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Revision as of 14:01, 18 October 2016

Home

Gold Medal - Product Design

Background

Our circuit, the tri-stable switch, has many possible functions, ranging from bio-computing, cell differentiation to biosensors. This year, we decided to apply our tri-stable switch on something beneficial for the Hong Kong community, which is a biosensor for fungal diseases in trees. By using the tri-stable switch, the chemical which has the highest concentration out of three different target substances can be detected. When used as the tree biosensor, the switch will be used to detect tree wounds as well as two different kinds of fungi which live on the roots of trees. After detecting the presence of a fungus or a wound, the device will release chemicals that can either kill the parasite or heal the tree wounds. We plan to use Liana plants as a potential host for easier delivery of the device to the trees. We hope that this biosensor design would be able to help the Hong Kong Government in reducing accidents caused by falling trees. In the future, the circuit can also be used to detect pests in plants grown in commercial farms.

1) Principle Behind Application: Tree diseases detector

The product is in the form of genetically engineered Liana plant. It will be planted near the target tree, enabling it to grow and climb up the tree without much care needed.

  • Normal Liana leaves are green-colored. However, when a wound is detected, the Liana sap close to it will turn orange.
  • When there is a presence of brown rot fungi, the sap turns red.
  • When the tree has white rot, the sap turns blue.
  • Liana will be removed if it covers most of the surface area of the tree leaves.

2) Opportunities and Challenges


Finally, we cannot finish our project without helps from professors that we had interviewed during summer period. We really appreciate their time answering our questions through email, skype, or face to face interview. These are the name of the professors who assist us with human practices project:

  1. Matthew R. Bennett, Ph.D.
  2. Dr WONG, Alan Siu Lun 黃兆麟
  3. Dr. Daniel Lee
  4. Professor HUANG, Jiandong 黃建東
  5. Professor Adison Wong

2) Opportunities and Challenges

   
Political
Government support is likely as Hong Kong is increasing its investments in the Biotechnology sector.
     
Technological
Government support is likely as Hong Kong is increasing its investments in the Biotechnology sector.


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