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Dr Amber Jiachi Chiou
PolyU Scholars Hub

Dr Chiou Jiachi, Amber

Associate Head (FSN), Associate DoRiFood & Associate Professor

Research Overview

We are interested in the role of gut microbiome on human health. The research directions include 1) the beneficial roles of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics on metabolic syndromes and atopic dermatitis; 2) the breastmilk composition and microbiome; and 3) how early life nutrition influence the development of infant gut microbiome. We adopt multidisciplinary platforms including microbiology, cell biology, animal models, metabolomics, bioinformatics, and human cohorts.

Education and Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, National Taiwan University
  • Master of Science, National Taiwan University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Rutgers University

Academic and Professional Experience

  • Since 2016 Reviewer, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Elsevier, China 
  • Since 2016 Reviewer, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 
  • Member, Institute of Food Scientist (IFT) 
  • Member, American Society for Microbiologist (ASM) 

Research Interests

  • Gut microbiome
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Synbiotics
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Antimicrobial materials
  • Molecular detection

Achievements

  • International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva - Special Edition 2023 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days. Gold Medal. 3D printed antiviral materials for community use. 
  • International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva - Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days – Virtual Event. Silver Medal. AkkMore™: a Fungus and Plant Based Supplement Against Obesity or Prediabetes.  
  • Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement 2022 – Service (Team Award): Establishment of COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory to safeguard the PolyU community and beyond  
  • Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement 2022 – Knowledge Transfer Industry (Team Award): Development the world’s first antiviral 3D printing technology: commercialized for the most-needy community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
  • Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement 2021 – Service (Team Award): Establishment of COVID-19 diagnostic laboratory to safeguard the PolyU community and beyond  
  • Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement 2020 – Research and Scholarly Activities (Team Award): Quick Response Research to COVID-19 - from Cloth Mask to Other Person Protective Equipment 
  • Amino Benzamide Derivative Serving As B-Lactam Auxiliary Antibiotic, Preparation Method and Use Thereof. Patent number: US20170348258A1.  
  • Durable antimicrobial treatment of textile for use in healthcare environment. International Publication Number: WO 2019/195616 A1.  
  • “可重复使用的口罩”, Chinese Patent Office, Filing No.: 202010288466.1. 
  • “可重复使用的口罩”, Chinese Patent Office, Filing No.: 202010288578.1. 
  • “Reusable Face Mask”, Hong Kong Patents Registry, Patent number HK30025211.  
  • Reusable Face Mask”, Hong Kong Patents Registry, Patent number HK30025212. 
  • 3-layer Structure of PU30TM Reusable Face Mask, patented and licensing 
  • US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/268,282 
  1. HC Wu, SY Chen, WX Zhang, YQ Lu, JY Zheng, JH Chang, JC Chiou. Tremella polysaccharide mitigates high fat diet-induced anxiety-like behavior through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2023 accepted. FSHW-D-00927R1 
  2. C Li, YX Wang, JX Liu, ZY Hong, KH Wong, JC Chiou, BJ Xu, C Cespedes, WB Bai, LM Tian. Structural characteristics and in vitro fermentation patterns of polysaccharides from Boletus mushrooms. Food & Function. 2023, 14, 7912-7923.  
  3. Z Cheng, X Yu, S Tao, JC Chiou, A Wu, ZY Huang, C Chen, W Jiang, JG Zhu, ZH Dong, QH Liu, L Mao. Alfalfa as a vegetable source of β-carotene: The change mechanism of β-carotene during fermentation. Food Research International 2023, 172, 113104.  
  4. HF Tsang, KY Yim, CS Yu, N Jin, YO Wu, YL Cheng, WL Cheng, WM Leung, KW Lam, TN Hung, L Chan, JC Chiou, XM Pei, OY Lee, CS Cho, SC Wong. The clinical characteristics of pediatric patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and whole viral genome sequencing analysis. PLOS One 2023, 18(3): e0282389.  
  5. TF Shum, LW Wang, JC Chiou*. Impact of plasticizer on the intestinal epithelial integrity and tissue-repairing ability within cells in proximity of human gut microbiome. International Journal of Environmental Resource and Public Health 2023, 20(3): 2152.  
  6. HC Wu, MY Huang, WX Zhang, XY Lin, JC Chiou*. Prolonged high-fat diet consumption throughout adulthood in mice induced neurobehavioral deterioration via gut-brain axis. Nutrients 2023, 15(2): 392.  
  7. TF Leung, YH Chen, JC Chiou, SY Leung, CC Chan, MK Chang, NS Cheng, S Chan, MS Wong, and WH Tam. Human milk oligosaccharides in Chinese lactating mothers and relationship with allergy development in offspring. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology 2023.  
  8. Yang, Y., J.-C. Chiou, & Zhao, D* (2022). Unraveling the Prebiotic Effects of Phenolic Compounds Towards Probiotic Gut Bacteria via Metabolomics. (2022). Current Developments in Nutrition 6,1038.  
  9. LC Chan, YQ Zhang, XQ Kuang, MK Moghadam, HC Wu, YC Lam, JC Chiou*, CY Wen*. Captopril alleviates cellular senescence in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat associated with gut microbiome alteration. Cells 2022, 11(19):3173.  
  10. HC Wu, LL Jiang, TF Shum, JC Chiou*. Elucidation of anti-hypertensive mechanism by a novel Lactobacillus rhamnosus AC1 fermented soymilk in the deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats. Nutrients 2022, 14(15):3174.  
  11. WY Wang, JC Chiou, WX Chen, CW Kan, YC Lam, HW Hu. Poly(hexamethylene biguanide): an efficient pH-tolerant and salt-intensive flocculant in the removal of anionic dyes from wastewater. Journal of Material Science 2022, 57, 15662-15673.  
  12. YW Ho, JY Lim, YK Yeoh, JC Chiou, YY Zhu, KP Lai, L Li, KS Chan, KH Fang. Preliminary Findings of the high quantity of microplastics in faeces of Hong Kong residents. Toxics 2022, 10(8):414.  
  13. HF Tsang, CS Yu, N Jin, KY Yim, WM Leung, KW Lam, CS Cho, JC Chiou, SC Wong. The clinical application of metagenomic next- generation sequencing for detecting pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: case reports and literature review. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics 2022, 22(5): 575-582.   
  14. HC Wu, YC T. Lam, TF Shum, TY Tsai, JC Chiou*. Hypotensive effect of captopril on deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rat is associated with gut microbiota alteration. Hypertension Research 2022, 45(2): 270-282.  
  15. WY Wang, JC Chiou, WX Chen, JL Yu, CW Kan. A salt-free, zero-discharge and dyebath-recyclable circular coloration technology based on cationic polyelectrolyte complex for cotton fabric dyeing. Cellulose 2022. 29(2): 1249-1262.  
  16. HF Tsang, CS Yu, HT Wong, WM Leung, JC Chiou, YK Wong, KY Yim, NC Tsang, KI Tsang, WT Wong, SC Wong, CS Cho. Whole genome amplicon sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from lineage B.1.36.27 isolated in Hong Kong. Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics 2022, 22(1): 119-124. Dec.  
  17. HC Wu, TF Shum, JC Chiou*. Characterization of the Probiotic Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kimchi, Yogurt, and Baby Feces in Hong Kong and Their Performance in Soymilk Fermentation. Microorganism 2021, 9(12), 2544.  
  18. JC Chiou, QP Cheng, TF Shum, HY Wong, WC Chang, S Chen. Structural and Functional Characterization of OXA-48: Insight into Mechanism and Structural Basis of Substrate Recognition and Specificity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021, 22, 11480.  
  19. HC Wu, JC Chiou*. Potential benefits or probiotics and prebiotics for coronary heart disease and stroke. Nutrients 2021, 13(8): 2878.  
  20. FL Wing, S Zhao, JC Chiou. Antibacterial and clusteroluminogenic hypromellose-graft-chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complex films with high functional flexibility for food packaging. Carbohydrate Polymer 2021, 271:118447.  
  21. WY Wang, JC Chiou, WX Chen, JL Yu, CW Kan. Biosafety evaluation and quantitative determination of poly(hexamethylene biguanide) (PHMB) coated on cellulosic fabrics by Kubelka–Munk equation. Cellulose 2021, 28(10): 6651-6661.  
  22. X Kuang, J Chiou, K Lo, C Wen. Magnesium in joint health and osteoarthritis. Nutrition Research 2021, 90: 24-35.  
  23. WB Jin, C Xu, XL Qi, P Zheng, W Gao, KH Lai, J Chiou, EWC Chan, YC Leung, TH Chan, KY Wong, S Chen. Synthesis of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrolidines as meropenem adjuvants targeting New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase. New Journal of Chemistry 2021. 45(7): 3515-3534.  
  24. S Chatterjee, PCL Hui, WS Siu, CW Kan, PC Leung, WX Chen, JC Chiou. Influence of pH-responsive compounds synthesized from chitosan and hyaluronic acid on dual-responsive (pH/temperature) hydrogel drug delivery systems of Cortex Moutan. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2021, 168, 163-174.  
  25. AX Song, LQ Li, JY Yin, JC Chiou*, JY Wu*. Mechanistic insights into the structure-dependent and strain-specific utilization of wheat arabinoxylan by Bifidobacterium longum. Carbohydrate polymers 2020, 1(249):116886.  
  26. KP Lee, J Yip*, CW Kan, JC Chiou, KF Yung. Reusable face masks as alternative for disposable medical masks factors that affect their wear-comfort. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6623.  
  27. WY Wang, JC Chiou, J Yip, KF Yung and CW Kan. Development of durable antibacterial textile fabrics for potential application in healthcare environment. Coatings 2020, 10 (6): 520.   
  28. KL Lam, WY Cheng, F Yang, SL Lin, LJ You, JC Chiou, HS Kwan, Peter CK Cheung. Framework as a Service, FaaS: Personalized Prebiotic Development for Infants with the Elements of Time and Parametric Modelling of in vitro Fermentation. Microorganisms 2020, 8(5): 623.   
  29. Lui, HK, Gao W, Cheung KC, Jin WB, Sun N, Kan JWY, Wong ILK, Chiou J, Lin D, Chan EWC, Leung YC, Chan TH, Chen S, Chan KF, Wong KY. Boosting the efficacy of anti-MRSA β-lactam antibiotics via an easily accessible, non-cytotoxic and orally bioavailable FtsZ inhibitor. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2019, 163: 95-115.   
  30. He, D., Chiou, J., Zeng, Z., Chan, E.W.-C., Liu, J.-H., Chen, S. Comparative characterization of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 provides insights into the structure and catalytic activity of the CTX-M class of enzymes. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemother 2016, 60(10): 6084-6090.  
  31. Liu TH, Chiou J, Tsai TY. Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10-fermented soymilk on deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt -induced hypertension and associated dementia in rats. Nutrients 2016, 8(5). Pii: E260.  
  32. Li RC, Chiou JC, Chan WC, Chen S. A novel PCR-based approach for accurate identification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Frontiers in Microbiology 2016, 7:44.  
  33. Chiou JC*, Leung HH*, Lee HW*, Wong WT. Rapid testing methods for food contaminants and toxicants (Review). Journal of Integrative Agriculture 2015, 14(11): 2243-2264.   
  34. He DD*, Chiou JC*, Zeng ZL, Liu LP, Chen XJ, Zhen L, Chan WC, Liu JH, Chen S. Residues distal to the active site contribute to enhanced catalytic activity of variant and hybrid β-lactamases derived from CTX-M-14 and -15. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2015, 59(10): 5976-5983.   
  35. Chiou JC, Wan SB, Chan KF, So PK, He DD, Chan WC, Chan TH, Wong KY, Tao J, Chen S. Ebselen as a potent covalent inhibitor for New Delhi Metallo β-lactamases (NDM-1). Chemical Communication (Cambridge) 2015, 51(46): 9543-9546.  
  36. Chiou JC, Li RC and Chen S. CARB-17 family of β-lactamases mediated intrinsic resistance to penicillins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2015, 59(6): 3593-3595.  
  37. Wang Y, Chan FY, Sun N, Lui HK, So PK, Yan SC, Chan KF, Chiou J, Chen S, Abagyan R, Leung YC, Wong KY. Structure-based Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Isatin Derivatives as Potential Glycosyltransferase Inhibitors. Chemical Biology and Drug Design 2014, 84(6): 685-696 
  38. Chiou J, Leung TY, Chen S. Molecular Mechanisms of Substrate Recognition and Specificity of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 2014, 58(9): 5372-5378.  
  39. Chiou JC, Li XP, Remacha M, Ballesta JP, Tumer NE. Shiga toxin 1 is more dependent on the P proteins of the ribosomal stalk for depurination activity than Shiga toxin 2. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 2011, 43(12): 1792-1801.  
  40. Pierce M, Kahn NJ, Chiou J, Tumer NE. Development of a quantitative RT-PCR assay to examine the kinetics of ribosome depurination by ribosome inactivating proteins using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. RNA 2011, 17(1): 201-210.  
  41. Li XP, Chiou J, Remacha M, Ballesta JP, Tumer NE. A two-step binding model proposed for the electrostatic interactions of ricin A chain with ribosomes. Biochemistry 2009, 48(18): 3853-3863. 
  42. Chiou JC, Li XP, Remacha M, Ballesta JP, Tumer NE. The ribosomal stalk is required for ribosome binding, depurination of the rRNA and cytotoxicity of ricin A chain in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Molecular Microbiology 2008, 70(6): 1441-1452.  

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