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S11-1 [27] A Green Journey to the Making of Magic Bullets
No full textSemi-synthetic cephalosporins, constituting the largest portion in the worldwide sales of beta-lactam antibiotics, have been used extensively for decades as “magic bullets” to combat microbial infections. The global cephalosporin market was valued at US$78,000 million in 2016 and it is estimated to increase by 14% by 2023. Most of the marketed cephalosporins are semi-synthetic. However, the methodologies involved are environmentally-damaging because toxic chemicals are used. The increasing annual demand of semi-synthetic cephalosporins and the concept of environmental sustainability pose a dire need to develop alternative approaches for “greener” production of antibiotics.
Microorganisms have been heralded as a solution to many of the contemporary world’s most pressing issues. One of the frontiers in microbial biotechnology is to help solve environmental and sustainable resources problems, and scientists have been working vigorously to harness single-celled systems to produce high value fine chemicals such as commodity chemicals, therapeutic intermediates, and essential nutrients. Bioprocess technology has operational advantages: the procedures are low cost, high yield, and environmentally-sustainable.
My research laboratory has been working on developing a sustainable and effective bioprocess using enzymes for the biosynthesis of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA), a cephem nucleus for the production of nearly two-thirds of the global commercial semi-synthetic cephalosporins. In particular, using bioinformatics and modeling, we have characterised a variant D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) with enhanced catalytic properties suitable for industrial applications. By using variant DAAO and glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase (GL-7-ACA acylase), we have patented a two-enzyme biosystems for direct biosynthesis of 7-ACA with overall conversion rate approaching 100%.
Immobilised enzymes are more robust and exhibit enhanced resistance to industrial and environmental challenges. However, immobilised enzymes are expensive and preparation involves tedious multi-step schemes. Yeast surface display technology represents a tangible and sustainable alternative approach to immobilised enzymes with industrial relevance. Enzyme biocatalysts are displayed on cell surface where a direct enzyme-substrate interaction is facilitated with higher stability and catalytic activity. The new paradigm in pharmaceutical industry is the development of multi-enzyme sequential reactions in one-pot to minimise enzyme inhibition and formation of by-products. We would like to address the problems and develop a streamlined bioprocess relevant to the concept of environmental sustainability by constructing a functional assembly of DAAO and GL-7-ACA acylase for one-pot production of 7-ACA. We reckon that yeast display technology is particularly suitable for biosynthesis of 7-ACA via an establishment of a functional assembly of enzymes with close proximity. Here, I would like to report the latest findings of my research on this area and the potential industrial applications
S11-4 [15] The Challenge and Opportunity of Continuing Professional Learning in the Transitional Period from Academia to Design Professional Practice (Communication Design)
No full textParallel Presentation Session 2, 6, 10
No full textPlease refer to separate entry Parallel Presentation Session 2, 6, 10 Presentation 02 Presentation 06 Presentation 1
1 Ingredient 8 Ways 八種變化
Get PDFPotato spiel
薯仔八講
The humble spud is used around the world in myriad ways. With more than 5,000 varieties, ranging from russet and red to white, yellow and blue, and from waxy to floury, the versatile, carb-loaded staple lends itself to a wide range of culinary delights
平平無奇的薯仔用途廣泛，世界各地菜式都可以找到它的蹤跡。薯仔品種極多，從褐皮、紅皮到白皮、黃皮和藍皮，從爽脆到粉狀，超過5,000種。它非常百搭，碳水化合物含量高，適合用來烹調多種美
Lexicon 專業詞彙
Get PDFMilk it
植物奶
Dairy-free milk is having a moment. Vegans, the lactose-intolerant and the sustainability-minded are using it for baking, smoothies and to add to tea and coffee. These are some of the milk substitutes you need to know
植物奶成為一時風尚，深受素食者、乳糖不耐症患者及環保人士歡迎，可以用來烘焙糕點、做沙冰，以及拌咖啡或茶。以下介紹數款熱門的牛奶替代
Smoke signals 燻芳撲鼻
Get PDFSmoking is on the rise - the kind that takes place in the kitchen, that is - with meats, fish, vegetables, and even fruits benefiting from this age-old, flavour-enhancing craft.
煙燻食物捲土重來，不管是肉類、魚類，還是蔬菜和水果，均受惠於這種能夠提升食物味道的古老烹調技巧
High level expression of secretory phytases in Pichia pastoris
No full textPhytases catalyze the release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) from phytate, a major storage compound of phosphorus in plant seeds. However, non-ruminant animals, including humans, swine and poultry, could not digest phytate as they have little phytase activity in their guts. Discharge of undigested phytate into environment may cause phosphorus pollution. Phytate is also considered as an “anti-nutrient” for reducing dietary absorption of essential minerals as it can form insoluble and stable complexes with metal ions such as zinc, iron, magnesium and calcium. It is, therefore, necessary to develop sustainable approaches for environmentally-friendly utilization of this valuable and abundant natural resource. To this end, our team would like to employ baker’s yeast as a tiny factory to produce high level expression of secretory phytases for phytate hydrolysis
The effects of work-integrated learning on undergraduate sports coaching students’ perceived self-efficacy
Get PDFThis study examined the effects of a work-integrated learning (WIL) placement on student\u27s self-efficacy and perceived workplace skill levels. Twenty-eight participants volunteered for this study, in which 15 completed WIL and 13 did not (non-WIL). The Work Self-Efficacy Inventory (WS-Ei) and Workplace Skills Questionnaire (WSQ) were used to collect student responses. Differences between groups were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U test, mean differences were shown, and statistical significance was set at p \u3c 0.05. Results from the WS-Ei indicated the WIL group shown significantly higher total WS-Ei scores, higher mean scores for all dimensions measured, and significantly higher scores for individual dimensions; problem-solving, politics, pressure and role expectations. The WSQ indicated the WIL group had higher mean scores for all perceived workplace skills, except for information technology, and no significant differences was observed between groups. Areas showing little difference between groups can be highlighted for further support and development
Effects of beam-column depth ratio on seismic behaviour of non-seismic detailed reinforced concrete beam-column joints
Get PDFFour reinforced concrete exterior beam-column joints with open anchorage beam reinforcement, which are manufactured to simulate those in existing reinforced concrete framed buildings, are tested under reversed cyclic loads simulating earthquake excitation. The particular emphasis of this project is given to the effects of the beam-column depth ratio and the stirrup ratio in joints on the shear strength and seismic behaviour of the exterior joints without seismically designed details. The experimental results indicate that the stirrup placed in the beam-column joint cores can effectively improve the shear strength of the joint and enhance the seismic performance, and the shear strength of the joints decreases when the beam-column depth ratio increases. The experimental results are also compared with the results predicted by two non-seismic design codes (Eurocode 2 and HK code 2013) and three codes for seismic design (Eurocode 8, ACI 318-14 and NZS 3101). In general, the current non-seismic design codes and seismic design codes of practice cannot accurately predict the shear strength of the exterior joints with non-seismically designed details. It is shown that neglecting the seismic design of beam-column joints may lead to potential damage of reinforced concrete framed buildings in unexpected moderate or low seismic areas
Improving the Energy Efficiency of Petrochemical Plant Operations: A Measurement and Verification Case Study Using a Balanced Wave Optimizer
No full textThe Chinese petrochemical industry is facing pressure to meet strict targets of energy consumption and carbon emission reductions. Water pumps are the primary equipment used in most chemical and agrochemical industries sectors since water is commonly used for cooling and heating purposes, but these pumps also consume a large amount of energy. Other uses of water pumps in these industries include producing steam for heating, preparing reaction media or absorptive reagents, rinsing products, and distilling. As for the electrical components of the water pump systems, current technologies of variable frequency drives and superconducting transmission lines are unable to increase the energy efficiency of these systems with a fixed load. However, the Balanced Wave Technology (BWT) is offered as a solution to overcome these limitations. In this report, a case study using a BWT optimizer is conducted on a closed loop water circulation system. Two BWTs are added to the individual motor-controlled section of each pump that is being used on the switchboard. For the first time, a detailed example was provided on how to implement option B of the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) in China by evaluating the performance of BWT as an energy conservation measure. The evaluated periods included those of the baseline, post-installation, and actual performance of the optimizers. An average saving of energy of about 10.46% is recorded in a 5-week reporting period. On this basis, that annual electricity saved is estimated to be 66,447.18 kWh, which is equivalent to the emission of 68.94 metric tons of CO2e. This case study demonstrates in detail how option B of IPMVP can be implemented for BWTs applied on pumping systems. In addition to petrochemical production plants, other industries like textile and clothing sections, which are heavy users of water and electrical energy with fixed loads in the production processes of raw materials, fiber, yarn, and fabric, as well as textile-dyeing and final treatment, could benefit from applying this new technology