Richard A. Collins

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Richard Anthony Collins FRSC (born 18 February 1966) is a British scientist.

Contents

Life

He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry on 'Purification and characterisation of a mutant form of pyruvate kinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced by site-directed mutatgenesis' [1] from the University of Edinburgh in 1994. He did post-doctoral research on natural products with anti-viral properties in the USA and Hong Kong, and has published peer reviewed scientific articles on HIV-1 inhibition, [2] [3] [4] novel nucleic acid based diagnostics for avian influenza, [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), [10] and foot-and-mouth disease. [11] [12] [13]

Scientific career

Collins identified potential anti-HIV-1 activity in a number of partially purified plant extracts, especially Chrysanthemum morifolium, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Prunella vulgaris and commercially available supplements, i.e. polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Trametes versicolor. [2] [3] [14] He represented a biotechnology company in discussing the scientific validity of the method proposed by the Government in the Bills Committee stage of the proposed legislation [15] and the media. [16]

As a result of the growing interest in genetic parentage testing (DNA profiling) in Hong Kong, Collins, working with others, found that the number of men in Hong Kong who were not the biological fathers of their children might be much higher than expected. [17] [18] [19]

Collins also helped develop a number of rapid diagnostic tests based on nucleic acid analysis, notably the nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) technique. Many of these were developed in response to high-profile disease outbreaks in Hong Kong and around the world, e.g. avian influenza H5N1, H7, foot-and-mouth disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Collins has given numerous presentations and interviews to scientists and the media to support the development of the new tests. [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Currently, Collins is scientific review director in the Research Office of the Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government, where he is involved in managing public funds related to health services and infectious disease research. His recent interest is in assessing the payback from research supported by public funds. [26]

Collins is also the author of "Under A Blood Red Sky" ( ISBN   978-0755201549), a techno-thriller which received favourable reviews when it was published in November 2004. [27] [28] [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SARS</span> Disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the virus SARS-CoV-1, the first identified strain of the SARS-related coronavirus. The first known cases occurred in November 2002, and the syndrome caused the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak. In the 2010s, Chinese scientists traced the virus through the intermediary of Asian palm civets to cave-dwelling horseshoe bats in Xiyang Yi Ethnic Township, Yunnan.

<i>Influenza A virus</i> Species of virus

Influenza A virus (IAV) is the only species of the genus Alphainfluenzavirus of the virus family Orthomyxoviridae. It is a pathogen with strains that infect birds and some mammals, as well as causing seasonal flu in humans. Mammals in which different strains of IAV circulate with sustained transmission are bats, pigs, horses and dogs; other mammals can occasionally become infected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avian influenza</span> Influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds

Avian influenza, also known as avian flu or bird flu, is a disease caused by the influenza A virus, which primarily affects birds but can sometimes affect mammals including humans. Wild aquatic birds are the primary host of the influenza A virus, which is enzootic in many bird populations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defective interfering particle</span>

Defective interfering particles (DIPs), also known as defective interfering viruses, are spontaneously generated virus mutants in which a critical portion of the particle's genome has been lost due to defective replication or non-homologous recombination. The mechanism of their formation is presumed to be as a result of template-switching during replication of the viral genome, although non-replicative mechanisms involving direct ligation of genomic RNA fragments have also been proposed. DIPs are derived from and associated with their parent virus, and particles are classed as DIPs if they are rendered non-infectious due to at least one essential gene of the virus being lost or severely damaged as a result of the defection. A DIP can usually still penetrate host cells, but requires another fully functional virus particle to co-infect a cell with it, in order to provide the lost factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemagglutinin (influenza)</span> Hemagglutinin of influenza virus

Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) or haemagglutinin[p] is a homotrimeric glycoprotein found on the surface of influenza viruses and is integral to its infectivity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza A virus subtype H5N1</span> Subtype of influenza A virus

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (A/H5N1) is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which causes the disease avian influenza. It is enzootic in many bird populations, and also panzootic. A/H5N1 virus can also infect mammals that have been exposed to infected birds; in these cases, symptoms are frequently severe or fatal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza pandemic</span> Pandemic involving influenza

An influenza pandemic is an epidemic of an influenza virus that spreads across a large region and infects a large proportion of the population. There have been five major influenza pandemics in the last 140 years, with the 1918 flu pandemic being the most severe; this is estimated to have been responsible for the deaths of 50–100 million people. The 2009 swine flu pandemic resulted in under 300,000 deaths and is considered relatively mild. These pandemics occur irregularly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza A virus subtype H2N2</span> Subtype of Influenza A virus

Influenza A virus subtype H2N2 (A/H2N2) is a subtype of Influenza A virus. H2N2 has mutated into various strains including the "Asian flu" strain, H3N2, and various strains found in birds. It is also suspected of causing a human pandemic in 1889. The geographic spreading of the 1889 Russian flu has been studied and published.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global spread of H5N1</span> Spread of bird flu

The global spread of H5N1 influenza in birds is considered a significant pandemic threat. While other H5N1 influenza strains are known, they are significantly different on a genetic level from a highly pathogenic, emergent strain of H5N1, which was able to achieve hitherto unprecedented global spread in 2008. The H5N1 strain is a fast-mutating, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) found in multiple bird species. It is both epizootic and panzootic. Unless otherwise indicated, "H5N1" in this timeline refers to the 2008 highly pathogenic strain of H5N1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transmission and infection of H5N1</span> Spread of an influenza virus

Transmission and infection of H5N1 from infected avian sources to humans has been a concern since the first documented case of human infection in 1997, due to the global spread of H5N1 that constitutes a pandemic threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza A virus subtype H7N7</span> Virus subtype

Influenza A virus subtype H7N7 (A/H7N7) is a subtype of Influenza A virus, a genus of Orthomyxovirus, the viruses responsible for influenza. Highly pathogenic strains (HPAI) and low pathogenic strains (LPAI) exist. H7N7 can infect humans, birds, pigs, seals, and horses in the wild; and has infected mice in laboratory studies. This unusual zoonotic potential represents a pandemic threat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H5N1 genetic structure</span> Genetic structure of Influenza A virus

The genetic structure of H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, is characterized by a segmented RNA genome consisting of eight gene segments that encode for various viral proteins essential for replication, host adaptation, and immune evasion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fujian flu</span> Strains of influenza

Fujian flu refers to flu caused by either a Fujian human flu strain of the H3N2 subtype of the Influenza A virus or a Fujian bird flu strain of the H5N1 subtype of the Influenza A virus. These strains are named after Fujian, a coastal province in Southeast China.

Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification, commonly referred to as NASBA, is a method in molecular biology which is used to produce multiple copies of single stranded RNA. NASBA is a two-step process that takes RNA and anneals specially designed primers, then utilizes an enzyme cocktail to amplify it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human mortality from H5N1</span>

H5N1 influenza virus is a type of influenza A virus which mostly infects birds. H5N1 flu is a concern due to the fact that its global spread may constitute a pandemic threat. The yardstick for human mortality from H5N1 is the case-fatality rate (CFR); the ratio of the number of confirmed human deaths resulting from infection of H5N1 to the number of those confirmed cases of infection with the virus. For example, if there are 100 confirmed cases of a disease and 50 die as a consequence, then the CFR is 50%. The case fatality rate does not take into account cases of a disease which are unconfirmed or undiagnosed, perhaps because symptoms were mild and unremarkable or because of a lack of diagnostic facilities. The Infection Fatality Rate (IFR) is adjusted to allow for undiagnosed cases.

Joseph Sriyal Malik Peiris is a Hong Kong-based Sri Lankan virologist, most notable for being the first person to isolate the SARS virus. He is the current Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science, and Chair Professor of Virology at the Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong. He was a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization of the World Health Organization from 2009 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza</span> Infectious disease

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These symptoms begin one to four days after exposure to the virus and last for about two to eight days. Diarrhea and vomiting can occur, particularly in children. Influenza may progress to pneumonia from the virus or a subsequent bacterial infection. Other complications include acute respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, encephalitis, and worsening of pre-existing health problems such as asthma and cardiovascular disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Influenza A virus subtype H7N9</span> Subtype of the influenza A virus

Influenza A virus subtype H7N9 (A/H7N9) is a subtype of the influenza A virus, which causes influenza (flu), predominantly in birds. It is enzootic in many bird populations. The virus can spread rapidly through poultry flocks and among wild birds; it can also infect humans that have been exposed to infected birds.

Chen Hualan is a Chinese veterinary virologist best known for researching animal epidemic diseases. She is a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT). She is now a researcher and PhD Supervisor at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Leo Poon Lit-man (潘烈文) is the Head of the Division of Public Health Laboratory Science of the University of Hong Kong. In July 2020, Professor Malik Peiris stepped down from the position of co-director of the joint research pole between Hong Kong University and the Pasteur Institute (HKU-Pasteur), and Professor Leo Poon succeeded to this crucial WHO recognized Centre. He is one of the worlds' leading scientists investigating the emergence of viral diseases transferring from animals to humans, such as new strains of Influenza viruses and coronaviruses. Along with colleagues in his Division, he has made major contributions to the understanding of disease causes, diagnostic testing, and epidemiological control of these pandemic viral diseases.

References

  1. ↑ A., Collins, Richard (1994). "Purification and characterisation of a mutant form of pyruvate kinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced by site-directed mutatgenesis". hdl:1842/19640.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 Collins RA, Ng TB, Fong WP, Wan CC, Yeung HW (1997). "A comparison of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 inhibition by partially purified aqueous extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs". Life Sciences. 60 (23): PL345–51. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(97)00227-0. PMID   9180371. S2CID   29318896.
  3. 1 2 Collins RA, Ng TB (1997). "Polysaccharopeptide from Coriolus versicolor has potential for use against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection". Life Sciences. 60 (25): PL383–7. doi:10.1016/S0024-3205(97)00294-4. PMID   9194694.
  4. ↑ Au TK, Collins RA, Lam TL, Ng TB, Fong WP, Wan DC (April 2000). "The plant ribosome inactivating proteins luffin and saporin are potent inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase". FEBS Letters. 471 (2–3): 169–72. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(00)01389-2. PMID   10767416. S2CID   2385448.
  5. ↑ Collins RA, Ko LS, So KL, Ellis T, Lau LT, Yu AC (May 2002). "Detection of highly pathogenic and low pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5 (Eurasian lineage) using NASBA". Journal of Virological Methods. 103 (2): 213–25. doi:10.1016/S0166-0934(02)00034-4. PMID   12008015.
  6. ↑ Collins RA, Ko LS, Fung KY, et al. (January 2003). "Rapid and sensitive detection of avian influenza virus subtype H7 using NASBA". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 300 (2): 507–15. doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(02)02896-6. PMID   12504113.
  7. ↑ Shan S, Ko LS, Collins RA, et al. (March 2003). "Comparison of nucleic acid-based detection of avian influenza H5N1 with virus isolation". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 302 (2): 377–83. doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(03)00165-7. PMID   12604358.
  8. ↑ Collins RA, Ko LS, So KL, Ellis T, Lau LT, Yu AC (2003). "A NASBA method to detect high- and low-pathogenicity H5 avian influenza viruses". Avian Diseases. 47 (3 Suppl): 1069–74. doi:10.1637/0005-2086-47.s3.1069. PMID   14575113. S2CID   24911414.
  9. ↑ Lau LT, Banks J, Aherne R, et al. (January 2004). "Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification methods to detect avian influenza virus". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 313 (2): 336–42. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.11.131. PMC   7111163 . PMID   14684165.
  10. ↑ Lau LT, Fung YW, Wong FP, et al. (December 2003). "A real-time PCR for SARS-coronavirus incorporating target gene pre-amplification". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 312 (4): 1290–6. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.11.064 . PMC   7111096 . PMID   14652014.
  11. ↑ Collins RA, Ko LS, Fung KY, Lau LT, Xing J, Yu AC (September 2002). "A method to detect major serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 297 (2): 267–74. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.328.625 . doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(02)02178-2. PMID   12237113.
  12. ↑ Feng Q, Chen X, Ma O, et al. (March 2003). "Serotype and VP1 gene sequence of a foot-and-mouth disease virus from Hong Kong (2002)". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 302 (4): 715–21. doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(03)00250-X. PMID   12646228.
  13. ↑ Chen X, Feng Q, Wu Z, et al. (September 2003). "RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene sequence from foot-and-mouth disease virus in Hong Kong". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 308 (4): 899–905. doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(03)01511-0. PMID   12927804.
  14. ↑ Collins RA, Ng TB, Fong WP, Wan CC, Yeung HW (September 1997). "Inhibition of glycohydrolase enzymes by aqueous extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs in a microplate format". Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International. 42 (6): 1163–9. doi: 10.1080/15216549700203631 . PMID   9305534. S2CID   35462917.
  15. ↑ http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/bc/bc51/minutes/bc512811.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  16. ↑ "DNA-testing policy bad for families and hi-tech companies". South China Morning Post. 14 July 2001.
  17. ↑ Collins RA, Wu WS, Xing J, Lau LT, Yu AC (May 2003). "Parentage testing anomalies in Hong Kong SAR of China". Chinese Medical Journal. 116 (5): 708–11. PMID   12875686.
  18. ↑ "Parentage test findings signal rise in promiscuity". South China Morning Post. 13 July 2003.
  19. ↑ Parentage testing in Hong Kong. BBC World Service. The World Today: East Asia. 14 July 2003.
  20. ↑ New DNA test could have detected flu earlier. South China Morning Post. 6 June 2001.
  21. ↑ DNA testing could stop H5N1 spread. Medical Tribune. June–July 2001.
  22. ↑ HK-made kit for rapid SARS checks ready for testing. Sunday Morning Post. 21 April 2003.
  23. ↑ The molecular biology revolution: Applications in veterinary diagnosis. BioIT World Conference / MedPharma World 2002. 30 January 2002.
  24. ↑ A NASBA method to detect pathogenic and non-pathogenic avian influenza A subtype H5. 5th International Symposium on Avian Influenza. Athens, GA, USA. 17 April 2002.
  25. ↑ Rapid Detection of Avian Flu H5 Type. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Hong Kong Medical Technology Association. 21 July 2002.
  26. ↑ Kwan P, Johnston J, Fung AY, Chong DS, Collins RA, Lo SV (2007). "A systematic evaluation of payback of publicly funded health and health services research in Hong Kong". BMC Health Services Research. 7: 121. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-7-121 . PMC   1952059 . PMID   17662157.
  27. ↑ Hannah Kennard.Grimsby Telegraph.14 Jan 2005.
  28. ↑ Robin Kwong.South China Morning Post. 16 Feb 2005
  29. ↑ David Watkins.Reasons to be fearful.South China Morning Post. 22 Feb 2005.
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