EY1920 Year Book

35 34 Semester One @ UNSW Being on exchange in Australia was a unique experience… 1. exploring courses outside Medicine 4 courses in total, covering marine science, science, sociology and media studies fresh and reflective learning experiences 2. having my first taste of college life decided to completely expose myself to the outside of my comfort zone so I can have a fuller exchange experience, hence I stayed in New College (campus accommodation) made wonderful friends at college and church! Field trip SEM 1 - exchange happened amid social unrest in HK, completed before bushfires worsened in AU SEM 2 - operation of NGO was affected but not halted by COVID BLESSINGS in EY Semester Two @ PathFinders Service attachment at the Access to Healthcare team helped me grow… 1. serving pregnant foreign domestic workers and their children exposed to unseen needs of society, learnt to deliver flexible and considerate care during COVID, various experiences of accompanying clients for antenatal checkups, shelter visits 2. learning from the workplace trained to be more independent and proactive in offering help and advocating for clients; observed wonderful communication skills BAKING - birthday cakes, christmas cookies happening in the kitchen of New College WATERCOLOUR - sketch journal, decorations in my room (+this background) SKILLS UNLOCKED ! campus NCCF weekend away LAB MBBS Enrichment Year 2019/20 Chan Yin Lam Ophelia Sem 1 < IC - HKUWW Exchange Programme at University of New South Wales, Australia >; Sem 2 < SH - Internshi p at Path F inders, Hong Kong > Chan Yin Lam Ophelia Antimicrobial Resistance and Potential Horizontal Gene Transfer of Lactic Acid Bacteria Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive bacteria which play a significant role in the production of fermented food, such as yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. In food industry, starter culture of LAB are widely used to produce these products. Meanwhile, LAB are also a part of the normal human microbiome, which is effective in enhancing gastrointestinal function by improving digestion, strengthening immunity and delaying aging. In particular, treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile is proved effective with prescribed probiotic. LAB is currently included in the generally recognised as safe (GRAS) category, under the list Microorganisms and Microbial-Derived Ingredients Used in Food, by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States of America. Recent decades, antimicrobial resistance has become great concern and threat in modern medicine. Antimicrobial resistance of pathogens can cause severe infections that do not respond to the use of strong and high dose antibiotics. Development of multi-drug resistance strains can result in high mortality. Such antimicrobial resistance can occur intrinsically or obtained through horizontal gene transfer, including inter- and intraspecific conjugation. LAB were proved to be resistant to some antibiotics and are thus suspected to be capable of transferring resistance genes to potential gut pathogens. If this were the case, regular consumption of probiotic products can pose individuals at risk of resistant infection. As a result, this study aimed to investigate, both phenotypically and genotypically, the presence of resistance genes in prescribed probiotics, commercial probiotics and probiotic formula milk. Next, the transferability of resistance gene from LAB to typical gut bacteria will also be studied. Introduction Methodology Identification and purification of probiotic species 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to screen out all species in the products. Successfully yielded species are collected in MicroBank for further study in later stages. Antibiotic resistance of probiotics Phenotypic analysis of each species is conducted using antimicrobial broth microdilution susceptibility testing against clinically common antibiotics such as penicillins, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems, etc. MIC breakpoints from standards of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute are used as reference to determine resistance profile. Genotypic analysis is conducted by whole genome DNA extraction followed by PCR targeting resistance genes. Gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing are employed to confirm the presence of target genes. Horizontal gene transfer Conjugation experiment is carried out with filter mating technique between each LAB species and Escherichia coli (ATCC® BAA2731™), an F - strain. Conjugant is then tested for antibiotic resistance with both phenotypic and genotypic means. Key questions 1. What is the resistance profile of each species in all probiotic products? 2. What techniques should be employed to simulate interspecific conjugation? 3. How to test for transferability of resistance gene? Results (as of May 31 2020) Probiotic strains in probiotic products Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of DNA from cultures followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing have confirmed the presence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecalis in two prescribed probiotics in Queen Mary Hospital. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis . Formula milk are expected to be constituted with similar species. Resistance profile of recipient of conjugation experiment and probiotic strains Broth microdilution method revealed that E. coli is susceptible to the majority of antibiotics except for fosfomycin, ampicillin and imipenem. Resistance profile of LAB strains is expected to be consistent with previous studies. They might be susceptible to most antibiotics, while resistant to aminoglycosides. It should be noted that Lactobacillus spp. are intrinsically resistant to kanamycin. Lockdown project – a sidetrack It all started with an abandoned model kit The unexpected COVID-19 outbreak severely impacted my research progress in the beginning of 2020. My lab work was suspended from February to May. During this difficult time, apart from dealing with coursework, I decided to pick up a hobby. Previously I painted a model tank. But I was just having fun so I did not work slowly and carefully, paying attention to every detail. And then I build another model which I then left on my shelf. One day during quarantine it drew my attention. And an idea sprang to my mind. I discovered a new hobby! I decided to make it into a delicate piece of artwork. So after learning more techniques on the web, I spent the rest of my quarantine time painting the tank model. I have been in love with tanks but it was just my first time properly painting a tank. Because this is one of my favourite tank modes, I took my time to finish every single step, reminding myself not to rush and making it as detailed as possible. I gradually felt so comfortable when applying and blending paints on it. It was as if I was meditating. While I could focus on what I was working on, my mind was so free and I could feel my thoughts flowing. I started to realise my emotions and thoughts kept wandering in my mind. And the painting process offered me a great way to reflect on how complex my emotions had been. I found this hobby so meaningful not only in the aesthetic sense but also philosophically. At last, after six weeks, my tank model was done and I was satisfied with the result I achieved. I now put it in a clear plastic display case in my room like a precious exhibit. I have decided to try to keep this hobby for the rest of my life. It is sure that there will not be as much time in the future but I believe spending one hour every night doing my hobby is worthwhile as it is a great opportunity to relive some stress and remain mindful. MBBS Enrichment Year 2019/20 Chang Chun Ho Full Year < IC - M R e s( Me d) at HK U, H o ng K o ng > Chang Chun Ho