Bulletin No. 1, 2019

R esearch The World’s First Reference- grade Wild Soybean Genome Killing Cancer with Microwaves Thoracic surgical professors from the Faculty of Medicine performed Asia- Pacific’s first non-invasive bronchoscopic microwave ablation for lung cancer on 4 March. By means of electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, surgeons can deploy the microwave catheter tip for ablation into the lung cancer and raise the surrounding temperature to above 60°C, under which the lesion is destroyed. With the help of real-time tomography scans, surgeons can be assured of the proper placement of the catheter and monitor the ablation outcomes. Safe, High-rate and Long-life Organic-oxygen Battery CUHK-led ‘God Particle’ Experiment Recognized by UGC as Area of Excellence Intercropping Boosts Productivity Prof. Amos Tai (1st right) of the Earth System Science Programme teamed up with Prof. Lam Hon-ming (2nd right) of the School of Life Sciences to investigate the feasibility of a total replacement of the traditional farming practice of monoculture with intercropping. Using computer models, they found that intercropping enables higher productivity in crops with less synthetic fertilizers and hence reduces the air pollutants being volatilized from the cropland soil. This may help maintain a stable food supply and alleviate air pollution in China. A safe, high-rate and long-life oxygen battery that exploits a potassium biphenyl complex anode instead of the problematic potassium metal anode was developed by Prof. Lu Yi-chun, Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering. The technology provides a safe and efficient solution for the storage of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. An international collaborative research team led by Prof. Lam Hon-ming, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) and Professor of the School of Life Sciences, completed the world’s first reference-grade wild soybean genome, which provides an important tool for soybean genetic research internationally. It provides foundation for comparative genomic studies of legume and soybean improvement programmes, helps improve the tolerance of soybeans, and extends the habitats of soybean cultivation. The research findings were published in the academic journal Nature Communications in March 2019. p Dr. Calvin Ng (left), Associate Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Dr. Rainbow Lau, Clinical Assistant Professor (honorary) from the same division, simulating the process of the treatment A team of particle physics researchers from local institutions, led by Prof. Chu Ming-chung (front) of the Department of Physics of CUHK, took part in the ATLAS experiment based at The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (known as CERN). The project was awarded funding in excess of HK$78 million from the Areas of Excellence (AoE) Scheme under the University Grants Committee (UGC). The award would boost the team’s involvement in the ATLAS experiment, including the ATLAS detector upgrade, data analysis, exploring new theories, and contributing to the R&D work of the proposed Electron-positron Collider in China. 37 News in Brief