RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP 1997 Research Project Biological Sciences
Research Projects Arts and Languages Administrative, Business and Social Studies Biological Sciences Physical Sciences Education Medicine, Dentistry and Health: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Civil and Structural Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering Computing Sciences, Information Technology and Applied Mathematics Mechanical, Production and Industrial Engineering including Textiles and Clothing Architecture, Surveying, Urban Planning and Urban Studies Law	ANALYSIS OF THE BI-DIRECTIONAL PROMOTER FOR LMP1 AND LMP2B GENES OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA CELLS To understand the cellular control of the viral gene expression using the promoter region of LMP1-LMP2B; to study the differential expression of LMP1 genes in both Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Investigators: Dr. L. Cao (Principal) Professor M.H. Ng Department: Microbiology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE SAWDUST SUBSTRATUM IN THE "PIG-ON-LITTER" METHOD OF PIG WASTE TREATMENT To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the microbial degradation of pig wastes in the sawdust substratum in the 'pig-on-litter' method of waste treatment; to determination the nutrient build-up in the sawdust substratum as the system matures and to assess its value as plant fertilizer; to determine the optimal microbe seeding regime. Investigators: Professor D.K.O. Chan (Principal) Miss D. Chaw Mr. Y.C. Lin Departments: Zoology Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre c/o Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1991.05 BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS OF THE JAPANESE EEL ANGUILLA JAPONICA To determine the population gentics and geographical distribution of the Japanese eel, so as to build up a firm scientific basis for stock selection and breeding. Investigators: Professor D.K.O. Chan (Principal) Mr. I. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1993.09 MONITORING OF A BIOTECHNOLOGY PROCESS: COMPLEX FERMENTATION PROCESS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE DISTINCTIVE FLAVOURS IN CHINESE FERMENTED FOOD PRODUCTS To help local soya sauce manufacturers to improve and maintain the quality of their products by regulating the process of moromi fermentation, identifying the characteristics of different flavour compounds used in fermentation process and developing new fermentation products through research efforts. Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Industry Dept. of Hong Kong Government :- Industrial Support Fund Starting date: 1994.07 PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE ISOLATED CHLORIDE CELL AND RESPIRATORY CELL FROM THE GILL EPITHELIUM OF TELEOST FISH To directly and definitively identify the functional roles played by the "chloride" cells verses those played by the "respiratory" cells, and provides a powerful tool to elucidate the roles of different hormonal systems which have been implicated as regulatory factors for controlling the osmoregulatory/respiratory/excretory functions of gill in teleost fish. Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.09 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY - SCREENING FOR NATURAL TOXINS IN SEAFOOD To determine the type and level of natural marine toxins found in local seafood and to trace the origin of theses toxins as far as possible. Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government Starting date: 1995.09 APPLICATION OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP A GENE BANK FOR CHINESE CHICKEN PURE LINE BREEDS To establish a modern selective breeding programme based on genome information and phenotypic expression data to conserve "Pure Lines" of the Chinese chicken breeds in a "Gene Bank"; to establish and maintain a computerized "Chinese Chicken Gene Data Bank" based on gene mapping information obtained by modern molecular biology techniques; to re-vitalize Hong Kong's chicken farming industry - making its products more competitive in the market, and to create a new export market of "value-added day-old chicks". Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Industry Dept. of Hong Kong Government:- Industrial Support Fund Starting date: 1996.04 BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES DURING KOJI FERMENTATION To characterize the enzymes in the Koji (solid phase) fermentation in soy sauce making. Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 APPLICATION OF MODERN ENZYME TECHNOLOGY IN CHINESE TRADITIONAL FERMENTED FOOD PROCESSING To setup a specialized laboratory to promote the safe and effective use of enzyme technology in the food manufacture and processing industry: (1) as a core project, it will study the enzymatic processes involved in the fermentation of Chinese foods with the aim of improving the process in the factory setting; (2) the laboratory setup will be in a high degree of readiness to provide advanced analytical service and protocol development to tackle enzyme-based problems put to it by the local food industry; (3) it will provide a training and literature service to help factories to plan and set up their own monitoring programme. Investigator: Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 MOLECULAR BASIS OF BRAIN FUNCTION: ROLES OF GANGLIOSIDE-MODULATED PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION SYTEMS IN SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION To establish the functional roles for a novel ganglioside-stimulated protein kinase in the brain. Investigator: Dr. K.F.J. Chan Department: Biochemistry Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.09 TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODELS OF HUMAN ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA To develop transgenic mouse models of human promyelocytic leukaemia. Investigators: Professor L.C. Chan (Principal) Dr. S.J. Chen Dr. M.H. Sham Departments: Pathology Biochemistry Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, People's Republic of China Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 MOLECULAR CLONING OF THE SHRIMP MOLT INHIBITING HORMONE GENE (i) molecular cloning of the molt inhibiting hormone (MIH) gene of the cryfish by rapid production of full-length cDNA from rare transcripts (RACE); (ii) synthesis of MIH full-length cDNA; (iii) production of bacterial expressed MIH; (iv) bioassay of MIH to verify the function. Investigator: Dr. S.M. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.11 MOLECULAR CLONING OF GROWTH-RELATED HORMONE GENE IN SHRIMP Construction of shrimp genomic DNA library; identification of growth related gene in shrimp using vertebrate and invertebrate gene probe; cloning of the growth related genes. Investigator: Dr. S.M. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN GENES INTO THE SHRIMP GENOME To develop a protocol for the generation of transgenic shrimp by microinjection of genetic materials into fertilized shrimp eggs. Investigator: Dr. S.M. Chan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.09 MOLECULAR CLONING OF STEROID HORMONE RECEPTOR GENE IN SHRIMP To clone the ecdysone receptor gene; to detect ecdysone receptor gene expression in various targets; to determine if the expression of ecdysone receptor in the targets is stimulated by ecdysteroids; to express the shrimp ecdysone receptor in an insect cell line. Investigators: Dr. S.M. Chan (Principal) Dr. X.G. Chen Departments: Zoology Molecular Parasitology, 1st Military University, GuangZhou, People's Republic of China Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 PURIFICATION AND AMPLIFICATION OF BACULOVIRUS DNA FROM VIRUS INFECTED SHRIMP To purify large quantity of baculovirus genomic DNA from virus infected shrimp; to design gene specific primers to amplify virus genomic DNA by PCR; to detect virus infection in cultured shrimp by PCR. Investigator: Dr. S.M. Chan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 SEX REVERSAL AND SEX CONTROL IN FISH To study the phenomenon of natural sex reversal and sex control in fish, with special emphasis on the various facets of developmental and endocrine mechanism in sex determination, sex differentiation and reproductive functions in teleost fish, particularly those species which are of economical importance in local fish culture. Investigator: Professor S.T.H. Chan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1970.01 IDENTIFICATION OF CIS-REGULATORY SEQUENCES FOR TRANSCRIPTION OF THE EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR GENE To identify sequences in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene which regulate its transcription. The EGF gene shows temporal and spatial-specific expression and different responses to hormones in different tissues. In adult mice, EGF gene is expres ubiquitously but at levels up to 500 fold higher in the kidney and 1000 fold in male submaxillary gland. Using various approaches we aim to dissect the sequences required for the complex regulation of transcription of the EGF gene. Investigator: Dr. S.Y. Chan Department: Paediatrics Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 THE ALPHA1(II) COLLAGEN GENE: REGULATION OF TISSUE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION AND ITS POTENTIAL ROLE IN PATTERN FORMATION DURING EMBRYOGENESIS To identify the cis-acting DNA elements essential for the expression of alpha1(II) collagen in the different domains during early embryogenesis; to test whether Col2a-1 is a target for segmentation genes. Investigators: Professor K.S.E. Cheah (Principal) Dr. M.H. Sham Dr. P.P.L. Tam Departments: Biochemistry Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sidney, Australia Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.11 PRODUCTION BY HETEROTROPHIC CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA To develop a high cell density process for production of lutein, a valuable food pigment by hetertrophic Chlorella pyrenoidosa. This is to be achieved by making a systematically experimental investigation using various culture techniques. Theoretical issues such as growth kinetics and mathematical modelling wil also be addressed. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 PRODUCTION OF ASTAXANTHIN BY HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS UNDER HETEROTROPHIC CONDITIONS OF GROWTH To investigate effects of environmental factors on heterotrophic growth of haematococcus pluvialis; to investigate effects of environmental factors on astaxanthin production from haematococcus pluvialis under heterotrophic conditions of growth; to optimize the heterotrophic culture process by choosing the optimal environmental conditions; to develop a high cell-density technique suitable for high-rate production of astaxanthin. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.07 HEAT TRANSFER TO POROUS FOOD MATERIALS IN THERMAL PROCESSING To develop and validate a generalised mathematical model, which can be used to investigate heat transfer to various porous food materials during thermal processing and optimize the thermal food processes. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 MASS PRODUCTION OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS BY MICROALGAE USING EXISTING INDUSTRIAL FERMENTATION FACILITIES To obtain suitable microalgae which can produce large quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids under heterotrophic conditions of growth; to optimize culture media, and identify key compounds affecting the fatty acid content and composition; to investigate effects of environmental factors on the growth and the fatty acid production; to establish criteria for scale-up of the fermentation process; to scale up and validate the process; to employ high cell density and productivity strategies for the production. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.07 OPTIMAL GROWTH OF MICROALGAE UNDER HETEROTROPHIC AND PHOTOHETEROTROPHIC CONDITIONS To obtain optimal growth conditions for selected microalgae in heterotrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. This information is crucial to the development of a high rate process for production of valuable microalgal products on a large scale. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 ACCUMULATION OF CAROTENOIDS IN MICROALGAE To investigate the accumulation of some valuable carotenoids in selected microalgae. Investigator: Dr. S.F. Chen Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 PRODUCTION OF OMEGA-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS BY MICROALGAE USING CONVENTIONAL INDUSTRIAL FERMENTATION FACILITIES Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important dietary compounds for human nutrition. Among the PUFAs, omega-3 PUFAs (particularly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid) have been recognized as important dietary compounds for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most culture experiments are carried out on a laboratory scale and are under photosynthetic growth conditions where light is required as an energy source. We intend to develop an industrial scale heterotrophic process for the production of omega-3 PUFAs using conventional industrial fermentation facilities. The high yielding microalgae will be employed for further experiments, in which effects of environmental conditions and medium composition on heterotrophic growth and production of the omega-3 PUFAs will be investigated. The optimal fermentation process obtained will be scaled up to a pilot scale and finally to industrial scale. To explore the possibility of using high cell density and productivity strategies (i.e. fed-batch, membrane cell recycle systems) for the production of the PUFAs. The success of large-scale fermentation will facilitate the use of existing food and fermentation facilities to produce other highly valuable products from microalgae. Investigators: Dr. S.F. Chen (Principal) Professor Z. Cohen Professor Z.Y. Li Departments: Botany Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, People's Republic of China Starting date: 1997.07 DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSGENIC GLUCOSE-DEPENDENT INSULINOTROPIC POLYPEPTIDE DEFICIENT MOUSE MODEL To establish a transgenic GIP-deficient mouse line; to study the tissue specificity of GIP expression; to study the physiological importance of GIP as an incretin factor. Investigator: Dr. B.K.C. Chow Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS AND TISSUE SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF THE HUMAN SECRETIN RECEPTOR GENE To study the structure-function relationships of the human secretin receptor (HSR) by site-directed mutagenesis; to raise polyclonal antibodies against the N-terminal extracellular domain of the HSR for immunocytochemical staining and for Western Blot analysis; to investigate the tissue-specificity of HSR. Investigator: Dr. B.K.C. Chow Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GOLDFISH GLUCAGON AND GLP-1 RECEPTORS To study the molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships of glucagon and GLP-1 receptors in vertebrates; to investigate the tissue-specificity and physiological role of glucagon, GLP-1 and their receptors in goldfish. Investigator: Dr. B.K.C. Chow Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODELS TO STUDY THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY To use transgenic mouse models to investigate the molecular basis of diabetic perpheral neuropathy. Investigators: Dr. S.K. Chung (Principal) Dr. S.S.M. Chung Department: Institute of Molecular Biology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.09 FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF ALDOSE REDUCTASE AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETIOLOGY OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS: TARGET MUTATION OF THE ALDOSE REDUCTASE GENE To investigate the functional role of aldose reductase which is little known; to prove AR's direct involvement in the etiology of diabetic complications. Investigators: Dr. S.S.M. Chung (Principal) Dr. E.T.K. Lau Department: Institute of Molecular Biology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.09 THE ROLE OF POLYOL PATHWAY IN DIABETIC CATARACT In Hong Kong, probably due to the change in living habit, the number of diabetes mellitus patients is increasing. Despite careful control of their blood glucose level, a large number of them will experience complications such as cataract, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy etc. The aim of this project is to find out why hyperglycaemia leads to these diseases. Investigator: Dr. S.S.M. Chung Department: Institute of Molecular Biology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.10 MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF A cDNA EXPRESSED IN THE OVULE DURING EMBRYOGENESIS IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA To elucidate the gene structure of this cDNA and to identify its function in plant development Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 Completion date: 1996.12 CHARACTERISATION AND REGULATION OF EXPRESSION OF A SCLERENCHYMA-ABUNDANT ARABIDOPSIS GENE To characterise this gene and to analyse its promoter. Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 KARYOTYPE ANALYSIS AND PHYSICAL MAPS OF CHROMOSOMES IN HEVEA BRASILIENSIS To develop the protocols to detect middle and low repeat sequences to Hevea chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) so that these protocols can be used to map cloned cDNA / gene sequences to Hevea chromosomes. Investigators: Dr. M.L. Chye (Principal) Dr. A.R. Leitch Departments: Botany School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, U.K. Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council) Starting date: 1995.12 Completion date: 1996.11 CHARACTERISATION OF A cDNA ENCODING CYSTEINE PROTEINASE IN SOLANUM MELONGENA (EGGPLANT) To study the expression of eggplant cysteine proteinase during fruit senescence. Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERISATION OF SCL, A GENE HIGHLY EXPRESSED IN SCLERENCHYMA OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA To clone the SCL gene from an Arabidopsis thaliana genomic library using its cDNA as a hybridization probe; to elucidate the DNA sequence and gene structure of SCL; to analyse the SCL promoter and to define the upstream DNA sequence elements which con sclerenchyma-specific expression. Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 EXPRESSION OF A HEVEA cDNA ENCODING b-1,3-GLUCANASE IN TRANSGENIC POTATO To clone the Hevea cDNA encoding b-1,3-glucanase in a plant transformation vector pBI121; to transform potato with the b-1,3-glucanase plasmid construct using Agrobacteium-mediated transformation; to examine the expression of Hevea b-1,3-glucanase in transgenic potato by northern blot analysis and genomic Southern analysis. Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Source of funding: HKUST Biotechnology Research Institute Starting date: 1996.09 CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF cDNAs EXPRESSING CHITINASE FROM BRASSICA JUNCEA To isolate cDNA encoding chitinase from Brassica juncea. Investigators: Dr. M.L. Chye (Principal) Dr. K.J. Zhao Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1997.05 ISOLATION OF cDNAs ENCODING CHITINASE FROM BRASSICA JUNCEA To clone the cDNA encoding chitinase, an anti-fungal enzyme, from Brassica juncea. Investigator: Dr. M.L. Chye Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 THE ROLE OF TEMPORAL FACTORS IN PITCH PERCEPTION To investigate the role of temporal factors on pitch perception by asking the following questions: 1) how long is the time span ("pitch integration period") over which nonsimultaneous partials can contribute to a single pitch?; ii) does the contribution of a nonsimultaneous partial to the pitch of a (target) complex sound depend on whether the partial follows or precedes the target sound?; iii) is the pitch of the target sound affected by a nonsimultaneous partial which starts and stops at the same time as a second complex sound? These questions have not been extensively investigated before, and have implications for the perception of the pitch of complex sounds in natural listening situations. Investigator: Dr. V. Ciocca Department: Speech and Hearing Sciences Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.09 WHEAT PROTEINS IN RELATION TO THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE FLOURS The primary determinants of quality in wheat-based products are protein and starch properties. Endosperm proteins from a genetically diverse collection of wheat will be characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and variants showing extremes in dough-mixing properties will be identified. Composite flours will be used to a) test the interactions of durum wheat and common wheat proteins in optimizing noodle quality, b) identify strong gluten proteins that can support higher levels of admixture with non-wheat flours. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 STARCH AND NON-STARCH POLYSACCHARIDES AFFECTING YAM PROCESSING QUALITY Yams, in the genus Dioscorea, comprise hundreds of species widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. The utilization of yams could be enhanced by developing new commercial food products based on the biochemical composition of specific genotyp We propose to conduct an integrated study on genetic resource collection and evaluation of indigenous yams from China and the Philippines. Local ethnobotanical knowledge will be used to help identify functional properties contributing to food quali the biochemical basis of the properties will be identified, and genetic variation will be sought for extremes in these traits. Many of the properties are expected to be related to interaction of starch with non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). There ixcellent potential for identification of novel NSP properties which will be of value in the food biotechnology industry. Investigators: Dr. H. Corke (Principal) Dr. Z. Ganga Dr. L. Ramsden Dr. M. Sun Departments: Botany Benguet State University, Philippines Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 FROM ETHNOBOTANY TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN EVALUATION OF YAM (DIOSCOREA) GENETIC RESOURCES To collect samples of yam (Dioscorea) currently used for the manufacture of village-scale processed foods in a range of locations in Northern Philippines, and to conduct detailed interviews with local famers to gain information about preferred uses of specific selections; to collect wild accessions from the same areas and compare the extent of genetic variation, using isozyme and molecular markers, with the cultivated types; and with selected accessions from world collections; to analyze the local food products made from yam in terms of the genetic factors (mainly starch properties, and non-starch polysaccharides) which contribute to desirable properties in the food texture; to isolate useful starch variants and functionally significant NSP from selected genotypes and characterize their physical properties. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1995.09 THE DIVERSITY OF CEREAL GRAIN PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA The cereal industry in this region is incredibly diverse. There is a vast expansion of diversity fueled by increasing consumer affluence in China, and by the need for convenience products. What attributes of the cereal grain raw materials are most related to quality of these products? What additives and modified starches will be in most demand in future? Without basic scientific analysis of products on the market, these questions cannot be answered. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1996.01 SWELLING AND PASTING OF AMARANTHUS STARCH Grain Amaranthus has been developed recently as a significant new crop in China. It produces a grain with high quality and quantity of protein, and an unusual starch with small, smooth granules suitable for paper coating and other industrial applications. I have worked closely with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in testing new varieties of Amaranthus. In surveying starch propeties of about 250 genotypes, my PhD student found some anomalous results. In some lines, the starch swells excessively during heating in water to a degree not related to paste viscosity. The amylose contents by iodometric and gravimetric methods are quite different. We believe that the amylose of Amaranthus is far more branched than in other plant species. I propose to test this hypothesis and further characterize the starch of selected lines. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 DIVERSITY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF WHEAT STARCH To identify diversity in physical properties of starch; to identify the best sources of diversity in these properties; to develop best methods for screening starch properties; to develop a resource for biotechnological development of adapted wheat types carrying specific starch properties. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 THE GENETIC BASIS OF COLOR DEVELOPMENT IN WHEAT DOUGH To identify genetic resources of hexaploid wheat which lack the functional enzymes causing discoloration of dough, and to characterize the color stability of doughs formed from these variants. Investigator: Dr. H. Corke Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR PLANT FLORA OF HONG KONG To produce an accurate checklist of the vascular plant species occurring in Hong Kong. Investigator: Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1992.09 CONSERVATION RANKING OF HONG KONG HABITATS To establish an objective system for ranking terrestrial habitats in Hong Kong in terms of their conservation value. Investigator: Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1994.01 THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF HONG KONG ISLAND To identify habitats and species which have disappeared from Hong Kong Island in historical times; to identify the human impacts responsible; to provide a baseline for future studies of this type. Investigator: Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Dr. Stephen S.F. Hui Trust Fund Starting date: 1994.05 ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE HONG KONG FAGACEAE (OAKS AND CHESTNUTS) To describe the current status of Hong Kong's largest tree family and most endangered plant family; to investigate the reasons for the decline in the family; to test possible strategies for reversing this decline. Investigator: Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 DEFORMITY FREQUENCY AND BIOTIC DIVERSITY INDICATOR ASSEMBLAGES IN ASSESSING CONTAMINANTS IN THE SEDIMENTS OF VICTORIA HARBOUR To develop a new biological technique to document areas where contaminated sediments have adversely impacted Victoria Harbour and areas near the Marine Park at Cape D'Aguilar; to use canonical analysis as a statistical tool for analysing the relations between benthic algal and invertebrate species composition and specific persistent contaminants in the study areas. Investigator: Professor M.D. Dickman Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1993.11 Completion date: 1996.12 ECOTOXICOLOGY OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS FROM TOLO AND VICTORIA HARBOURS To document areas where contaminted sediments have adversely impacted the natural benthic diatom and benthic macroinvetebrate populations of Tolo and Victoria Harbours; to culture diatoms and benthic invertebrates in contaminated sediments from Tolo and Victoria Harbours to determine whether sediment contaminants are capable of inducing deformities in organisms from these two communities. Investigator: Professor M.D. Dickman Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 A STUDY OF HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED COMMERCIAL SPECIES OF FISH IN HONG KONG To determine if fish caught in Hong Kong waters have elevated levels of heavy metal contaminants in their tissues. Investigators: Professor M.D. Dickman (Principal) Dr. Y.B. Ho Dr. Y.J. Sadovy Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Botany Source of funding: The Environment and Conservation Fund Starting date: 1995.08 PALEOECOLOGY OF A SEDIMENT CORE FROM KOWLOON BAY, VICTORIA HARBOUR, HONG KONG To determine if toxic diatoms such as Pseudonitzschia have been present in Hong Kong waters for long periods of time or if they have only appeared in the last twenty years or so after sewage began entering Hong Kong harbours on a large scale. Investigator: Professor M.D. Dickman Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 ASSESSING THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE AND THE TOXICITY OF DOMOIC ACID PRODUCING DIATOMS IN HONG KONG Phytoplankton and shellfish samples will be collected in Hong Kong to determine whether or not Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) is a potential problem here. Both mouse tests and HPLC analyses will be carried out on phytoplankton samples and on suspected contaminated shellfish tissue sampled to determine if levels of domoic acid in Hong Kong shellfish have reached 20 nanograms per gram fresh weight of shellfish tissue (the level that is now used in many countries as the criterion for alerting the public and shellfish traders of the threat of consuming these mollusks when contaminated with ASP). Investigators: Professor M.D. Dickman (Principal) Professor D.K.O. Chan Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Zoology Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 EVIDENCE OF THE RATE OF EUTROPHICATION IN HONG KONG'S VICTORIA HARBOUR, BASED ON PLANKTON SAMPLES AND SEDIMENT CORE ANALYSES To determine if Victoria Harbour red tide frequency and species composition is changing and to examine the algal impacts of recent Sha Tin and Tai Po sewage water discharges to Victoria Harbour via Kwun Tong. Investigator: Professor M.D. Dickman Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF ROMER'S TREE FROG To determine the habitat use of Hong Kong amphibians with special emphasis on the ecology and conservation of the endangered and endemic Romer's tree frog Philautus romeri. Investigator: Professor D. Dudgeon Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Starting date: 1991.10 Completion date: 1997.06 ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF FRESHWATER WETLANDS IN HONG KONG To provide information and scientific data to government on: (a) the formulation of conservation management plans for the enhanced protection of freshwater wetland habitats in Hong Kong; (b) the propagation methods and establishing new populations of Nepenthes mirabilis at suitable localities. Investigators: Professor D. Dudgeon (Principal) Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Hong Kong Government Starting date: 1994.01 Completion date: 1997.06 THE ECOLOGY OF PARADISE FISHES (BELONTIIDAE) IN HONG KONG, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF MACROPODUS CONCOLOR To undertake a complete survey of the distribution of two species of Paradise Fishes (Macropodus opercularis and M. conclor: Belontiidae) in Hong Kong, and to undertake a comparative investigation of their ecology and behaviour. This will form a basis for conservation recommendations and action of the endangered and poorly-known Black Paradise Fish, Macropodus concolor. Investigator: Professor D. Dudgeon Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 Completion date: 1996.12 A BIODIVERSITY SURVEY OF HONG KONG To undertake a systematic survey of biodiversity in Hong Kong in order to produce a ranking and classification system to establish priorities for future conservation activities. Investigators: Professor D. Dudgeon (Principal) Dr. R.T. Corlett Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government Starting date: 1995.09 STRATEGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS IN HONG KONG To study the extent of natural spatial and temporal variability in aquatic ecosystems in Hong Kong. Investigators: Professor D. Dudgeon (Principal) Dr. G.A. Williams Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.10 RIVER CONSERVATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: POLICY AND PRACTICE To address the regional context for river conservation in Southeast Asia, and to summarise the existing sources of information on legislative frameworks and implementation. Particular attention will be paid to the types of local impacts which arise from different development pressures and the conflicts of interest which they can cause. Investigators: Professor D. Dudgeon (Principal) Dr. S. Choowawae Dr. S.C. Ho Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Mahidr University, Thailand Universiti-Sains-Malaysia, Malaysia Starting date: 1996.07 CONSERVATION STATUS OF STREAM FISHES IN HONG KONG To assess the conservation status of freshwater fishes in Hong Kong, in order to highlight those species which are threatened locally and to identify habitats which support unusually high numbers of species and are therefore worthy of protection. Investigator: Professor D. Dudgeon Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 NEW AVENUES IN DUCK IMMUNOBIOLOGY: THE T-CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTOR, LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL LINES, AND ANTI-IMMUNOGLOBULIN-PEPTIDE ANTIBODIES To complete the cloning and characterization (already commenced) of the genes encoding the duck T-cell antigen receptor (TcR) polypeptides; to study the genes, products and surface markers of cloned duck T and B lymphoblastoid cells; to raise monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to the duck TcRs (using the cloned T cell lines as antigens and targets) and other T cell surface antigens, and to Ig heavy and light chains (using as antigens peptides constructed from deduced amino acid sequences). Investigator: Dr. D.A. Higgins Department: Pathology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 AQUATIC PLANTS FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND RESOURCE RECOVERY To study the characteristics of growth performance, nutrient and pollutant uptake by aquatic plants cultured in wastewater, and to select potential species for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Investigator: Dr. Y.B. Ho Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Run Run Shaw Research and Teaching Endowment Fund Starting date: 1990.05 Completion date: 1997.06 DETERMINATION OF THE DEGRADATION RATE OF INSECTICIDE METHAMIDOPHOS IN BRASSICA CROPS To determine how cultivation practices and various environmental factors affect the degradation rate and residue of pesticides in vegetable crops. Investigators: Dr. Y.B. Ho (Principal) Dr. W.K. Yip Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1992.07 Completion date: 1997.06 BACTERIAL ANALYSIS OF BEACH WATERS To regularly update data on bacteria in the water at bathing beaches. Investigator: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1976.01 A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS MICROBIAL INDICATORS OF WATER POLLUTION To identify a more reliable pollution indicator organism. Investigators: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss (Principal) Dr. B.S.S. Chan Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Applied Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University Starting date: 1982.09 Completion date: 1997.06 USING MARITIME LICHENS TO MONITOR HONG KONG COASTLINE POLLUTION Lichens are slow-growing plants which are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment, particularly pollution. Since the various species respond in different ways to a whole range of environmental factors; long-term and short-term changes, for good or ill, can be monitored with considerable accuracy. Monitoring pollution by means of chemical and physical apparatus is influenced by their period of operation, and the few pollutants they can measure. It is important to complement such data with biological monitoring. The potential for monitoring water-borne pollutants using lichens has not been fully developed. Hong Kong provides an ideal situation to explore this since there is an extensive shore-line supporting diverse lichen floras which have been, or are being, subjected to widely varying degrees of pollution and other environmental disturbances. Investigators: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss (Principal) Miss J.C. Fung Professor M.R.D. Seaward Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Environmental Science, University of Bradford, U.K. Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council) Starting date: 1993.01 Completion date: 1996.09 WASTE TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT - OIL AND GREASE To study alternative methods in relation to the treatment of trade effluents by grease traps to meet water quality control objectives. Investigators: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss (Principal) Dr. H. Chan Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1995.06 LIGNICOLOUS FUNGI IN LOTIC FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS To identify the fungi associated with the decay of woody substrates in stagnant ponds, ditches, lakes and reservoirs (lotic habitats) in Hong Kong; to describe and illustrate these fungi; to compare these fungi to those from well aerated lentic habita to obtain a better understanding of the fungi involved in freshwater ecological processes. Investigators: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss (Principal) Dr. K.D. Hyde Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 LONGITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF AQUATIC FUNGI IN LAM CHUEN RIVER To establish the longitudinal distribution of fungi in the Lam Chuen River; to establish the effect of pollution on the biodiversity of fungi. Investigators: Professor I.J. Hodgkiss (Principal) Dr. K.D. Hyde Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZATION THROUGH MICROINJECTION OF MALE GAMETES INTO THE FEMALE CELL OF MAIZE To directly transfer sperm cells of various plants into partially isolated maize embryo sacs with the following aims: (1) to understand the mechanism of sexual fertilization in plants, and (2) to transform the genetic make up of maize using sperm cells from different plants. Investigator: Dr. B.Q. Huang Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 CITRUS STEM END ROT: MODE AND TIME OF NATURAL INFECTION Since there are now restrictions and it is also undersiable to control stem and rot of Citrus using fungicides there is urgent need to develop replacements for current post harvest chemical control procedures. In this work the modes of infection will thereexamined and confirmation of the timing and modes of infection will then lead to studies on the development of alternative control measures. Investigators: Dr. K.D. Hyde (Principal) Dr. G.I. Johnson Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity CSIRO, Division of Horticulture, Brisbane, Australia Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 Completion date: 1997.06 MORPHOLOGICAL, ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND MOLECULAR STUDIES IN THE AMPHISPHAERIACEAE To use ultrastructural studies to establish the relationship of amphisphaeriaceous and related taxa and examine their ascomatal, ascus, ascospore and ascospore appendage morphology and ontogeny; to establish the phylogenetic relationship of well established amphisphaeriaceous and related genera by comparison of the nucleotide sequences of evolutionary conserved region of their mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA; to construct taxa specific gene-probes using the DNA sequence data; to assemble a pool of different species of amphisphaeriaceous and related taxa from different geographical locations for further molecular studies. Investigators: Dr. K.D. Hyde (Principal) Dr. R. Kong Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.10 FLORA ACCOUNTS OF FAMILY PHYLLACHORACEAE To study flora accounts of family phyllachoraceae. Investigator: Dr. K.D. Hyde Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Australian Biological Resources Study Participatory Program Starting date: 1996.01 FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH MUSA SP IN HONG KONG To identify the fungi associated with Musa (Banana) species in Hong Kong; to measure the biodiversity of fungi on Musa sp; to obtain initial data on the ecology of fungi involved in nutrient cycling of Musa sp; to build up a culture collection of the fungi associated with Musa sp. Investigator: Dr. K.D. Hyde Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 MOLECULAR STUDIES ON TROPICAL FRESHWATER ASCOMYCETES To establish the phylogenetic relationships of Annulatascus-like species by comparison of the nucleotide sequences of evolutionary conserved regions of their mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA; to establish the phylogenetic relationships of Annulatascus-like species to other families by comparison of the nucleotide sequences of evolutionary conserved regions of their mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA; to equate the phylogenetic relationships derived from DNA sequencing with our observations derived from ultrastructural studies, to establish if we reach the same conclusions from the data; to establish the evolutionary phylogeny of tropical freshwater ascomycetes as compared to tropical terrestrial fungi and marine fungi, by comparison of the nucleotide sequences of evolutionary conserved regions of their mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA; to examine the character coding and phylogenetic analysis of morphological and ultrastructural characteristics. Investigators: Dr. K.D. Hyde (Principal) Dr. D.K.L. Lee Dr. J. Spatafora Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, U.S.A. Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1997.01 SURVEY OF FUNGI ON GRASSES IN HONG KONG To establish a preliminary mycota on grasses in aquatic, estuarine and terrestrial habitats in Hong Kong; to enter material in The University of Hong Kong herbaria and culture collections for future teaching and research. Investigator: Dr. K.D. Hyde Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 STUDY OF PROTEASES FROM TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS, A PATHOGENIC PARASITE OF MAN AND OTHER MAMMALS To elucidate the pathogenesis of the infection especially mechanisms involved in the penetration and reorganization of host muscle cells. Investigator: Professor R.C.C. Ko Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1993.07 CHARACTERIZATION OF EXCRETORY/SECRETORY PRODUCTS OF TRICHINELLA PSEUDOSPIRALIS, A PARASITE OF MAMMALS AND BIRDS To elucidate the mechanisms involved in host cell reorganization by tissue dwelling nematodes. Investigators: Professor R.C.C. Ko (Principal) Ms. Y. Chung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 ROLE OF ES GLYCOPROTEINS IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF HOST CELLS BY TRICHINELLID NEMATODES, PATHOGENS OF MAN AND ANIMALS To determine whether the 45 and 53 kDa glycoproteins can translocate into the hypertrophic nuclei and bind to DNA; to determine whether one or both molecules can induce changes in the general organization of muscle fibres under in vitro and in vivo condiions; to document the nuclear and cellular events which can be induced by these molecules; to compare the genomic organization of the genes which produce these proteins. Investigators: Professor R.C.C. Ko (Principal) Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.10 DETECTION OF CIRCULATING ANTIGENS IN EOSINOPHILIC MENOENCEPHALITIS, A PARASITIC DISEASE OF MAN IN SOUTH EAST ASIA AND CHINA To develop an antigen detection method which can diagnose acute infection in man. Investigator: Professor R.C.C. Ko Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 FUNCTIONS OF DNA-BINDING PROTEINS SECRETED BY THE PARASITIC NEMATODE, TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS, IN THE REORGANIZATION OF MAMMALIAN MUSCLES To identify the DNA-binding protein(s) in ES products of T. spiralis; to determine the specific DNA sequence in the genome which binds the protein; to clone and characterize the genes which produce the protein(s); to determine whether DNA-binding prot also occur in ES of T. pseudospiralis, a closely related species; to assay the in vitro effects of the DNA-binding protein on myocytes. Investigators: Professor R.C.C. Ko (Principal) Dr. W.W.M. Lee Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.12 REGULATON OF CYTOSOLIC CA+2 CONCENTRATION IN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS To test the hypothesis that in endothelial cells the intracellular Ca+2 store, presumably the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), effectively communicate with the plasmalemmal Ca+2 channels; to test the hpothesis that Ca+2 entry in endothelial cells utilizes non-selective cation channels; to test the hypothesis that b-adrenoceptor agonists interact with endothelial cells by lowering the intracellular [Ca+2]; to test the above hypotheses in vascular muscle tissues by simultaneous measurement of fura-2 fluorescence and tension development. Investigator: Professor D.C.Y. Kwan Department: Physiology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.10 HUMAN GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (G6PD) VARIANT ENZYMES: PRODUCTION IN E. COLI AND X-RAY STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS To construct recombinant molecules which will express sufficient amounts of G6PD variant proteins and to use them for X-ray crystallographic studies that will enable us to understand the structure function relationship. Investigators: Dr. V.M.S. Lam (Principal) Dr. M.J. Adams Departments: Biochemistry Biochemistry, Somerville College, University of Oxford, U.K. Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.10 ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS To investigate important ecological processes in southeast Asian mangrove ecosystems and compare with the classical New World model; to provide basic research data for management. Investigator: Dr. S.Y. Lee Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1985.07 EFFECTS OF POLLUTION STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL ENERGETICS AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE GREEN-LIPPED MUSSEL PERNA VIRIDIS To investigate the response of the green-lipped mussel to different levels of pollution stress; to understand the mechanism of pollution tolerance of this mussel. Investigators: Dr. S.Y. Lee (Principal) Dr. S.G. Cheung Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Starting date: 1993.04 THE ECOLOGY OF SEAGRASS IN HONG KONG To investigate the community ecology and physiology of the seagrass Zostera japonica in Hong Kong in relation to its conservation. Investigators: Dr. S.Y. Lee (Principal) Professor R.S.S. Wu Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong Starting date: 1994.04 MOLECULAR CLONING AND GENE EXPRESSION OF SEX STEROID BINDING PROTEIN IN RABBIT AND FISH To understand sex-steroid hormone actions in fish; to provide for the missing information which are not able to obtain from similar studies in mammalian system; to obtain the fish gene to use in subsequent studies using the transgenic fish model (the transgenic fish model is by far the most handy approach in transgenic animal study); to provide excellent training opportunities in gene cloning, gene expression and transgenic studies in fish model for postgraduates and undergraduate project students of the Animal and Plant Biotechnology Programme recently established in the Department of Zoology, University of Hong Kong. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1993.09 CHARACTERIZATION OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR (VEGF) IN RAT TESTIS To identify the role of VEGF in the testis in permeability changes and blood vessel formation which leads to the understanding of male infertility and contraceptive development. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 PURIFICATION OF THE PROTEIN FACTORS FROM GERM CELL-CONDITIONED MEDIUM THAT MODULATE THE FORMATION OF JUNCTIONAL COMPLEXES IN THE SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM To identify paracine factors produced by developing germ cells which affect sertoli cell secretion and spermatogenesis, a pilot study. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Source of funding: The Population Council, U.S.A. Starting date: 1995.07 ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SPERM FACTOR(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR MODULATING THE FORMATION OF JUNCTIONAL COMPLEXES AND SPERM RELEASE IN THE SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM To purify and characterize physio-chemically the germ cell protein factors that modulate secretions of alpha2-macroglobulin, testin and clusterin by Sertoli cells; to determine the N-terminal and partial internal amino acid sequences of the purified g cell factors; to prepare antisera against the germ cell factors and develop specific immunoassays; to isolate the full-length cDNAs of the germ cell factors by either the PCR or the antibody approach; to examine the mRNA and protein distributions of germ cell factors among different developing stages of the seminiferous tubules and define their physiological roles in the formation of junctional complexes; to express the germ cell factors in an in vitro system and study their effects on Sertoli c function, germ cell release and fertility control. Investigators: Dr. W.W.M. Lee (Principal) Dr. C.Y. Cheng Departments: Zoology Center for Biomedical Research, The Population Council, New York, U.S.A. Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1995.09 TESTICULAR MODULATORS OF LEYDIG CELL STEROIDOGENESIS: LARGE SCALE PURIFICATION OF A STIMULATOR AND AN INHIBITOR FROM TESTICULAR CELL CULTURES To purify and sequence the protein modulators for investigation of the local regulatory mechanism on androgen production in the testis. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 THE ROLE OF TESTIN IN REPRODUCTION AND CANCER DEVELOPMENT Testin is a newly identified junctional complex component, to investigate the potential use of it in fertility control, and in detection and treatment of cancer. The promoter and genomic DNA sequences of mouse testin will be obtained to prepare for future gene manipulation study. Cancerous tissues of mouse and human will be examined for notable testin expression by northern blot analysis. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 MOUSE TESTING: GENOMIC STRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF DELETION VECTOR FOR TRANSGENIC STUDIES To carry out genomic structure and construction of deletion vector for transgenic studies. Investigator: Dr. W.W.M. Lee Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.08 MECHANISM OF ACTIONS OF ANTITUMOR AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENT TRIPTOLIDE To combine tools of organic chemistry and biology to investigate mechanism of actions of triptolide. Investigators: Professor R.M. Letcher (Principal) Dr. D. Yang Department: Chemistry Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.07 GENES EXPRESSION IN PERNA VIRIDIS IN RESPONSE TO HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE To determine and characterize the genes expression in Perna viridis in response to heavy metal exposure. Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.11 MOLECULAR CLONING OF THE GRASS CARP (CTENOPHARYNGODON IDELLA) GROWTH HORMONE RECEPTOR COMPLEMENTARY DNA To isolate and characterize the nucleotide sequence of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) growth hormone receptor complementary DNA. Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 USE OF DNA FINGERPRINTING TO ACCESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF THE GREEN MUSSEL, PERNA VIRIDIS (L.) IN HONG KONG To apply DNA fingerprinting Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.08 DEVELOPMENT OF DNA VACCINE BIOTECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG To establish the DNA vaccine technology in Hong Kong for use in the production of vaccines, especially for veterinary medicines; to design DNA vaccines for the Hog Cholera virus and for birth control in women. Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Industry Dept. of Hong Kong Government :- Industrial Support Fund Starting date: 1996.04 USE OF TRANSGENIC CHICKEN AS BIOREACTOR To study the use of transgenic chicken as bioreactor. Investigator: Dr. F.C.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.10 LOCALIZATION OF THE ACTIVE SITE IN THE CALMODULIN MOLECULE THAT REACTS WITH THE FUNGAL TOXIN OPHIOBOLIN A AND PRODUCTION OF A GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CALMODULIN THAT IS RESISTANT TO OPHIOBOLIN A To identify the lysine residue(s) in calmodulin that reacts with ophiobolin A; to produce a mutant calmodulin and see if it will react with and be inhibited by ophiobolin A. Investigator: Dr. P.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1992.10 Completion date: 1996.09 MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CALMODULIN GENE IN RICE To understand the organization of the calmodulin gene in the rice plant so as to facilitate the expression of a mutated calmodulin gene transferred to the plant. Investigator: Dr. P.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.10 MOLECULAR CLONING OF THE GENE OF 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID MALONYL TRNASFERASE OF MUNG BEAN To use the purified enzyme to clone the transferase gene so as to get the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the enzyme. This will enable us to understand and to manipulate the enzyme. Investigator: Dr. P.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 TO STUDY THE ACTION OF PITUITARY ADENYLATE CYCLASE ACTIVATING POLYPEPTIDE To find out (i) if the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) will interact with calmodulin in the cell as part of its mode of action in the cell, (ii) what kind of calmodulin-mediated processes in the cell is affected PACAP does interact with calmodulin in the cell, and (iii) the protein-phosphorylation cascade in the cell induced by PACAP. Investigator: Dr. P.C. Leung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Croucher Foundation Starting date: 1996.09 CHARACTERIZATION OF ACC N-MALONYLTRANSFERASE FROM MUNG BEAN To study the enzyme in detail, to find out how the mechanism of the enzymatic reaction, and to see if the enzyme can malonylate D-amino acids. Investigator: Dr. P.C. Leung Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 NEUROCHEMICAL CONTROL OF FEEDING IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC STATES To determine extracellular amino acid and monoamine profiles in PVN and LH in normal, obese and uremic rats during the process of normal feeding; to monitor temporal patterns of the neurochemical parameters before and after rats received individual dietary or pharmacologic challenges which may enhance or suppress food intake; to monitor behaviourial and neurochemical responses before or after rats receive treatments which specifically target the deficient loci. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1993.07 NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF HONG KONG UNIVERISITY STUDENTS To establish a database on the nutritional status of the Hong Kong population; to design and implement programs and health message to improve dietary habits; to promote this University as the Centre of Excellence in Food and Nutrition. Short-term: to establish a database on the nutritional status and dietary habits of students studying at the University of Hong Kong. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF METABOLIC RATE IN FEMALES To assess the impact of menstrual cycle on basal metabolic rate and quality and quantity of food intake in young oriental (Chinese) females. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Starting date: 1994.11 Completion date: 1997.06 THE IMPACT OF DIET RESTRICTION ON BODY WEIGHT AND ENERGY METABOLISM OF YOUNG OVERWEIGHT MALES To examine energy metabolism and energy intake in young overweight/obese men and to correlate these parameters with body weight and weight change at different stages of a diet restriction programme. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 HOSPITAL FOOD SERVICE ASSESSMENT To assess the effects of delivery (decentralized versus centralized) and preparation (conventional versus cook-chill) techiques on patient acceptance, quality and safety of Chinese meals prepared in Hong Kong hospitals. Investigators: Dr. E.T.S. Li (Principal) Dr. S. Ng Departments: Zoology Ruttonjee Hospital Starting date: 1995.07 Completion date: 1997.06 NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF HOSPITALIZED GERIATRICS To enhance the health status of congee/enterally fed geriatric patients via an intensive nutrition screening approach and with the introduction of oral supplementation or special manipulation of enteral feeding mood. Investigators: Dr. E.T.S. Li (Principal) Dr. V. Ho Dr. B. Kong Dr. S.S.H. Lui Departments: Zoology Ruttonjee Hospital Heaven of Hope Hospital Starting date: 1995.07 DELINEATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY FAT AND BODY MASS INDEX IN CHINESE ADULTS To provide reference values of anthropometry and resting metabolic rate for Hong Kong adults and to develop population specific prediction equations for the estimation of body composition. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 SEROTONIN METABOLISM IN DIET-INDUCED OBESE RATS To characterize the serotonergic deficit in the lateral hypothalamus of diet-induced obese rats. Investigator: Dr. E.T.S. Li Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLES OF A NOVEL HUMAN PROTEIN, GC1QR, IN THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM AND THE COAGULATION SYSTEM To reveal the physiological roles of this novel protein in both systems. Investigators: Dr. B.L. Lim (Principal) Professor K.B.M. Reid Departments: Zoology MRC Immunochemistry Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, U.K. Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.08 DEVELOPMENT OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS (IBDV) VACCINES FOR THE POULTRY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA To develop an effective vaccine against Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) for the poultry industries in Hong Kong and southern China. Investigators: Dr. B.L. Lim (Principal) Dr. F.C.C. Leung Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Industry Dept. of Hong Kong Government :- Industrial Support Fund Starting date: 1995.11 DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL VEHICLE FOR DNA VACCINES To develop recombinant divalent expression plasmids, which carry both viral antigen gene and host cytokine gene; to test their effectiveness in elicit protective immune response in vaccinated animal. Investigator: Dr. B.L. Lim Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL RECOMBINANT VACCINE EXPRESSION SYSTEM To develop a recombinant expression plasmid, which expresses the antigen as a formyl-M-L-F fusion protein; to test their effectiveness in elicit protective immune response in vaccinated animal. Investigator: Dr. B.L. Lim Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM SIGNALLING INDUCED BY ATP AND HISTAMINE AND THE ROLE OF CALCIUM IN GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION IN HUMAN LEUKEMIC HL-60 CELLS To delineate the transient nature of calcium influx induced by extracellular ATP and histamine; to study the relative dominance of the microsomal and plasmalemmal calcium pumps; to study the dynamics, functional size and refilling mechanisms of internal calcium pools in response to different agonists and pharmacological tools; to elucidate the cross-talk between the cAMP and Ca+2 signalling pathways; to define the role of [Ca+2]i in HL-60 cell growth and differentiation, and whether [Ca+2]i is related to the differentiation effect induced by retinoic acid, ATP and histamine. Investigators: Professor T.T. Loh (Principal) Professor D.C.Y. Kwan Department: Physiology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.07 VASCULAR MECHANISMS OF NASAL CONGESTION AND DECONGESTION To understand how nasal airway resistance is related to vascular resistance and mucosal blood volume; vascular mechanisms underlying nasal congestion and decongestion will be elucidated. Investigators: Dr. M.K.Y. Lung (Principal) Dr. H.K. Chang Dr. J.C.C. Wang Departments: Physiology Chemical Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Physiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.11 STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONS OF SELECTED CEREAL PROTEINS To study the relationship between structure (physical and chemical) and function (properties affecting food utilization) of selected cereal proteins, and to enhance the use of these proteins in fabricated foods. Investigator: Professor C.Y. Ma Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.11 STUDY OF THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONS IN LEGUME PROTEINS To determine the relationship between structure (physicochemical characteristics) and function (functional properties) of proteins fractions isolated from selected legume seeds. Investigator: Professor C.Y. Ma Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 ECOLOGY OF THE CHINESE WHITE HUMPBACK DOLPHIN The waters off North Lantau and the Pearl River estuary are home to the Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Little is known of this animal and nothing about it in Hong Kong. The economic development of the Pearl River Estuary is impacting the dolphin and this study aims to provide basic information on the biology and ecology of the dolphin to, hopefully, facilitate its conservation. Investigators: Professor B.S. Morton (Principal) Mr. E.M. Parsons Miss L.J. Porter Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Swire Institute of Marine Science Source of funding: Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Hong Kong Government Starting date: 1993.12 THIRD SWIRE SCHOLARSHIP IN WETLAND ECOLOGY - GIS MARINE DATABASE, COASTAL MAPS AND VIRTUAL REALITY IMAGES OF HONG KONG'S MARINE ENVIRONMENT Hong Kong's coastline and inshore waters are being reclaimed and polluted to an increasing degree. This study is a survey of Hong Kong's coastline identifying all its important features. Data are entered into a GIS database and will eventually be converted into maps and other visual images, including virtual reality. The ultimate aim is the production of a management strategy for the territory's coastline. Investigators: Professor B.S. Morton (Principal) Mr. J.W. Bradford Miss W.S.M. Tang Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Architecture Swire Institute of Marine Science Source of funding: John Swire and Sons (Hong Kong) Ltd. Starting date: 1994.04 Completion date: 1997.06 MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF THE AZORES LITTORAL To produce a marine biodiversity text of the Azorean littoral for the general public and students and to identify possible conservation sites. Investigators: Professor B.S. Morton (Principal) Professor J.C. Britton Professor A.M. Frias Martins Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A. Biology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal Starting date: 1994.07 Completion date: 1997.06 CHINESE HORSESHOE CRAB To study the Chinese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) and its habitats in Hong Kong, that is, soft sand shores, with a view to identifying significant breeding beaches and their possible designation as sites of special scientific interest. Investigators: Professor B.S. Morton (Principal) Dr. Q. Huang Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Swire Institute of Marine Science Source of funding: China Light and Power Co. Ltd. Starting date: 1995.04 BIODIVERSITY OF HONG KONG'S CORALS To produce a report on the status of Hong Kong's corals and associated fish fauna and identify areas where it would be feasible to recommend the establishment of either marine parks or reserves. Investigators: Professor B.S. Morton (Principal) Mr. A.S. Cornish Miss D.M. McCorry Dr. Y.J. Sadovy Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Swire Institute of Marine Science Source of funding: Hong Kong Jockey Club Starting date: 1995.10 THE AMPULLARY GLAND, VENTRAL PROSTATE AND EMBRYOGENESIS To understand the mechanism of regulation of fertility by the ASG which is of fundamental importance in male reproductive physiology; to establish a non-genetic cause of paternal influence on embryonic development; to explain the developmental arrests associated with the assisted reproductive techniques which are widely applied in clinical, agricultural and veterinary practice. Investigators: Dr. W.S. O (Principal) Dr. P.P.H. Cheong Department: Anatomy Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 SPATIAL PATTERNS OF GROWTH FACTOR GENE EXPRESSION AS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE CHARACTERISTIC TOPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF B LYMPHOCYTE LINEAGE CELLS IN BONE MARROW To correlate, by visualizing specific mRNA, the topograpical distribution patterns in BM of cells expressing genes coding for (in vitro defined) growth factors with that of B lineage cells; to correlate, using immunohistology, the topographical distribution patterns in BM of the protein products of the genes mentioned; to use the data obtained to assess the likelyhood of a particular grwoth factor to play a regulatory role (positive or negative) in B lymphocytopoiesis in vivo. Investigator: Dr. D. Opstelten Department: Biochemistry Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.01 FIBRE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RED COTTON TREE BOMBAX CEIBA Seed capsules of the red cotton tree Bombax ceiba contain abundant fibres which are part of the seed dispersal mechanism for this species. The formation of these fibres is being investigated to understand the mechanisms controlling their initiation and development. This will provide an insight into the regulation of cell wall formation which is a key step in determining plant cell morphology. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Starting date: 1993.02 SOLUTION CONFORMATION OF FUCOIDAN To determine the conformation of the sulphated polysaccharide fucoidan. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Hung Hing Ying Physical Sciences Research Fund Starting date: 1994.01 PHYTOPATHOLOGY OF TARO The mechanisms of resistance to the pathogen of taro Phytopthora colocasiae are being investigated with a view to improving the breeding of this species. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Starting date: 1994.05 THE CULTIVATION OF TROPICAL TUBERS To assess the effect of growth conditions on the deposition of reserve polysaccharides in tubers of colocasia esculenta. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1995.03 Completion date: 1997.01 SYNTHESIS OF GLUCOMANNANS IN MONOCOTYLEDON TUBERS To identify and characterise the glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of the b(1-4) glucomannans from Amorphophallus spp. and other monocot tuber crops; to determine the regulatory factors governing the composition and deposition of the glucomannan reserve polysaccharides. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 CAPSULE DEVELOPMENT IN BOMBAX CEIBA To examine the factors influencing the development of seed capsules and fibre yield in the cotton tree Bombax Ceiba. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1996.01 ISOLATION OF FUCOIDANASE To isolate, characterise and purify polysaccharide endo-hydrolases capable of degrading the algal polysaccharide fucoidan. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 SYNTHESIS AND DEPOSITION OF RESERVE POLYSACCHARIDES IN TROPICAL TUBER CROPS To elucidate the biochemistry of reserve polysaccharides deposition in the tubers of the economically significant tropical tuber crops taro (Colocasia esculenta) and yam (Dioscorea batata) to enable improved cultivation, selection and utilisation. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 TARO LEAF BLIGHT RESISTANCE To determine the molecular mechanism of resistance in Colocasia esculenta to infection by Phytopthora colocasiae the causal agent of taro leaf blight. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1997.05 MECHANISMS OF PLANT CELL RECOGNITION To establish an experimental system to identify the factors which determine cell-cell recognition in plants. Investigator: Dr. L. Ramsden Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 EARLY SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL FACTORS ON SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION ON JUVENILE GROUPERS To describe, through histological analyses of gonads,the sequence of early (prematurational) gonadal development of wild-caught individuals in three species of grouper of the genus Epinephelus (E. akaara, E. tauvina and either E. awaora or E> diacanthus depending on availability); to determine through experiment whethersexual development in juvenile E> akaara is influenced by social factors (their possible effect on adult sex change is beyond the scope of this study). Investigator: Dr. Y.J. Sadovy Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.08 SPAWNING DYNAMICS IN THE FLOWERY GROUPER, EPINEPHELUS POLYPHEKADION To examine the patterns of egg production in spawning aggregations of the flowery grouper, Epinephelus polyphekadion, for the purposes of (a) identifying the potential impact of commercial-level aggregation fishing on annual reproductive output, and (b) identifying the possible role of spawning aggregations as a source of fertilized eggs for grouper mariculture. Investigator: Dr. Y.J. Sadovy Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 A TAXONOMIC REVISION OF THE ILLICIALES (FAMILIES ILLICIACEAE AND SCHISANDRACEAE) A revision of the systematics of the related families Illiciaceae and Schisandraceae, and the elucidation of their phylogenetic relationships. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1993.05 TAXONOMIC REVISIONS FOR THE "FLORA OF SINGAPORE" A revision of the systematics of various flowering plant families, as part of the "Flora of Singapore" project being coordinated by the National University of Singapore. The families being studied are the Magnoliaceae, Schisandraceae, Philydraceae and Burmanniaceae. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1994.05 THE SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION OF THE FAMILY MYRSINACEAE A taxonomic revision and evolutionary study of two genera belonging to the family Myrsinaceae. The taxonomy of the genus Maesa will be revised on a regional basis, as part of the 'Flora of the Phillippines' project. Research into the phylogeny of Ardi and evolutionary trends in the genus will be undertaken using cladistic methodology. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 THE EVOLUTIONARY SYSTEMATICS AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF BURMANNIA L. (BURMANNIACEAE), WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO EAST ASIATIC SPECIES A systematic revision of the genus Burmannia L. (Burmanniaceae) with particular reference to East Asiatic species, and associated studies into the phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus, and aspects of the reproductive biology of local Hong Kong species. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION THE ANGIOSPERM FAMILY MYRSINACEAE, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HONG KONG AND THE PHILIPPINES There is widespread concern over global loss of biodiversity. Many areas of South-east Asian have been subject to comprehensive deforestation, intensive agriculture or urbanization, resulting in the loss of both species and habitats. As a consequence, greater attention is now being directed towards the systematic cataloging of species diversity, and towards research aimed at elucidating their taxonomic and evolutionary relationships. The synthesis of the similarities and differences resulting from evolutionary processes will increase our ability to predict the properties and characteristics of less well known but potentially valuable species. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.10 MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE ILLICIALES To reconstruct an evolutionary tree of the plant order Illiciales using DNA sequence data. This will enable: (1) an interpretation of plant structural evolution elucidated by traditional anatomical studies; (2) a revision of the existing taxonomy, particularly the supraspecific level; and (3) a study of the historical biogeography of the order. Investigators: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders (Principal) Dr. M.L. Chye Departments: Ecology and Biodiversity Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF PRIMITIVE ANGIOSPERMS (MAGNOLIIDAE) IN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA To assess the reproductive biology of selected angiosperms, and to correlate the data with published phylogenies to determine evolutionary dates. Investigator: Dr. R.M.K. Saunders Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 STUDY OF THE TARGET DNA BINDING ACTIVITIES OF THE HOXB-3 HOMEODOMAIN PROTEIN To express the Hoxb-3 homeodomain protein in a bacterial expression system, this will provide the purified protein material for subsequent DNA-binding analysis. To investigate the auto- and cross-regulatory interactions between Hoxb-3 homeodomain protein and other Hox genes. Hoxb-3 target DNA sequences in a number of Hoxa- and Hoxb- genes which are expressed in the developing hindbrain will be identified, the DNA binding specificity characterized, and the ability of Hoxb-3 to trans-activate the expression of these genes examined. To identify other DNA sequences which the Hoxb-3 protein can bind to using the whole genome PCR approach, to characterize the binding specificity between Hoxb-3 protein and their target binding sites, and finally to clone and study the target genes of Hoxb-3. Investigator: Dr. M.H. Sham Department: Biochemistry Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1997.01 EFFECTS OF ENHANCED EXPRESSION OF IMMEDIATE EARLY GENES ON NEURAL REGENERATION IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM To investigate whether immediate early genes, c-fos and c-jun, are necessary for successful axonal regeneration and whether the lack of regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals including humans is due to the failure of CNS neurons to express c-fos or c-jun following nerve injury; to investigate if the enhancement of expression of c-fos or c-jun protein and mRNA by intravitreal grafting of peripheral nerve or injection of peripheral nerve exudate can promote axonal regeneration. Investigator: Professor K.F. So Department: Anatomy Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.11 GENETIC DIVERSITY OF DURUM WHEAT LANDRACES FROM IRAN To characterize genetic variation present in both within and between landraces of Durum wheat from an Iranian collection; to compare Iranian landraces with world collections of Durum wheat; to compare variation of molecular level with variation of quantitative traits in Durum wheat. Investigators: Dr. M. Sun (Principal) Mr. K. Ye Department: Zoology Starting date: 1994.06 Completion date: 1997.06 USE OF DNA MARKERS FOR GENETIC ANALYSIS IN AMARANTHUS To understand the evolutionary origin and relationship of the grain amaranth species to each other, and their relationship to wild species in the genus Amaranthus; to define the quantitative genetic basis of economically important traits in the grain vegetable amaranths, and the genetic basis of morphological differences; to develop a genetic map using RAPDs, RFLPs, isozyme loci, and single-gene morphological markers; to map the positions of quantitative trait loci, and determine the relative conbution of these individual QTLs to the variation of the quantitative traits of interest. Investigator: Dr. M. Sun Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.07 THE POPULATION BIOLOGY OF WILD ORCHIDS: CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS IN HONG KONG To evaluate the biological status of wild orchids in Hong Kong with a focus on rare and threatened species, thus providing essential demorgraphic information relevant to conservation management; to identify the genetic and ecological factors underlying population decline and extinction; to take action to conserve species and genetic diversity of wild orchids based on information obtained from the population studies; in situ and ex situ conservation strategies will be formulated and recommendations made to the Hong Kong government. Investigator: Dr. M. Sun Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.10 MOLECULAR POPULATION GENETICS OF COLONIZING SUCCESS OF YELLOW STARTHISTLE (CENTAUREA SOLSTITIALIS L.) Yellow starthistle is an aggressive colonizing plant originating in the Middle East which has become a serious weed in much of the Pacific rim. The process of colonization is an important theme in evolutionary biology, yet has been inadequately studi especially with the use of modern molecular techniques. I will investigate the population genetic structure of yellow starthistle populations from the center of origin and from colonized sites, using molecular and biochemical markers. This will hellucidate the genetic consequences of colonization in this model species, and give indicators to early control strategies to follow as it emerges as a weed in further locations in south east Asia. Investigator: Dr. M. Sun Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 POPULATION GENETIC CONSEQUENCES OF CLEISTOGAMY AND MATING SYSTEM EVOLUTION IN SCUTELLARIA INDICA (LABIATAE) To determine the effective mating system in cleistogamous Scutellaria indica and its effects on population genetic structure, and to investigate the factors responsible for evolution and maintenance of cleistogamy in the species. Investigator: Dr. M. Sun Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 SCHEDULING OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BY RANKED POSITIONAL WEIGHT METHOD Improvement of algorithm. Resource levelling of projects with multi-constrained resources. Development of software for easy application. Implementation of the technique. Investigators: Dr. P.W.M. Tam (Principal) Professor H.C. Chan Department: Civil and Structural Engineering Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 IDENTIFICATION OF THE DIMERISATION DOMAIN OF DEHALOGENASE IVA OF PSEUDOMONAS CEPACIA MBA4 The gene encoding for dehalogenase IVa (DehIVa) of Pseudomonas cepacia MBA4 has been cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequence data revealed an open reading frame for a 231 amino acids protein and a molecular size of 25.9 kDa. Whilst gel filtration indicated a molecular weight of 45 kDa this implied that the active protein is a dimer. The present proposal aim to locate the dimerisation domain of the protein by deletion analysis. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.11 Completion date: 1996.10 DEVELOPMENT OF A HOST-VECTOR SYSTEM FOR PSEUDOMONAS CEPACIA Cloning and expression of the gene encoding for dehalogenase IVa (DehIVa) of Pseudomonas cepacia MBA4 in Escherichia coli and in Peudomonas putida suggested that the gene was regulated positively. In order to analyse the expression of DehIVa in vivo, is necessary to have a host-vector system. To develop such a system for P. cepacia. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 MOLECULAR STUDY OF THE 2-HALOACID HALIDOHYDROLASE GENE HDLIVA OF PSEUDOMONAS CEPACIA MBA4 To obtain information on the molecular structure of dehalogenases and the expression of dehalogenases. The information obtained will shed light on the mechanism of the enzyme activity and helps engineering enzymes which can breakdown even more recalcitrant molecules or producing enzymes used in biotransformation procedure for chemical and biotechnological industries. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.10 CHARACTERISATION OF THE PROMOTER OF DEHIVA GENE OF PSEUDOMONAS CEPACIA MBA4 To characterise the promoter sequence of DehIVa in order to identify the regulatory motif of this gene. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CRYPTIC DEHALOGENASES IN PSEUDOMONAS CEPACIA MBA4 To isolate and characterise the other dehalogenases genes in P. cepacia MBA4 with an aim to understand more characteristics of microbial dehalogenases. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.10 CLONING OF A 2-BROMO-PROPIONIC ACID DEHALOGENASE GENE FROM PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA A bacterium has been isolated from the natural environment using 2-bromo-propionic acid as the sole carbon and energy source for growth. This isolate has been identified as a strain of Pseudomonas putida and has been shown to produce a dehalogenase in activity-stained gel. To isolate and clone the gene encoding for this dehalogenase. Investigator: Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 ADHERENCE OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA TO HUMAN BASEMENT MEMBRANE COLLAGEN To establish and validate a newly developed method to test bacterial adherence to human basement membrane collagen; to apply this model to study PA adherence to human basement membrane collagen under different conditions (baceterial concentration, temperature, time, pH, and calcium concentrations); to evaluate the effects of pharmacological agents on PA adherence to collagen and hence identify potential therapeutic agents. Investigators: Dr. K.W.T. Tsang (Principal) Professor M.S.M. Ip Professor W.K. Lam Department: Medicine Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GENETIC ALTERATIONS IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMAS BY ARBITRARILY PRIMED POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION Generation of genomic DNA fingerprintings from matched normal tissues and nasopharyngeal using AP-PCR method. Cloning of genomic DNA sequences commonly deleted or amplified in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Determination of the frequency of deleteion or amplification of the cloned genomic DNA sequences in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Evaluation of the potential of the cloned genomic DNA sequences as genetic markers for clinical application in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Chromosomal mapping of the cloned genomic DNA sequences. Investigator: Dr. G.S.W. Tsao Department: Anatomy Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE IN NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT To develop flow cytometric technique to investigate the effect of parenteral nutrition supplemented with short-chain fatty acids on intestinal cells proliferation. Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 THE INFLUENCE OF DIETARY ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS ON IMMUNOCOMPETENCE: SCREENING IN HONG KONG HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS To establish data base for dietary antioxidant vitamins intakes, and to correlate blood level antioxidants with immunocopetence in a health individual. The aim is to test the hypothesis that nutritional antioxidant status of an individual is an important determining factor in immunocompetence and possibly disease risk. Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 THE ROLE OF FREE RADICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN MOTOR NEURON DEGENERATIVE DISEASE There are increasing evidence indicating the involvement of free radicals damage in many chronic diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and neurondegenerative disease. By using a motor neuron degenerative disease mouse model, to investigate the roles of free radicals in the disease process and investigating whether antioxidants such as vitamins E and C can be any therapeutic use by naturalizing the free radicals. Investigators: Dr. J.M.F. Wan (Principal) Dr. L.L. Vacca-Galloway Departments: Zoology Anatomy Starting date: 1995.07 EFFECTS OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-a(TNF-a) ON CYCLINS AND RELATED CELL CYCLE PROTEINS EXPRESSIONS IN HUMAN TUMOR CELL LINES AS DETERMINED To investigate: a) the effect of TNF on cyclins: D, E, A, B expression by flow cytometry; b) the effect of TNF on P21, PCNA expression by cytometric studies; c) the effect of TNF on tumor cell lines proliferation and apoptosis studied by flow cytometr Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1995.07 THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETARY FATTY ACIDS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MAMMARY TUMORS IN FEMALE FISCHER 344 RATS Exciting evidences demonstrated that the quality of dietary fatty acids, especially W-6 and W-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids affect the development of cancers such as the colon, breast, and prostate. This project aims to investigate the effect of saturated, monosaturated W-3, and W-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on breast cancer cells proliferation by using flow cytometry technology. The data in this study will help us understand the mechanisms involved in more depth. Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1995.09 THE EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER CELL LINE, NCI-H446 Lung cancer is almost certainly the most common cancer in the world today. Over the past several years, work has focused on characterizing the prevention, inhibition and regression of lung cancer by b-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin C which act as antioxidants. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative potential of b-carotene and retinoids by flow cytometry technology. The data will help us to understand how antioxidants prevent lung cancer formation and progression. Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1995.09 THE ANTICANCEROUS MECHANISM OF "YUN ZHI" ON HUMAN LEUKEMIC (HL-60) CELLS Extensive evidence exits "Yun Zhi", a Chinese herbal medicine, has a potential role in the treatment of cancer but the mechanistic actions are poorly defined. We have obtained the first evidence that Yun Zhi has cell-cycle specific activity and the anticancer effect on human leukemic cells (HL-60) involves delay in cyclin B1 destruction at the G2/M transition, leading to cell arrest. We aim to further investigate the mechanistic action of Yun Zhi in regulating cancer cells entry and exit mitosis in terms of cyclin B and its associated protein kinase, p34cdc2 activity. The data will serve to provide stronger scientific bases for the use of Yun Zhi in leukemia cancer therapy in human, which is already in practice. Investigator: Dr. J.M.F. Wan Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 THE PROPHYLACTIC EFFECTS OF POLYSACCHARIDE KRESTIN (PSK) ON ATHEROSCLEROSIS To investigate whether (PSK) has any prophylactic effects on artherosclerosis. Investigators: Dr. J.M.F. Wan (Principal) Professor Y. Chen Departments: Zoology Research Laboratory of Free Radical Medicine, First Military Medical University, People's Republic of China Starting date: 1997.07 A STUDY OF ENDANGERED WILD ORCHIDS IN HONG KONG To use modern techniques such as tissue culture for the conservation and multiplication of endangered wild orchid species in Hong Kong. Investigator: Dr. M.A. Weatherhead Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association Starting date: 1984.12 DO PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS ON HERBIVORES MEDIATE THE STRUCTURE OF ALGAL ASSEMBLAGES? To investigate, via manipulative experiments, how physical factors (principally temperature and desiccation stresses) influence the range and duration of herbivore foraging and the consequent effects of these constraints on the structure and diversity the algal assemblage. Investigator: Dr. G.A. Williams Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 OPTIMAL FORAGING OF INTERTIDAL HERBIVORES UNDER VARYING PRODUCTION REGIMES IN A SIMULATED ROCKY SHORE HABITAT To investigate, with the use of a simulated, controlled rocky shore habitat, the relative importance of top up (production) and bottom down (foraging pressure), processes in determining community structure on rocky shores. Investigators: Dr. G.A. Williams (Principal) Mr. R. Kennish Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 JUST HOW MANY SPECIES ARE THERE? A GENETIC INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIODIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHORES To provide an unambiguous assessment of the specific status of a number of extremely common intertidal organisms which traditional taxonomists have failed to adequately resolve. Investigators: Dr. G.A. Williams (Principal) Dr. R.I. Lewis Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION OF GROWTH HORMONE RELEASE AND GENE EXPRESSION IN THE COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO): - THE ROLE OF THE NEUROTRANSMITTER DOPAMINE To study the neuroendocrine regulation of growth hormone (GH) synthesis and release in teleost fishes, with emphasis on the elucidation of signalling mechanisms mediating the GH responses to neurohormones. Investigator: Dr. A.O.L. Wong Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.09 ADRENERGIC REGULATION OF GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION AND GENE EXPRESSION IN THE GOLDFISH To establish the theoretical basis for future aquacultural practices to enhance body growth of commercial fishes by modulating endogenous growth hormone release and synthesis. Investigator: Dr. A.O.L. Wong Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 CARDIAC KAPPA RECEPTORS: FURTHER CHARACTERISATION OF BINDING PROPERTIES, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION MECHANISM AND FUNCTIONS To study the binding properties of the cardiac k-receptor, a sarcolemmal membrane preparation devoid of nerves will be used. Both direct and displacement binding methods with specific k-ligands will be employed; to identify the mechanism(s) that couple the activation of the cardiac k-receptor to the formation of IP3, experiments will be performed to determine which of the two known mechanisms-tyrosine phosphorylation and/or activation of G-protein is involved; to identify the functions of k-receptors, those proteins which undergo phosphorylation (or dephosphorylation) following administration of a specific k-agonist will be examined. Investigators: Dr. N.S. Wong (Principal) Professor T.M. Wong Departments: Biochemistry Physiology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.09 THE EFFECT OF DNA METHYLATION ON THE CODON AND NUCLEOTIDE SUBSTITUTION PATTERNS OF PROTEIN-CODING GENES To elucidate the joint effect of methylation-mediated mutation and purifying selection on the pattern of nucleotide substitutions in protein-coding genes; to develop computer programs for codon analysis and staistical modeling. Investigator: Dr. X. Xia Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.11 MOLECULAR APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF TOXIN-PRODUCING PSEUDONITZSCHIA SPECIES IN HONG KONG To develop molecular markers for 1) identify and distinguish between Pseudonitzchia species that produce the toxic domoic acid from those that do not, and 2) integrate the molecular technique into a monitoring system that can accurately predict the occurrence of toxin-producing Pseudonitzchia species in algal blooms in Hong Kong waters; use molecular markers to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among algal taxa including toxin-producing species. Investigator: Dr. X. Xia Department: Ecology and Biodiversity Starting date: 1997.07 EFFECTS OF MILK-BORNE GROWTH PROMOTING PEPTIDES ON GASTROINTESTINAL DEVELOPMENT IN NEWBORN ANIMALS To examine the effects of milk-borne growth promoting peptides on gastrointestinal development in newborn animals; to evaluate whether these milk-born growth factors can be used to enhance gastrointestinal maturation in growth retarded newborns and newborns of premature birth. Investigators: Dr. R.J. Xu (Principal) Ms. Y.L. Mao Mr. J.N. Mubiru Mr. Y.H. Yeung Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.01 DEVELOPMENT OF A SPEEDY METHOD FOR DETECTION OF ADULTERATION IN HONEY PRODUCTS To develop a speedy method using near infrared spectroscope to detect adulteration in honey products. Investigator: Dr. R.J. Xu Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 EFFECTS OF IGF-I ON GASTROINTESTINAL MATURATION IN NEONATAL ANIMALS UNDER TOTAL PARENTERAL NUTRITION To examine if IGF-I can be used to enhance gut maturation in neonatal animals under total parenteral nutrition. If so, the peptides may be used in treatment of newborns of premature birth or of prenatal growth retardation. Investigator: Dr. R.J. Xu Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING OF QUATERNARY SEDIMENTS IN HONG KONG To carry out thermoluminescence dating on offshore Quaternary alluvial sediments in Hong Kong to assist palaeoenvironmenta Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal) Dr. D. Price Departments: Earth Sciences School of Geosciences, University of Wollongong, Australia Starting date: 1996.01 HOLOCENE RECORD OF TYPHOONS IN SOUTHERN CHINA To examine the record of typhoons in the coastal sediments of southern China by means of dating methods including high resolution archaeological and historical records. Investigators: Dr. W.W.S. Yim (Principal) Dr. A.M. Davis Mr. G. Huang Professor P. Li Departments: Earth Sciences Guangzhou Institute of Geography, People's Republic of China Starting date: 1996.01 OPTIMIZATION OF THE ASSAY AND PURIFICATION OF AN ENZYME IN PENICILLIUM DIGITATUM THAT CATALYZES THE FORMATION OF ETHYLENE FROM GLUTAMIC ACID Plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. The aims of this project is to purify an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of ethylene different from the normal physiological pathway, Met>AdoMet&emdash;>Acc&emdash;>ethylene. Obtaining the protein and thus the gene of this enzyme would contribute additional tool for genetic manipulation of ethylene biosynthesis in plants. Investigators: Dr. W.K. Yip (Principal) Dr. J.S.H. Tsang Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1993.07 MOLECULAR CLONING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE ETHYLENE BIOSYNTHESIS GENES IN RICE AND IN WHEAT The aims of the project include (i) Molecualr cloning the cDNAs of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase in rice and in wheat; (ii) to test for the physiological relevant of the resulted clones; (iii) expression of the gene products; promoter analysis of the corresponding genomic genes; (iv) analysis of the functions of the genes in vivo in transgenic plants by incorporating these genes into the plant genome. Investigator: Dr. W.K. Yip Department: Botany Source of funding: Croucher Foundation Starting date: 1993.12 POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY AND HANDLING OF LYCHEE To investigate the possiblility of prolonging the shelflife of lychee, finding a way to store it for a longer period without lossing its fresh flavor, preventing the browning of the red shell and thereby reducing the spoilage. Investigators: Dr. W.K. Yip (Principal) Dr. Y.B. Ho Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY STUDIES OF ETHYLENE BIOSYNTHESIS GENES: 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE (ACC) SYNTHASE AND ACC OXIDASE Molecular cloning the cDNAs of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase genes in various plant tissues, such as wheat,barley, mungbean and pea, and to test for the physiological relevant of the resulted clones;promoter analysis of an auxin-induced ACC synthase genomic gene in tomato and the analysis of the functions of this gene invivo in transgenic plants by incoporating this gene into the tomato genome; localization of ACC synthase and ACC oxidase using anti-peptide antibodies raised against the conserved regionsof the two enzymes; development of a universal immunoassay tor ACC oxidase; the aim is to obtain further information about the geneticmechanisms of ethylene biosynthesis in various tissues, this information can them be used to establish a theoretical ba sis from which ethylene production by crop plants and its physiological consequences can be regulated via biotechnology. Investigator: Dr. W.K. Yip Department: Botany Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.07 CONTROL OF CAULIFLOWER HMG-COA REDUCTASE BY REVERSIBLE PHOSPHORYLATION-DEPHOSPHORYLATION REACTIONS To elucidate the signal transduction pathway in plant. Using the HMG-CoA reductase kinase as a model system, we hope to find out the general principles underlying the signal cascade from stimuli to responses in plants. Investigator: Dr. W.K. Yip Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1995.07 EFFECT OF ETHYLENE ON FERTILITY CHANGE IN MALE STERILE RICE To gather information concerning the plant hormone ethylene effect on male sterility; to determine the molecular mechanism that cause male sterility in relation to ethylene in rice; to incorporate antisense ACC synthase gene(s) in normal and genic male sterile rice strains and observe their influences in male fertility. Those information may help us to develop new generation of male sterile strain that carry better traits. Investigators: Dr. W.K. Yip (Principal) Professor Y.W. Huang Departments: Botany South China Institute of Botany Academic Sinica, GuangZhou, People's Republic of China Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 REGULATION OF THE PLANT HMG-COA REDUCTASE KINASE BY REVERSIBLE PROTEIN PHOSPHORYLATION To elucidate the signal transduction pathway in plant. Investigators: Dr. W.K. Yip (Principal) Dr. H.C. Cheng Dr. M.L. Chye Departments: Botany School of Biochemistry, University of Melbourne, Australia Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10 CHARACTERIZATION OF THE 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE SYNTHASE ISOFORMS IN TOMATO PLANTS To understand the causes and the role of these isoforms of ACC synthase when expressed in tomato. Investigators: Dr. W.K. Yip (Principal) Dr. O.Y. Shiu Department: Botany Starting date: 1997.07 FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A PUTATIVE GOLDFISH D1 DOPAMINE RECEPTOR cDNA EXPRESSED IN EUKARYOTIC CELL LINES To develop an eukaryotic expression system for the functional characterization of the goldfish D1 receptor cDNA. Investigators: Dr. K.L. Yu (Principal) Dr. B.K.C. Chow Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1993.07 DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED PEPTIDE HORMONE ANALOGS FOR CONTROLLED REPRODUCTION AND GROWTH IN CULTURED FISH To design and apply GnRH analogs acting on specific pituitary GnRH receptor subtypes to accelerate growth and sexual maturity in fish as a means of improving aquaculture of fish. Investigator: Dr. K.L. Yu Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1994.07 CLONING AND EXPRESSION OF THE GENE FOR THE GOLDFISH DOPAMINE D2 RECEPTOR To obtain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the regulation of dopamine D2 receptor biosynthesis in the teleost pituitary using molecular approach; there are two basic parts to this proposal; the first is to isolate the structure of the D2 receptor genes involved in the regulation of pituitary gonadotropin (GtH) secretion in goldfish; such information is crucial to the development of oligonucleotide probes for the study of the regulation of D2 receptor gene expression; the application of molecular techniques to study fish neurotransmitter receptor that is involved in reproduction also has enormous potential to be of considerable benefit to aquaculture; the elucidation of the transcriptional regulatory mechanism for D2 receptor gene expression will ultimately allow possible engineering of the gene and /or its regulatory element to manipulate sexual maturity in the goldfish and in many other potentially important aquacultural species. Investigators: Dr. K.L. Yu (Principal) Dr. K.W. Dong Departments: Zoology Fishberg Research Centre in Neurobiology, Mount Sinai Medical Centre, New York, U.S.A. Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1994.08 MOLECULAR CLONING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE (GNRH) RECEPTOR GENES IN GOLDFISH To obtain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the regulation of GnRH receptor in the fish pituitary using molecular approach. Investigators: Dr. K.L. Yu (Principal) Professor J.P. Chang Professor R.E. Peter Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1995.08 NEURAL REGULATION OF GONADOTROPIN AND GROWTH HORMONE GENE EXPRESSION IN GOLDFISH PITUITARY To acquire basic information on neural regulation of pituitary gonadotropin (GtH) and growth hormone (GH) gene expression in goldfish; to elucidate the structure of b-endorphin which is involved in the regulation of both pituitary GtH and GH functions. Investigator: Dr. K.L. Yu Department: Zoology Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1996.07 MOLECULAR CLONING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE GENES IN FISH To obtain a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the regulation of biosynthesis of multiple GnRH peptides in the teleost brain using molecular approach. Investigator: Dr. K.L. Yu Department: Zoology Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council Starting date: 1996.09 A SPAWNING KIT FOR INDUCED REPRODUCTION IN MARINE FISHES USING SYNTHETIC GNRH AND RECEPTOR TECHNOLOGY To design and apply GnRH peptide analogs acting on specific pituitary GnRH receptor subtypes to accelerate sexual maturity and spawning in marine reef fishes; to develop and produce a third-generation "spawning kit" for the aquaculture industry. Investigators: Dr. K.L. Yu (Principal) Professor D.K.O. Chan Department: Zoology Starting date: 1997.07 CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE To investigate the patterns of differentiation of plant cells under in vitro conditions and to develop biotechnological methods of changing the growth mechanisms of crop plants. Investigator: Professor S.S.Y. Zee Department: Botany Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants Starting date: 1977.11 STUDIES ON THE CONTROL OF FLOWERING IN KUMQUAT (FORTUNELLA MARGARITA) To investigate the effect of water stress on Kumquat flower production. Investigator: Professor S.S.Y. Zee Department: Botany Source of funding: Woo Ting Sang Agricultural Development Research Fund Starting date: 1987.08 THE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS To seek funding to expand the collaboration to include cultivation of ornamental plants by modern biotechnology techniques. Investigator: Professor S.S.Y. Zee Departments: Botany Academia Sinica, South China Institute of Botany, People's Republic of China Source of funding: Croucher Foundation Starting date: 1992.07 STUDIES ON THE CELL BIOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY OF APOMICTIC RICE Using cytoembryological methods to characterize and confirm that some of the rice lines (showing twin or more seedlings) discovered and developed by the various research institutes in China are apomicts. Investigator: Professor S.S.Y. Zee Department: Botany Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded) Starting date: 1996.10