Page 23 - Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Proceedings 2017-18

School of Science
Division of Life Science

Nucleolar complex associated protein 3 (Noc3p), is essential for DNA replication. To further elucidate the role and
function of this protein, we examined the role of nonchromatin bound Noc3p in DNA replication. Noc3p, although
continuously bound to the chromatin throughout the cell cycle, has been hypothesized to dimerizes in a cell cycle
dependent manner in G1 phase of the cell cycle in the process of pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) formation. In this
study, we determined the function of non-chromatin bound Noc3p in DNA replication using the Anchor-Away system.
The depletion of non-chromatin bound Noc3p form the nucleus impaired cell growth, although this defect could be
rescued with the introduction of ectopically expressed wild-type Noc3p. We further determined that the Anchor-Away
system does not deplete chromatin-bound Noc3p. Lastly we calculated the cell density and budding index of circulating
FRB-NOC3 cells (depleted/non-depleted) and conclude that cell proliferation defects were evident in cells depleted of
non-chromatin bound Noc3p.

Water Quality Survey for Hong Kong's Marine Fish Farming Zone

Supervisor: LIU Hongbin / LIFS Co-Supervisor: LAU Wing Keung / LIFS
Student: CHIU Tze Hin / CIVL Course: UROP1100, Spring

A portion of fish supply in Hong Kong is self supply. This indicates the importance of maintaining good water quality in a
way of providing safe fish supply to the consumer, such as Hong Kong citizens. Thus, Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department (AFCD) in order to safeguard the food safety and fish quality, cooperates with HKUST to
conduct water quality survey in ,29 in total, local fish cultures zones. The report would only focus on the suspended solid,
measured by weighting, chlorophyll concentration, by spectrophotometer, concentration, turbidity and salinity. In
additional with tables and figures, the geographical and chronical effect would be illustrated.

Supervisor: LIU Hongbin / LIFS Co-Supervisor: LAU Wing Keung / LIFS
Student: CHUNG Shun Lap Benedict / SSCI Course: UROP1000, Summer

Fishery industry of Hong Kong is supported by diversified fishery sources, where some of the common species like
grouper, snapper and even oysters that we are familiar with are actually cultured and merchandised locally in various
fishing and culturing zones. And aquaculture production was valued at around 147 million last year (AFCD HK, 2018).
Thus, in order to ensure the catch/production is up to the legal standard of food safety as well as to sustain the
ecological setting for this running business, it would be crucial to maintain the quality of environment that nurturing
them. Regular water quality surveying co-conducting by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, with
HKUST is carried out to monitor water quality determinants and parameters. In this project, figures from analyzing
samples and related factors affecting water quality will be presented, to conclude the conditions of the fishing zones.

Supervisor: LIU Hongbin / LIFS Co-Supervisor: LAU Wing Keung / LIFS
Student: HUI Chung Man Jessica / BSCI Course: UROP1100, Summer

The quality of aquaculture in Hong Kong is frequently inspected, evaluated and maintained to ensure that fisheries and
farms are operating at qualified conditions, providing safe products to markets and people. The Hong Kong Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department works together with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
(HKUST) to evaluate and monitor the water quality, ensuring safe products and undisturbed seawaters sustaining marine
life. This report focuses on the amount of suspended solids, chlorophyll-a concentration and nutrients (nitrogen oxides,
ammonia, orthophosphate and silicate) measured by weighing and using spectrophotometer and Skalar San++
Automated Wet Chemistry Analyzer respectively. The findings and interpretation will focus on the above measured
contents of four designated sites, Lo Tik Wan, Kau Sai, Tap Mun and O Pui Tong whereas, interpretation is made using
spatial and seasonal differences among them.

13