A Student of Queen Mary School Published A Review Article In Top Journal

With the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, we are delighted to share the news that Mr. Liang Dingfa, an undergraduate student from the 2019 cohort in Queen Mary School, has published an first-authored review article entitled “Commercial probiotic products in public health: current status and potential limitations” in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (Q1/Tier 1 according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences Category System), IF₂₀₂₁=11.208). The article was mentored by Professor Chen Tingtao, a principal investigator in the Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University.

The original article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2023.2169858

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition is an authoritative source of critical viewpoints on current technology, food science, and human nutrition. The journal covers topics related to nutrition, functional foods, food safety, and food science and technology. It aims to thoroughly address issues of international concern, especially to food scientists, nutritionists, and health professionals. Research areas may include:

· Diet and disease

· Antioxidants

· Allergenicity and edible pigment

· Microbiological concerns

· Flavor chemistry

· The role of nutrients and their bioavailability

· Pesticides

· Toxic chemicals and regulation

· Risk assessment and food safety

· New food products/ingredients and technologies

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of potential issues with currently available commercial probiotic products, against the background of increasing public attention to the importance of gut microbiota for health and the widespread use of probiotic products in the public health domain. These potential issues include the self-limiting nature of probiotics, as well as the confusion in market management due to differences in the classification and regulatory systems of probiotic products across the world. Additionally, the paper provides strategies and recommendations to meet consumer demands and provide a substantial foundation for the stable development of the market. Based on precision medicine and research on individualized gut microbiota, future probiotic supplements and related therapies are likely to be viewed as powerful tools in the fight against diseases.

Mr. Liang is very motivated at research and has applied for two patents for invention. In the 7th China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, he led a student team and won a national silver medal, and in the 8th Competition, he won the national gold and bronze medals, respectively. He was once awarded the honor of “Model Merit Student of the University” due to his excellent performance.

Mr. Liang Dingfa commented that, "The cutting-edge knowledge taught by teachers from the Queen Mary University of London, as well as its guidance-based learning model, has fostered our critical thinking skills and independent learning abilities. The unique teaching model and exquisite teaching arrangements have enabled us to be exposed to scientific research, help us understand its meaning, and become familiar with it earlier.”

Combining the strength of Chinese and British education, teaching of Queen Mary School focuses not only on the mastery of basic theory, but also the cultivation of students' research skills, international vision, and the all-round development. Queen Mary School aims to cultivate innovative, self-reliant, and self-motivated medical students in the new era.

In the future development process, Queen Mary School will continue to adher to the mission of "inheriting the virtues of noble ethich and superb medical skills while aiming to be among the best."  Students are expected to receive diversified and comprehensive training to become high-quality medical talents to serve patients.