近年由抗生素和抗生素抗藥性基因引起的污染問題備受關注，其在生物體中的積聚不但影響生態環境，更有可能透過土壤轉移到特定的土傳植物病原體，從而進入食物鏈，危害人類健康。香港都會大學（都大）團隊研究一種獨特的「三合土」土壤改良配方，透過大幅減低土壤中抗生素和抗藥性基因的生物活性，改善土壤質素，應對陸地環境受抗生素及抗藥性基因污染的風險。
抗生素是一種具有生物活性的物質，被廣泛應用於人類及禽畜的疾病治療，主要用於疾病的預防與治療以及促進禽畜生長。抗生素或其代謝物會通過動物糞便及工廠廢水排放到環境中，一旦滲入農田時，這些抗生素便會進入土壤環境及耕地造成進一步的污染。隨著抗生素使用量不斷提高，人們更加關注這種污染物及相應的抗藥性基因對環境可能造成的污染。抗生素和抗生素抗藥性基因有可能影響植物的生長及產能，以及植物會從被污染了的土壤中吸收及累積抗生素。另外，土壤病原菌亦會通過基因轉移得到抗藥性，因而進一步造成抗生素在食物鏈中積累，影響人類健康和生態系統安全。
都大科技學院講師潘敏博士及其團隊研究「三合土」改良配方，透過配比三種環境廢棄物 —— 污泥、中藥渣和生物炭，將其「轉廢為寶」添加到土壤中，提高土壤中的養份，並大幅減低土壤中抗生素濃度和抗藥性基因的生物活性，促進其降解，從而改善土壤質素。
污泥含豐富氮、磷、鉀等土壤及植物的必需元素；中藥渣由植物纖維質組成並含豐富碳元素；而生物炭可改良微生物族群 。潘博士及團隊以不同的土壤進行多輪實驗，並測試不同作物的生長，找出「三合土」的黃金配方。結果發現，在土壤中加入20%「三合土」配方的效果最為理想，可提高土壤的養份，及大幅降低土壤中抗生素和抗藥性基因的含量。
潘博士表示:「在研究中曾嘗試混合多種環境廢棄物作為土壤改良劑，過程中發現『三合土』配方能有效降低土壤中的抗生素和抗藥性基因的生物活性，大幅改善土壤質素，為農作物提供理想的生長環境。未來，團隊將繼續優化『三合土』配方，冀能進一步改良成效。」
這項研究獲研究資助局的教員發展計劃撥款支持，而「三合土」配方在本港取得短期專利。大學期望繼續發表不同領域的研究成果，以透過科學研究回饋社會。
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 |
