New Inorganic Matrix for Immobilization of Bio-organisms (September 2000 - present) · Students · Publications and Presentations The creation of hard shell matrix for immobilization and encapsulation of bio-organisms, cells, proteins and enzymes is an important topic that has a wide range of applications that include drug delivery, pharmaceutical production and bio-remediation processes. Two general strategies have been adopted for immobilizing yeast cells: (1) solid mesoporous silica spheres and (2) multi-laminated hollow spheres. Viable yeast cells were successfully incorporated within the mesoporous silica matrix of 0.3 - 10 mm O.D. spheres. These spheres are four times stronger than the traditional algenate matrix employed in cell immobilization. A theoretical strength 10 times that of the current value is achievable through further engineering of the matrix material. The porosity of the silica matrix can be tuned to achieve high diffusion rate to allow for rapid exchange of nutrient and products between the yeast cell and the environment, while maintaining its superior strength [18]. Bacterial colony was enclosed within hollow spheres with multi-laminated wall. The wall was made of alternating polymer and silica layers. This gave the material significantly better strength than the pure polymer hollow spheres.
This project is done in collaboration with Prof. John Barford (Chemical Engineering, HKUST), who has initiated this project in relation to his current research. Prof. Barford is an expert in biotechnology and has considerable background in food technology, bioproccessing, bioseparation and wastewater treatment and management.
1. DGA02/03.EG36 Bio-mimetic molecular delivery vehicles.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: King Lun Yeung
STATUS: On-going (January 2003 - present)
SUMMARY: The project explores the use of inorganic bio-mimetic materials for the storage and controlled release of molecular agents for investigating biological systems.
Students:(2 M. Phil. students, 1 M. Sc. student, 1 Ph. D. student)
· Mr. Kirby Uy (M. Phil. student, September, 1999 - present)
· Mr. Ho Fai LEUNG (M. Sci. student, September, 2001 - June, 2002)
· Miss Ling Wai WONG (Ph. D. student, co-supervised, February, 2003 - present)
Publications and Presentations: (1 peer-reviewed journal manuscripts)
