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− | + | Professor Chan had explained the whole process of influenza detection, from sample collection to standard diagnosis procedures in detail. For example, there is a verity of sources of sample can be collected from patient: Nasopharyngeal aspirate is the most sensitive source to be examined, however, assistance of nurse is required, while throat swab is the common method adopted in clinic due to its easier manipulation and collection, but lower amount of virus can be found here, leading to lower accuracy. Thus, he emphasized if the sensitivity of the product we designed is similar to that of PCR reaction, the source limitation and profession are no longer an obstacle. | |
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− | Thus, we decided to package our design as “point of care”, | + | Thus, we decided to package our design as “point of care”, applicable in both hospital and clinic, especially useful in nightshift and peak season. As suggested by Professor Chan, distinguishing the subtype of influenza is not very significant in tackling flu because current medicine can already defeat all types of influenza, but important to be the decision factor of the release of chicken to the market. <br> |
<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/b/bd/Prof_chan.jpeg" width="500px" height="auto"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/b/bd/Prof_chan.jpeg" width="500px" height="auto"></center> | ||
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<b>2. Professor Joseph J.Y. Sung (23 June 2017) </b> | <b>2. Professor Joseph J.Y. Sung (23 June 2017) </b> | ||
<p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | <p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | ||
− | We have also met | + | We have also met Professor Sung, Vice-Chancellor and Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Professor Sung has long been dedicated his life to public health affairs. In 2003, Professor Sung led his medical team to fight against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). He also won the name of “Asian Hero” in the Time magazine and was awarded the Distinguished Award for Scientist and Medical Professional in the Fighting Against SARS (Medical Technology Personnel Category), in praise of his great contributions. |
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− | Similar to what Prof Chan suggested, | + | Similar to what Prof Chan suggested, Professor Sung also agreed that the project can be divided into two directions: medical diagnosis and influenza subtyping. He suggested that we can focus on influenza A in medical diagnosis track because of its high mutation rate. As for the latter, he appreciated our idea as subtyping characterization kit of influenza is rare in the market. |
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− | + | <b>Our Action</b><br> | |
+ | After meeting two medical experts, we concluded that our project is divided into two directions: medical diagnosis and influenza subtyping. For the former, it will focus on detecting type A influenza, H5N1 and H7N9 and the rationales behind will be discussed in next section; In influenza subtyping, the characterization of the types of virus in chicken is the major focus. | ||
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<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/4/4d/Prof_sung.jpeg" width="500px" height="auto"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/4/4d/Prof_sung.jpeg" width="500px" height="auto"></center> | ||
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<p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | <p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | ||
− | Once there is one case of chicken being infected by avian influenza, government becomes quite reactive. More seriously | + | Once there is one case of chicken being infected by avian influenza, government becomes quite reactive. More seriously, either imported or local fed chickens are gathered and slaughter, render them the financial loss. Therefore, we doubted that a large-scale flu outbreak can be prevented if chicken farmers can take initiative to detect their own chickens regularly, resulting in the reduction of their loss. Having such concerns, we have contacted a local association and a local chicken farmer respectively |
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<b>1. The new territories chicken breeders association (10 July 2017)</b> | <b>1. The new territories chicken breeders association (10 July 2017)</b> | ||
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− | We interviewed a representative from the association. Before the interview, we guessed they may be interested a little bit as they suffer the loss of money during central slaughtering. | + | We interviewed a representative from the association. Before the interview, we guessed they may be interested a little bit as they suffer the loss of money during central slaughtering. Surprisingly, they were almost acceptable to the arrangements from the government because they thought that Avian influenza detection should be conducted by neutral position, which is the government in their opinions. <br> |
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<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/3/34/Chicken_association.png" width="300px" height="auto"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/3/34/Chicken_association.png" width="300px" height="auto"></center> | ||
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<b>2. Fork Eat, a local chicken farm (29 July 2017)</b> | <b>2. Fork Eat, a local chicken farm (29 July 2017)</b> | ||
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− | We also interviewed two local chicken farmers Mr. Joe Lit and Mr. Charles Lam. They are the founder of the local chicken | + | We also interviewed two local chicken farmers Mr. Joe Lit and Mr. Charles Lam. They are the founder of one of the local chicken farms and restaurant “Fork Eat”. Similar to the attitudes of chicken breeders association, they agreed that their role in Avian flu detection is very passive, as the government has the absolute right of slaughter. Moreover, they indicated that chicken farms in Hong Kong are undergone regular inspection frequently (approximately 2-3 times per month), which is more than enough in their opinions, so they can’t find any incentive to detect by themselves. <br> |
<center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/6/6d/Forkeat.png" width="250px" height="auto"></center> | <center><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/6/6d/Forkeat.png" width="250px" height="auto"></center> | ||
<br><p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | <br><p style="font-family: roboto;font-size:115%;"> | ||
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+ | <b>Our Action</b><br> | ||
Previously we have proposed government (eg department of health) and chicken farmers will be the major customers in our second direction, avian influenza subtyping, after collecting the chicken farmers’ opinions, we laid the proposal of targeting chicken farmer aside, but confirmed to mainly focus on the market of hospitals/ government/ clinics. | Previously we have proposed government (eg department of health) and chicken farmers will be the major customers in our second direction, avian influenza subtyping, after collecting the chicken farmers’ opinions, we laid the proposal of targeting chicken farmer aside, but confirmed to mainly focus on the market of hospitals/ government/ clinics. | ||
Revision as of 14:59, 30 October 2017