The 2021 IAFP awards were presented at the IAFP 2021 Conference which took place on July 18-21 in Phoenix, Arizona. For relevant report, please click here. For IAFP press release, please click here.

Think Tank member of Dashun Foundation

PolyU ITDO is delighted to announce that Mr. Kenny Liu, Manager of ITDO at PolyU, was invited to serve as one of the Think Tank Member for Dashun Foundation. Dashun Foundation, a non profit-making charitable institution under the Inland Revenue Ordinance, was founded on 12 May 2011 by a body of professionals and scholars with a shared mission of promoting and contributing to the long term interests and sustainable development of Hong Kong. With 92 scholars and most accomplished intellectuals as Advisors and over 630 Think Tank Members, this foundation comprises academics and practising professionals in multi sectors and disciplines.

PolyU’s Food Safety Consortium organized the 5th Asia-Pacific Food Safety International Conference advancing Towards a Safer Food Supply

2009 Seoul . 2011 Melbourne . 2013 Taipei . 2016 Peneng . 2021 Hong Kong (Virtual Conference) The event report is now available at here. Food Safety Consortium (FSC), as the Hong Kong affiliate of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), organized the 5th Asia-Pacific Food Safety International Conference (APFSIC) virtually on January 27-28, 2021. As one of the IAFP’s regional conference series, APFSIC featured over an impeccable network of over 80 speakers and 400 registrants from the industry, academia, research institutes, government, supranational bodies, as well as students globally for a two full-day holistic, inspirational and educational knowledge, best practices, and regional plus global updates in food safety and quality. Day 1 Keynotes and Plenary Speeches covered COVID-19 and food safety, FDA’s new era of smarter food safety, latest regulatory developments in Hong Kong, fostering food safety culture, food supply chain analytics informing management of public health risks, food safety from the perspective of animal health and zoonosis, smart technologies and innovations, controlling COVID-19 transmission through food packaging, supranational level adaptation in response to COVID-19 and post-pandemic era, and an engaging discussion among IAFP regional affiliates in strengthening their partnerships. Day 2 Breakout Sessions covered new detection methods and intervention technologies, risk management strategies, food safety at food service and retail settings, AI, machine learning and big data in food safety, training and certification, consumer communication, produce food safety, emerging pathogens and their control, food fraud and authentication, sharing by DISH Global Centre for Food Safety and Quality, and updates of EU-China-Safe, a cross-continental effort to deliver an effective, resilient and sustainable EU-China food safety partnership. Founded in 1911 and based in the United States, IAFP represents over 4,000 professionals from educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives and quality control professionals from 50 nations who are involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing and preparing all types of foods. FSC, which endeavors to bring about the most cutting-edge food safety and food technologies to benefit the global community, has been recognized as the Hong Kong affiliate of IAFP since 2015, to synergize their efforts in advancing food safety in various regions of the world. Food borne illnesses, food fraud and other safety and quality issues create significant adverse public health, social, and economic impact across Asia as it does globally. Hosted at the gateway to an enormous China market and at the crossroad to a rapidly rising Asia region, APFSIC was a perfect occasion and time for all stakeholders to come together to address evolving food safety issues facing this region under the post-COVID-19 era. In strengthening regional and global collaborative efforts and expertise, we are ready to embrace 2021 with the best innovations, the strongest partnerships, and extreme resilience. Please click here for the conference website.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is an annual observance that highlights the steps everyone can take to improve antibiotic use. It aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices amongst the general public, health workers, and policy makers to avoid further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.  The theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week in 2020 is 'United to preserve antimicrobials', aiming to engage stakeholders from all sectors in a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance and the slogan this year is "Antimicrobials: Handle with care". As Codex Observer, FSC is pleased to join global community to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance. For more information about WAAW, please visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-antimicrobial-awareness-week/2020/campaign-materials .

PolyU wins three TechConnect Global Innovation Awards

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) won three "Global Innovation Awards" at the TechConnect Business Virtual Summit and Showcase 2020 (TechConnect). It is the fourth year that PolyU research teams snatched the prestigious awards at the world's largest multi-sector event for fostering development and commercialisation of innovations. The TechConnect Global Innovation Awards identify the top 15% of submitted technologies based on their potential positive impact on a specific industry sector. Over 400 submissions were received this year including those from global top-notch universities and technology enterprises. Only 13 were presented with the global awards designated for non-US-funded innovations across the world; and PolyU received three of them. Other awardees include global-renowned institutes such as The University of Melbourne and The University of British Columbia. PolyU’s three award-winning innovations are: (1) “Water Dispersible Autofluorescent Polymer Dots Comprising of Non-Conjugated Polymers” by Professor LI Pei, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology This new type of photoluminescent nanoparticles uses inexpensive nonconjugated polymers as building blocks, and has the ability to display ultra-bright and multi-colour fluorescence upon excitations in both water and dry states. It also has excellent water dispersibility, low toxicity, high absorptivity, good photostability, and high quantum yield. This innovation has various potential applications, including serving as: bioimaging markers for in vitro cell imaging, autofluorescent nano-carriers for image-guided therapy, nanofillers in plastics for LED diffuser applications, fluorescent ink in anti-counterfeiting applications, chemosensors for heavy metal detection and structural health monitoring. (2) “PolyUStimulator – Ultrasound Driven Piezoelectric Stimulator for Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation” by Professor Yong-ping ZHENG and Dr Monzurul ALAM, Department of Biomedical Engineering As existing electroceutical stimulators are bulky with a limited life span and pose transmission efficacy and safety concerns, wireless power delivery to electrical implants deep inside the body remains a critical challenge. The PolyUStimulator presents a battery-free, ultrasonically-powered, piezoelectric stimulator for functional muscles, nerves and bones. Ultrasound can reach deep into the body where conventional inductive energy cannot reach safely; it is also safe from radio frequency interference and is fully MRI and X-ray compatible. This innovation can treat patients, ranging from neurological to orthopedic conditions, whom are paralysed or suffering from non-union bone fractures or neuromusculoskeletal pain. (3) “A Time-dependent Machine-Learning-based Prediction System for Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis” by Mr Toby LI and Mr Justin CHAN, MPhil students under the supervision of Dr Chunyi WEN, Department of Biomedical Engineering (submission made under CLAIRE Clinical AI Research) Early detection of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is critical for early intervention to prevent disease progression and to reduce the need for salvage joint replacement surgery. However, there remains a lack of a reliable prediction method for disease progression and a user-friendly platform for patient self-management. As such, an artificial intelligence based KOA screening system has been developed which predicts the risk of KOA progression at different time points in the future. This innovation leverages multiple modalities of medical data, including tabular electronic health records and knee radiographic images for a comprehensive analysis which could aid clinical practitioners to perform efficient triage and construct personalised treatment plans. Moreover, a mobile application is being developed to measure and record relevant physiological data of the patients regularly, facilitating continuous tracking and self-management of the disease. Dr Terence LAU, Interim Associate Vice President (Innovation and Technology Development) of PolyU, congratulated the teams and remarked, “We feel very proud to learn that our PolyU research teams have once again been recognised by the prestigious Global Innovation Awards. These award-winning technologies span from benefiting human health to various industrial applications. Our efforts in research, development and innovation at PolyU not only sparks a fundamental scientific understanding of the world, but also focuses at shaping the world by addressing global unmet needs through innovation. These awards reassure us about the strategic direction of our research and innovation and our goal of being a world-class research university.” PolyU is currently showcasing its latest innovative technologies, including the three award-winning innovations, at the virtual summit. During the online event, PolyU participants are taking the opportunity to explore research and collaboration opportunities with major industry end-users, top multinational companies and academic institutions to apply the innovations and generate a positive impact to the global community. For more details, please refer to the official website of the TechConnect Business Virtual Summit and Showcase 2020 and the list of awardees.

Researchers from PolyU and M.U.S.T. Collaborate in the Development of a Recombinant RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus (the virus that causes COVID-19) has continued to spread across the world. Here in Hong Kong, people are confronting a third wave of outbreaks, with the number of confirmed infections surging to over 3,000 in just a few weeks. Since the early days of the outbreak, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been working with various research partners in the fight against COVID-19 through the development of different diagnostic and preventive measures. PolyU and the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T), in collaboration with other Chinese institutions, announced today a significant breakthrough in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Their study is the focus of a research paper recently published in the prestigious science journal Nature, entitled “A Vaccine Targeting the RBD of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 Induces Protective Immunity”. (link) At the most critical step during infection, SARS-CoV-2 uses its Spike protein receptor-binding domain (S-RBD) to engage with the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). In this study, the research team found that a recombinant vaccine comprising S-RBD could induce a potent functional antibody response in the immunised mice, rabbits and non-human primates (Macaca mulatta) as early as seven or 14 days after a single dose injection. The sera from the immunised animals blocked RBD binding to ACE2 expressed on the cell surface and neutralised infection by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and live SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Importantly, the vaccination also provided protection in non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2 challenge in vivo. Elevated RBD-specific antibodies were also found in the sera from patients with COVID-19. Professor Kang ZHANG from the Faculty of Medicine of M.U.S.T., the corresponding author of the paper, explained, “The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of a candidate vaccine based on the RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2. At the same time, we wanted to evaluate the appropriate dosing regime, to test its effect in generating neutralising activity against SARS-CoV-2 in the recipient animals and to determine the immune pathways involved in the generation of the immune response, so as to provide the groundwork for the design of an effective SARS-CoV-2 preventive vaccine. According to the study, the vaccine had given potent and complete protection to the vaccinated animals including monkeys. He added that “Our finding highlights the importance of the RBD domain in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine design, which provides the rationale for the development of a protective vaccine through the induction of antibody against the RBD domain”. According to Dr Johnson LAU, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU, the baculovirus expression system was chosen to express the various proteins for this study as this is a commercially feasible system and can be used to manufacture the candidate vaccine, if successful, on a commercial scale. He stated that “In this study, the research team has demonstrated that recombinant vaccines against Spike protein RBD region can effectively induce a potent immune response in the body with a good safety profile. In addition, the biotechnology method used in creating the recombinant RBD vaccine is mature and feasible in aiding mass vaccine production. It is expected to provide a practical solution to fight against COVID-19.” Representatives of PolyU and M.U.S.T.: (from left) Prof. WONG Wing-tak, Dean of Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, PolyU; Dr Johnson LAU, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU; Prof. Alexander WAI, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Prof. Manson FOK, Faculty of Medicine of Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.); Dr Terence LAU, Interim Associate Vice President (Innovation and Technology Department); and Prof. Kang ZHANG, Faculty of Medicine of M.U.S.T. Ir Professor Alexander WAI, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said, “We all know there is an urgency to producing an effective preventive vaccine for COVID-19. Apart from the diagnostic and preventive tools available that help to contain the virus transmission in the community, our researchers foresee the threat of further outbreaks which may only stop once a vaccine is available to everyone. With the ongoing efforts of PolyU and M.U.S.T., the recombinant RBD protein vaccine may be the best vaccine choice to combat this pandemic. It is our mission to make use of our expertise and to utilise scientific technologies for prevention and control of the virus, so as to help people to live under the ‘new normal’ of coronavirus.” Professor Manson FOK, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of M.U.S.T. remarked, “Our research team has faced many challenges when designing our vaccine for best effect, while keeping side effects to a minimum and relieving other production concerns. To move forward, the efficacy of the vaccine needs to be evaluated and validated in human clinical trials, which will be initiated shortly. This breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccine could not have been achieved without the concerted efforts of our researchers and we hope mass vaccination can be conducted in the nearest future.”

PolyU Food Safety Consortium becomes the first and only Codex Observer as non-governmental organisation in Hong Kong and Mainland China

The Food Safety Consortium (FSC) hosted at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to have become an Observer at the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), a body established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop food standards under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. FSC is the first and only non-governmental organisation in Hong Kong and Mainland China to have been admitted as a Codex Observer. The Codex Observer status creates a unique opportunity and a significant step forward for FSC to participate in this pre-eminent international food standards-setting body that protects the health of consumers and ensures fair practices in food trade through contributing to international standards, guidelines and codes of practice.   “As the leading institution on food safety and quality in Hong Kong, with a voice in the Codex standard-setting process, FSC is set to make an impactful contribution in tackling world food safety issues and PolyU is proud to host FSC,” said Professor Alexander WAI, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU. “FSC will continue to bring about synergistic collaborations among the supranational body, government, industry and academia.” Since its establishment in 2015, FSC has been devoted to addressing food safety needs through innovation & technology development, and its conception reflects PolyU’s determination and commitment to advancing global food safety. FSC comprises over 60 members from academia, industry and related organisations, plus a global network striving to tackle food safety challenges with cutting-edge and applied technologies, and timely in-depth communications on food safety related matters. Dr Terence LAU, Convener of FSC and Interim Associate Vice President (Innovation and Technology Development) of PolyU, remarked, “We support the view that food safety is a shared global responsibility. It is only through continuous exchanges and collaboration that we can jointly tackle food safety challenges around the world.” He added that by being a Codex Observer, FSC could further bring the views and suggestions of its members to the attention of the wider Codex community, directly channeling its views during Codex’s standard formulation process, and invigorating exchanges at all levels. “Through FSC Committee Meetings, seminars and gatherings with members and industry stakeholders, it is expected that FCS members can gain greater access to scientific advice and cutting-edge expertise through this global network, and thus more effectively work towards a safer global food supply chain for improved public health,” said Dr LAU. Codex has set standards for nearly 200 food products and established over 120 guidelines and codes of practice on a vast range of issues linked to food safety, quality and trade. It has also set thousands of food additive limits as well as pesticide and veterinary drug Maximum Residue Limits since its establishment in 1963. Mr Tom HEILANDT, Codex Secretary, stated, “Codex values collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Governmental and non-governmental, public and private organisations play a vital role in ensuring Codex texts are of the highest quality and based on sound science. We are excited that FSC is bringing on board their expertise, working closely with us to open up a new page for global food safety.”  As a Codex Observer, FSC can interact more directly with committees and working groups at the Codex Alimentarius Commission. “FSC has been providing the industry a great platform to connect and engage with different stakeholders. Being an Observer of Codex will truly open up our connections and participation towards global standards setting, an unprecedented opportunity for public-private partnership,” commented Mr Yves REY, FSC Advisory Board Member and former Corporate Quality General Manager at Danone Group.  About the Codex Alimentarius The Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code”, is a collection of internationally adopted food standards, guidelines and codes of practice presented in a uniform manner. These food standards and related texts aim at protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. Over time, the Codex system has evolved into an open, transparent and inclusive way to meet emerging food safety related challenges. Codex includes standards for all the principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for distribution to the consumer. It includes provisions in respect of food hygiene, food additives, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, contaminants, labelling and presentation, methods of analysis and sampling, and import and export inspection and certification.  For more information about Codex Alimentarius, please visit the website: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/home/en/ About the Food Safety Consortium The FSC was launched by PolyU in 2015 to address food safety needs through innovation and to advance global food safety. FSC has developed an industry-academia network to provide support to the food industry with advanced technology and science, and to enhance food safety capability and competence through academic and industrial collaborations, international conferences and exchanges. FSC is also the Hong Kong Affiliate of the International Association for Food Protection. With continuous support from food stakeholders, FSC will contribute its expertise and recommendations to advance food safety and quality standards worldwide. For more information about PolyU’s Food Safety Consortium, please visit the website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/itdo/fsc/en/index/Food-Safety About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University While boasting a proud history of over 80 years, PolyU is a vibrant and aspiring university with a forward-looking vision and mission. Committed to building a talent pipeline and research strength for advancing the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world, PolyU provides the best holistic education to nurture future-ready global citizens and socially responsible leaders, conducts high-impact interdisciplinary research, and proactively transfers knowledge to create value and build impact.  We embrace internationalisation and engage the Nation for education and research through strategic partnerships and collaborations. With “Opening Minds. Shaping the Future” as our brand promise, the University is currently offering more than 160 taught programmes in six faculties and two schools, engaging in 3,200 exciting research projects, and collaborating with over 660 institutions overseas and in the Chinese mainland on a wide variety of initiatives. We have over 400,000 alumni around the globe and currently 28,000 students. PolyU website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/ Please click here to view the press release

PolyU collaborates with Macau University of Science and Technology to advance diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia

COVID-19 is taking its toll on the world, affecting more than 200 countries and regions. In the face of a surge in cases, rapid diagnosis and identification of high-risk patients for early intervention is crucial for controlling the pandemic. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to the fight against COVID-19 and has been collaborating with various partners in the prevention and control of the disease. PolyU today announced the launch of a new AI system jointly developed with the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) in conjunction with other Chinese institutions, to assist in the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. This research was published in the prestigious international journal Cell, in a paper entitled “Clinically Applicable AI System for Accurate Diagnosis, Quantitative Measurements, and Prognosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia Using Computed Tomography” (link). The novel AI-assisted diagnostic system, based on computed tomography (CT) chest imaging, can efficiently distinguish COVID-19 pneumonia from other viral pneumonia, and predict the severity level in 20 seconds, with an accuracy of up to 90% or above. It assists radiologists and physicians in performing a quick diagnosis, especially when the health system is overloaded. According to Professor Kang ZHANG of the Faculty of Medicine of M.U.S.T. – the first author of the research paper, the research team used a large CT database of 3,777 patients to train and test the AI system to differentiate novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) from other common pneumonia and normal controls. This system is able to provide accurate clinical prognosis that can aid clinicians when considering appropriate early clinical management and appropriate resource allocation. It has been developed to assist global clinicians in combating COVID-19. Dr Johnson LAU, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology of PolyU, explained that the AI team uses deep learning, semantic segmentation and multiple neural network architectures to create an accurate AI diagnostic system comprising texture analysis, quantitative measurements and diagnosis classification. In addition, based on the international standard for related research on lung lesions, lung, liver damage and relevant clinical indicators, they have also developed a comprehensive rating system to project the emergence of pneumonia severe lesions accurately for the follow-up treatment. The scientists from PolyU and M.U.S.T. have also collaborated on other projects, including the seroconversion study in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) patients in China, which helped pave the way for further diagnostic and therapeutic development to treat SARS-CoV-2. The study “Seroprevalence of immunoglobulin M and G antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in China” was also recently published in another prestigious scientific journal Nature Medicine (link). “Leveraging PolyU’s strengths and our collaborations with different research partners, we are able to contribute to the well-being of humankind. During the outbreak, we have developed a rapid automated diagnostic system to detect COVID-19 and have conducted various scientific experiments related to the pandemic,” said Professor Alexander WAI, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU. “Since the establishment of the biotechnology and translational medicine international collaborative platform in 2018, PolyU has been working closely with M.U.S.T. and other partners from the United States and the Greater Bay Area for high-impact research. Our long-term cooperation has paved the way for us to respond quickly, and to use our expertise to develop this new AI system for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19.” Professor Manson FOK, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of M.U.S.T., remarked that this AI system had been implemented in many hospitals in different countries. M.U.S.T. is collaborating with several prominent universities including Baylor University, University of Buffalo and Stanford University to serve the US populations. He believed this application could soon be adopted in Hong Kong, more regions of Mainland China and worldwide. COVID-19 is a new and highly contagious virus with over 7 million people infected (as of June 10). Researchers from PolyU and M.U.S.T. with their supportive partners will continue their efforts in COVID-19 research to use scientific technologies to combat this pandemic through prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control. Please click for photo shots

PolyU Explores the Application of Peptides in Data Storage for Space Exploration in China’s Next-generation Manned Spacecraft

With the huge amount of digital data generated and recorded during space missions, the data storage devices currently used for this purpose reveal great limitations in terms of their data storage capacity and the durability of the retained data. To meet this challenge, a team of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers has developed a novel technology for massive data management involving the use of peptides, which has been developed to optimise data storage for space exploration in China’s next-generation manned spacecraft in the new Long March-5B rocket. Led by Dr YAO Zhong-ping, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Prof. Francis LAU, Professor and Associate Head, Department of Electronic & Information Engineering, the team has used peptides for the storage of digital data and tandem mass spectrometry for its retrieval. Compared with existing commercial data storage devices and other developing technologies such as DNA data storage, peptides offer a much higher storage density and longer storage duration – with the data still viable for sequencing even after millions of years when DNA would have already degraded. As such, this new technology has very great potential for handling the enormous amount of data generated during space missions. Dr Yao considers the peptide synthesis industry to be already well-developed, allowing fast peptide synthesis at a reasonable cost; with the development of proteomics, the process of sequencing thousands of peptides in a mixture can now be completed within a short period of time. Combining proteomics and data storage technology for the first time, this innovation has the potential to transform the data storage industry. Besides its application in data management for space missions, this technology has potentially wide applications, and could benefit governmental agencies and corporations that generate and archive large volumes of big data. Dr Yao adds that the further advancements in the peptide synthesis industry and sequencing technology would enable the peptide data storage to be applied at a more reasonable cost. Launched on 5 May 2020, the manned spacecraft of the Long March-5B rocket, with the support of Space Biology Group, carried mixtures of peptides encoding a bilingual text file containing the PolyU motto ‘To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind’ and ‘PolyU 80th Anniversary’, as well as an audio file of the music ‘Silent Night’, prepared by the PolyU research team. The purpose of this space ride-share experiment is to test the reliability and stability of the peptides for data storage and retrieval after exposure to the space environment. Upon the safe return to Earth of the spacecraft along with the experimental materials, the PolyU team will decode and retrieve the data. It is expected that this technology will hold promise in supporting data management in space exploration in the coming future. PolyU has a strong research track record in space technology, with its researchers having been involved in a number of national and international space exploration projects since the 1990s, and with this important space ride-share experiment, the University has now participated in the historic launch of the China’s Long March-5B rocket along with the next-generation manned spacecraft to support the nation’s plan for space exploration to Mars. PolyU looks forward to further collaboration with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Space Biology Group, China Resources Life Sciences Group and various other research partners to develop other forward-looking research projects for future space missions. About The Hong Kong Polytechnic University While boasting a proud history of over 80 years, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is a vibrant and aspiring university with a forward-looking vision and mission. Committed to building a talent pipeline and research strength for advancing the development of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world, PolyU provides the best holistic education to nurture future-ready global citizens and socially responsible leaders, conducts high-impact interdisciplinary research, and proactively transfers knowledge to create value and build impact. We embrace internationalisation and engage the Nation for education and research through strategic partnerships and collaborations. With “Opening Minds. Shaping the Future” as our brand promise, the University is currently offering more than 160 taught programmes in six faculties and two schools, engaging in 3,200 exciting research projects, and collaborating with over 660 institutions overseas and in the Chinese mainland on a wide variety of initiatives. We have over 400,000 alumni around the globe and currently 28,000 students. PolyU website: www.polyu.edu.hk About Space Biology Group Space Biology Group manages and operates space biological experiments for the China aerospace industry. It provides a platform for conducting space biology experiments for research centers, tertiary educational institutions, and agricultural and life sciences companies, through the provision of a one-stop service, as well as advanced instruments for space biological experiments, including those at the high-level operation modes of civil space crafts and space station modules.