近年由抗生素和抗生素抗药性基因引起的污染问题备受关注，其在生物体中的积聚不但影响生态环境，更有可能透过土壤转移到特定的土传植物病原体，从而进入食物链，危害人类健康。香港都会大学（都大）团队研究一种独特的「三合土」土壤改良配方，透过大幅减低土壤中抗生素和抗药性基因的生物活性，改善土壤质素，应对陆地环境受抗生素及抗药性基因污染的风险。
抗生素是一种具有生物活性的物质，被广泛应用于人类及禽畜的疾病治疗，主要用于疾病的预防与治疗以及促进禽畜生长。抗生素或其代谢物会通过动物粪便及工厂废水排放到环境中，一旦渗入农田时，这些抗生素便会进入土壤环境及耕地造成进一步的污染。随着抗生素使用量不断提高，人们更加关注这种污染物及相应的抗药性基因对环境可能造成的污染。抗生素和抗生素抗药性基因有可能影响植物的生长及产能，以及植物会从被污染了的土壤中吸收及累积抗生素。另外，土壤病原菌亦会通过基因转移得到抗药性，因而进一步造成抗生素在食物链中积累，影响人类健康和生态系统安全。
都大科技学院讲师潘敏博士及其团队研究「三合土」改良配方，透过配比三种环境废弃物 —— 污泥、中药渣和生物炭，将其「转废为宝」添加到土壤中，提高土壤中的养份，并大幅减低土壤中抗生素浓度和抗药性基因的生物活性，促进其降解，从而改善土壤质素。
污泥含丰富氮、磷、钾等土壤及植物的必需元素；中药渣由植物纤维质组成并含丰富碳元素；而生物炭可改良微生物族群 。潘博士及团队以不同的土壤进行多轮实验，并测试不同作物的生长，找出「三合土」的黄金配方。结果发现，在土壤中加入20%「三合土」配方的效果最为理想，可提高土壤的养份，及大幅降低土壤中抗生素和抗药性基因的含量。
潘博士表示:「在研究中曾尝试混合多种环境废弃物作为土壤改良剂，过程中发现『三合土』配方能有效降低土壤中的抗生素和抗药性基因的生物活性，大幅改善土壤质素，为农作物提供理想的生长环境。未来，团队将继续优化『三合土』配方，冀能进一步改良成效。」
这项研究获研究资助局的教员发展计划拨款支持，而「三合土」配方在本港取得短期专利。大学期望继续发表不同领域的研究成果，以透过科学研究回馈社会。
Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.
After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.
Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.
The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.
Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.
Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP S321F | Advanced Database and Data Warehousing | 5 | |
| COMP S333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMP S351F | Software Project Management | 5 | |
| COMP S362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMP S363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMP S382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMP S390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMP S492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELEC S305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELEC S348F | IOT Security | 5 | |
| ELEC S371F | Digital Forensics | 5 | |
| ELEC S431F | Blockchain Technologies | 5 | |
| ELEC S425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEC S201F | Basic Electronics | 5 | |
| IT S290F | Human Computer Interaction & User Experience Design | 5 | |
| STAT S251F | Statistical Data Analysis | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPS333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMPS362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMPS363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS380F | Web Applications: Design and Development | 5 | |
| COMPS381F | Server-side Technologies and Cloud Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMPS390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMPS413F | Application Design and Development for Mobile Devices | 5 | |
| COMPS492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELECS305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELECS363F | Advanced Computer Design | 5 | |
| ELECS425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
