|
Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
| ☑ MPhil/PhD | ☒ MRes[Med] | ☒ URIS |
About the Project
Bio-metals have been extensively used in orthopaedic implantations. However, bacterial infection and unsatisfactory integration at the bone-implant interface remain major post-operative complications. Due to these complications, implant loosening, the malunion or non-union of the bone fracture and the failure of the implant are sometimes documented following surgical implantation. A variety of coatings, e.g., silver nanoparticles, antibiotics, calcium phosphate, antimicrobial peptide and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), have been developed to either combat bacterial infection or induce bone-implant interfacial integration. However, none of them is able to fulfil the antibacterial and osteogenic capabilities simultaneously. Thus, a safe and multi-functional coating that simultaneously enables the killing of bacteria and bone-implant integration is proposed. To address this clinical challenge, our team strives to develop various photo-responsive antibacterial nanomaterials. For instance, a zinc-oxide-containing hydrogel embedded with specific nanostructures can greatly enhance the photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of ZnO due to the dramatic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) given by stimulation with visible light (320–780 nm). This hydrogel system kills 95.95% of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 98.49% of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 20 min upon exposure to visible light (320–780 nm). Additionally, we aim to translate the research findings into real clinical applications through collaboration with industrial partners. If successful, this project should benefit the hundreds of thousands of patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures yearly, eliminating the risk of the post-operative complications associated with implant-related bacterial infections.
About the Supervisor
Professor KWK Yeung, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Professor Kelvin Yeung, who has been endowed by Ng Chun-Man Professorship in Orthopaedic Bioengineering, serves as a tenured full professor, chief of the research division, and departmental research and postgraduate advisor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine (HKUMed), at The University of Hong Kong. He is a renowned orthopedic biomaterial researcher, focusing on antibacterial coatings, 3D bio-printing, and musculoskeletal tissue engineering. His impressive h-index (Scopus) is 83, with over 25,000 citations and 91 (Google Scholar) with 29,000 citations and an i10-index of 271. He has been recognized as one of the Highly Cited Researchers 2023 and 2024 (cross-field), Highly Ranked Scholar 2022 (Prior Five Years) in the field of Medicine by ScholarGPS (Global ranking: #7 in Biomaterial; #14 in Antibacterial activity; #16 in Orthopaedic Surgery), Top Cited Scholar 2024, ranking among the Top 1% Scholars Worldwide in the field of biomaterials by Clarivate Analytics' Essential Science Indicators (ESI) and among the World's Top 2% Scientists in standardized citation indicators (Biomedical Engineering) since 2014. In 2024, he ranked #1845 globally and #483 in China under the category of materials science (Research.com). In 2024, he was elected as a Lifetime Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials.
Next Step?
For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description. Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:
- your CV,
- a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
- two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).
Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.
HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.
HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.
Follow HKUMed