Untitled - High Impact Research

Transcription

front.pdf
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22/05/2012
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HIR Annual report 2011.indb 2
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High Impact Research Annual Report 2011
1
HIGH IMPACT RESEARCH GRANT
ANNUAL
REPORT
2011
24/05/2012 9:44:43
24/05/2012 9:44:43
Message from Chairman
7
Committee Members
• Central
• Faculty
8
9-13
HIR Advisory Council
14
List of Successful Applicants 2011
• HIRProjects–2Years
• HIR-MoHEProjects–5Years
15
16-17
Research Proposal
• (HIR2Years)
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)FacultyofMedicine
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)FacultyofEngineering
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)FacultyofScience
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)FacultyofDentistry
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)FacultyofComputerScienceand
InformationTechnology(FSCIT)
• (HIR-MoHE5Years)Chancellory
20
46
68
96
109
120
125
Photo Gallery
138
International Collaborators
140
List of Publications
141
HIR Guidelines
146
SOP for the Management of HIR Fund
148
Procurement Process
149
Guidelines on Technical Evaluation
150
CONTENTS
Cover Rationale
HIRBuilding
MarshallCentrein
HIRBuilding
ChancelloryBuilding
3
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5
MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
•
•
Central
Faculty
HIR ADVISORY COUNCIL
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
•
•
HIR2years
HIR-MoHE5years
24/05/2012 9:44:43
24/05/2012 9:44:43
7
LittledidIrealise,whenIinitiatedtheHighImpactResearch(HIR)programme
for the university in February 2010, that it would grow into such a giant
programme. It is just like the proverbial mustard seed which grew into a
humongoustree!
InAugustthisyear,theMinistryofHigherEducationMalaysia(MoHE)injected
RM590millionintotheUMHIRprogrammefollowingtheCabinet’sdecision
thatUMshouldbegiventhechancetobreakintothetop100worldranked
universitiesin2015.Thatwehaveearnedthetrustofthegovernmentinsuch
ashorttimeisquiteamiracleinitself.However,ittookalotofpersuasion
onourparttojustifytheirfaith.FromAugusttoDecember2011,MoHEhas
promisedtoreleaseRM40milliontoUMontheundertakingthattheuniversity
topthiswithanotherRM40millionfrominternalfunds.
ThefollowingfacultiessucceededingettingfundingthroughMoHE:Medicine,
Dentistry,Science,EngineeringandComputerScience.Inaddition,8top-down
research projects and one special project to purchase high-end equipment
for central facilities were approved under the Chancellory HIR programme.
A dedicated HIR Building is being readied to provide a more conducive
environmentforsomeoftheflagshipprojectsfundedunderMoHE.
UMisnowfacinga5-yearchallengetodeliverwhatitpromisedbyaccepting
thisresearchfund.Amongthetargetswehavesetforourselvesincludeover
3,300Tier1ISIpublicationsbytheendof2015.AllPrincipalInvesitgatorshave
signedapledgewiththeuniversitythattheywilldeliveronthetargets,orelse!
Isthisanimpossibledream?Ibelievewecandoit,orfacethe‘choppingblock’.
NoonethoughtthatUMcouldbreakintotheShanghaiJiaoTungUniversity
Ranking this year, but we did. Under the QS World University Rankings, we
managedtofinisharespectable167thisyear,asignificantjumpfrom207in
2010.ThepublicationrecordofUMstaffandstudentsisalsoontheriseandwe
expecttocrossthe2,000publishedpaperssoon.
MESSAGE FROM
DR. GHAUTH JASMON
ChairmanofHIRCommittee
All these achievements could not have taken place without the hard work
anddedicationofthestaffandstudentsofUM.Inaddition,wereceivedalot
ofassistanceandencouragementfromourcollaboratorsoverseas,including
academic icons from Ivy-League universities and eminently successful
Malaysianresearchersabroad.WearealsoproudthatthreeNobelLaureates
andonedistinguishedprofessorhaveagreedtoserveastheUMHIRAdvisory
Council.
UMiscertainlysolidlyontracktoachieveitsdreamtobeplacedintheTop100
Universitiesby2015andthenontohighersuccessesasweapproach2020.
Bestpersonalregards.
GHAUTH JASMON
31stDecember2011
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8
Dr.GhauthJasmon
Dr.
Ghauth Jasmon
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
CENTRAL
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
IshakAbdRazak
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
MohdAminJalaludin
EmeritusProfessorDr.
Emeritus
Professor Dr.
LamSaiKit
Emeritus
Professor Dr.
YongHoiSen
HalizaHarun
Haliza
Harun
Azbullah
Che Ibrahim
AzbullahCheIbrahim
NorshahidayuAli
Norshahidayu
Ali
Secretariat,HighImpactResearchGrant
Office of the Vice Chancellor, Level 9
Chancellory
UniversityofMalaya,50603KualaLumpur
www.hir.um.edu.my/
hirgrant@gmail.com
ProfessorDr
Professor
Dr
MohdAliHashim
Siti
Zawahir Zubir
SitiZawahirZubir
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9
Professor Dr. Adeeba
ProfessorDr.Adeeba
Kamarulzaman
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
FACULTYOFMEDICINE
Professor Dr. Tunku
ProfessorDr.Tunku
KamarulZaman
TunkuZainolAbidin
Professor Dr.
ProfessorDr.
GohKheanLee
Professor Dr.
ProfessorDr.
AmruNasrulhaqBoyce
Secretariat,HighImpactResearchGrant,
OfficeoftheDean,FacultyofMedicine
www.resfom.com/
hirgfom@ummc.edu.my
Emeritus Professor Dr.
YongHoiSen
Assoc. Prof.Dr.
Assoc.Prof.Dr.
NoorAzuanAbuOsman
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
MohdAminJalaludin
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
IshakAbdRazak
Siti Fatimah Zahra
SitiFatimahZahra
MohdAnuar
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10
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
MohdHamdiAbdShukor
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
FACULTYOFENGINEERING
Associate Professor Dr.
AssociateProfessorDr.
FaisalRafiqMahamd
Adikan
Professor Dr.
ProfessorDr.
MasjukiHajiHassan
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
NikMeriamNikSulaiman
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
MohdAminJalaludin
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
IshakAbdRazak
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
A.HamidA.Hadi
DeputyDean(Research)Office
Level4,EngineeringTower
FacultyofEngineering
engine.um.edu.my/
enghirmohe@gmail.com
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
AbdulKariemMohdArof
Noorlainiewati
Abdullah
NoorlainiewatiAbdullah
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11
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
MohdSofianAzirun
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
FACULTYOFSCIENCE
SithiV.Muniandy
Professor Dr.
ProfessorDr.
ChongVingChing
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
NoorsaadahAbdul
Rahman
OfficeoftheDean,FacultyofScience
fs.um.edu.my
Emeritus
Professor Dr.
LamSaiKit
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
MohdAliHashim
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
LooiLaiMeng
Azian
Awang
AzianAwang
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12
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
RosnahMohd.Zain
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
FACULTYOFDENTISTRY
NoorHayatyAbuKasim
Professor Dr.
ProfessorDr.
NgeowYunFong
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
MohdAminJalaludin
ProfessorDr.
Professor Dr.
EdwardTiekink
Professor
Dr.
ProfessorDr.
Mohd.RaisMustafa
ResearchManagementCentre(RMC)
Level 6, Postgraduate & Research Building
Building
FacultyofDentistry
dentistry.um.edu.my/
rmc_dental@um.edu.my
Intan Suhana Hamid
IntanSuhanaHamid
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13
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
SitiSalwahSalim
(Chairman)
HIR COMMITTEE
FACULTY OF COMPUTER SCIENCE &
INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY
Associate
Professor
AssociateProfessor
Dr.PhangKeatKeong
Associate
Professor
AssociateProfessor
Dr.AbdullahGhani
Associate
Professor Dr.
LingTeckChaw
OfficeoftheDean
FacultyofComputerScience&InformationTechnology
www.fsktm.um.edu.my
Emeritus
Professor Dr.
LamSaiKit
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
OngSengHuat
ProfessorDr.
Professor
Dr.
MasjukiHajiHassan
Muhamad
Afiq
MuhamadAfiq
ZainiAlamar
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14
UM HIR ADVISORY COUNCIL
In order to ensure the success of HIR, Tan Sri VC has appointed several distinguished scientists to be members of
theUMHIRAdvisoryCouncil.Councilmemberswilladvisetheuniversityinmattersrelatedtoresearchpriorityareas,
includingconductingjointresearchbetweentheirowninstitutionsandouruniversity.
To date, three UM Nobel Fellows and one Distinguished Fellow have been appointed and the brief profile of each
memberisprovided.
NobelFellowBarryMarshall
(Nobel Prize in Physiology
orMedicine,2005)
Nobel Fellow David Baltimore
(Nobel Prize in Physiology or
Medicine,1975)
Prof.BarryMarshallisProfessor
of Clinical Microbiology at the
UniversityofWesternAustralia.
His work in proving that the
bacterium Helicobacter pylori
is the cause of most peptic
ulcers earned him and his
long-term collaborator, Robin
Warren, the 2005 Nobel Prize
in Physiology. In honour of
Prof. Marshall winning the
Nobel Prize, UWA set up The
Marshall Centre in 2007 to
perform world-class infectious
diseasesresearchanddisease
surveillance.
Prof. David Baltimore is currently
the Robert A. Millikan Professor of
Biology at the California Institute
of Technology. In 1975, at the age
of37,hesharedtheNobelPrizein
PhysiologyorMedicinewithHoward
Temin and Renato Dulbecco for
their discoveries concerning the
interaction between tumour viruses
andthegeneticmaterialofthecell.
Nobel Fellow Ryoji Noyori
(Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
2001)
Prof.RyojiNoyoriisPresident
of RIKEN, one of Japan’s
largestresearchorganizations
with more than 3,000
scientists.HeisalsoProfessor
intheDepartmentofChemistry
and Research Center for
Materials Science at Nagoya
University.Hesharedthe2001
NobelPrizeinChemistrywith
William S. Knowles for the
study of chirally catalyzed
hydrogenations.
DistinguishedFellowRitaColwell
Prof. Rita Colwell is Distinguished
University Professor at the
University of Maryland at College
Park and at Johns Hopkins
University Bloomberg School of
PublicHealth,USA.Sheiscurrently
USPresidentScienceEnvoytothe
AsiaPacific.Herresearchinterests
focusonglobalinfectiousdiseases
andsheiscurrentlydevelopingan
international network to address
emerging infectious diseases and
waterissues.
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15
LIST OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS 2011
(HIRProjects–2Years)
No.
Faculty
Principal Investigator (PI)
No. of Tier 1
ISI-Indexed
Publications
International
Collaborations
1
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.KamTohSeok
5
1
2
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.MohdRaisMustafa
5
2
3
FacultyofScience
Dr.LeeChoonWeng
2
1
4
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.FongMunYik
3
1
5
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.JamunaVadivelu
5
0
6
FacultyofMedicine
Dr.NoraishahMydinAbdulAziz
3
2
7
FacultyofScience
Dr.TeeKokKeng
5
2
8
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.TanNgetHong
2
0
9
Dr.IswadiJauhari
3
0
10
FacultyofDentistry
Dr.MariamAbdullah
4
0
11
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.WangChewYin
2
1
12
FacultyofMedicine
Dr.FungShinYee
3
0
13
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.HarithAhmad
3
4
14
Dr.SuhanaMohdSaid
2
0
15
FacultyofScience
Dr.ChiuWeeSiong
15
0
16
FacultyofMedicine
ProfDrNorlisahMohdRamli
2
1
17
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.IkramShahIsmail
2
1
18
Assoc.Prof.Dr.MohdRafieJohan
3
1
19
Inst.ofOcean&EarthSciences
Dr.LimPhaikEem
2
1
20
Dr.ChaiHwaKian
3
4
21
Dr.NorHafizahRamli@Sulong
2
0
22
Dr.UbagaramJohnsonAlengaram
3
4
23
FacultyofBuiltEnvironment
Prof.Dr.HamzahAbdulRahman
1
0
24
Dr.DharmaniDevia/pMurugan
2
0
25
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.WanAzmanWanAhmad
4
1
26
Dr.SaravananPichiah
3
2
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16
(HIR-MoHEProjects–5Years)
No.
Faculty
No. of Tier 1
ISI-Indexed
Publications
International
Collaborations
1
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.AdeebaKamarulzaman
66
5
2
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.SazalyAbuBakar
80
7
3
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.MohdRaisMustafa
24
2
4
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.TunkuKamarulZamanTunkuZainolAbidin
36
3
5
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.ZahurinMohamed
35
4
6
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.WongKumThong
18
9
7
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.MustafaAliMohamad
24
1
8
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.TanChongTin/Dr.AzlinaAhmadAnnuar
41
1
9
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.FongMunYik
13
1
10
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.MohamadHussainHabil
13
2
11
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.MaryAnneTanJinAi
32
3
12
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.HanyAriffin
80
10
13
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.OnnHashim
38
NA
14
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.AwangBulgibaAwangMahmud
24
5
15
FacultyofMedicine
Dr.PuteriShafinazAkmarAbdulRahman
0
NA
16
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.FongMunYik
70
2
17
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.ChungLipYong
11
1
18
Prof.Dr.MohdHamdiAbdShukor
29
1
19
Prof.Ir.Dr.MohdZaminJumaat
18
4
20
Prof.Dr.MohdAliHashim
24
2
21
Dr.HazlieMokhlis
10
1
22
Assoc.Prof.Dr.FatimahIbrahim
12
2
23
Prof.Dr.T.M.IndraMahlia
15
NA
24
Prof.Dr.MasjukiHj.Hassan
71
1
25
Dr.AndriAndriyana
17
NA
26
Prof.Dr.SulaimanWadiHarun
14
2
27
Assoc.Prof.Dr.NoorAzuanAbuOsman
49
2
28
Prof.Dr.WanMohdAshriWanDaud
34
1
29
Assoc.Prof.Dr.MohdRafieJohan
33
NA
30
Dr.JayaNarayanSahu
12
5
31
Assoc.Prof.Dr.NoorAzuanAbuOsman
45
2
32
Prof.Dr.T.M.IndraMahlia
20
NA
33
MadamNorrimaMokhtar
10
1
34
Prof.Dr.SaadMekhilef
9
2
35
Dr.MohammedHarunChakrabarti
10
2
36
Assoc.Prof.Dr.NorhayatiSoin
7
2
37
Dr.JayaNarayanSahu
17
6
38
Dr.HendrikSimonCornelisMetselaar
49
1
39
Assoc.Prof.Dr.HewWooiPing
40
5
40
Dr.MahidzalDahari
40
NA
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17
(HIR-MoHEProjects–5Years)
No.
Faculty
No. of Tier 1
ISI-Indexed
Publications
International
Collaborations
41
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.HarithAhmad
28
3
42
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.SriNurestriAbdMalek
150
NA
43
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.EdwardR.T.Tiekink
150
1
44
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.YatimahBintiAlias
25
1
45
FacultyofScience
Prof.DrKamTohSeok
28
1
46
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.SaadahAbdulRahman
45
3
47
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.MohammadNiyazKhan
11
NA
48
FacultyofScience
Assoc.Prof.Dr.KoshyPhilip
27
NA
49
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.A.HamidA.Hadi
35
1
50
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.KwekKuanHiang
NA
NA
51
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.RauzahHashim
10
1
52
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.EdwardR.T.Tiekink
100
1
53
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.KurunathanRatnavelu
26
NA
54
FacultyofDentistry
Assoc.Prof.Dr.NoorHayatyAbuKasim
36
1
55
FacultyofDentistry
Assoc.Prof.Dr.SabriMusa
18
1
56
FacultyofDentistry
Prof.Dr.ZainalAriffAbdulRahman
11
3
57
FacultyofDentistry
Dr.V.RathnaDevia/pA.Vaithilingam
6
1
58
FacultyofDentistry
Assoc.Prof.Dr.ChaiWenLin
8
1
59
FacultyofDentistry
Prof.Dr.RosnahMohd.Zain
9
1
60
FacultyofDentistry
Dr.JacobJohnChiremelChandy
3
2
61
FacultyofDentistry
Prof.Dr.RosnahMohd.Zain
10
2
62
FCSIT
Dr.WongKokSheik
3
2
63
FCSIT
Dr.EffirulIkhwanRamlan
15
2
64
FCSIT
Assoc.Prof.Dr.AbdullahBinGhani
15
3
65
FCSIT
Dr.MohammedZiaurRahman
20
1
66
FCSIT
Prof.Dr.SitiSalwahSalim
7
1
67
FCSIT
Dr.NgLiangShing
15
3
68
FacultyofScience
Dr.ChanKokGan
100
8
69
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.JamunaVadivelu
150
16
70
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.TunkuKamarulZamanTunkuZainal
Abidin
81
6
71
FacultyofScience
Assoc.Prof.Dr.RaymondOoi
60
3
72
FacultyofScience
Prof.Dr.RauzahHashim
100
10
73
FacultyofMedicine
Prof.Dr.YipChengHar
120
1
74
Assoc.Prof.Dr.FaisalRafiqAdikan
70
2
75
FacultyofDentistry
Dr.LawrenceChooSiewWoh
100
2
76
FacultyofMedicine
EmeritusProf.Dr.LamSaiKit
NA
NA
*FCSIT–FacultyofComputerScienceandInformationTechnology
24/05/2012 9:44:49
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19
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HIR2years
HIR-MoHE(Medicine)
HIR-MoHE(Engineering)
HIR-MoHE(Science)
HIR-MoHE(Dentistry)
HIR-MoHE(ComputerScience&InformationTechnology)
HIR-MoHE(Chancellory)
24/05/2012 9:44:49
20
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR2Years)
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/050
Title: Investigating Primary Productivity in Tropical Coastal
Waters
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Lee Choon Weng
Faculty : Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
SummaryofResearchProposal
Primaryproductionisoneofthemajorcarbonflowsintheupperwatersofmost
aquaticsystems.Primaryproductionisalsothebaseofallfoodpyramids,and
determinesthenumberoftrophiclevelssupportedinanecosystem.Although
webetterunderstandpartsofthemarinemicrobialfoodweb,westilldonot
know the amount of primary production that is grazed, and transferred to
highertrophiclevels.Thiscarbontransferconstitutesthemainfoodchaini.e.
phytoplanktontozooplankton,andeventuallytofish.Therefore,knowingthe
amountofcarbontransferredtozooplanktonisessentialtoourunderstanding
andpredictionofourfishstock.Wehaveearliershownthatonly30–40%of
primaryproductionwasaccountedforbybacterialconsumption.Asbiomass
ofprimaryproducersdoesnotchangesignificantlyfromoneyeartothenext,
about 60 – 70% of primary production remains unaccounted. A possible
avenue for the primary production is grazing by zooplankton. We will also
measure the extent of phototrophic picoplankton production in our coastal
waters.Comparisonwithtotalprimaryproductionwillsuggesttheimportance
ofphototrophicpicoplanktoninourcoastalwaters.
Objectives
Methodology Todeterminetheamountofprimary
production transferred to higher
trophiclevels
Totalprimaryproductionandgrazing
potential will be measured via the
Landry-Hassett dilution method.
The phototrophic picoplankton
productionandgrazingwillalsobe
measured via the Landry-Hassett
dilution method in a separate
microcosmexperimentalsetup
To measure the abundance
and production of phototrophic
picoplankton
Outcome
Able to constrain the carbon and
energyproductionandtransferfor
primaryproducers
Possible High Impact Journals
forPublications
MicrobialEcology
Applied
and
Microbiology
Environmental
MarineEcologyProgressSeries
FreshwaterBiology
Collaborator
Assoc.Prof.Dr.IsaoKudo,Hokkaido
University
Allowsecosystemmodelinginthe
future
24/05/2012 9:44:49
21
Title: Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug Resistant
Burkholderia pseudomallei and Mechanisms of Action
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Jamuna Vadivelu
Faculty : Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, are widely
foundinthesoilandsurfacewaterthroughoutthetropicsespeciallyinSouth
EastAsiaandNorthernAustralia.Currently,therearenovaccinesavailable
for the treatment of Melioidosis. Antibiotic therapy is also problematic
becauseB. pseudomalleiisintrinsicallyresistanttomanyantibiotics,resulting
in high mortality rates of 19% in Australia and even 50% in Thailand. The
spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has stimulated the need
for development of new antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess
potentbroad-spectrumbactericidalactivitiesandareregardedaspromising
therapeutic alternatives in the fight against resistant microorganisms.
Moreover, these peptides may also affect inflammation, immune activation
andwoundhealing.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To identify and evaluate the
efficacy of suitable synthetic or
naturalantimicrobialpeptidesand
peptides that will be designed
based on the functional groups
of effective antibiotics against
B. pseudomallei as an alternate
therapeutic modality. Following
screening of suitable peptides
that are effective against B.
pseudomallei, the mechanism of
action of these peptides will also
bedetermined
B. pseudomallei isolates will be
obtained from Universiti Malaya
Medical Centre (UMMC) and
International Islamic University
(UIA), Pahang and the sensitivity
of these isolates towards
commonly used antibiotics will
be determined using the MIC
E-test, disk diffusion and micro
broth dilution methods. Resistant
strainswillbeidentifiedandtested
usingidentifiedsyntheticornatural
antimicrobialpeptides.Thetoxicity
of the selected peptides will
also be evaluated using time kill
studies and cytotoxicity studies.
The mechanism of membrane
damage caused by the selected
peptides will be determined using
membranepermeabilisationassay,
determination of phosphate and
potassium ion efflux followed by
electron microscopy analysis.
The antimicrobial action of these
peptides will also be analysed
using whole genome transcription
profilingtoenableidentificationof
thepossibledrugtargetsites
Enable selection of antimicrobial
peptides that are potent, effective
and suitable as alternative
therapeutics
against
B.
pseudomalleiinfection
forPublications
PLoSPathogen
InfectionandImmunity
ClinicalMicrobiologyandInfection
MolecularMicrobiology
Collaborators
Prof.Dr.NoorsaadahAbdRahman
(DepartmentofChemistry,UM)
24/05/2012 9:44:49
22
Title: Is the Leading Edge of Neurulation an Asymmetrical
Lamellipodia-Like Structure Emanating From the Surface
Ectoderm and Whether This Mirrors the Human Spina
Bifida Condition?
Principal Investigator : Dr. Noraishah Mydin Abdul-Aziz
Faculty : Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine
PreliminarystudiesconductedbyAbdul-Azizetal.showedthatperturbation
of Eph/ephrin signalling produced an enlarged posterior neuropore, multiple
apoptoticcells,andfilopodial-likeprotrusionsfromtheleftsidedneuralfold
(refertoappendix).Interestingly,anasymmetricallamellipodialstructurewas
observed emanating from the left non-neural ectoderm. The driving force
of adhesion and fusion distinctly expresses EphA2 as it branches into the
lumenandreachesovertotherightnon-neuralectodermaltip.Thismayhelp
explain the probability that the surface ectoderm may play a much bigger
roleinneurulationandpost-neurulationthanpreviouslythought.Thesurface
ectodermwhichactsastheleadingedgeofneuraltubeclosuredippinginto
theluminalareaadjacenttothetipoftheneuroepithelialfoldspriortoclosure
maybetheprecursoreventtopostnatalspinabifidapatientswithdimplein
theepithelialskincoveringsacofneuralmatter.Thedimplemayverywellbe
aconsequenceofthesinkingphenomenaseenduringadhesionandfusionof
primaryneurulation(Abdul-Azizetal.2009).Thesmallmoleculeantagoniststhat
willbeusedinthisstudy,4-and5-(2,5dimethyl-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-hydroxybenzoic
acid, were identified by Noberini et al. (2008) to selectively inhibit ligand
bindingonEphA4andEphA2receptors,allowingfordiscriminationofEphA4
andEphA2activityduringspinalneurulation.IfindeedEph/ephrinsignalingis
directly involved with formation of lamellipodia- or filopodia-like protrusions
to initiate adhesion and fusion, blocking of Eph/ephrin binding may disrupt
formationofsolidultrastructureleadingtofailureofneuraltubeclosure.
Objectives
Methodology To elucidate the role of
ultrastructures at the point of
adhesionandfusion
PreparationofRatSerum
To pinpoint the basis of ephrin
ligand binding which may lead to
formationofmultipleultrastructures
whenforwardsignallingisdisrupted
WholeEmbryoCulture
Preparation
Solutions
of
Microinjection
Analysisofembryos
PreparationofEmbryosforScanning
ElectronMicroscopy(SEM)
Preparation of Embryos for
Transmission Electron Microscopy
(TEM)
Generation double knockout of
EphA2EphA4
Outcome
Elucidation of the mechanism of
adhesion and fusion during spinal
neuraltubeclosure.
Elucidationofthehumangenefor
spinalneuraltubeclosure
Rescueofthemousespinaldefect
using a specific oil with highest
content of naturally occurring
linoleicacid(anewsupplementto
preventneuraltubedefects)
forPublications
NatureàQ1;Impactfactor29.0
Development à Q1; Impact factor
7.194
Developmental Biology à Q1;
ImpactFactorof4.379
PLoS One à Q1; Impact factor:
4.351
PLoS Genetics à Q1; Impact
factor:9.532
Collaborators
DrNicholasDanielEdwardGreene,
Reader, University College London
(UCL) Institute of Child Health, 30
Guildford Street, London WC1N
1EHUnitedKingdom
Dr Catherine
University
Nobes,
Bristol
Professor Jonathan Clarke, Head,
Department of Anatomy, Kings
CollegeLondon
Prof Aminah Abdullah, Universiti
KebangsaanMalaysia
24/05/2012 9:44:49
23
Title: High-Resolution Molecular Epidemiology And
Transmission Pattern Of Blood-Borne Viruses Commonly
Found In Parenterally Infected HIV Patients
Principal Investigator : Dr. Tee Kok Keng
Faculty : Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERIA), Faculty of
Medicine
In Malaysia, a total of 78,784 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) cases have been reported while 9,586 people have died of AIDS-related
illnessesasofJune2007.Ofthese,morethan75%wereinfectedparenterally
throughinjectingdruguse.InadditiontoHIV,anumberofotherhumanviruses
havebeendocumentedtoshareasimilarrouteoftransmission,namelythe
hepatitisCvirus(HCV)andthenewlydiscoveredhumanparvovirus4(PARV4).
ChronicHCVinfectionhasbeenstronglyassociatedwithlivercancer.Asof
December 2008, it was reported in Malaysia that among 5,804 drug users
attending the Methadone Maintenance Treatment program in hospitals and
primaryhealthcaresettings,28%areinfectedwithHCV(unpublisheddata).
Among HIV-positive injecting drug users (IDUs) however the prevalence of
HCV is exceptionally high at 100%, underlining the severity of HIV/HCV
co-infection among this high-risk group. Biologically, HCV is classified into
seven genotypes that further diverged into over 80 distinct subtypes. Such
enormousgeneticcomplexityplaysacriticalroleindeterminingthestrategy
andsuccessforHCVtreatment.
HumanPARV4wasfirstidentifiedinanIDUwithacuteviralsyndrome.Since
the discovery, PARV4 infection has been detected in a number of studies
involvingIDUsinwhichitsprevalenceisexceptionallyhighamongHIVand/
orHCVinfectedpatients.CurrentunderstandingofPARV4infectionislimited,
andfurtherworkisrequiredtoinvestigatethenaturalhistoryofPARV4,the
timescaleforitsemergenceamongIDUs,anditsclinicalimpactonHIVand/
or HCV infected patients. In Malaysia, however, no information on PARV4
infectionhasbeenreporteddespiteover13,000newIDUs(asof2006)being
detectedeveryyear.
Objectives
Methodology Toinvestigatetheseroprevalence,
genetic complexity and possible
emergence of novel HCV strains
amonginjectingdrugusers(IDUs)
inMalaysia
Antiretroviral-naive subjects who
acquired HIV-1 through injecting
drug use will be recruited in the
University of Malaya Medical
Center and Kajang prison, Kuala
Lumpur in 2011. Antibodypositive samples will be screened
for HCV molecular subtypes
using established PCR and highthroughput sequencing methods
based on the 5’NCR-core-E1-E2p7-NS2andNS5Bgeneticregions.
Phylogenetic reconstruction will
be estimated for each codonaligneddatasetusingtherigorous
maximum-likelihood
approach
implemented in PAUP* v4.0 beta
and the Bayesian’s Markov chain
Monte Carlo (MCMC) platform
implemented in BEAST v1.4.
Geneticallydistinctandstatistically
robustlineageswillbedetermined.
Full-length genome for potential
To investigate the phylodynamics
of HCV by reconstructing the
spatial and temporal spread
amongdruginjectionnetworks
To determine the seroprevalence
and genetic diversity of human
parvovirus 4 (PARV4) among HIVinfected and non-HIV-infected
IDUs
To assess the pathogenesis of
PARV4onHIVdiseaseprogression
To investigate the frequency of
PARV4 co-transmission with HIV
and/orHCV
novel HCV subtype will be
sequencedbylong-fragmentPCR
method
For PARV4 investigations, the
samesetofsubjectsrecruitedfrom
UMMCandtheKajangprisonwill
be used, plus approximately one
hundredHIV-positivepatientswho
acquired infections through nonparenteralroutes(e.g.heterosexual
or homosexual risk). Categorized
into two arms (parenteral vs.
non-parenteral), HIV subjects will
be screened for anti-PARV4 viral
protein 2 (VP2) immunoglobulin
G (IgG) using a newly developed
indirect ELISA assay. To detect
PARV4 DNA in the plasma, IgGpositive samples will be amplified
by established PCR assay – with
primers specific for the second
open reading frame (ORF2) of
24/05/2012 9:44:50
24
PARV4,homologoustothecapsid
protein of other parvoviruses
– and sequenced for PARV4
genotype determination. Rigorous
phylodynamics analysis will be
usedtodeterminethefrequencyof
PARV4 co-transmission with HIV
and/orHCV
Outcome
Serology
and
molecular
investigations of HCV provide
new insights on (a) the magnitude
of HCV infections in HIV-infected
IDUs, (b) the major circulating
HCV genotypes in the country (c)
the evolutionary trajectory and
expansion of major HCV clades,
and (d) the full-length genomic
sequence to designate a novel
HCV subtype. The first large-scale
surveillance of PARV4 infections
will generate essential knowledge
on (a) PARV4 prevalence in HIVinfectedIDUs,(b)theclinicaleffect
ofPARV4onHIVinfection,and(c)
theco-transmissionofPARV4with
HIV and/or HCV through injecting
drugpractices
forPublications
Lancet
Journal of the American Medical
Association
PLoSMedicine
ClinicalInfectiousDiseases
JournalofInfectiousDiseases
Collaborators
AdeebaKamarulzaman&YeatMei
Lee,UniversityofMalaya,Malaysia
Xueshan Xia, Kunming Institute of
ScienceandTechnology,China
Yi-Ming Arthur Chen, National
Yang-MingUniversity,Taiwan
Yutaka Takebe, National Institute
ofInfectiousDiseases,Japan
Title: Investigation of Antivenom Therapy of Snakebites in
Southeast and South Asia and Antivenomics
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Tan Nget Hong
Faculty : Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Snakebiteisgloballyahighlyrelevantpublichealthissue,thoughsystematically
neglected by health authorities in many parts. It is a major public health
concern in tropical and subtropical nations, including Malaysia. The most
effectivetreatmentforsnakebiteisantivenomtherapy.Recently,development
in immunodiagnosis of snakebite, new technologies of preparing polyvalent
antivenoms and studies of pharmacokinetics of venom and antivenom using
ELISAhavecontributedsignificantlytotheimprovementofsnakebitetreatment.
Recentdevelopmentofantivenomicsandvenomicsopensupthepossibilityof
in-depthstudiesofinteractionsbetweenantivenomandvenomcomponents,
whichcouldcontributetothedevelopmentofhighlyeffectiveantivenom.and
treatmentofsnakebites,aswellasdiscoveryofnoveltherapeuticagentsfrom
snakevenoms.
ResearchQuestions:
1.
InMalaysia,therearesome18differentlandvenomoussnakesbut
atthemoment,onlymonovalentcobraantivenomandmonovalent
Malayan pit viper antivenom are available. Two new polyvalent
antivenoms(hematoandneuropolyvalentantivenoms)havebeen
produced by Thai Red Cross Society. The applicability of the
antivenoms against venomous snakes in Southeast Asia has yet
tobeevaluated.Sincelethalityassayisonlyoneofthecriteriain
assessingtheeffectivenessofantivenom,itisnecessarytoevaluate
the protective action of the antivenom against the cardiovascular
andneuromusculareffectsofthevenoms.
24/05/2012 9:44:50
2.
25
Optimization of antivenom treatment of snakebites requires
knowledgeonpharmacokineticsofvenomandantivenoms.Thereis
littleinformationaboutpharmacokineticsofvenomsfromSoutheast
Asian(includingMalaysian)venomoussnakes.Pharmacokineticsof
thenewpolyvalentantivenomshavenotbeeninvestigated.
The proteome of venoms from Malaysian (and most of Southeast Asian)
venomous snakes have not been investigated. The antivenomics of the
monovalent or polyvalent antivenoms against Malaysian venomous snakes
havealsonotbeeninvestigated.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
The objectives of the project are
to conduct pre clinicals trials of
antivenom therapy of snakebites
in Malaysia, Southeast Asia
and in Sri Lanka using the new
polyvalent antivenoms, and to
invesigate the pharmacokinetics,
venomics and antivenomics of
Southeast venomous snakes,
for understanding of venom
compositions,
possible
drug
discovery and improvement of
antivenomtreatments
Preclinical trials of antivenoms:. The
antivenom will be preincubated
with various venoms to
examine the neutralization
of
lethality,
hemorrhagic
activity, procoagulant activity
and necrotic activity. In
addition, the neutralization
of venom cardiovascular and
neuromuscular toxicities will be
evaluatedusingpharmacological
experiments
Theprojectwillbringnewfindings
in the area of benefits of the
new polyvalent antivenoms in
the treatment of snakebites in
Southeast Asian region, and
new knowledge in the area of
pharmacokinetics of venom and
proteome and venoms from
Malaysianvenomoussnakes.
Pharmacokinetics of venoms and
antivenom: Both the venom
antigen and antivenom antigen
levelsinrabbitswillbemonitored
bydoublesandwichELISA
Proteome of Southeast Asian snake
venoms (Venomics): A variety
of approaches will be used
to examine the proteome of
SoutheastAsian snakevenoms,
including Shotgun-LC-MS/MS),
1DE- LC-MS/MS), (GF-LC-MS/
MSand2DE-MALDITOF-MS)
Antivenomics:This will be based
on the immunodepletion of
toxinsuponincubationofwhole
venom with antivenom. Venom
components that remain in the
supernatantwillthenbyidentified
by reverse-phase HPLC, and
comparedtovenomicsresults
Isolation of active compounds from
venoms: These will be carried
out using high performance
ion exchange chromatography,
reverse-phase HPLC and high
performance gel permeation
chromatography
Potential applications include:
Improvement
in
snakebite
treatments in Malaysia and Sri
Lanka,andpotentially,inSoutheast
Asia; knowledge of the venomics
of Malaysian venomous snakes
may lead to discovery of novel
drugs and biomedical tools and
knowledge of the antivenomics
may lead to improvement in
antivenomproduction
forPublications
BiochemicalPharmacology
Proteomics
JPharmacologyandExperimental
therapeutics
Comparative
Biochem
Physiology,PartC
and
TransRoyalSocTropicalMed
Collaborators
Dr. Fung Shin Yee, Faculty of
Medicine,UM
Prof Dr. Sim Si Mui, Faculty of
Medicine,UM
Dr. Tan Choo Hock (MBBS) (PhD
candidate), Faculty of Medicine,
UM
LeongPohKuan(PhDcandidate),
FacultyofMedicine,UM
24/05/2012 9:44:50
26
Title: Superplastic Effect on Diffussion of Boron/Carbon/
Ha Into Alloys
Principal Investigator : Dr. Iswadi Jauhari
Faculty : Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Superplasticityisthephenomenonofmaterialsthatcanundergoaverylarge
plasticdeformationbeforefailure.Superplasticmaterialsarecharacterizedby
theirexceptionalductilitywhereamaximumelongationofabout8000%can
beachieved.Owingtoitsexcellentformability,superplastichasbeenusedin
theindustriestoformhardsolidsintocomplexshapepartsandcomponents.
Applicationsofsuperplasticarewellknowninsuperplasticdeformation(SPD)
andsuperplasticdiffusionbonding(SPDB)processes.TheSPDtechnologyis
aneconomicaltechniquedevelopedwhichismainlyusedintheaerospace
industry to produce components requiring complex shapes and sizes.
Meanwhile,intheSPDB,thesolidstatediffusionbondinghasshownseveral
advantages in achieving a good bonding strength with minimum process
conditions.
Basedonthesuperplasticphenomenon,wehavebeenexploringanewarea
wherethesuperplasticitycouldbefurtherexploited.Fromourearlystudies,
wehavemanagetoprovethatgrainboundaryslidingphenomenonobserved
in the superplastic deformation plays an important role in transferring
rate of atoms diffused into the substrate materials. Applying superplastic
deformation, atoms such as boron and carbon can be diffused into
materials like duplex stainless steel and titanium much faster than through
theconventionaldiffusionmethod.Thedistributionofthediffusionprocess
is more uniform and homogeneous. We found out also that the activation
energyforthediffusionprocessismuchlowerthantheconventionaldiffusion
processandisstrongly-dependentthestrainrateapplied.Thesuperplastic
deformationnotonlypermitsatomstodiffuseintothesubstrateinaveryfast
manner,italsoallowsthediffusionofthesubstrateatomsfromthesubstrate
insimilarmanner.
Objectives
To study superplastic effects on
carburizing, boronizing and HA
embedmentofalloys
To develop methods to apply in
study1
Tomakeprototypes
Methodology
Carbon and boron atoms will be
diffused into alloys like duplex
stainless steel and titanium while
HAwillbeembeddedontitanium,
using superplastic deformation
method. The process will be
conducted in high temperature
withhighvacuumdegreecondition
undercompressionmode
Diffusion rate of carbon and
boronintothealloysanddiffusion
rate of titanium into HA will be
measured and the properties will
becharacterizedusingXRD,EDX,
FESEM,opticalmicroscope,nano
andmicrohardnessindentor
The optimum condition of the
process will be determined based
from the efficiency of the process
(activationenergy)
Mechanical (hardness,tensile,wear
etc.)andinvivoandinvitrotesting
willbeconducted
Jigsanddieswillbedesignedfor
prototypedevelopment
Outcome
Fromthestudieswehaveobtained
important and useful data that
would lead to the applications
of superplasticity in surface
engineering area where diffusion
ofatomsisverycritical.Weexpect
that with superplasticity, a simple
andmorepracticalprocesscanbe
developedmoreefficiently
forPublications
MaterialsScienceandEngineering
A
MaterialsChemistryandPhysics
Journal of the Mechanical
BehaviourofBiomedicalMaterials
ActaMaterialia
Biomaterials
Collaborators
Nil
24/05/2012 9:44:50
27
Title: Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated
From Various Sources As An In Vitro Models For Drug
Screening and Toxicity Testing
Principal Investigator : Dr. Mariam Abdullah
Faculty : Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry
Summary of Research Proposal
Despite spiraling R&D costs in discovering new drugs for therapeutic use,
90%ofleadcandidatesidentifiedbycurrentinvitrosystemsfailtobecome
drugs. The currently used in vivo tests are time consuming, expensive and
require a large number of animals (Hofer et al., 2004). Therefore, there is a
direneedtoestablishnewerinvitrodevelopmenttoxicityassaystoreduce
thenumberoftestanimalsandexpenseswithoutcompromisingthesafety
of patients. Further, such in vitro models should be better suited to test a
largenumberofchemicalsthantheclassicalonesemployedinvivo.Overthe
lastfewyearsthefieldofpluripotentstemcellshaswitnessedastrongshift
ofparadigmfromregenerativemedicinetowardsdrugscreening.Embryonic
stem cell (ESC) has emerged as an attractive model in the pharmaceutical
industry for in vitro screening due to their enormous potential in facilitating
drugscreeningprograms(Paletal.,2009).However,scarcityofthesource
andtheinvasiveproceduresrequiredtoisolateandculturethesecellshave
limited their use. In this scenario, mesenchymal stem cells are considered
to be an appealing source for stem cells as they are noncontroversial,
readilyaccessible,hasalargedonorpoolandnoriskofdiscomfortforthe
donor. Here we propose stem cells as a novel in vitro platform for toxicity
assessmentofvariouscompounds,teratogens,smallmolecules,biomaterials
and drugs. These novel in vitro models can predict the effect of toxins at
various phases of cell cycle as well as stages of growth, development and
differentiation. Moreover, these stem cell-based models would also permit
simultaneousassessmentoftoxiccompoundsofthedrugsonproliferationas
wellaslineagespecificdifferentiationpotential.Themainfocusoftheproject
isintendedtodevelopmesenchymalstemcells(MSCs)derivedfromvarious
postnatal tissues as an in-vitro model for toxicity testing of compounds
sincestemcellsareknownforproliferationanddifferentiationpotentialand
itwillbeoftremendousvalueindelineatingmechanismofactionofvarious
compoundsatcellularandmolecularlevel.
Objectives
Methodology To develop mesenchymal stem
cells (MSCs) as an in vitro model
forcytotoxicitytesting
Sample
collection
protocols
used will be approved by the
InstitutionalEthicsCommittee.The
inform consent will be obtained
from all human subjects that
will participate in the study and
the nature of the procedure and
possiblediscomfortsandriskswill
befullyexplained
To examine the effect of
conventional
drugs
and
neutraceuticals
on
survival,
proliferation and differentiation
potential as well as retention of
stemness without senescence of
MSCs
To explore the effect of small
molecules on cell viability and
functioality of MSCs with a view
tofindouttheirroleinsynergizing/
antagonizingactionofMSCs
Tounderstandtheimpactofdrugs
on the regenerative potentiality,
immuno modulatory properties
andpacarineactivitiesofMSCs
Stock cultures for regular
maintenanceandsubculturetobe
used for experiments will be kept
ready
Cell survival as results of druginduced cytotoxicity will be
evaluated.
Cell
proliferation
analysis will be measured using
DNA synthesis as a specific
marker for replication. In these
assays, labeled DNA precursors
(BrdU)areaddedtocellsandtheir
incorporation into genomic DNA
duringtheSphaseofthecellcycle
is quantified following incubation
and sample preparation. MSCs
will be seeded in 96 well plates
at a density of 1000 cells per
cm2 and it will allowed to attach
overnight. Culture media of
interest will be added the next
day.Ateachtimepoint,theculture
media will be removed and cells
will be washed with phosphate
buffered saline (PBS), then 0.5
ml DMEM/F12 without phenolred and thiazoly blue tetrazolium
bromide (Sigma) will be added
to each well. The plates will be
incubated for 4 hours at 37 °C.
The produced MTT-formazan will
be dissolved by adding 0.5 ml
2-propanol and will be agitated
in the dark on an orbital shaker
for an hour and the absorbance
will be measured. Total RNA from
cell pellets will be collected at
different time points and the RNA
24/05/2012 9:44:50
28
isolation will be carried out using
TRIZOL reagent (invitrogen) as
per the manufacturer`s protocol.
Superscript II (Invitrogen) will be
usedtosynthesizecDNAfollowing
the manufacturer`s instructions.
PCR will be performed using 2x
PCRmastermix(Thermo),18sRNA
will be used as the housekeeping
gene control and lineage specific
markerswillbechecked
Outcome
Collaborators
To revolutionize the concept of
stemcellsasaninvitromodelfor
drugscreeningandtoxicity
Nil
forPublications
JCellBiochem
JournalofDentalResearch
JournalofEndondotics
Title: Postoperative Vascular Events in Unrecognized
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Principal Investigator : Professor Dato’ Dr. Wang Chew Yin
Faculty : Department of Anaesthesiology,Faculty of Medicine
Thisisalargeinternationalmulticentreobservationalcohortstudytodetermine
theeffectofOSA,independentofotherriskfactors,onpostoperativevascular
events. 2,000 patients at moderate-to-high risk for postoperative vascular
complications; who are > 45 years of age, undergoing noncardiac surgery,
thatisexpectedtorequireahospitalstayofmorethan3nights,andreceiving
a general or regional anesthetic will be included in the study. 4 hospitals
(includingbothuniversityandnon-universityhospitals)in4countries(including
Malaysia)aroundtheworldwillrecruitpatients,overa2.0yearperiod.Study
personnel will evaluate patients prior to surgery, follow patients throughout
theirhospitalization,andcontactpatientsat30daysaftersurgery.Allpatients
willhavetroponinTmeasuredpostsurgeryandonthefirst,second,andthird
daysaftersurgery.
This study will inform clinicians regarding the magnitude and severity of
unrecognizedOSAinthesurgicalpopulation.Moreimportantly,itwilldetermine
therisksofpostoperativevasculareventsinpatientswithunrecognizedand
untreatedOSA.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
We hypothesize that patients with
unrecognized OSA have a higher
rate of postoperative vascular
events than those who do not
haveOSA.Thespecificaimsofthe
studyaretodetermine:
Setting:Weproposetorecruit400
patientsfromUniversityofMalaya
MedicalCentre
Theprimaryoutcomeofthisstudy
is postoperative vascular event
within30daysaftersurgery.Itisa
composite endpoint that includes
any of myocardial infarction;
nonfatal cardiac arrest; stroke;
pulmonary embolism; congestive
heart failure; new clinically
significant atrial fibrillation/flutter
andcardiacdeath
1.
theincidenceofunrecognized
OSA in patients undergoing
majorsurgery
2.
theassociationbetweenOSA
and postoperative vascular
event
3.
the relationship between
nocturnal hypoxia during the
firstthreenightsaftersurgery
andthetimetopostoperative
vascularevent
Measurements:Polysomnography:
Overnight PSG study will be
performed on the night before
surgery
Oximetrymonitoring:SpO2willbe
monitored in all patients on the
night before surgery and during
the first three nights after surgery
using a wristwatch-sized portable
oximeter
Perioperative Care: ECG will be
measured preoperatively and
repeatedonday1to3aftersurgery.
Venous blood will be collected
6-12hoursandonthefirst3days
after surgery for measuring cTnT
concentration
This study will inform clinicians
regarding the magnitude and
severity of unrecognized OSA
in the surgical population. More
importantly, it will determine
the risks of postoperative
vascular events in patients with
unrecognizedanduntreatedOSA.
If, as we believe it will, our study
identifies the independent risk of
OSA on postoperative vascular
24/05/2012 9:44:50
complication, this will lead to a
change in perioperative medicine
worldwide. Specifically, it will
facilitate surgeons and patients
in decision-making and will
guide
perioperative
patient
management. For instance, we
willbebetterinformedaswhether
surgery needs to be delayed for
potentialpreoperativeoptimization
(e.g. weight reduction, insertion
of oral appliances and initiation
of nocturnal continuous positive
airwayspressure)
forPublications
Anaesthesiology
AnaesthesiaandAnalgesia
BritishJournalofAnaesthesia
Chest
Circulation
29
Collaborators
Professor
Frances
Chung,
UniversityToronto,Canada
ProfessorMatthewTakVaiCHAN,
ChineseUniversityHongKong
Dr Edwin Seet Chuen Ping,
AlexandraHospital,Singapore
Title: Genomic Analysis and Biomedical Studies of Tiger’s
Milk Mushroom “Cendawan Susu Rimau” (Lignosus
rhinocerus)
Principal Investigator : Dr. Fung Shin Yee
Lignosusrhinocerus(Tiger’sMilkmushroom,orlocalMalayname“cendawan
susu rimau (harimau)”) is one of the most important traditional medicinal
mushroomsfoundinMalaysia.Thelocalcommunitieshavebeenusingthis
mushroom for more than 500 years to treat asthma, fever, cough, cancer,
foodpoisoning,woundhealingandasahealthtonictoimproveimmunityand
maintaingeneralhealth(ChangandLee,2004).Althoughtheethnobotanical
uses of L. rhinocerus are well recognized, scientific information on its
pharmacologicalactivitiesisscarce.Themainconstraintwasduetolimited
supply of L. rhinocerus as it can only be found in the jungle by “luck”.
However,recentlyTanetal(2009)hassuccessfullycultivatedthemushroom
inthelaboratory(Tan,2009)andthishasmadeitpossibletoobtainalarge
supply of the mushroom, making it possible to investigate the mushroom’s
bio-pharmacological properties and mode of action. This project aims to
investigatethebiopharmacologicalpropertiesofTiger’sMilkmushroomand
exploreitsutilizationasnutraceuticals,aswellasidentificationofitsactive
ingredientsthatmayleadtodrugdiscovery.
Objectives
Methodology To sequence the genome
of Lignosus rhinocerus and
bioinformatic analysis of the gene
data
PartI:Genomicstudy:toobtain
the genome DNA sequence of
the Tiger’s Milk mushroom. This
will be carried out by obtaining
sufficient quantity of pure intact
genomic DNA of Lignosus
rhinocerus, constructing shortinsert library, evaluation of
heterogenous sequences and
followed by genome assembly
and bioinformatics analysis. Our
partnerinthegenomesequencing
is BGI from Shenzhen, People
RepublicofChina
To establish the safety of the
mushroom
by
conducting
subacutetoxicitystudies
Toinvestigatetheanti-cancerand
tonicpropertiesofthemushroom
PartII:Subacutetoxicitystudies:
The doses will be selected
according to OECD Guidelines
No.407 (OECD, 1995). Groups
of five male and female Sprague
Dawley(SD)ratswillbegavagefed
for28days:
Attheendofthetreatmentperiod
(Day 28), rats will be fasted for
18 hours. On day 29, blood
samples will be withdrawn using
cardiac puncture. Haematological
examination,prothrombintimeand
biochemicaltestwillbeperformed
(Dufouret al.,2003)
Afterbloodcollection,vitalorgans
such as liver, spleen, heart, lungs
and kidneys will be removed
and preserved in 10% buffered
formalin. These organs will then
be embedded in paraffin and
the tissue slices will be stained
with hematoxylin and eosin.
24/05/2012 9:44:50
30
Light microscopic examination
of multiple tissue sections from
eachorganwillbeperformedinall
groups.
PartIII:
Anti cancer activity
Determination of anti-cancer
activitywillbedoneusingvarious
cancer cell lines. Its mechanism
will be investigated using
microarray and validated by real
time PCR (Fung et al, 2009),
TUNNEL assay and proteomic
approach. The determination of
cytotoxiceffectofthemushroom
on normal cell lines will also be
ascertained
Tonic activity
ICR mice will be orally
administered with Tiger’s Milk
mushroom powder. At the end
of the treatment, measurement
oftheforcedswimmingcapacity
and the analysis of blood
biochemical parameters such as
the levels of plasma triglyceride,
glucose, lactate and ammonia
will be examined. Immediately
after the blood collection, liver
andgastrocnemiusmusclewillbe
quickly dissected out and frozen
in liquid nitrogen until analysis
for glycogen content using the
glucoseoxidasemethod(Junget
al.,2004)
Outcome
Understanding the mode of
action of Tiger Milk mushroom
as phytomedicine. Establish food
safety and anti-cancer ; tonic
propertiesofthemushroom
forPublications
International
Journal
of
BiochemistryandCellBiology
eCAM
FoodChemistry,I
JournalofEthanopharmacology
FungalGeneticsandBiology
Collaborators
ProfDr.TanNgetHong,Department
of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of
Medicine,UniversityofMalaya
LignoBiotechSdnBhd
Title: Ultrafast Laser Nanoprocessing of Large Area
Plasmonicand Metamaterials: Design, Fabrication And
Characterization
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Harith Ahmad
Faculty : Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
Thelastdecadesawtheestablishmentofanewfieldinphotonicsresearch.
Itinvolvesthefabricationofmaterialswithelectromagneticpropertiesthatdo
notexistnaturally.Theengineeredmaterialsormetamaterialsenablecontrol
of a materials electromagnetic properties, namely the electrical permitivity,
e and magnetic permeability, m for the realization of many unconventional
applications including negative refractive index materials, super lens, subwavelengthimaging,cloaking,etc.
The building block of metamaterial consist of thin metal resonator cavities
with sub-wavelength dimensions called cell, arranged periodically on a
dielectricorsemiconductorsubstrate.Inthecaseofphotonicmetamaterials,
itrequiresfabricationofperiodicnano-sturcturesin2-Dandultimately3-D.
This requirement is probing the limits of E-beam and X-ray lithography in
nano-structurepatterning.
Recently,directlaserwritingusingultrafastlaserpulseshasbeendemonstrated
to be an effective tools for nano-structure processing due to its non-linear
interactionwithmatterandlocalizedmaterialmodificationwithminimaleffect
on adjacent structures. Feature size as small as 20nm has been fabricated
usingultrafastnanomachining.Paralleldefinitionofperiodicstructuresisalso
possibleusingdirectlaserwriting.Theflexibilityofdirectlaserwritingandthe
nano-machiningcapabilityofultrafastlaserhasmadeitapromisingtechnology
inthefabricationofphotonicsmetamaterials.
24/05/2012 9:44:50
Objectives
Methodology To acquire understanding in the
physics and fabrication methods
of photonics metamaterial. To
design conventional and new
metamaterials. To fabricate large
area photonics and terahertz
plasmonics and metamaterials
usingultrafastlaserandtodevelop
a characterization system for
the measurement of photonics
metamaterials
The physics and principles of
surface plasmon polaritons and
photonics metamaterials is first
acquired. Design and simulation
ofdifferentarrangementofunitcell
andunitcellprofileswillbecarried
out.Laserdirectwritingsystemwill
besetupwithultra-violetaswellas
ultrafastlaseraslasersource.The
optimumdesignwillbetransferred
to the fabrication process and
the fabricated metamaterials. A
characterization system will be
setup and the characteristics
of fabricated materials will be
measuredusingthesystem
31
Applicationsanddevicesbasedon
photonicsmetamaterials
forPublications
NaturePhotonics
OpticsExpress
OpticsLetters
AppliedPhysicsLetters
IEEEPhotonicsTechnologyLetters
Collaborators
HongMingHui,NationalUniversity
ofSingapore,Singapore
Outcome
Knowledge and facility to design,
fabricate
and
characterize
photonicsmetamaterials
Title: Characterisation of Dielectric and Electro-Optic
Parameters of Novel Nematic and Blue Phase Liquid
Crystals
Principal Investigator : Dr. Suhana Mohd Said
Faculty : Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Blue phase liquid crystals are an interesting liquid crystal phase, since
they are highly ordered and indicate potential for fast switching, easily
manufactureddisplays.However,itcurrentlyhasthedisadvantageofhaving
averynarrowwindowofexistence,intherangeof1-2°C.Afamilyofofliquid
crystalsbasedonanewseriesofSchiffbaseesters,hasbeensynthesised
by the Liquid Crystal group in USM since 2009, which have demonstrated
the nematicandbluephases. Whilst fundamentalcharacterizationofthese
compounds,as phasetransition,temperaturesandmorphologicalstructure
havebeeninvestigated,littleelseisknownaboutthesematerials’properties.
Thisparticularresearchprojectwilltacklethecomprehensivecharacterization
ofnematicandbluephaseliquidcrystalssynthesizedinUSM.Theoutcome
ofthisprojectisaimedatabetterfundamentalunderstandingofthephysical
parameters of these liquid crystal series, which will lead to proposed
applicationssuchaswirelessdevices,electro-opticswitchesandlasers.
Objectives
To characterise the dielectric
parameters of nematic and blue
phaseliquidcrystals
To characterise the elastic
constantsofthenematicandblue
phaseliquidcrystals
To simulate the nematic and blue
Methodology phase liquid crystal structure and
dynamics
Tocorrelatebetweenexperimental
and simulation results in order
to yield nematic and blue phase
liquid crystal parameter values
– dielectric constants, elastic
constantsandviscosity
Continuum modelling will be
used to predict the nematic
and blue phase liquid crystal
structure and dynamics. The
reorientation dynamics of the
liquidcrystalmaterialinanelectric
field will be of fundamental
interest. Continuum modelling
24/05/2012 9:44:50
32
for nematic liquid crystals will be
executed first, followed by blue
phase liquid crystals. Dielectric
characterisation of the liquid
crystalshallbecarriedoutusing
an impedanceanalyser. Accurate
temperaturecontrolofthematerial
in order to maintain it within the
nematic and blue phase liquid
crystal phase shall be maintained
usingahotstageandcontroller.
Theuseofahostageandcontroller
isessential,asthephasetransition
temperatures need to be very
precise and sometimes have a
verynarrowwindow.Forexample,
the phase transition temperature
forthebluephasemixture,TCB(5)
isasfollows:
Cr à SmC* à SmA à N* àBluePhaseà I
161.7
190
221.7 226.9
226.9
Electro-opticcharacterisationof a
blue phase liquid crystal shall be
carried out through observation
of the electro-optic response of
the cell which is switched by an
electric field.Simulation of the
liquid crystal structure dynamics
is essential to complement the
experimental
results.
Fitting
between the experimental and
simulation results will ultimately
yield the parameter values of
dielectric
constants,
elastic
constantsandviscosity
forPublications
Outcome
Collaborators
Fundamental
characterisation
of material parameters of
locally synthesised nematic and
blue phase liquid crystals. An
understanding of the material
parameters will provide an
indication of
the
suitable
engineering applications. Apart
from
conventional
display
applications, a very recent and
interesting application for liquid
crystals will be for wireless
devices,suchastunableantennas
andadaptivereflectarrays
Professor Yeap Guan Yeow
(Universiti
Sains
Malaysia,
Malaysia)
PhysicalReviewE
JournalofAppliedPhysics
EuropeanPhysicalJournalE
Photonics and Nanostructures –
FundamentalsandApplications
Dr Mohd Rafie Johan (Universiti
Malaya,Malaysia)
Title: Fundamental Study on the Novel Magnetic
Nanophotocatalyst (Zinc Oxide/Iron Oxide) for Water
Splitting Process Towards the Development of A Green,
Cost-effective and Sustainable Hydrogen Gas Production
System
Principal Investigator : Dr. Chiu Wee Siong
SummaryofResearchProposal:
There are substantial research efforts devoted to adopt hydrogen gas as a
green,renewableandsustainableenergyduetoitslowgreengasesemission.
Nevertheless, the conventional industrial process to produce hydrogen gas
consumesahugeamountoffossilfuels,whichinturnresultsinalargequantity
of green gases emissions. Recently, hydrogen production via magnetized
photocatalytic-mediatedwatersplittingprocessseemsparticularlypromising.
Thistechniqueonlyexploitsradiationenergyastheprecursortoinducewater
splittingprocess.
Furthermore,theuniquemagneticfeaturealsofacilitateslowcostrecoveryof
theactivematerialsforsubsequentusage.
However, eventhough there are many research efforts to improve the
photocatalyticefficiencyofsuchnanocompositematerialbydifferentsynthetic
routes, fundamental understanding on its charge carrier properties is still
very limited. Effects of lattice disruption/mismatch due to the incorporation
ofmagneticparticlesintophotocatalystmaterialontheexcitonsgeneration,
24/05/2012 9:44:50
33
diffusionandrecombinationarestillambiguous.Sincephotonenergyserves
astheprecursortoinducethewatersplittingprocess,chargecarrierdynamic
is the most crucial property that will affect the photocatalytic efficiency.
Therefore,currentresearchworkisdevotedtoestablishasoundfundamental
understanding on the charge carrier property of the novel ZnO/Fe3O4
nanomaterialsbyusingtheopticalabsorptionspectroscopy.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Tosynthesizeandcharacterizethe
physicalandchemicalpropertiesof
zincoxide/ironoxide(ZnO/Fe3O4)
hybrid core-shell nanocomposites
materials using a series of
advanced analytical techniques
(XRD,TEM,XPS,VSM).
The efficiency of the water
splittingprocesswillbeevaluated
on the own-synthesized Fe3O4/
ZnO core/shell nanocomposites,
whicharepreparedthroughseedmediatedgrowapproachbyusing
organometallic synthetic route.
The Fe3O4 will be synthesized by
thermal pyrolysis of iron oleate
precursorandwillbeusedforthe
overgrowofalayerofZnOcrystals.
Various analytical techniques
will be used to characterize the
structural and properties of this
nanocomposite.
The
photoinduced spectroscopic study
and time-resolved absorption
measurement will be conducted
to evaluate the charge carrier
dynamicsoftheexciton.
A comprehensive new theoretical
description (qualitatively and
quantitatively) on the charge
carrier dynamic of the magnetic
nanophotocatalyst material (ZnO/
Fe3O4)canbeestablished
To verify the effectiveness
of the ZnO/Fe3O4 hybrid
nanocomposites as efficient
photocatalyst material in water
splittingforhydrogenproduction.
To identify and optimize the
photocatalytic capabilities of the
as-prepared and regenerated
nanophotocatalyst
material
against water disassociation rate
andredoxmechanism.
To investigate the charge carrier
dynamic of the as-synthesized
nanocomposite materials under
theilluminationofelectromagnetic
radiation
To determine and optimize the
water dissociation efficiency
during the hydrogen evolution
process in correlation to the
intrinsic properties of the ZnO/
Fe3O4nanocompositematerials
Meanwhile,theperformanceofthe
nanocompositesintheproduction
ofhydrogengasviawatersplitting
reactionwillbeinvestigatedusing
thegaschromatographytechnique.
Finally,thecorrelationbetweenthe
charge carrier dynamics with the
efficiency in hydrogen production
willbestudied
forPublications
ACS Nano (Publisher: American
ChemicalSociety),IF=7.493
Chemistry of Materials (Publisher:
AmericanChemicalSociety),IF=
5.368
Journal of Physical Chemistry C
(Publisher: American Chemical
Society),IF=4.224
Nanotechnology
(Publisher:
InstituteofPhysics,UK),IF=3.137
Chemical Engineering Journal
(Publisher:Elsevier),IF=2.816
Collaborators
Prof. Datin Dr. Saadah Abdul
Rahman(UniversitiMalaya)
Prof. Dr. Shahidan b. Radiman
(UniversitiKebangsaanMalaysia)
AssociateProf.Dr.KhiewPoiSim
(UniversityofNottinghamMalaysia
Campus)
Associate Prof. Dr. Muhammad
Azmi Abd. Hamid (Universiti
KebangsaanMalaysia)
Dr. Chia Chin Hua (Universiti
KebangsaanMalaysia)
24/05/2012 9:44:50
34
Title: Evaluation of the Use of Chemical Shift Gradient
Echo Sequences in 3T MRI in the Detection of H-MRS
Visible Lipids and the Grading of Gliomas
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Norlisah Mohd Ramli
Faculty : Department of Biomedic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine
Preoperativegradingofgliomasisnecessaryasithelpsinbettertreatment
planning and management. Non invasive detection of lipid is particularly
importantinreachingthediagnosisaswellasingradingthetumor.Presence
oflipidpeakinaggressiveintracranialtumorshasbeenreportedwidelyusing
MRspectroscopy.
MRspectroscopyhowever,hasdifficultyindifferentiatinglactatefromlipids
astheirspectrallocationsoverlapi.e.theyarefrequentlyevaluatedinunison.
Furthermorethismethodrequireslongerimagingtimeandhaslimitationsdue
toartefactsformedbyadjacentbones.Itcanonlybeeffectivelycarriedout
inmagnetsoffieldstrengthof1Tandabove;andrequiresspecialsoftware.
Objectives
This study aims to assess the
usefulness of MR chemical
shift gradient echo sequences
in combination with or in place
of established MR spectroscopy
to firstly assess the lipid content
of gliomas and secondly to help
determine the grade of a lesion.
Thisstudywillbecarriedoutusing
3TeslaMRI.Aschemicalshiftwill
increase with an increase in field
strength(itdoublesinmovingfrom
1.5Tto3T),itmaybebeneficialin
enhancingtheusefulnessofthein-
andopposedphasechemicalshift
gradientsequence
Methodology This is a cross sectional study
of patient with glioma. Clinical
examination will be done by
neurosurgeons. Informed consent
will be obtained from all the
subjects/guardians before the
study.Patient will undergo MR
imaging at 3Tesla. Standard
sequences for intracranial tumor
(multiplanar T1W pre and post
gadolinium, T2W, FLAIR, DWI) as
well as MR spectroscopy will be
performed. Another sequence,
using chemical shift GRE
technique will be added and will
be done before contrast is given.
Bothopposed-phaseandin-phase
FLASHimagingwillbeperformed.
The ROI will be determined so as
it corresponds with SVS chosen
in MRS. The assessment of the
lesions in MR images will be
done by a radiologist. He/she
will be blinded to the eventual
histology grade of the tumor.
The assessment will also include
calculation of the percentage
variation in signal intensity of the
ROI between the opposed-phase
andin-phaseFLASHimaging
Sample of the lesion will be
obtained by stereotactic biopsy,
open biopsy or craniotomy as
according to the decision made
by the neurosurgeon during their
management of the patient.
Histological grading and analysis
forthepresenceandquantification
ofthelipidcomponentwillbedone
byasinglepathologist.Gliomasof
different histologic types will be
graded II to IV, according to the
degree of malignancy. Grade II
gliomas will be taken together as
low-grade, while grade III and IV
willbetakenashigh-gradegliomas
Outcome
Chemical shift gradient echo
sequence will be helpful in
the diagnosis and grading of
the glioma, thus may avoid
unnecessary biopsy and helps
in better preoperative treatment
planningandmanagement
forPublications
Radiography(ISI-CitedPublication)
Neurology
Publication)
Asia
(ISI-Cited
AmericanJournalofNeuroradiology
Collaborators
Biomedical Imaging Department,
Centre,KualaLumpur
Pathology Department, Universiti
of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala
Lumpur
Surgical Department, University
of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala
Lumpur
24/05/2012 9:44:50
35
Title: Role of G-Proteins In Diabetic Retinopathy: Beyond
Glucose Induced Microvascular Disease
Principal Investigator: Professor Dato’ Dr. Ikram Shah Ismail
Faculty : Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Thisprojectaimstoidentifyß-AdrenergicreceptorsandAdenosinereceptors
subtypes in Bovine retinal endothelial cells and rat Muller cells and then to
investigate their potential role in inducing complications that are found in
diabeticretinopathy.Thiswillbedonebyfirstlyinvestigatingtheireffectson
the thickness of the basement membrane and pericyte loss using electron
microscopy.Wethenwilldeterminetheroleofthereceptorsonthesympathetic
neurotransmission in diabetic retinopathy by measuring the induction of
iNOS. To determine if they affect the regulation of inflammatory cytokines,
they will be measured at various times in a hyperglycemic environment.
Followingthattheeffectofthesereceptorsonapoptosisthroughsympathetic
neurotransmission will be investigated as well as the signaling pathways
involved in inducing proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. These will
thenbeverifiedbytheexpressionofthegenesinvolvedinpericyteloss,cell
proliferation,apoptosisandinflammation.
Methodology Both cells will be cultured in low
and high glucose media. These
cell will be treated with various
agonistsandantagonists.Thecells
willbecollectedat5differenttime
points (1, 3, 6, 18 and 24 hours).
The collected cells will be used
to identify the signaling pathway
usingWesternBlotanalysis,ELISA
assays, Gene expression using
RT-PCR,ElectronMicroscopyand
TUNELassay
Outcome
forPublications
Diabetes
DiabetesCare
Diabetologia
Collaborators
Professor Dr. Richard Prince,
University of Western Australia,
Australia
Dr.AstridLimb,UniversityCollege
ofLondon(UCL),London
New finding for treatments of
diabeticretinopathy
24/05/2012 9:44:50
36
Title: Study of the Symmetry and Optical Anisotropy in
CdSe/ZnSe Quantum Dots Nanomaterials
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Rafie Johan
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have been attracting immense interest
overthelastdecadefrombothbasicandapplications.Thematerialsystem
of choice for the investigations performed in the frame of this research is
self-assembled CdSe/ZnSe QDs. The reasons of this choice are twofold.
Firstly,CdSe/ZnSeQDscanbegrownwithexcellentopticalqualitywhichis
aprerequisiteforopticalstudies.Secondly,isduetothepolarnatureofII-VI
compound semiconductors. For the purposes of the proposed work, QDs
emergingfrominverseMichellegrowthwillbestudied.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
By using inverse Michelle
technique, we would like to
synthesize self-assembled CdSe/
ZnSeQDs.Variouscharacterization
methods are used such as XRD,
TEM, SEM, FTIR, PL, Raman
Scattering etc. to characterize
the optical, thermal and structural
properties of CdSe/ZnSe QDs.
Last but not least we also want
to investigate the symmetry and
optical anisotropy in CdSe/ZnSe
QDs
CdSe/ZnSe QDs were prepared
usingZnAcetate,CdOandSeas
precursors. Other chemicals also
usedinthismethodassurfactants
which are paraffin oil and oleic
acid. From the mixing to produce
the CdSe/ZnSe QDs, there are
several times divided to study
the growth of QDs which are 0
(intermediate),0.5,1,5,16,46and
90 minutes. By centrifugation, the
precipitatecanbeisolatedfromthe
solvents and unreacted reagents.
Then after the sample dries, it
canbecharacterizedtostudythe
symmetry and optical anisotropy
CdSe/ZnSeQDsnanomaterials
Better
understanding
to
characterize
the
QDs
nanomaterials by using various
characterizationmethods.Besides
we can also study the symmetry
and optical anisotropy are the
application of CdSe/ZnSe QDs
nanomaterials
forPublications
PhysicalReviewLetters
Collaborators
Profesor Sheikh Akhbar, Ohio
StateUniversity,US
Title: Molecular Phylogenetics and Systematics of
Crustose Brown Algae
Principal Investigator : Dr. Lim Phaik Eem
Despitedetailedstudiesbeingdoneoncrustosebrownalgaesincethe1800s,
thereisnotmuchstudyconductedontheminMalaysia.Priorto2007,thereis
nostudyonthecrustosebrownalgaeinMalaysia.Thefirstreportofitskind
in Malaysia is on two species namely: Neoralfsia expansa and Mesospora
schmidtii (Lim et al., 2008). Based on these authors’ preliminary survey at
various coastal areas in Malaysia, the crustose brown seaweeds are found
togrowabundantly.Hencethereisaneedtoconductmorestudiesonthese
algaeinMalaysia.AgenusthatdeservesourattentionistheMesospora,first
described by Weber-van Bosse (1911) on the basis of materials collected
fromseverallocalitiesinIndonesia.Algaeofthisgenusareamongthemost
prevalentinourregionascomparedtoothercrustosebrownalgaesuchas
Ralfsia.
24/05/2012 9:44:51
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
This project aims to collect and
identify crustose brown algae
fromvariouslocalitiesinMalaysia,
Indonesia and Japan based
on morphological features and
reproductive organs. Further
confirmation of the identity
of crustose brown algae and
examination of their taxonomic
positionatthefamilialandordinal
level can be accomplished by
exploiting the use of molecular
markers of chloroplast origin
(rbcL) and mitochondrial-based
marker (cox1). In addition to that,
we are keen to determine the
species number of Mesospora,
commonly found in warmer
waters, in this region and to
distinguish Mesospora schmidtii
sensu Weber-van Bosse and
Mesospora schmidtii sensuTanaka
& Chihara by studying specimens
ofMesosporafromitstypelocality
inIndonesiaandJapan
Brown algal crusts will be
collected from several localities in
Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.
These rocks are first air-dried
and later desiccated in silica
gel and maintained at ambient
temperature. For morphological
observations, light microscopical
examinations will be done on
squash preparations which are
then mounted in corn syrup on
glass slides. As for the molecular
studies, totalgenomicDNAwillbe
extractedbygrinding30-40mgof
thethalliinliquidnitrogenfollowed
by the use of DNeasy Plant Mini
Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany).
The isolated DNA will act as a
DNA template in a polymerase
chainreaction(PCR)usingvarious
markers from two genomes:
plastid-encoded marker (rbcL
and etc.) and mitochondrial
encoded marker (cox1 and etc.).
The resulting PCR products will
then undergo purification, cycle
sequencing and finally DNA
sequencing. The DNA sequences
will then be analyzed and
phylogenetic trees will be inferred
using maximum parsimony (MP),
maximum likelihood (ML) and
Bayesianinferencemethods
Unveil new species and diversity
of crustose brown algae with
particularinterestonMesospora in
thisregion
37
forPublications
Phycologia
JournalofPhycology
MarineBiology
MolecularEcology
SystematicBiology
Collaborators
Prof. Phang Siew Moi, Institute
of Biological Sciences & Institute
of Ocean and Earth Sciences,
UniversityofMalaya
Prof. Hiroshi Kawai, Kobe
University Research Center for
InlandSeas,Japan
Poong Sze Wan (PhD candidate),
Institute of Biological Sciences,
UniversityofMalaya
Title: Advanced Technique for Scanning and Visualization of
Structural Concrete Interior: Study on Feasibility of Various
Elastic Wave Properties for Tomographic Reconstruction
Principal Investigator : Dr. Chai Hwa Kian
Faculty : Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
This study is primarily an attempt to understand the behavior of elastic
wave propagating in concrete. The various wave properties generated
fromatransientsourceisassessedfortheirvariationswhenpropagatingin
concretewithdifferenttypesofirregularities.Thewavepropertiesthatexhibit
quantifiablechangesaretobeutilizedasdatafortomographyreconstruction
for visualization and characterization of concrete interior. The tomography
technique,whichcanbebasedononeormorewaveproperties,isdeveloped
withformulationofcomputeralgorithmsandinstrumentationofmeasurement
that accommodate different conditions of measurement. The outcome of
thisstudyshallhelpenhanceorcomplementthecurrentlyavailableconcrete
scanning and evaluation techniques, which are found to still possess
limitations pertaining to sensitivity and reliability attributed to difficulties in
dataacquisition,extractionandinterpretation.
24/05/2012 9:44:51
38
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
First we examine and analyze,
through numerical modeling and
simulation as well as laboratory
experiments the change in
properties of transient elastic
waveswhenimpingedondifferent
types of anomalies/ defects
in concrete. This is to identify
promisingwavepropertiesforuse
as observed data in tomographic
reconstruction technique. The
attemptalsohelpstodeterminethe
practicabilityofcombiningmultiple
types of observe data to improve
thecreditabilityandconsistencyof
theassessmentmethodingeneral.
The next objective is to develop
suitable computer algorithms for
tomographic reconstruction using
the selected wave properties,
followed
by
instrumentation
of a prototype measurement
system and establishment of
signal acquisition/ processing
methodology
that
provides
flexibility under different on-site
measurementrequirements
Propagation of transient elastic
waves in concrete models with
different types of anomalies/
defects is simulated numerically
to examine and analyze the
variation of wave properties in
association with different intrinsic
and measurement conditions.
The analytical work also facilitate
examination for changes in
measurementdataduetodifferent
material properties, structure
geometry,
wave
properties,
mesh discretization as well as
sensor types and arrangements.
Computer algorithm catered
for tomographic reconstruction
process of respective wave
propertiesofinterestaredeveloped
through programming practices.
Thealgorithmsaretobetestedand
modifiedaccordinglyforaccuracy
and consistency. Experimental
measurements are to be carried
out using laboratory concrete
specimens,ofwhichtheoutcome
shallprovidefurtherunderstanding
ontheunderlyingdifferencesinthe
tomography output in association
with various combinations of
measurement
configurations
and wave properties. Besides,
the experimental findings are
to be utilized for conditioning
and refinement of modeling and
simulationwork
Understand wave propagation
behavior under different inherent
conditions, including type and
size of defects and properties of
concrete.
Identify
promising
wave
properties
for
quantification
and characterization of interior
concrete defect for development
of
enhanced
tomography
measurementtechniques.
Establish through instrumentation
and
program
development,
enhanced
tomography
measurement techniques for
complementing or upgrading the
currently available scanning and
evaluationtechniquesforconcrete
structures
forPublications
NDT&EInternational
Structural Health and Monitoring:
AninternationalJournal
ACIMaterialsJournal
EngineeringStructures
Collaborators
TomokiShiotani(KyotoUniversity)
Yoshikazu
University)
Kobayashi
(Nihon
Ubagaram Johnson Alengaram
(UniversityofMalaya)
DimitriousGAggelis(Universityof
Ioannina)
Shohei
Momoki
(Tobishima
Corporation Research Institute of
Technology)
24/05/2012 9:44:51
39
Title: Development of novel intumescent fire protective
coating with Chicken Eggshell (CES) as bio-filler
Principal Investigator : Dr. Nor Hafizah Ramli @ Sulong
Structuralsteellosesmorethan60%ofitsyieldstrengthwhenitstemperature
exceeds 500°C. The protection of steels against fire is widely used in the
offshoreindustryandincreasinglysoforonshoreapplications.Aworldwide
death toll of more than 322000 per year is due to incompetence in fire
protection.
Indeed, prevention of the structural collapse of the building is paramount
to ensure the safe evacuation of people from the building, and is a prime
requirement of building regulations in many countries. This research is to
develop intumescent fire protective coating using industrial by-product i.e.
ChickenEggshell(CES)asbio-fillerthatreduceproductioncostandyetfulfills
thehighperformancerequirementforeffectivefireprotection.
Asyet,thereisalackofextensiveresearchinthefieldofintumescentcoatings
and awareness of its ability in containment of fires in Malaysia. It provides
aninsulatingbarrieragainstfire,slowingthespreadofflames,allowingsteel
componentstomaintaintheirstructuralintegrityforalongerperiodandgiving
vitaltimeforevacuation.Thecoatingwillbecharacterizedthroughaseriesof
fireandmechanicaltests.Optimizedintumescentcoatingformulationswillbe
obtainedandevaluated.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
The objective of this research
is to design and develop a
highly
efficient
intumescent
coating, which not only has the
advantage of good fire protection
performance, but also show great
anticorrosion and mechanical
properties. The influences of the
binders,fillersandflameretardant
additives on the fire protection,
anticorrosion and mechanical
properties of intumescent coating
willbeanalyzedandevaluated
The main focus of this research
is to formulate and optimize the
intumescent coating formulations.
The formulations will be mixed
usingahigh-speeddispersemixer.
The mixture is dried until films
are formed. The films are tested
withDSC,TGA,UL94,XRD,XRF,
FTIR and LOI to characterize the
physical and chemical properties
of the intumescent coating. The
formulations will be applied onto
steelplatesfortheBunsenburner
test and small scale furnace
test in order to investigate the
fire protection performance of
the coating. Besides that, the
morphologies of the intumescent
coatings will be observed using
theFESEM.Thebondingstrength,
bending resistance and freezethaw test of the coating will be
determined using the Instron
testing machine and freezer,
respectively. Ultimately, the best
coatingformulationwillbeapplied
on full scale beam-column and
its behavior evaluated under the
furnacetestfollowingthestandard
ISO834time-temperaturecurve
Formulate a highly efficient
intumescent
fire
protective
coating formulation to protect
steel structures from extensive
fire damage, while at the same
time offers additional benefits to
the coated substrates including
water resistance and corrosion
protection
Toward a better understanding
of their mechanism of action, fire
protection and anti-corrosion
performanceaswellasmechanical
properties
forPublications
PolymerDegradationandStability
SurfaceandCoatingsTechnology
MaterialsLetters
ProgressinOrganicCoatings
FireSafetyJournal
Collaborators
Professor Michael Chew Yit Lin,
National University of Singapore,
Singapore
Associate Prof. Faiz Ahmad,
UniversityTechnologyPETRONAS,
Malaysia
24/05/2012 9:44:51
40
Title: Synthesis of Novel Geopolymer Oil Palm Shell
Lightweight Concrete
Principal Investigator : Dr. U. Johnson Alengaram
Depletionofnaturalresourcesfashionedanimportantphraseinthehistory
of mankind called “sustainable development”. And in practice/research/
teaching, the significance of this phrase is often debated and emphasized
in many ways. In the proposed research, we intend to achieve sustainable
concretethroughtheuseoflocallyavailablewastematerials,namelyoilpalm
shell(OPS)andflyash(FA);further,thisresearchisintendedtoreplacethe
conventional100%naturalcoarseaggregateandcementwithOPSandFA,
respectively. Thus, this research is expected to create next generation of
lightweightconcrete(LWC).
Anewmixdesigntoproducegrade25geopolymerOPSLWCwithinadensity
rangeof1600-1900kg/m3isproposed;thiswillhavestrengthtodensityratio
of16comparedto10oftheconventionalconcrete.Furthervarioustestson
freshandhardenedconcretewillbecarriedout.Microscopicanalysisusing
XRD, FESEM tests are planned to investigate the polymeric reaction and
structureofthenewlydevelopedconcrete.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Themainobjectiveofthisresearch
istodesignanoptimummixdesign
todevelopgeopolymerconcreteof
compressive strength of 25 MPa
usingtwolocalwastematerials.The
secondobjectiveistounderstand
the factors that influence the
geopolymer concrete, including
appropriate activators and their
ratio. Further, the properties of
OPS of acceptable particle size
distribution, aggregate impact
value,LosAngelesabrasionvalue,
aggregate crushing values will be
investigated. The microstructure
of geopolymer OPS LWC using
XRD and FSEM analyses will be
investigated. The mechanical
properties of OPS geopolymer
concrete will be investigated and
analyzed
The following points give brief
detailsonthemethodologythatis
being adopted in this work. After
thoroughliteraturereviewofoldand
latest resources on geopolymer
and OPS concrete, procurement
of materials will be done.
Procurementofmaterialsincludes
fly ash, OPS, Alkali activators,
etc. Since curing of geopolymer
concrete is an important aspect,
fabrication of curing chamberboiler for steam curing or heater
fordrycuringwillbedone.Thisis
significant due to polymerization
of geopolymer concrete. Thus we
need to have appropriate curing
chamber (steam or dry curing).
Testing of materials such as fly
ash, OPS etc. will be carried out
simultaneously followed by the
mix design and trial mixes. After
obtaining appropriate mixture
design, preparation of mortar and
concrete specimens for physical,
mechanical and microscopic
propertieswillbecarriedout.Tests
for mechanical properties and
microscopic analysis will be done
next.Thelastphaseofthisventure
includes data collection, analysis
of tests results, preparation of
articlesandreportwriting
New geopolymer oil palm shell
lightweight concrete (Geopolymer
OPSLWC)
Lowdensitymaterial
New mix design for structural
gradegeopolymerOPSLWC
Microstructuralbehavior
for Publications
Constructing
Materials
and
Building
MaterialsandDesign
EnergyandBuilding
Cementandconcretecomposites
EngineeringStructures
Collaborators(Overseas)
Prof. Dr. Chun-Qing Li, RMIT
University,Australia
Assoc.Prof.Dr.ManuSanthanam,
Indian Institute of Technology
Madras(IITM),India
Dr. Andrew Tyas, University of
Sheffield,UK
Prof. Dr. Hamid Nikraz, Curtin
University,Australia
24/05/2012 9:44:51
41
Title: Development of Fuzzy-AHP Holistic Risk Assessment
Model Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Based on
Fuzzy Synthetic Analysis (FSA)
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Hamzah Abdul Rahman
Faculty : Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment
Inmanycircumstances,thecurrentconstructionriskassessmenttoolscould
not deliver satisfactory results due to insufficient consideration on project
objectivessuchastime,cost,andquality.BasedonFuzzySyntheticAnalysis
(FSA), a model development team will be formed among construction
engineers, IT professionals, and Mathematicians in developing a holistic
risk assessment model to estimate the construction risks especially for the
situationswithincompletedataandvagueenvironments.Throughqualitative
scalesdefinedbytriangularfuzzynumbersusedinpairwisecomparisonsto
capture the vagueness in the linguistic variables, a risk assessment model
using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) will be developed. The developed
Fuzzy-AHP HRAM is supposed to accelerate the decision-making process
andprovideoptimalallocationofprojectresourcestomitigatepossiblerisks
detrimentaltothesuccessofaprojectintermsoftime,cost,andquality.A
trial run of this Fuzzy-AHP model will be conducted in real construction in
thisstudy.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
BasedonFuzzySetTheory(FST),
this study intends to develop a
holistic risk assessment model
usingtoestimatetheconstruction
risks especially for situations
with incomplete data and vague
environments
The authors will adopt the FuzzyAHP technique as the decisionmakingframeworkforconstruction
risk analysis in the developed
modelsincetheFuzzy-AHPallows
a more accurate description of
the subjective data, where the
fuzzy pairwise comparisons are
morerationalinreflectingexperts’
uncertain judgments than a crisp
one.Suchamodelcouldfacilitate
the decision-making process,
where the complex uncertainty
inherited in subjectivity is able
to be captured and mitigated
optimally
Throughqualitativescalesdefined
by triangular fuzzy numbers used
inpairwisecomparisonstocapture
the vagueness in the linguistic
variables,ariskassessmentmodel
using Analytic Hierarchy Process
(AHP) will be developed. The
proposed Fuzzy-AHP HRAM will
beabletoacceleratethedecisionmaking process and provide
optimal allocation of project
resources to mitigate possible
risks detrimental to the success
ofaprojectintermsoftime,cost,
andquality
The proposed Fuzzy-AHP HRAM
is to holistically solve multicriteria complex problems in the
real practice of construction. The
algorithm of the proposed model
consistsofsixphases
forPublications
1.
Establishment
of
AssessmentTeam
Information&Management
2.
StructureaHierarchyTree
Organizational Behavior
HumanDecisionProcesses
3.
Pairwise Comparison using
FuzzyComparisonScale
Journal
Of
Management
4.
Aggregation of Individual
TFNsintoGroupTFN
Collaborators
5.
CalculationofPriorityWeighs
atDifferentHierarchyLevel
6.
SynthesizationofResults
Risk
AutomationinConstruction
BuildingResearchandinformation
And
Operations
Nil
24/05/2012 9:44:51
42
Title: Exploring the Cardiovascular Mechanism for the
Potential use of Quercetin as adjuvant to Metformin/
Pioglitazone in management of Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model
Principal Investigator : Dr. Dharmani Devi a/p Murugan
Faculty: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Diabetesisaglobalhealthconcernthatrequiresseriouseffortbyallnations
towards arresting its scourge. Study by Wild et al., (2004) indicated that
the prevalence of diabetes amongst all age-groups worldwide is estimated
to increase from 2.8% in 2000 to 4.4% in 2030. Diabetes is characterized
by chronic hyperglycaemia, and over time, results in serious harm to many
body systems, including the blood vasculatures. Hyperglycaemia leads to
oxidative stress which is seen as increased production of reactive oxygen
spesies (ROS) and ultimately leads to development of endothelial Recent
treatmentofdiabetesismainlyfocusedonmaintainingnormalbloodglucose
byusinginsulinororalhypoglycaemicagents.Recentmeta-analysisstudies
haveshownthatalthoughsomeoftheoralhypoglycaemicagentsimproved
serumlipidprofileandtriglyceridelevels,overalltheyhavenotmuchimpact
in cardiovascular disease. Thus, bioactive molecules which are capable of
exertingpotentfreeradicalscavengingandantioxidantactionmayresultin
bettervascularprotectiveactionindiabetes.
Natural polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, which are found
predominantly in human diets such as fruits and vegetables, have been
showntoexertpotentfreeradicalscavenging/antioxidantactionsinvitro.
Previousworkinourlaboratoryhasshownthatquercetin,apotentantioxidant
improvedendothelialdysfunctioninstreptozotocin-induceddiabeticmodel.
Thusfar,therearenoreportsonchroniceffectofflavonoidsincombination
with other anti-diabetic drugs on vascular function in diabetesin either
animal or human models. The fact that the flavonoids possess antidiabetic
propertiesandshowimprovementinvascularfunction,theuseofflavonoids
in combination with anti-diabetic agents like metformin or pioglitazone,
producetherapeuticinteraction.Theinteractionmaybeadditive,synergicor
antagonistic.Therefore,itisnecessarytocarryoutasystematicinvestigation
intotheeffectofsuchcombinations.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To determine the effect of
quercetin treatment on the antidiabetic profile of metformin /
pioglitazone, commonly used oral
hypoglycaemicagents
NIDDMmodelwillbeinducedusing
nicotidamideandstreptozotocinin
Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats will
be divided to several treatment
groups: Group 1: Vehicle; Group
2: Quercetin (10mg/kg) (Ajay et
al., 2006); Group 3: Quercetin +
metformin(180mg/kg)/Pioglitazone
(2.7mg/kg); Group 4: Metformin
(180mg/kg) / Pioglitazone (2.7mg/
kg); Group 5: Untreated. 4 weeks
afterthetreatment,theanimalswill
besacrifiedandtheisolatedaortic
andmesentericringswillbetested
forvascularrelaxationandreactive
oxygen spesies production. Blood
collectedwillbeusedtoinvestigate
Hb1Ac, plasma insulin, plasma
lipid prolife and antioxidant assay.
Kidney, liver and pancreas from
the treated groups will undergo
histologicalexamination
To understand the interaction
betweenquercetinandantidiabetic
agents
Todeterminetheeffectofquercetin
and metformin / pioglitazone
combinationonaorticandresistnce
(Mesentericarteryandrenalartery)
v ascular function of a type 2
diabetesratmodel
To determine the effect of PVAT
on the cardiovascular effect
of quercetin and metformin /
pioglitazonecombination
forPublications
BritishJournalofPharmacology
PLoSOne
PharmacologicalResearch
JournalofClinicalPharmacology
CirculationResearch
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Mohd Rais Mustafa,
UniversityofMalaya(UM)
Prof. Dr. Francis I Achike , William
CareyUniversity,Mississippi
Prof.Dr.MakJoonWah,International
MedicalUniversity(IMU)
Mr. Jestin Chelliah, International
MedicalUniversity
24/05/2012 9:44:51
43
Title: Circulating microRNAs as Novel Biomarkers for
Early Detection of Atherosclerosis
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Wan Azman Wan Ahmad
The importance of microRNA (miRNA) in diseases has been recognized
overtheyearswithmountingevidenceoftheirexistenceandcontributionto
diseases. miRNA expression profiles between normal and diseased tissues
have identified signatures that enable disease classification, progression,
diagnosis and prognosis. The presence of miRNAs, termed circulating
miRNAsinbodyfluidsincludingserum,plasma,urine,salivaandbreastmilk
haspromptedvariousinvestigationsintotheirusefordiagnosisandprognosis
of various cancers and cardiovascular diseases. While these miRNAs may
beusefulinthediagnosisoffullblowncardiovasculardiseases(CVD),there
arenoreportsoncirculatingmiRNAthatcanbeamarkertopredictpatients
who will develop accelerated or premature atherosclerotic diseases and
also to identify circulating miRNAs that can be used to detect vulnerable
atherosclerotic plaques which can predispose patient to acute coronary
syndrome.Identficationofprematureatherosclerotic-associatedmiRNAswill
be useful in early detection and treatment of atherosclerotic diseases and
preventionofacutecoronarysyndromecomplications.
Objectives
Methodology The objective of this study is to
identify circulating miRNAs for
earlydetectionofatherosclerosis.
miRNAs profiles of patients
who presented with accelerated
atheroclerotic disease will be
evaluated. Three groups of study
populationwillbeinvolved.Group
one are patients with accelerated
atherosclerotic
disease
and
has
signicant
conventional
cardiovascular risk factors. Group
two are patients with accelerated
atherosclerotic
disease
but
has no significant conventional
cardiovascular risk factors. Group
threearehealthycontrol.InGroup
oneandtwopopulations,patients
can present as stable angina or
as acute coronary syndrome.
Diagnosis of established coronary
artery disease is confirmed by
coronaryangiogram.Thediagnosis
of patient having vulnerable
plaque will be based on clinical
presentationandfurtherconfirmed
by intravascular imaging during
coronaryangiogram.Differentially
expressed miRNAs that may
be associated to premature
atherosclerosis or vulnerable
atherosclerotic plaques will be
identified following bioinformatic
analysis. qRT-PCR will then
be performed on a different
cohort of patients and compared
with their angiography, plasma
Thespecificaimsare
1.
To identify circulating miRNA
thatcanbeamarkertopredict
patients who will develop
accelerated atherosclerotic
diseases
2.
To identify circulating miRNA
that can be used to detect
vulnerable
atherosclerosis
and
its
response
to
intervention
3.
To investigate if there are
ethnic variations in the
miRNAspresentedinpatients
comprising of three major
ethnic groups i.e. Malay,
ChineseandIndian
4.
To determine if dysregulation
ofatherosclerosis-associated
miRNAaconsequenceof,or
precedesatherosclerosisand
myocardialinjury
lipid, C-reactive protein and
proinflammatorycytokinesprofiles
to validate their usefulness and
specificity in identifying patients
withriskofdevelopingaccelerated
or premature coronary artery
disease and also to differentiate
patientwithvulnerableplaqueand
stableplaque
Inaddition,patientswithvulnerable
atherosclerosis plaques will be
given
antihypercholestrolaemia
drugs such as statins and their
serum miRNAs level will be
monitored from time to time to
clinically validate the usefulness
of the identified miRNAs as
atherosclerosis indicators. Apart
from clinical validation, selected
miRNAs will be investigated
in vivo using ApoE knockout
mice to determine their precise
role and mechanisms involved
in endothelial dysfunction and
atherosclerosis. Results from the
proposedstudywouldprovidenew
insightsintotheroleofmiRNAsin
atherosclerosis and their use in
early detection and treatment of
atheroscleroticdiseases
24/05/2012 9:44:51
44
Outcome
Identification of novel marker for
early detection of atherosclerosis/
coronaryarterydisease
Identificationofthemechanismof
theregulationofatherosclerosisby
miRNAs
Correlation of circulating miRNAs
to angiography and plasma lipid,
C-reactive protein and other
biomarkersofatherosclerosis
forPublications
Collaborators
Angiogenesis,IF6.188
Prof. Mohd Rais Mustafa, Faculty
ofMedicine,UniversityofMalaya
British Journal of Pharmacology,
IF4.925
Dr. Wong Pooi Fong, Faculty of
Medicine,UniversityofMalaya
EuropeanHeartJournal,IF10.046
Dr. Ahmad Syadi bin Mahmood
Zuhdi, Faculty of Medicine,
UniversityofMalaya
CirculationResearch,IF9.504
CardiovascularResearch,IF6.051
The usefullness of monitoring
serum miRNAs as treatment
decisionforatherosclerosis
Dr. Dharmani Devi Murugan,
Faculty of Medicine, University of
Malaya
Prof. Paul M. VanHoutte, Li Ka
Shing, Faculty of Medicine, Hong
KongUniversity
Title: Sustainable Energy Production from Palm Oil
Industry Wastewater Using Microbial Fuel Cell
Principal Investigator : Dr.Saravanan Pichiah
A Microbial Fuel cell (MFC) is a bioreactor which converts chemical energy
in the organic compounds in to electrical energy by catalytic reactions
of microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. The fuel for the MFC is
Biomasswastesandthefeedstockdoesnotrequireanyextensivefeedstock
conversionmethod.
Therefore this technology can be applied as a new waste water treatment
method,sincethisremovesorganicmatterfromwastewaterstreamswhile
generatingelectricity.EventhoughMFCtechnologyisstillatitsearlystages
of technology development and the power output from this type of cell is
limitedtofewthousandmWs,thishasgreatpotentialtoaddresssomeofthe
globalissueslikeglobalwarmingandenergycrisis.
The objectives of this research are identifying waste biomass (palm oil
industrywastewaterhasTOCof30,000mg/L)whicharefreelyavailableand
their operational suitability to use as a feed stock for MFC. Analysing the
currentpotentialofMFCandidentifyingspecificissuesfacingscalinguptoa
usefuloperationallevelarealsosomeoftheobjectivesofthisresearch.
Methodology Objectives
The main focus is to develop
sustainable
technology
for
environmentremediationofenergy
scarcity and treatment of effluent
generatedfrompalmoilindustry
Hydrogen and electricity
production from palm industry
effluent using MFC will be
investigated in the lab- scale
model
Optimization of process and
identification specific issues of
scaleupwillbeinvestigated
To
evaluate
the
system
performanceintermsofhydrogen
recovery,currentefficiencyandthe
effectiveness of effluent treatment
process
TheMFCreactorisplannedtobe
constructed of acrylic material.
Inthereactor,asampleportand
twoinletsareconstructedandtwo
partitionswillbeinstalledtoobtain
abatchorflowmodepatternwith
a total volume of 1000 ml. MFC
ismadeupoftwocompartments,
viz.,anodeandcathode,separated
byaprotonexchangemembrane
(NafionY 117). The CEM was
pretreatedbyboilinginH2O2(30%)
24/05/2012 9:44:51
Outcome
and deionized water, followed by
0.5M H2SO4 and deionized (DI)
water,eachfor1h,andthenstored
in DI water prior to being used.
Both the electrodes, anode and
cathode, made of DSA have an
area of 100 cm2 each. Electrodes
aresoakedinDI
waterfor1daybeforetests.Copper
wire inserted inside fluorinated
ethylene propylene tubing is
used to connect the electrodes
and all exposed metal surfaces
are sealed with a nonconductive
epoxy. During the experiment of
after each batch cycle, the gas
composition is analyzed by gas
chromatography using a gas tight
syringefromthereactor
New concepts, processes and
technologies
in
wastewater
treatment with potential benefits
for the stable quality of effluents
finally discharged, energy and
operational cost savings and
protectionoftheenvironment
45
forPublications
BioresourceTechnology
JournalofBiotechnology
WaterResearch
ChemicalEngineeringJournal
BiochemicalEngineeringJournal
Collaborators
Dr.
M.
Matheswaran,
NITTiruchirappalli,India
Dr.P.Gopinath,IITRoorkeeIndia
24/05/2012 9:44:51
46
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
FacultyofMedicine
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/01
Title: Mitigating the HIV Epidemic through A Comprehensive
Research Program
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman
Faculty: Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA)
Health & Translational Research Cluster, Faculty of Medicine
HIVinfectionremainsaseriousprobleminMalaysiawithmorethan90,000
casesreportedtodatetotheMinistryofHealth.Ithasbeenestimatedthat
by2015,200,000Malaysianswillbecomeinfectedifinterventionstoprevent
transmission are not implemented. An unchecked HIV epidemic will have
tremendous impact on the socio-economic and developmental progress
ofthenation.SlowingdownandreversingtherateofHIVandtuberculosis
infectionshasbeentheonlyMillenniumDevelopmentGoalthatthecountry
hasfailedtoachieve.
Our research program builds on existing research activities conducted by
CERiA to better understand the HIV epidemic in Malaysia focusing on the
currently most affected community ie drug users including the molecular
epidemiology of HIV transmission in the country. The research also looks
attheepidemiologyandclinicalimpactofcoinfectionofHIVwithotherkey
infectionsnamelytuberculosis,hepatitisCandHPV.Intheareaoftreatment,
research will be conducted to better understand the immunogenetics and
immunopathogenesisofimmunereconstitutionfollowingantiretroviraltherapy
Objectives
Our program aims to study major
healthandsocialissuesassociated
withtheHIVepidemicinMalaysia
focusing on prevention and
treatment in communities most at
risk and vulnerable. Our clinical
and basic science research aims
to understand treatment-related
issues including (i) the impact of
co-infections(HCV,TB,HPV,CMV)
on clinical outcomes and explore
theimmuno-pathogenicpathways
involved, (ii) to understand the
molecularandevolutionarybiology
of viruses (HIV, HCV) to monitor
drugresistancepatternsandinform
vaccine development strategies
and(iii)toexploretheinfluenceof
host genetics on overall immune
recovery. Our epidemiology and
social science program focuses
on designing and testing targeted
Methodology prevention interventions by (i)
establishing how HIV prevalence
in most at risk (drug users, men
who have sex with men) and
in vulnerable sections of the
population (prisoners, fishermen)
are linked to (ii) underlying
social and structural factors that
contributetohigh-riskbehaviours,
and (iii) the disease burden on
local communities. The centre is
uniquelypositionedtodothisasit
has (i) a broad range of expertise
with strong international links and
(ii) established collaborations with
key players including government
agencies and NGOs, increasing
our opportunity to strongly
influence evidence-based policies
andpractice
The research program consists
of 5 research projects several of
whicharebuiltonexistingresearch
activitiesandareinter-related:
1.
ImpactofEarlyAnti-Retroviral
Therapy Introduction on
TB incidence among HIV
infectedinmatesinMalaysia:
ALongitudinalCohortStudy
2.
AProspectiveStudyCorrelating
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Carriage and Its Associated
Pathology and Host Immune
FactorsinMalaysianCohortof
HIV+Patients
3.
Identifying
Novel
Host
Determinants of Immune
Recovery
Following
Combination
Antiretroviral
Therapy (cART) among HIVInfectedPatientsinMalaysia
24/05/2012 9:44:51
4.
5.
PathogenesisofTuberculosis
Associated
Immune
Reconstitution Inflammation
Syndrome(TB-IRIS)
Assessment of HIV/HCV
Prevalence
and
Risk
Behaviour towards a PeerLed Prevention Intervention
Among
Fisherman
in
PeninsularMalaysia
Outcome
Collaborators
Better understanding of the
epidemiology and the social
drivers of the HIV epidemic in
Malaysia
YaleUniversity
BetterclinicalmanagementofHIV
and its associated coinfections
includingTBandHPV
ColumbiaUniversity
National Institute of Infectious
Diseases,Japan
MonashUniversity
UniversityofWesternAustralia
mechanisms associated with
immunereconstitution
SydneyUniversity
forPublications
LeidenUniversity,Netherlands
PLoSMedicine
47
Burnet
Australia
Institute,
Melbourne
JabatanPenjaraMalaysia
LembagaKemajuanIkanNegara
KementerianKesihatanMalaysia
UniversitiSainsMalaysia
AmericanJournalofPublicHealth
Title: Genomics and Molecular Characterization of Tropical
Infectious Disease Agents
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Sazaly Abu Bakar
SummaryofResearchProposal:
Sub-Project 1: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a pathogen of
significantclinicalimportance,especiallyinhospitalsettingswhenonlyfew
antibioticswerereportedtobeeffectiveforthetreatment.Ourstudyisaimed
atunderstandingthetheimmuneresponsesagainstthisbacteria.
Sub-Project2:Potentialforprolongedlatencyandrecrudescenceisamong
the major problems faced with B. pseudomallei infections. In many cases,
relapse resulting from reactivation of a persistent endogenous source of
infection have been reported. This suggests that intracellular survival of B.
pseudomalleiplaysanimportantroleinpathogenesisofinfection.
Sub-Project 3: Respiratory tract infections caused by viruses such as
respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, and influenza viruses are major
causes of morbidity and mortality in children. A comprehensive picture of
clinical and molecular epidemiology in Malaysia may provide insights into
virus evolution and pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions such as
vaccines.
Sub-Project4:Rickettsialdiseasesincludingscrubtyphus,murinetyphusand
spottedfeverarefrequentlyassociatedwithundiagnosedfebrileillnessesin
thedevelopingcountries.Itisimportanttounderstandtheinfectiousdisease
threats,improvediagnosticmethods,characterizethecausativeagentsand
determinetheinteractionsbetweenvectorsandreservoirhosts.
Sub-Project5:Itispresentlynotknownwhethertheenterovirus71(EV-71)and
coxackievirusA16(CV-|A16)viruseshavebeencirculatingforawhilebefore
causinglargeoutbreaks.Inthepresentstudy,weproposedtoexaminethe
phylodynamicsofEv-71andCV-A16.
Sub-Project 6: Factors contributing to pathogenesis in Nipah virus (NiV)
infection include the circumvention of the host immune response by NiV
proteins and the ability of NiV to infect several cell types. This study is
24/05/2012 9:44:51
48
importanttobetterunderstandthepathoimmunologyofNiVfortheprevention
andcontrolofthedisease.
Sub-Project 7: Chlamydia trachomatis is the cause of bacterial sexually
transmittedinfectionthatcause92millionnewcasesannually.Thoughhost
immuneresponsecaneffectivelyeradicatethisinfection,factorsassociated
withadaptiveimmuneresponsehavenotfullyelucidated.Therefore,weneed
todeterminelocalmarkersforwomeninpredictingthisinfection.
Sub-Project8:Therearemanyconventionaldiagnosticmethodsforparasitic
infections such as microscopy method, molecular methods and serology
methods. However, the difficulty of blood stage cultivation of parasite has
beenhinderingtheuseofthesemethodologies.Inthisstudy,weproposed
to develop more rapid and effective diagnostic methods for diagnostic for
medicallyimportantparasiticinfection.
Sub-Project 9: This is a 3-year study to determine bacterial genomic
differencesthatmightshedsomelightontheapparentneurotropismofsome
strainsofMycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
Sub-Project 10: Hyaline hyphomycetes are the most common saprophytic
fungi found in soil and decaying vegetation in the hot humid tropical
countries.Thesefungiareimportantopportunicpathogensassociatedwith
highmorbidityandmortalityinimmunosuppressedpatients.Identification of
based on microscopic morphology is difficult and DNA sequencing are used
to identify isolates but many remain unassigned.
Sub-Project11:Currently,thereareseveralinfluenzavirusvaccinesavailable,
howevertherearepotentialrisksassociatedwithmostofthesevaccines.In
thisstudy,aprobioticbacteriumtodeliveranoralinfluenzavirusvaccineis
investigatedanditsprotectivepotentialasacandidatevaccineisexamined.
Objectives:
Methodology:
To develop knowledge and tools
for the prevention and control of
infectiousdiseasesindiagnostics,
surveillance,
treatment
and
prevention
Sub-Project 1: Acinetobacter
baumannii isolated from patients
admitted to University Malaya
Medical Center will be used to
infect mice and the immune
responses towards the bacteria
willbeexamined
Sub-Project
2:
Adherence,
invasion and survival of B.
pseudomallei will be determined
anditsintracellularlocationduring
infection will be identified using
different microscopy analysis
techniques. Proteomics and
microarray analysis of host genes
willbeusedtoidentifytheproteins
that might contribute to the entry
and intracellular survival of the
organism
Sub-Project3:Respiratoryviruses
collected in University Malaya
Medical Centre over the last 15
years will be sequenced and
analysed using bioinformatics
methods to better understand
evolutionary dynamics. Clinical
datawillbecollectedtodetermine
epidemiology and burden of
respiratory viral disease in
Malaysian children, including
the contribution of emerging
respiratoryviruses
Sub-Project 4: Clinical data
of patients suspected with
rickettsioses will be collected.
Field work will be conducted to
trapanimalreservoirsandpotential
vectors.Molecularapproacheswill
beusedfordetectionofrickettsiae
from various types of samples
and to determine the genetic
relationships between various
speciesofrickettsiae
Sub-Project 5: The viral genetic
signatures of EV-71 and Cv-A16
willbedetermined.Seroprevalence
of EV-71 and CV-A16 in the
population will be determined.
Immunogenic epitopes of EV-71
and CV-A16 will be identified and
crossprotectionbetweendifferent
EV-71 and CV-A16 subgenotypes
willbeexamined
Sub-Project6:SelectedNiVgenes
willbeclonedandtransfectedinto
eukaryotic cells for examination
and comparison of cellular
immuneresponse.Besidesthat,a
blood brain barrier model for NiV
infection will be established and
investigated
Sub-Project 7: The Malaysian
femaleatreproductiveagepositive
willberecruited.Thesamplewhich
24/05/2012 9:44:51
willbeusedareblood,endocervical
swabs and cervical washes.
Antibody assay, quantification of
serumcytokines,HLAtyping,flow
cytometryandRNAextractionwill
also be adopted in this study to
reachtheobjective
Sub-Project 8: LAMP, realtime PCR and ICT tests will be
developedbasedonnewtargeted
genes. Samples will be collected
andtestedusingtheoldandnew
methodstocomparethesensitivity
andspecificity
Sub-Project 9: Clinical isolates
of
MTB
from
respiratory
secretions and CSF will be
subjected
to
suppression
subtractivehybridizationandPCR
amplification to obtain subtracted
sequences. These sequences will
be cloned and selected for the
making of probes used to identify
CSF-specificsequencesinalarger
collectionofclinicalisolates
Sub-Project10:Allfungalisolates
identifiedtogenuslevelbasedon
morphology approach, grown on
Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA)
andincubatedat30°Cfor5days.
Fungal suspension in PBS was
usedforDNAextraction,PCR and
sequencing.DNAsequenceswere
analyzed and phylogenetic trees
were constructed by neighborjoining(NJ)methodandmaximum
likelihood(ML)method
Sub-Project 11: Purified influenza
antigenic proteins will be
displayed on probiotic bacterium
and administered into mice. The
mice will be challenged, and the
humoralimmuneresponseagainst
the virus, cell-mediated immune
response and viral clearance will
beexamined
Outcome:
Sub-Project 1: Host immune
responsesagainstA.baumannii
Sub-Project
2:
Understand
molecules that aid entry and
survivalofB. pseudomallei
Sub-Project 3: Understanding the
epidemiology and evolution of
respiratoryvirusesinMalaysia.
forPublications:
International
Journal
AntimicrobialAgent
of
PLOSPathogen
InfectionandImmunity
PLoSOne
JournalofClinicalMicrobiology
Sub-Project4:Betterunderstanding
ofrickettsiosesandidentificationof
rickettsialpathogens
American Journal of Tropical
MedicineandHygiene
Sub-Project 5: Identification EV71 and CV-A16 antigenic protein
mutation hot spots important for
vaccinedesign
FEMS Immunology & Medical
Microbiology
Sub-Project6:Betterunderstanding
of infection establishment and
cellular immune responses upon
NiVinfection
JournalofImmunology
Sub-Project7:Provideinsightsinto
the effect of a genital chlamydial
infectiononlocalpopulations.
MolecularPhylogenticEvolution
Sub-Project 8: Specific and rapid
detectionofparasiticinfections
Collaborators:
Sub-Project 9: Form the basis of
genomicandanimalmodelstudies
to determine the association of
CSF-specific sequences with
neurotropicviulence
Prof.SheilaNathan,Prof.Rahmah
Mohamed (Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia)
Sub-Project 10: To establish a
systematiclaboratoryidentification
of hyaline hyphomycetes based
on morphology and molecular
phylogeneticapproachusing ITS15.8S-ITS2sequences
Sub-Project
11:
Better
understanding
of
candidate
influenzavirusvaccineinproviding
protectiveimmunity
49
JournalofGeneralVirology
ImmunologyandCellBiology
Mycology
FungalGeneticsandBiology
GenomeResearch
Prof.NorazmiMohdNor(Universiti
SainsMalaysia)
Prof. Mohd Zaki Salleh (Universiti
TeknologiMARA)
Prof.RahaAbdulRahim,DrChong
PeiPei(UniversitiPutraMalaysia)
Prof.
Bernard
Arulanandam
(UniversityofTexas,USA)
Prof. Tom Solomon, Dr. Adjanie
Patabendige
(University
of
Liverpool,UK)
Dr. Laurent Renia, Dr. Bruce
Russell (Singapore Immunology
Network,A*Star)
MinistryofHealth,Malaysia
University Malaya Medical Center,
Malaysia
J.CraigVenterInstitute,USA
National Institute of Allergy and
InfectiousDiseases,USA
24/05/2012 9:44:51
50
Title: Molecular Mechanism of Drugs Action
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mohd Rais Mustafa
Faculty: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Cell signaling is defined as communications between and within cells that
govern basic cellular activities and coordinate cell actions. Deregulation
of cellular information processing can give rise to cancer, autoimmune
diseases, diabetes and others. Hence, understanding normal cell signaling
andcorrectionsofderegulatedsignalingnetworksindiseasestatescanbe
potentiallyeffectivetreatmentstrategies.
Naturalproductsremainanimportantsourcefordrugdiscoveryinviewofthe
increasingneedsfordrugsthatcanovercomeissuesoftoxicityandresistance
in cancer or infectious diseases. Bioactive compounds derived from local
plantsandmarineorganismscanbeharnessedforthedevelopmentofnewer
andbettertherapeutics.Toreducetoxicityandincreasetargetspecificity,itis
importanttoidentifydrugsthatcanspecificallytargetandcorrectderegulated
signaling pathways in the diseased cells. Correction of NF-κB pathway
deregulationinmanyinflammatorydisordersandcancers,forexample,can
help control aberrant expression of cytokines, apoptosis resistance and
angiogenicgenes.
Objectives
Methodology This project is divided into 4
subprojectstomaptherespective
mechanism of drugs action
and identify drug targets along
signaling pathways which are
involved in inflammation, cancer
development, angiogenesis and
senescence
High throughput methods such
as high content screening (HCS)
by Cellomics Arrayscan and real
time cell analyzer (RTCA) will
be used to screen and identify
potential anti-inflammatory, anticancer,
anti-angiogenic
and
premature senescence protective
compounds. Data will be further
validatedusingpathwayinhibitors
and stimulators, immunoblotting,
ELISA, PCR array analyses and
in vivo study using nude mice
xenograft
Outcome
forPublications
PLoSOne,IF4.351
British Journal of Nutrition, IF
3.446
Biochemical Pharmacology, IF
4.254
Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences,
IF 5.928
BritishJournalofCancer,IF4.346
InternationalJournalofCancer.IF
4.722
Evidence-based Complementary
andAlternativeMedicine,IF2.064
Establishment of bioassays, in
vivo assays and drug discovery
infrastructureinUM
Collaborators
Identification of novel bioactive
compoundswithanti-cancer,antiinflammatory, anti-angiogenic and
premature senescence protective
activities
Associate Professor John David
Hooper
Newknowledgeonthemechanism
of actions of novel bioactive
compounds
ProfessorGuyHaegeman
DrWongPooiFong
Assoc. Prof.
Abdelwahab
Siddig
Ibrahim
DrCheahShiauChuen
DrSyamMohan
Patents
24/05/2012 9:44:52
51
Title:
Improving
Articular
Disease
Prediction
and Management, Regenerative Therapy and
SarcomaManagement
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Tunku Kamarul Zaman
Faculty : Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
Summary of Research Proposal
Musculoskeletal disorders have become one of the major health concerns
all over the world owing to an increase in aging population and increased
occurrence of sports-related injuries,. Current treatments, although fairly
successful, do not provide the optimal outcome that is expected. These
treatmentstypicallyrelyondonortissuesobtainedeitherfromthepatientor
fromanothersource.Theformerraisestheissueofsupply,whereasthelatter
posestheriskofrejectionanddiseasetransfer.Thishaspromptedorthopedic
surgeons and scientists to look for viable alternatives. Tissue engineering /
regenerativemedicineisanemergingmultidisciplinaryfieldinvolvingbiology,
medicine,andengineeringthatislikelytorevolutionizethewaysweimprove
the health and quality of life for millions of people worldwide by restoring,
maintaining,orenhancingtissueandorganfunction.
Objectives
Methodology UsingMesenchymalstemcells:
Project 1: Optimization of
different inductions methods
of Osteoarthritis in Rat and
rabbit followed by isolation and
characterization of Mesenchymal
Stem Cells (MSC) from rat
bone marrow is first performed.
Administration of Mesenchymal
stem cells and Hyarulonic acid
is used as a therapeutic options.
Thentheanimalswillbesacrificed
for
further
histopathological
Assesment, biochemical analysis
by Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)
and Total protein (TP) and
microindentionAssesment
Project 1: We hope to investigate
and develop an effective therapy
forosteoarthritisinthethreemost
commonly used animal models
(rat, rabbit and goat) thereby
translating the finding for huma
application
Project 2: In addition, we aim to
verify the effect of microfracture
on the healing of the articular
cartilagedefectandtoinvestigate
the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA)
and combination of intra-articular
HA and intra-articular autologous
BMMSCsonthehealingofarticular
cartilagedefectingoatswhichhad
undergonemicrofractures
Project 3: Another study embarks
on to investigate the affinity
of osteosarcoma metastasisassociated secreted proteins.
This is followed by assessing the
effectofsecretedproteinactivated
integrin signalling on β-catenin
regulation and on cytoskeleton
arrangement. Furthermore this
study also evaluates whether
ostegenic lineage differentiated
mesenchymal stem cell can be
used as a regenarative medicine
forosteosarcoma
Project 4: This study aims to
characterize and understand the
effects and evaluation of naturally
occurring growth factor on cell
proliferationandpathwayinduced
differentiation
Project
2:
Isolation
and
characterization of cultured MSC
from Boer goat. Chondral defects
are created in goat knees. After 6
weeks, they were either treated
with microfracture, HA, BMMSC’s
or combination of HA and
MSC’s. After 24 weeks, goats are
sacrificed for further histological,
biochemical and gene expression
analysis
Project3:TissueBiopsy-Primary
culture of osteosarcoma cells will
be established based on previous
method (Yasuda et al., 2009).
Extraction and purification of
secreted proteins will be carried
out using i-TRAQ labeling system
and purification of secreted
proteins will be carried out using
i-TRAQ labeling system. Target
proteins will be analysed for its
affinity towards integrin protein
of the lung cells using protein
microarray technique. β-catenin
regulation by the secreted
proteinswillbeassessedbygene
transfectionfollowedbyLuciferase
assay. Cell behaviour will be
carried out using wound healing
assay, migration assay, invasion
assay and intracellular calcium
ion level upon knock-down of
the metastasis-specific secreted
protein genes. Cytoskeleton
arrangement observation will be
carried out by immunoflourescent
analysis upon knock-down of
the secreted protein genes.
Osteosarcoma will be created in
a
knock-out/immunosupressed
mice and ostegenic lineage
differentiated mesenchymal stem
cells will be injected with GFP
andfurtheranalysiswillbecarried
out. All statistical analysis of data
collected will be carried out by
statisticalsoftware,SPSSver.17
Project4:
Part 1: Preparation of thrombinactivatedPRPandinactivatedPRP
and optimization, isolation and
cultureofhumanMSCs.Followed
by in vitro effect of thrombin
activated PRP and thrombin
inactivated PRP on cell growth/
proliferation and on Akt/PKB, and
ERK1/2pathwayactivation.
Part 2: Isolation and culture of
human MSCs and cells seeding.
Application of mechanical stretch
on the seeded cells to check
cell proliferation rate followed by
immunoblottingandotherassays,
24/05/2012 9:44:52
52
cell signaling, western blot or
ELISAtechniques for global MMP
activity
Outcome
Use of MSC therapy in
osteoarthritis rat knees offers a
betterunderstandingofthedisease
andactsasapromisingtreatment
forfutureclinicalapplications
The results from this study may
provide us with knowledge to
improve
our
understanding
in cartilage repair methods
and provide better application
procedures in tissue engineering
techniques involving the repair of
cartilagedefects
Increase understanding of the
molecular event in OS metastatic
cascade provides the possiblity
of using ostegenic lineage
differentiated mesenchymal stem
cellasatherapy
Determiningthepathwayregulation
of thrombin activated and
inactivated Platelet rich plasma
in cell activity. We will be able to
find support for a critical role of
PRP in activation of MSCs and
also can provide further evidence
on mechanotransduction pathway
involvedinactivetissuerepair
Collaborators
forPublications
Dr. Chim C Lang, Centre for
Cardiovascular & Lung Biology,
Division of Medical Sciences,
College of Medicine, Dentistry
& Nursing, Ninewells Hospital &
MedicalSchool
OsteoarthritisandCartilage
JournalofBoneandJointSurgeryAmericanVolume
Prof. Dan Badder, School of
Engineering and Material Science
QueenMary,UniversityofLondon
(QMUL),UnitedKingdom
Assoc.Prof.JamesWang,Director
oftheMechanoBiologyLaboratory,
Department
of
Orthopaedic
Surgery,UniversityofPittsburgh
JournalofOrthopedicResearch
JournalofBoneandJointSurgeryBritishVolume
American
Medicine Journal
of
Sports
Title: Pharmacogenomics Studies
Principal Investigator : Professor Datin Dr. Zahurin Mohamed
Faculty : Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Human genetic variation contributes substantially to variation among
individuals including their susceptibility to diseases and their response to
drugtreatment.Pharmacogenomicsisastudyofhowvariationinthegenetic
make-up of individuals affect their disease susceptibility and the way that
theseindividualsrespondtodrugtreatment.Threeprojectshavebeenplaced
underthisumbrellaprojectonPharmacogenomicsStudies:
Project 1 - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (PI- Prof Rosmawati
Mohamed):
Introduction: NAFLD, which is one of the most common causes of chronic
liverdiseaseworldwide,isassociatedwithanincreasedriskofcardiovascular
eventsandliverrelatedmortality.CurrentmethodsofdiagnosisofNALFDare
unabletodifferentiatethebenignformoffattyliver,simplesteatosis,fromthe
progressiveform,non-alcoholicsteatohepatitis(NASH),exceptbyperforming
aninvasivetest,whichisliverbiopsy.PatientswithNASHareathighriskof
progressiontocirrhosisandlivercancer.
Objective:Theaimforthisprojectistodevelopacustommicroarrayprototype
forearly,cost-effectiveandaccurateprognosticsanddiagnosticsofNAFLD
basedonAsiangeneticprofiles.Methods:Themethodologyinvolvesanovel
microarraythatisabletodetectsinglebasechanges(SNPs)aswellassmall
andlargegenomicdeletionsandamplificationsandIndelsonthesamechip.
Project 2 – Epilepsy (Prof Zahurin Mohamed):
Introduction: Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common group of inherited
seizures contributed by multiple genes and environmental factors. Many
genes and their variants such as copy number variations (CNVs) involve in
24/05/2012 9:44:52
53
epilepsysusceptibility.RareCNVsdeleteorduplicatetypicallylargergenomic
segments thereby are more likely to be associated with disease. They are
recurrentandmaycontainmanydeletedorduplicatedgenes.Two Caucasian
genome-wide association studies (GWAS) supported the function of rare
CNVs in idiopathic epilepsy. They reported rare CNVs in 8.9% of affected
individualsandplayimportantrolesinthegeneticetiologyofepilepsy.With
this accumulation of data from Caucasian patients and given that genetic
variantsarepopulation-specific,thereiscurrentlyaverylittleinformationon
AsiansandparticularlyMalaysians.Here,weproposereplicatingtheprevious
GWASinthetri-ethnicMalaysianswithahigherresolutionscreeningapproach
thanthelastreports.
Objective:Theaimofthisstudyistodeterminewhethergenomicvariantsare
riskfactorsforsusceptibilitytoidiopathicepilepsyinthetri-ethnicMalaysian
patients.
Methods:Genotypingof1,000,000SNPsfordetectingrareCNVsin750case
and control (750) recruited from 3 centers in UMMC, UKMMC, and GHKL
hospitalwillbeperformed.KeyScopeandComponentsforthisProjectare
as follows: (a) Population study: genotype-phenotype association study of
750 Malaysian patients affected by idiopathic epilepsy compared with 750
adjusted healthy controls. (b) Family study of recurrent CNVs: genotypephenotype association study of Malaysian patients affected by idiopathic
epilepsywithrarecopynumbervariants
Project 3 - Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (Prof Nor Zuraida Zainal).
Introduction: MDD is a condition that involves mood disorder and various
abnormalitiesincognitionandphysicalactivities.Itisacommonpsychiatric
disorderwhichisassociatedwithincreasedmorbidityandmortality.Patients
withMDDarealsoknowntohavesleepandappetitedisorder.
Sexual dysfunction is common among patients with MDD. Treatment with
antidepressants such as Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)
can also trigger sexual dysfunction in depressed people. In fact, sexual
dysfunctionmaybethemostsignificantSSRI-relatedadverseeventamong
depressedpeopleaged18-40.
Objectives: The main goal of this study is to determine whether genomic
variants are risk factors for susceptibility to MDD in tri-ethnic Malaysian
patients. The effect of variations in the genes on sexual function during
treatmentwiththeSSRIsinMDDpatientswillalsobestudied.
Methods:ThevariantswillbegenotypedonaSequenomplatform.
forPublications
Pharmacogenomics
HumanGenetics
PLoSOne
ResearchersandCollaborators:
ProfSanjivMahadeva(UM)
DrBatoulSadatHaerian(UM)
ProfCTTan(UM)
DrLimKheangSeang(UM)
Assoc Prof Heather C Mefford
(UnivofWashington)
Assoc Prof Larry Baum (Chinese
UniversityofHongKong)
ProfNorZuraidaZainal(UM)
Assoc Prof Kwan (Chinese
UniversityofHongKong)
AssocProfAhmadHatimSulaiman
(UM)
Prof El-Wui Loh (National Health
ResearchInstitute,Taiwan)
Prof Dato’ Raymond Azman Ali
(UKM)
ProfHJTan(UKM)
ProfSWWong(UKM)
DatoDrHanif(HKL)
DrSoobithaSubenthiran(HKL)
Assoc Prof John Dhillon (Univ of
Dundee)
Prof Lang Chim Choy (Univ of
Dundee)
24/05/2012 9:44:52
54
Title: Infectious Disease Pathology of Medically Important
Pathogens with an Emphasis on Investigations by
Molecular Approaches
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Wong Kum Thong
Faculty : Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine
Thefocusofthisprojectistostudythehumanpathologyofinfectiousdiseases
including,firstandforemostviraldiseases,butalsoothermedicallyimportant
pathogens. Investigation of the pathological and infective process using
humantissuesiscriticaltoprovidevaluableinsightsintohumaninfections.In
general,howeverthereisstillrelativelylittlepublished.Thisstudyisdrivenby
thedevelopmentofnewermoleculartechniquessuchasspecificnucleotide
probes, real time RT-PCR, next generation sequencing etc., for microbial
identificationandlocalisationinrelationtoareasoftissuedamage.
Inthelastdecadewehavedevelopedmanyproprietaryreagentsofourown
thatwillenableustofurtherelucidatemicrobialpathogenesis.Inaddition,we
shallmakeextensiveuseofourowngoodarchiveofhumaninfectiousdisease
tissuesandthoseofourcollaboratorscollectedovertheyearstoachieveour
goals.Forviraldiseases,thestudywillconcentrateonthreegroupsofvirus
including flaviviruses, henipaviruses and enteroviruses in naturally infected
humantissuesandalsoanimalmodels.Ifnewlydiscoveredvirusesarefound,
itwillalsobeourprioritytoinvestigatethediseasescaused.Othernonviral
diseases studied will be infections caused by medically important bacteria,
fungusandPlasmodiaspeciesconcentratingonspeciesthatcausemortality.
Objectives
Methodology To investigate cellular targets
and infectious disease pathology
of flaviviruses, henipaviruses,
enteroviruses, and other novel
viruses (if available) in naturallyinfectedhumanandanimalmodel
tissuesandorgans.
Microscopy(lightandelectron)
Develop novel molecular probe
technology to study pathology of
other medically important human
pathogens (bacteria, fungus and
Plasmodia species) in infected
human and animal tissues,
includingperipheralblood
Naturallyhumanorexperimentally
infected tissues will be formalin
fixedandroutinelyprocessedand
embedded as paraffin blocks.
TissuesectionsarestainedbyH&E
and examined for inflammation
or other pathological changes.
Appropriate 1x1 mm sections are
fixed in 4% glutaldehyde or other
suitablefixatives,resinembedded
and the ultrathin sections
examined. Immunogold and other
EMmoleculartechniquesarealso
suitabletostudythesetissues
Immunohistochemistry
Standard tissue sections are
first reacted with the appropriate
primary antibody before linked to
other linking reagents to localise
specific proteins of viruses,
bacteriaandothermicrobes.After
counterstaininginDAB,theslides
areviewedtovisualisethemicrobe
probe sequence (about 100-500
bp)sothatitcouldhybridisetothe
target nucleotide sequence. The
probeitselfispreparedbydoinga
specific PCR or RT-PCR reaction
togetanampliconthatcanlabeled
bydigoxigeninbyincorporating11dUTPinasecondPCR.Duringthe
ISH the probe is hybridized with
thetargetsequenceofthemicrobe
anditspresenceisdetectedbyan
immunohistochemicalreactionthat
utilises a primary antibody to the
digoxigenin
PCR/RT-PCR
From the genbank and other
published sequences appropriate
primers for PCR and RT-PCR are
generated. Conditions for the
reaction is standard but could be
optimisedforspecificmicrobes
Insituhybridization(ISH)
Thepreparationofthespecificprobe
to target the microbial nucleotide
sequence (DNA, or ribosomal
RNA),involvesidentifyingaspecific
24/05/2012 9:44:52
Outcome
We expect to find new cellular
targetsanddiscovernewinfective
disease pathological process
of viral and other infections in
infected human tissues that
are previously unknown. This
knowledge will help understand
pathogenesis better and may
lead to more targeted therapy or
managementstrategies.Theprobe
technology that is developed for
various pathogens will be utilised
for pathogenesis studies and also
confirmatory diagnosis on clinical
samples and microbial cultures
that are suspected to be infected
bythesepathogens
forPublications
Prof Catriona McLean, Prince
AlfredHospital,Australia
Journalofinfectiousdiseases
Prof Benhur Lee, David Geffen
SchoolofMedicine,USA
Emerginginfectiousdiseases
Clinicalinfectiousdiseases
Actaneuropathologica
JournalofVirology
Collaborators
DrBrankaHorvat,INSERM,France
DrAnnaSalvetti,INSERM,France
Dr Robin Buckland, INSERM,
France
Dr Christopher Broder, Uniformed
ServicesUniversity,USA
55
Dr Kyaw Linn, Yangon Children’s
Hospital,Myanmar
Dr Khin Saw Aye, Immunology
ResearchDivision,Myanmar
Dr S.A.M. Kularatne, University of
Peradeniya,SriLanka
DrLuMin,PekingUniversityHealth
ScienceCentre,Beijing,China
ProfBishanRadotra,Postgraduate
Medical Institute for Medical
EducationandResearch,India
Prof
Shankar,
Neuropathology,
Bangalore,India
Dept
of
NIMHANS,
Title: Analysis of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Food
and Environment (SUCXeS)
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mustafa Ali Mohd
Faculty : Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
Evidence suggests that environmental exposure to some anthropogenic
chemicals may result in disruption of endocrine systems in human and
wildlifepopulations.Someofthewellknownexamplesarethefeminization
offishbynonylphenolorestradiol,andmuscalinizationofsnailbyorgano-tin
compounds.Endocrinedisruptersareexogenoushormone-likecompounds
which mimic natural hormones by occupying the binding site of hormone
receptor. The other type of disruption mechanism includes antagonism of
hormonesorinhibitionofthesynthesisandmetabolismofhormones.Many
ofknownendocrinedisruptersareenvironmentalestrogensanditisforthis
reason that feminization is often observed in the environment. In addition
to estrogen-like compounds, some other endocrine disrupter is known to
showanti-estrogenicactivity,orthyroidhormoneactivity. Disruptionofthe
endocrinesystemwillleadtothefailureofreproductionandsubsequentlyto
thelossofbiologicalspecies. Our research program on endocrine disruptors started several years ago
by the formation of the University of Malaya Endocrine Disrupters research
group. The aim is to explore the possible adverse effects suspected due
to environmental chemicals on the reproductive and other high-integrated
biologicalsystemsinhumansandanimals.
Nationwide monitoring has been done in 2000 and 2001 in Malaysia to
establish a baseline and a comprehensive database in Malaysia. The
monitoringresearchinclude:
• LeachingofbisphenolAfrombabyfeedingbottles
• ToxicityofbisphenolAontestisandkidneys
• ContaminationofEDCinriverwater
• Phytoestrogensinlocalplants
• PhytoestrogenscontentofcordbloodofMalaysians
24/05/2012 9:44:52
56
• Metabolismofphytoestrogens
• Effectsofphytoestrogensonselectedtissues
• Effectsofpesticidesonselectedtissues
• DetectionofbisphenolAandphhalatesinfoodandfoodcontainers
• Monitoringofpesticidesinriverwater,vegetablesandchildrenblood
Title: Neurology Research Group
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Tan Chong Tin
TheNeurologyResearchGroupisamultidisciplinaryresearchgroupintegrating
clinicalneurologywithgenetics,diseasemechanismandneurotherapeutics
towards understanding neurological disorders. Some projects are involved
in the clinical aspects of various neurological disorders while others take a
geneticsandcellularapproachtowardsunderstandingdiseasepathology.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Sub-Project 1: To determine the
role of cytoplasmic dynein in
regulating axonal pathfinding and
synapseformation
Sub-Project 1: A combination of
proteomics,cellcultureandanimal
models
Sub-Project 1: Potential therapy
forneurodegenerativedisorders
Sub-Project 2: To investigate the
possible association between
cytoplasmic dynein and inherited
neuropathies
Sub-Project 3: To elucidate the
c l i n i c a l - p a t h o l o g i c a l - g e n e t i c
patternofmusculardystrophiesin
Malaysia
mechanism of EphA2 signalling
andassociatedregulatorygenesin
adhesion and fusion of the neural
tube
Sub-Project 2: Genetic analysis
including mutation screening,
linkage analysis and exome
sequencing
clinical diagnosis, pathology tests
andgeneticstechniques
animalmodels,insituhybridization
andproteomics
Sub-Project 5:MRI and clincal
diagnosis upon treatment with
L-Dopa
Sub-Project 2: Uncover novel
pathwaysforneuropathies
Sub-Project3:Assistthediagnosis
ofmusculardystrophies
Sub-Project 4: Uncover novel
mechanisms of neural tube
developmentandpossibletherapy
forNeuralTubeDefects
Sub-Project 5: Assist in the
diagnosis
of
pain-related
symptomsinPD
Sub-Project6:Populationsurvey
Sub-Project 6: Assist in the destigmatisation of epilespy and
suggest approaches to help
suffererscope
Sub-Project 7: Clinical diagnosis
andneuroimaging
diagnosisandtreatmentofangiitis
levelofsocialstigmainepilepsy
molecularbiology,geneexpression
andclinicaldiagnosis
associationbetweenAngiitisinTB
meningitis
Sub-Project 9: A combination
of
clinical
diagnosis
and
immunologicaltests
Sub-Project
8:
Determine
predictors of ischaemic stroke in
young patients with hypertension
anddiabetes
potential of microRNAs as novel
biomarkersforclinicaldiagnosisin
ischaemicstroke
clinicaldiagnosis,pharmacological
tests and kinetic modeling of
parameters
Sub-Project 5: To perform brain
imaginginParkinson’sdiseaseand
related disorders to understand
thediseaseprogression
Sub-Project9:Tounderstandmore
aboutautoimmuneencephalitis
diagnosis and treatment of autoimmuneencephalitis
Sub-Project 10: to construct
dosing recommendations for
phenytoin, sodium valproate and
midazolam in renally impaired
patientsforthetreatmentofstatus
epilepticus
Sub-Project 10: To determine
the pharmacokinetic profile of
lamotrigine in patients with renal
impairment using a modeling and
simulationapproach
24/05/2012 9:44:52
forPublications
LancetNeurolgy
PLosOne
Collaborators
UniversityofSussex,UK
UniveristyofSydney,Australia
PLosMedicine
University of London, UK and
UniversityofBristol,UK
American Journal of Human
Genetics
The Royal Melbourne Hospital,
TorontoWesternHospital
PNAS
UniversityofMelbourne,Australia
BrainResearch
University of Auckland, New
Zealand
ClinicalPharmacology
57
Therapeutics
Title: Characterization of Epitopes on the Merozoite
Surface Antigens of Zoonotic Simian Malaria Parasite
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Fong Mun Yik
Four species of the blood parasite Plasmodium are responsible for human
malaria:Plasmodium falciparum,P. vivax,P. malariae,andP. ovale.Zoonotic
infectionsbymonkeymalariaparasiteshaveinitiallybeenthoughttoberare.
However,in2004,alargefocus(101cases)ofhumanP. knowlesi(amalaria
parasiteofmacaquemonkeys) infectionwasreportedintheKapitDivisionof
Sarawak.Morerecently,theInstituteforMedicalResearchreported55.9%of
humanbloodsamplesreceivedwaspositiveforP.knowlesi.
Themerozoitesurfaceproteins(MSPs)ofPlasmodiumarecrucialmolecules
involvedintheinvasionoftheparasiteintoitshosterythrocytes.Anti-MSP
antibodies are detected in malaria patients. Also, these antibodies from
individualsthatareclinicallyimmunetomalariainhibitinvasionofPlasmodium
merozoitesintoerythrocytes.Therefore,mappingtheepitopesontheMSPs
canprovideusefulinformationforimmunodiagnostics,immunotherapy,and
vaccinedevelopmentagainstmalaria
The antigenicity of MSPs of P. knowlesi has yet to be fully elucidated.
InvestigationontheimmuneresponsesthatareevokedbytheseMSPswill
provide knowledge on the type of immune protection against P. knowlesi.
In this respect, the immune response evoked by P. knowlesi MSPs will be
comparedwiththatofitsclosestrelatedhumanmalariaspecies,P. vivax.
Objectives
Methodology (i) Identify and characterize
epitopesonthemerozoitesurface
proteinsofPlasmodium knowlesi
(i) The methodology involves
cloning and expression of
recombinant P. knowlesi MSPs,
construction of phage display
library,
determining
binding
specificity of the selected phage
by ELISA, cloning and DNA
sequencing of selected phage,
and locating the epitopes using
bioinformatic
and
structural
biologytools.
(ii) To characterize immune
responsesevokedbyPlasmodium
knowlesiin vivo and in vitro.
knowlesi and P. vivax MSP
recombinant proteins, purification
of the recombinant proteins,
and immunological study of the
recombinantproteinsusingmouse
modelandinvitrosystem
(ii) The methodology involves
cloning and expression of P.
24/05/2012 9:44:52
58
Outcome
Localization of epitopes on
immunologically
important
merozoite surface proteins of
Plasmodium knowlesi.
Immunogenicityofthesemerozoite
surface proteins
forPublications
InternationalJournalofParasitlogy
EmergingInfectiousDiseases
MalariaJournal
Collaborators
Dr Lau Yee Ling, University of
Malaya
Dr. Laurent Renia, Laboratory of
Malaria, Singapore Immunology
Network,A*Star
Dr. Bruce Russell, Laboratory of
Malaria, Singapore Immunology
Network,A*Star
Dr Chao Day-Yu, National Chung
HsingUniversity,
Title: A Study of Brain Signal Modulation Among
Methadone Maintenance Clients Receiving an Adjunct
Acupuncture Treatment in UMMC
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mohamad Hussain Habil
Faculty : University of Malaya Center of Addiction Sciences (UMCAS),
Faculty of Medicine
UniversityofMalayaCenterofAddictionSciences(UMCAS)isthenewlyset
up center of excellence for the University of Malaya. It is timely as current
availablefacilitiesinthemainhospitalareoverutilizedandnolongerableto
supporttheincreasingnumberofclients.Themainfocusofthesecentersare
generatingresearch,aplatformfortrainingprogramsandofferingintegrated
treatment services in addiction field plus infectious disease related to
substancesuse.
ThereisahighprevalenceofHIV/AIDScasesreportedandillicitsubstances
used in Malaysia with widespread injecting practices and sharing needles
among drug users. It is estimated about 80% of 70,000 HIV/AIDS cases
notificationduringyear2006areamongIVDUs.Thegovernmenthasstarted
aharmreductionprogramsinceOct2005involvingmethadonemaintenance
treatment(MMT),needleandsyringesexchangeprogram(NSEP)andcondom
distributionamongdrugusers.Theresultsarepromisingwhereby84%the
retentionrateofclientsintreatmentwithinoneyear.Moreover,itwasreported
that there is a reduction of overall drug use, crime rates and a recidivism
and HIV risk behaviors. In addition, there are higher employment rate and
better quality of life. However, low numbers of addicts are receiving MMT
treatment.EvenlowernumberofHIV+addictsreceivedARVtreatment.There
is s widespread belief among health providers that heroin addicts are not
compliantwithARVandposeriskofmulti-drugresistancecases.However,
many studies have shown that HIV+ heroin addicts stabilized on Drug
Substitution Therapy (DST) have better compliance toward Anti-Retroviral
(ARV) treatment and equal success rate as compared to non-drug related
HIV+.Malaysianleaderhasdeclaredtheyear2015asadrugfreenation.So,
thereisaneedformorenumberofHIV+addictsreceivestreatmentinorderto
givebetterimpactsonHIVprevalencereductioninthecountry.
ApparentlythereisalowcoverageofMMT/ARVamongaddictsandsofar,
only 5000 addicts received methadone treatment in government setting.
Thereispossibilityoffailureinachieving25,000addictsonDSTby2015as
targetedbythegovernment.Thiscanaffectourvisiontobecomeadeveloped
nationin2020asWHOrequirementatleast20%HIV+onARVtreatmentfor
adevelopednation.ThepossibilityofMethadone-ARVdruginteractionsare
commonanddifficulttomanageandsometimeslifethreatening.So,thereis
aneedforintegratedHIVandaddictiontreatmentservicestocaterforthis
marginalizedsociety.
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59
Electroencephalogram(EEG) has the potential to become an effective tool
for measurement of improvement of patients in a more objective way that
reduces the requirement of traditional ways which need assessment from
already exhausted clinicians using time consuming and non standardized
methods.ThisresearchhasthepotentialtobepublishedinISIcitedjournal
because addiction has become a niche area as discussed in various high
impactjournals,andshowninvarioussearchenginese.g.OvidSP,Pubmed
andSciendirect.
Acupuncture has been used by Chinese ancestors to treat various medical
illnesses including neurological and psychiatric disorders. In China, the
acupuncturetechniqueswerepracticedwidelyeventhoughthemechanisms
andhowitworkedareunclear.Acupunctureproceduresdoworkforcontrolling
pain,vomitingsecondarytochemotherapy,etc.Mostliteraturessupportthe
efficacyofacupunctureasanadjuncttherapyforexistingtreatmentbutnot
asastandalonemodality.Manyacupuncturepractionersclaimacupuncture
therapy has benefits for various addiction problems. However, apparently
there was not enough evidence based study to support the effectiveness
of acupuncture treatment on any addictive disorders. Literature review and
meta-analysisgavemixedopinionsontheeffectivenessofacupunctureinthe
treatmentofaddictivedisorders.Manystudiesthatsupporttheeffectiveness
of acupuncture in the treatment of addictive disorders are lacking in terms
ofdesign,sampleandoriginatedfromEasternscientists,themajorityofthe
studiesareinconclusiveduetopoordesign,andlackofsamples.Moreover,
thestudiesonlyfocusonreducingthewithdrawal(detoxification)ratherthan
longtermoutcomes.Atthemoment,addictiondisordersitselfisregardedasa
chronicrelapsingbraindiseaseassupportedbymanystudies.Detoxification
loneisnottheonlyindicatorforeffectivenessoftheinterventionsbutthelong
term outcomes should also be considered. For example, even methadone
when given only for detoxification, showed failed results where majority of
thepatientsgobacktodrugsagainwhenthemethadonetaperoff.However,
when methadone was given for long term (maintenance therapy), the
patients showed improvement n every aspects of their life and maintained
their functioning status. However, the effectiveness of acupuncture as an
adjunctformethadonetreatmentwasstudiedandtheresultsshowedsome
benefit on reduction of withdrawal state but not for long term outcomes.
Auricularacupunctureiswidelypracticedinthetreatmentofvariousaddictive
disorders.
Sofar,evensubstanceslikealcoholandnicotineaddictionwerestudiedand
debatedbutinconclusive.However,AmphetamineTypeStimulants(ATS)have
rarelybeenexploredprobablybecauseitisnewinthemarket.InMalaysia,the
prevalenceofopiatesisincreasingandmethadonetreatmenthasbecomea
goldstandardtreatment,whereasATS,e.g.amphetamine,metamphetamine
and ecstacy (MDMA) dependence syndrome is even more problematic.
The prevalence of ATS misuse is exponentially increased especially among
youngerdrugusers.However,therewasnoevidencebasedpharmacological
interventionsofar.Thetreatmentmainlyreliesonpsychosocialinterventions
withlowsuccessrate.
Objectives
Methodology To investigate the role of
acupuncture as an adjunct
treatment for opiate dependents
individuals.
Thisisaprospective,open-labeled,
parallel, randomized- controlled
trial comparing two arms,an
acupuncture group as adjunct
therapy for opiate dependents
receivingmethadonemaintenance
therapy(MMT) versus standard
care(MMT alone) group. The new
brain - emerging technique, an
electroencephalogram
(EEG)
will be used in monitoring the
brain signal modulation changes
overtimeasaresultofacupuncture
and methadone treatment. The
clinicalassessmentandstructured
questionnaires
e.g.
opiate
To investigate the role of
encephalogram (EEG) as new
brain-emerging technique in
objective monitoring of the
effectiveness of various treatment
optionsforopiatedependents
treatment index (OTI), Drug and
HIVriskbehaviors,retentionratein
treatment, crime rate, rapid urine
drugstestandWHOqualityoflife
willbeusedasstandardoutcomes
measurement in comparison to
EEG
Outcomemeasures:
• Retention rate in treatment
for3months
• Withdrawal
severity:
Clinical Opiate withdrawal
scale(COWS)-atbaseline,1
week,twoweeks,6weeks
and12weeks:
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60
• HIV risk behavior, crime
rate and Opiate/other illicit
substance use: Opiate
treatment Index (OTI) -
baselineand3months
• Quality of life: WHO QoL-
Baselineand3moths
• Urine drug status: Rapid
urinedrugtestkit(5inone
test kit: Opiates, MDMA,
Metamphetamine, Canabis,
Benzo) - twice weekly
duringinductionperiodand
weeklytill3months
• Brain signal modulation:
EEG monitoring machine-
at baseline, 1 week, two
weeks, 6 weeks and 12
weeks:
Outcome
Fromthisstudy,weexpecttocome
outwithevidenceofeffectiveness
of acupuncture as an adjunct
towards
current
methadone
treatment. We also hope to find
outtheassociationofEEGpattern
with acupuncture and methadone
treatment. We would like to use
quantativeEEGasmonitoringtool
for progress of methadone and
acupuncture treatment for heroin
addictsinfuture.Ofcoursebythe
endof1-5years,wewouldliketo
publishatleast5ISI/WoSor3tier
onepapers
forPublications
JournalofsubstancesUse
Lancet
Nature
AcupuntureandElectrotherapeutic
research
Actanewpsychiatrica
Collaborators
KlinikDrKahfidz,Kajang
KlinikFamilySriPetaling,Petaling
Jaya
Title: Molecular Investigation of Disease Mechanisms
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mary Anne Tan Jin Ai
Faculty: Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Molecularinvestigationandtechniquesinmolecularbiologyhavebeenapplied
acrosstheboardinvariousfieldsofmedicineanddisease.Thetechniques
and protocols developed are rapid sensitive and specific for not only the
diagnosis of genetic disorders, but also for investigation into nutrigenomic,
antivancerandnaturalproductresearch.
Objectives
Methodology To develop molecular techniques
thatcanbeutilizedingeneticand
pathologicaldisorders
Laboratory
protocols
began
with the collection of tiger milk
mushroomandleavesofOcimum
canumandPlectranthus ambonicus
leaves.Inaddition,differentstrains
of Vibrio cholearae strains were
identified and subtyped. As this
HIRprojectsinvolvedinvestigators
withdifferentsub-projects,various
methodologies specific to each
sub-project were carried out. The
majortechniquesemployedwere:
To carry out genomic research on
natural products specifically in
the identification of antiviral and
cytoxicsubstances
Genotyping of bacterial genes in
humandisease
1.
Geneexpressionstudies
2.
Shot-gun analysis of snake
venoms
3.
Extraction assays for plant
productsandbacteriaDNA
4.
Cytoxic and antioxidant
assays to identify the natural
bioactive substances and
naturalplantproducts
5.
Multilocus
Sequence
Typing (MLST) and Multivirulent Locus Sequence
Typing (MVLST) for bacterial
subtyping
Outcome
The sub-projects have produced
important and informative results
and data. Genomic, proteomic
andantioxidantinvestigatorshave
producedthefollowingoutcomes:
1.
Effect of velvet bean
pretreatment
on
cobra
venom-induced
gene
expression
changes
completed and data analysis
ison-coing
2.
Venomglandsofseverallocal
venomous snakes are in the
process of transcriptome
analysisbyBGI
24/05/2012 9:44:52
3.
4.
The antioxidant activities of
bioactive substances from
tiger milk mushroom have
beencompleted
Essential oils from the
plants Ocimum canum and
Plectranthus ambonicus have
beenextracted
5.
Anti-carcinogenic properties
of Ocimum canum against
hydrogen peroxide induced
DNAdamage
6.
Mouse
fibroblast
cells
pretreated with various
concentrations of essential
oils showed lower rate of
DNAdamage
7.
An association between
2245GA allele of the RAGE
(Receptor for Advanced
Glycation
End-products)
gene and development of
diabetic retinopaty\hy was
established
61
Collaborators
NationaluniversityofSingapore
UniversityofSiena,Italy
UniversityofJos,Nigeria
forPublications
Journal of Biomedicine
Biotechnology
QueenSaobhvaMemorialInstitute,
Thailand
and
MolecularBiologyandEvolution
JournalofBiologicalSciences
Comp.Biochem.Physiol.
Ethanopharmacology
GenesandNutrition
Title: Research on Cancers in Malaysian Patients:
Improving Survival through Innovation and Collaboration
Principal Investigator : Profesor Dr. Hany Ariffin
Faculty : University of Malaya Cancer Research Institute (UMCRI),
Faculty of Medicine
Thisprojectisanamalgamationofseveralstudiesaimedtowardsimproving
thesurvivalratesofMalaysiancancerpatients.Toachievethisgoal,UMCRI
have made several initiatives to develop innovative treatment methods,
capitalizingonadvantageouscollaborations.Thepaediatriconcologyunitfor
instance,incollaborationwithNationalUniversityofSingaporehasembarked
on a treatment protocol to optimize the use of vincristine, a common
chemotherapy drug via better understanding of its pharmacokinetics and
individual patient response. Collaborative efforts have allowed tapping into
theexpertiseofinstitutionsabroadsuchastheUniversityOfSouthampton,
UKbythegynaecologicalcancerunittodevelopnanoparticle-basedtherapy.
In addition, UMCRI acknowledges the importance of excellent laboratory
infrastructure and support. Hence, it is developing a tumour tissue bank,
cytogeneticserviceaswellascellcultureandanimalfacilities.
Objectives
To better understand biology and
treatment response in childhood
acute lymphoblastic leukemia
patients to ensure accurate
therapeutic stratification with
minimallong-termside-effects
Tostudymismatchrepairproteins
in
hereditary
non-polyposis
colorectalcancer
To study prevalence of BRCA1
and BRCA2 in Malaysian ovarian
cancerpatients
To develop nano-particle based
therapy for endometrial cancer
andosteosarcoma
To develop a high-quality tumour
tissue repository and database
system
Methodology andOutcome
Paediatric
Oncology
(Acute
LymphoblasticLeukaemia)
TheMalaysia-Singapore(Maspore
ALL 2010) trial has accrued
patients since July 2011. To date,
16denovoALLpatientshavebeen
recruited. All these patients have
complete clinical and laboratory
data and nearly all have had their
diagnostic bone marrow samples
banked
ColorectalCancer
Thecolorectalteamhasembarked
on a study related to Hereditary
Non -Polyopsis Colon Cancer
(HNPCC), a hereditary cancer
characterized by the risk of
developing multiple types of
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62
cancer including colorectal and
endometrial cancers. The team
will be screening mismatch repair
(MMR) protein expression by
immunohistochemistry (IHC) in
the tumour samples of selected
colorectalandendometrialcancer
patients who are identified as at
high risk of developing HNPCC.
The MMR protein expressions
and clinicopathological features
of these patients will be then
attributed and compared with the
established features of HNPCC in
otherpopulation
GynaecologicalCancer
The prevalence study of BRCA1
and BRCA2 in ovarian cancer in
collaboration with CARIF is ongoing. 359 patients have been
accrued. In the HPV genotyping
research project, 100 subjects
havebeenrecruited
Under the collaborative research
with CARIF, we have found that
15% of endometroid and highgrade serous ovarian cancer are
BRCApositive.Ourovariancancer
cohort has also been enrolled
into an international consortium
(OCAC). In the HPV genotyping
project,15%ofthesubjectswere
HPV-positive with 10% of these
patientscarriedhigh-risk(HR)HPV
Cytogenetics
Cytogenetic analysis is part of
routine clinical practice as an
essential tool in diagnosis and
prognosis of blood cancers.
Nearly 200 patients with leukemia
/lymphomahavebeenkaryotyped
and the success rate for the cell
yieldismorethan90%.FISHand
molecular screening of oncogene
fusion transcripts methods have
alsobeenestablished
TumourTissueRepository
UptoOctober2011,1254tumour
tissuesamplesfrom192consented
patientswithvariousmalignancies
have been catalogued and
cryopreserved
forPublications
British Journal of Obstetrics /
Gynaecology
ProcNationalAcademyScience
JournalofClinicalOncology
LancetOncology
NatureGenetics
Collaborators
Prof Sjoerd van der Burg, Leiden
University
Medical
Centre,
Netherlands
Dr
Sathibalan
Ponniah
,
Cancer Vaccine Development
ProgramUnited States Military
CancerInstitute,Bethesda,USA
Prof Allen Yeoh, Paediatric
Oncology, National University of
Singapore
Dr Cheong Yin Ching ,
Gynaecological
Oncology,
UniversityofSouthampton
Dr Toh Han Chong , National
CancerCentre,Singapore
Prof Gunaretnam Rajagopal,
CancerInstituteofNewJersey
Title: The use of acute phase reactant proteins as cancer
biomarkers
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Onn Hashim
Early detection of cancer could possibly improve the success of treatment
in patient. Currently, there are many cancer biomarkers that can be used
asdiagnostictool.However,mostofthebiomarkershavelowerspecificity
andsensitivityanddiagnosisisonlypossibleatalaterstageofthecancer.
Acute Phase Reactant Proteins (APRPs) have been found to be associated
withmanycancers.Theaberrantexpressionoftheseparticularproteinscan
be useful as potential biomarkers to detect the cancer at earlier stage. In
previous studies, many of these APRPs were identified through proteomic
profiling.However,thistechniquehasitslimitationsandweakerreproducibility
aswellaslowerreliabilityinquantification.
Inthisstudy,wewillfocusonthemultipledetectionofAPRPssimultaneously
to find potential biomarker(s) fingerprint for various types of cancer using
proteinarraysystem.Proteinarraysystemdetectsthedifferentexpressionof
thedesiredproteinswiththehelpofspecificantibodies.
24/05/2012 9:44:52
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To profile the serum APRPs
of different groups of patients
with cancer using protein array
technology
Serum from patients with breast
cancer, gyneacological cancer,
bone cancer, prostate cancer and
healthy control will be collected
fromUniversityofMalayaMedical
Center(UMMC).Theserumwillbe
subjectedtoproteinarrayanalysis
to detect the level of APRPs.
Briefly,specificprimaryantibodies
will be coated on customized
protein array chip. The primary
antibody will selectively capture
the protein in serum sample and
florescent labeled secondary
antibody will be introduced to
the bound protein. The protein
arrayslidewillbescannedforthe
florescence signal in microarray
scanner.Intensityofeachprotein
willbecomparedbetweencontrol
and disease group to identify the
potential biomarkers through
statistical analysis. Validation
will be performed on multiple
immunoassay system and both
detection methods of multiple
protein expression will be
evaluatedtofindthemostreliable
andeffectivemethod
The protein array method should
perform better in identifying large
number of different proteins in a
singlerun
Toanalysethedataobtainedusing
imageanalysissoftwareinorderto
compare APRP profiles between
patients with different types of
cancerandcontrolcohorts
To characterize APRP in different
groups of patients with cancer
in accordance to their stages of
cancer, tumor load and treatment
andperformancestatus
To validate the APRP expression
using multiplex ELISA and gene
microarray
To differentiate key biomarkers
(prognostic/diagnostic)fordifferent
cancers which can be utilized for
clinicalmanagement
63
We expect to find aberrantly
expressedAPRPSincancerserum
ascomparedtocontrolwhichcan
beusedaspotentialbiomarkers
forPublications
Electrophoresis
JournalofProteomeResearch
JournalofProteomics
Proteomics
Molecular&CellularProteomics
Collaborators
Professor Emeritus Dr Veer
Bhavanandhan
(Pennsylvania
State University, United States of
America)
Professor Dr Richard Cogdell
(University of Glasgow, United
Kingdom)
Title: Spatio-Temporal Modelling and Meta-analysis
(STeMM)
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud
Faculty : Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Infectiousandnon-infectiousdiseasesrepresentthedoubleburdenofdisease
whichMalaysiafacestoday.Withveryfewmodelswhichcanbeappliedto
thesediseases,ourpublichealthmanagementisverymuchahit-and-miss
affair. The STeMM Porgramme will develop the first spatio-temporal model
for an infectious disease in Malaysia as well as the most comprehensive
cardiovascular models for use in Malaysia. This programme will also
provide the most comprehensive meta-analysis on infectious diseases and
cardiovasculardiseasesinMalaysia.
Methodology Objectives
Todevelopthefirstspatio-temporal
modelforanydiseaseinMalaysia
which combines geographical
location, time-dependent data,
geneticandenvironmentaldata
To model cardiovascular and
relateddiseasesforuseinMalaysia
To perform and provide the
most
comprehensive
metaanalysis on infectious diseases
and cardiovascular diseases in
Malaysia
Data will be collected from
various sources, including the
Meterological
Department,
national registries, hospitals etc
tobeusedinthesemodels.Using
thesedata,modelswillbecreated
usingtheSTEM,Stata,SPSSand
othersoftware
24/05/2012 9:44:53
64
Outcome
This programme will result in
a better understanding of the
dynamics of infectious disease
spread as well as factors related
to the changing patterns,
dynamics and related factors of
non-infectious disease spread in
Malaysia. This will enable better
preparedness for outbreaks as
well as the formulation of public
health policies in Malaysia. These
have the potential to result in the
modification of Clinical Practice
Guidelines, development of new
risk scores for cardiovascular
diseases, Public Health data
sharing
with
neighbouring
countries to fight infectious
diseases and the establishment
of the first Cochrane Centre in
Malaysia
forPublications
JournalOfInfectiousDiseases
CardiovascularResearch
PreventiveMedicine
CochraneReviews
HeartBMJ
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Cuno S.P.M. Uiterwaal,
UniversityMedicalCentreUtrecht,
Netherlands
Prof.Dr.ArnoW.Hoes,University
Medical Centre Utrecht, The
Netherlands
Prof.Dr.PrathapTharyan,Christian
MedicalCollege,India
Prof. Dr. Nico Nagelkerke, United
ArabEmiratesUniversity
Prof.Dr.RobertGrahamCumming,
UniversityofSydney
Dr.BrianBuckely,CochraneFellow
Title: Shared Equipment for the Faculty of Medicine
(Central Facility)
Principal Investigator : Dr Puteri Shafinaz Akmar Abdul Rahman
TheHealthandTranslationalMedicine(HTM)Clusterhasset-upafewcore
centralfacilitieswithintheFacultyofMedicine. Eachofthecentralfacilities
also functions as a research centre and is currently engaged in research in
specialisednicheareassuchascancerproteomicsandgenomics,infectious
diseases, pharmacological studies and drug discovery. In line with HTM’s
vision to be a top class research entity, the centres have to be equipped
with the state-of-the-art equipment for the advancement of research in the
UniversityofMalaya.
The research instruments proposed for purchase are essential for the
discoveryprocessinproteomics,glycomics,stemcell,moleculargenomics
andpharmacologicalresearch. Uponpurchaseoftheequipment,theywillbe
designatedascentralfacilityandcanbeutilisedbyscientistsfromwithinthe
FacultyandUniversityinvolvedinsimilarresearchareas.
List of Equipment for Central
Facility (2011): UM/MoHE
High Impact Research Grant
Allocation(HIRGA)
2-Dimensional Gel system and
ImageAnalysissoftware
InVivoImagingSystem
Short Fragment Sequencing and
AnalysisSystem
VacuumConcentrator
HighResolutionUltrasonography
CellSorterforFlowcytometry
RealTimeCellAnalyser
Refrigeratedcentrifuge
RTPCR(4units)
Sonicator
Freezers
24/05/2012 9:44:53
ExpectedOutcome
The availability of these state-ofthe-art instruments placed under
sharedresearchfacilitywillfurther
enhancetheabilityofourscientists
toperformresearchthatisatleast
on par with those performed by
internationally renowned research
groups. This will translate into a
significant increase in the number
of published research papers
from our Faculty in internationally
renownedjournalswithhighimpact
factor. The increased number of
goodpublicationswillalsobenefit
theUniversityofMalayaintermsof
rankingandworldwiderecognition
forPublications
InternationalJournalofCancer
Evidence-based Complementary
andAlternativeMedicine
American Journal of Tropical
MedicineandHygiene
BiochemicalPharmacology
American
Medicine
MolecularEndocrinology
Journal
of
Sports
65
JournalofProteomeResearch
BritishJournalofNutrition
Cellular And Molecular Life Sciences
BritishJournalofCancer
InternationalJournalofParasitlogy
JournalofProteomics
PlosOne,IF4.351
Electrophoresis
JournalofBiologicalChemistry
JournalofMedicinalChemistry
Title: Beijing Genomic
Bioinformatic Services)
Institute
(Genomics
and
Principal Investigator: Professor Dr. Fong Mun Yik
Project 1: Acinetobacter baumanii is a major health threat to immunocompromisedandlong-termedin-dwellinghospitalpatients.Ithasacquired
multiplyantibioticresistancepropertiesiscommoninmosthealthcarefacility.
Wenowneedtosequencethewholegenomeofthebacteriatodiscoverthe
genesthatconfertheresistanceproperties.
Project2:Cancerisageneticdiseasehashadprofoundinfluenceincancer
therapeutics.Comparingsubsetsofsingleprimarycancersieoriginaltumor
withmetastasesandxenograftmodelswillallowtheunderstandingofhow
cancer genomes evolve with time or whether metastases originate from a
subsetofcancercellshavingstem-cellproperties.
Project3:Obesityisachronicdisorderthatcanincreasetheriskofdeveloping
type2diabetesmellitus,coronaryheartdisease,hypertension,asthma,sleep
apnoea, osteoarthritis and certain types of cancers. The Malaysian Non
CommunicableDiseaseSurvey(NCD2005)reportedthat48.6%ofadultsin
Malaysiaareobese.Theprevalenceofchildhoodobesityhasbeenincreasing
at an alarming rate. Variation in certain genes has been associated with
obesity,BMIandfatmasspercentageinchildrenandadults(Wuetal.,2010).
Thisstudyisproposedtodeterminethementionedgeneticpolymorphismin
themultiracialpopulationinMalaysian
Project4:Wehaveseenincreasingprevalenceofzoonosismalaria,filariasis
and toxoplasmosis in this region. Further investigations into the genetic
basis of these parasite strains and the mechanisms that profoundly alter
transmissibility and virulence will provide a greater understanding of the
evolutionofthediseasesandglobalparasiticdiseaseingeneral
24/05/2012 9:44:53
66
Objectives
Methodology To undertake full genome resequencing of two Acinetobacter
baumanii isolates and gene
sequencebioinformaticsanalysis
Samples will be collected and
genomic DNA will be extracted.
The genome sequencing and
analysiswillbeperformedtogether
withthecollaboratorsformBeijing
Genome Institute. Activities in
BGI include: library contruction,
sequencing(200bp,500bp,800bp,
2kb, 5kb, 10kb and 20kb insertsize), assembly, annotation and
evolutionanalysis
To understand how cancer
genomes evolve with time,
whethermetastasesoriginatefrom
a subset of cancer cells having
stem-cellproperties
To identify the complex diseasesrelated genetic variations (SNPs,
CNVset al.)associatedwithadult
and childhood obesity through a
genomewideassociationstudy
To sequence the full genome of
Anopheles cracens
To re-sequence and analyze the
genomeofP. knowlesi
TosequenceP. knowlesireceptors
genesininfectedpatient
To sequence the Whole genome
of Toxoplasma gondii RHstrain,B.
Pahangi and otherparasites
Outcome
Two full genome sequence of
Acinetobacter baumanii for the
antibioticresistantandsusceptible
strains
Determination of the genetic/
environmental drivers for cancer
initiationandprogression
Development of novel targeted
therapyforcancer
Technology transfer to UM in the
formofcanceranimalmodelling
Theprimaryaimoftheresearchis
to identify the complex diseasesrelated genetic variations (SNPs,
CNVset al.)associatedwithadult
and childhood obesity through a
genomewideassociationstudy
Full genome sequence and
complete genetic information of
Anopheles cracens,P. knowlesi, B.
Pahangi andT. gondii
forPublications
NatureBiotechnology
GenomeBiology
GenomeResearch
Science
Collaborators
SazalyAbuBakar
Prof.Dr. HanybintiMohdAriffin
Prof.Dr. ZahurinbintiMohamed
DrLauYeeLing
BeijingGenomeInstitute
Title: Targeted Delivery of Antineoplastic Photoactive
Compounds and Peptides
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Chung Lip Yong
Faculty : Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine
Cancer is the second major life threatening disease in the world and
the common cancer treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and
radiotherapy often inflict adverse effects to patients. New photosensitizer
basedphotodynamictherapy(PDT)andanticancerpeptidebasedtreatments
havebeenproposedtoprovidebettertreatmentoutcomewithlesseradverse
effect.However,theinherentweaknessesofphotosensitizersandanticancer
peptidesthataffectefficientdrugdeliveryoftenlimittheirdevelopmentand
useinclinicalsettings.
ToovercomethechallengesofdeliveryofPDTandpeptidedrugsinvivo,the
drugs may be modified by conjugating or entrapping them to water soluble
biocompatiblepolymers.Modificationofthephotosensitizer’spharmacokinetic
properties via polymer-drug conjugation approach may increase the water/
blood solubility, reduce in vivo random dissemination and non-specific
cytotoxicity, and promote the targeting of photosensitizer to the tumour via
enhanced-permeability-retentioneffect.Foranticancerpeptides,encapsulation
by biopolymers may improve their protection against degradation by low
gastric pH and enzymes, providing a controlled release of the entrapped
macromolecules and hence increase the bioavailability and pharmacological
efficacyoftheanticancerpeptideswhengivenviatheoralroute.
24/05/2012 9:44:53
Objectives
Methodology The objective of the study is to
explore the possibility of applying
polymer-drug conjugation and
a polymer based intestinal
sustained drug delivery approach
to improve the antitumour
efficacy of photoactive drugs
and anticancer peptides. This
is based on the hypothesis that
conjugation of photoactive drugs
onto a suitable polymeric carrier
such as polyglutamic acid, and
inclusion of anticancer peptides
ontoasuitableintestinalsustained
drug delivery system may help to
improve the bioavailability, in vivo
pharmacokinetics and tumour
targeting properties, and thus
in vivo antitumour efficacy of
photoactive drugs and anticancer
peptides
Polymer-drug conjugates will
be
synthesized
chemically
or physically by combining
biopolymers
with
selected
photoactive drugs or anticancer
peptides, and characterized using
physical and chemical methods.
The conjugates will be tested for
stability and drug release profiles
inwaterandblood,andtheinvitro
cytotoxicity using human/animal
cancer and normal cell lines. The
conjugatesthatshowgoodstability
and enhanced in vitro anticancer
properties will be further tested
in murine tumour model and the
chick chorioallantoic membrane
(CAM) model to evaluate their in
vivo toxicity, antitumour effects
andbiodistributionprofiles
compounds or peptides. The
polymer-drug
conjugates
developed may potentially be
translated into clinically useful
anticancer
compounds
with
improved drug delivery and
targeting properties, and hence
increasedrugefficacyandreduce
non-specifictoxicity
for Publications
JournalofMedicinalChemistry
JournalofControlledRelease
CarbohydratePolymers
Biomaterials
Collaborators
Outcome
Novel
methods
and
new
knowledge/experience
in
conjugating
photoactive
compounds to polymers and
encapsulation of peptides for
oral delivery will be obtained.
This approach will improve
the pharmacokinetics, tumour
targeting and reduce the nonspecific toxicity of photoactive
67
Kiew Lik Voon (Co-Principal
Investigator), Mohamed Ibrahim
Noordin, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Malaya, Kuala
Lumpur,Malaysia
LeeHongBoon,CancerResearch
Initiative Foundation, Subang
Jaya,Malaysia
Kevin Burgess, A&M University,
Texas,USA
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68
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/ENG/01
Title: Precision Joining Technology
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mohd Hamdi Bin Abd Shukor
Faculty : Department Engineering Design & Manufacture, Faculty of
Engineering
Theresearchthemeofadvancedjoiningtechnologyencompassesthetopics
on soldering, brazing and welding. Advances in these joining technology
has produced significant results which has direct industrial applications,
in particular, the semiconductor industry. The drive to find environmentally
friendlysolutionshasledtotheintenseresearchactivitiesintopicssuchas
theutilisationoflead-freesoldercompositionoflatestgenerationmicrochips.
In addition, the ever increasing demand of precision joining, especially in
emerging areas of microfabrication, extreme operating conditions of high
performancecomponentssuchasinaerospaceandaeronauticalsubsystems
and critical areas of medical and surgical apparatus development has led
to the need for newer materials and better processing techniques. Thus,
withtheserequirementsinmind,thisresearchproposalispresentedforthe
purpose of establishing a strong fundamental and cutting edge research
presence in the area of precision joining technology in Universiti Malaya.
Amongsttheproposedareasofresearchare:
Objectives
To evaluate the physical,
mechanical
and
joining
characteristics
of
selected
advanced semiconductor and
uniquematerialspairs
To evaluate the microstructural
and compositional properties of
theselectedmaterialcombinations
To comparatively evaluate the
joiningperformanceoftheselected
materialcombinations
Methodology This project will strengthen the
fundamental knowledge required
in the field of precision joining
technology and to explore new
material
combinations
and
i.
Microscale joining of dissimilar materials by friction stir welding
technique.
ii.
Precision joining of materials for high performance underwater
applications.
iii.
Evaluationofmicroscalespotjoiningtechniquesvialaserwelding.
processing techniques. Parallel
sub-projects will encompass a
wide range of research scope
within the research field including
computational and mathematical
modelling,
simulation,
and
laboratoryexperimentalwork.The
major focus of the research is on
thecharacterisationofnewjoining
techniques for selected advanced
seminconductors
and
uniqe
materialpairs
Outcome
No. of Tier 1 Publications
Expected:37
forPublications
JournalofAlloysandCompounds
(ImpactFactor:2.135,Tier1)
InternationalJournalofEngineering
Science(ImpactFactor:1.360,Tier
1)
Science and Technology of
Welding and Joining (Impact
Factor:1.327,Tier1)
MaterialsCharacterization(Impact
Factor:1.416,Tier1)
Metals and Materials International
(ImpactFactor:1.090,Tier1)
Collaborators
Professor Emeritus Dr. Tadashi
Ariga,Japan
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69
Title: Synthesis of Blast Resistant Structures
Principal Investigator : Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Zamin Jumaat
The increase in recent terrorist attacks is one of the factors that led to a
greaterinterestinresearchworksinblastresistantstructures.Theformation
of concrete shrapnel and how they were spread about during a blast were
generallyidentifiedasthemainfactorswhichresultedinseriouswoundand
fatalities.Failureofnormalconcrete(NC)toabsorbimpactenergyleadstothe
creationoftheseshrapnel.
Structuralandmaterialpropertiesthatarethoughttobeofimportancewhen
consideringblastresistantmaterialsincludelightness(density),ductilityand
high impact resistance. Oil Palm shells (OPS), an industrial waste material
thatareabundantlyavailableinMalaysia,havebeenshowntopossessthese
properties. Fibres added into concrete have also been shown to increase
thetoughnessandimpactresistanceoftheconcrete.Hencethisresearchis
targetedatdevelopingaconcreteincorporatingOPSandfibrestobereferred
toasOilpalmShellFibreReinforcedConcrete(OPSFRC)tobeusedinblast
resistantstructures.
Research collaboration with overseas experts on impact, dynamic and
blasttestsissignificanttowardsthesuccessfuldevelopmentoftheselocal
materials into potential structural material. Modelling of OPSFRC using
appropriatesoftwareisalsovitaltosuccessfullydevelopingitintoapotential
blastresistantmaterial.Theseobjectivescanbesummarisedasfollows:
Objectives
To design a mix proportion for
OPSFRC
Toinvestigatefreshandhardened
concretepropertiesofOPSFRC
To explore the microstructure of
OPSFRC
To investigate the structural
properties of materials that are
relatedtoblastloadings
To probe the impact, dynamic
and blast resistant behaviours of
structuralelements
To model these structures using
numerical methods to withstand
blastloadings
Methodology After selecting appropriate fibres,
mixturedesignforOPSFRCwillbe
designed.UsingX-RayDiffraction
(XRD)andfieldemissionscanning
electronmicroscope(FESEM),the
micro-structural
characteristics
of OPSFRC will be investigated.
Further, investigations on the
mechanical
and
structural
behaviour of OPSFRC will be
carried out. Finally, the impact,
dynamic and blast resistant
properties of OPSFRC will be
carried out using the expertise
from the Universities of Liverpool
and Sheffield in the UK and
Melbourne University in Australia.
Local collaboration with National
DefenceUniversityofMalaysiahas
been established and subsequent
live tests are planned to be done
at their facility. Finally, structural
engineering software will be used
in the modelling and comparison
oftheexperimentresults
forPublications
Outcomes
Collaborators
Emergence of environmentally
sustainableconcrete
Prof. Dr. S. G. Millard, Xi’an
Jiaotong-Liverpool
University,
Jiangsu,China
Development of OPSFRC with
energy absorbing characteristics
towithstandblast
Understanding the dynamic,
seismic and blast resistant
propertiesofOPSFRC
Modelling of blast
concreteandstructures
resistant
Construction
Materials
and
Building
CompositesA&B
MaterialsandDesign
Building&Environment
EnergyandBuildings
Engineeringstructures
Dr. Andrew Tyas, University of
Sheffield
Dr.GrahamSchleyer,Universityof
Liverpool
Prof. Dr. P. Mendis, University of
Melbourne,Australia
Prof. Dr. Faisal, National Defence
UniversityofMalaysia
Lt.Kol.ProfMadyaIr.DrNorazman
Bin Mohamad Nor, National
DefenceUniversityofMalaysia
24/05/2012 9:44:53
70
Title: Chemically and Electrochemically Generated
Superoxide Ion in Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ionic Liquids
and their Applications
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mohd Ali Hashim
Faculty : Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
This research program is on the synthesis and applications of ionic liquids
(ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (i.e. low cost ionic liquids) or DES for the
processing of biofuel, extraction of industrial products and generation of
superoxide ion in ILs and its use in the destruction of hazardous materials
suchaschlorinatedhydrocarbons.
Theprogramcanbeclassifiedintothreeprojects:
1.
Generation of superoxide ions in ionic liquids and its use in the
destructionofhazardousmaterialssuchaschlorinatedhydrocarbons.
2.
Development of upstream and downstream processes in biodiesel
productionfromvariouscategoriesofpalmoilderivedfromthemilling
operation. The upstream process is the pretreatment of high free fatty
acid oils and the downstream process comprises the purification of
biodieselusingDES.
3.
Synthesis of DES and investigations of these solvents for different
industrialapplications,suchasfortheextractionofsodiummetaland
extractionofaromaticcompoundsfromaliphatic-aromaticmixture.
Objectives
SynthesisandcharacterizationofnewtypesofDESandILs
Developmentofgreenprocessesinthefieldofbiofuel
Extractionofindustrialmaterialsanddestructionofhazardousmaterials
Investigationoftheoptimumconditionsinthesynthesisandapplicationsof
DESandILs
Methodology The chemical generation of O2●- in ILs is carried out by dissolving KO2 in
the corresponding IL, while electrochemical generation is carried out by
reductionofO2toO2●-inILsfollowedbyanalysisusingcyclicvoltammetryand
chronoamperommetry techniques. The long term stability of the generated
O2●-isachievedbytheapplicationofKO2inaproticsolvent,dimethylsulfoxide
inthepresenceofthecorrespondingIL.UV-visiblespectrophotometeryatan
absorbancerangeof190–400nmisusedtodeterminethestabilityofO2●-.
ThechemicallygeneratedO2●- isthenusedforthedestructionofhazardous
materials
DES are synthesized and characterized using various equipment, and then
hydrocarbonmixturesatdifferentconcentrationsarepreparedforliquid-liquid
extractionexperiments.Samplesareanalyzedbygaschromatography
SodiumisdissolvedinDESandthesolubilityequilibriumatagiventemperature
is determined via shake flask method. The conductivity is determined by
gravimetricmethodandthestabilitybycyclicvoltammetry
BiodieselistreatedwithDESforbothupstreamanddownstreamoperations.
The FFA content is determined by following the American Oil Chemist’s
Societymethod(Ca5a-40),CommercialFatsandOils(AOCS,1997).Samples
arewithdrawnfromtheupperlayerandtestedusingliquidchromatography
andgaschromatography
24/05/2012 9:44:53
Outcome
New knowledge in Chemical
Engineering and Environmental
Engineering
forPublications
EnvironmentalScience&Energy
Novel products for industrial
applications
ElectrochemicaActa
Development
of
chemical
processesutilizingDESandILs
SeparationandPurification
Optimum conditions for the
followingprocesses:pre-treatment
of low grade oil, purification of
biodiesel, extraction of sodium
metal, superoxide generation and
its stability in ILs and destruction
ofhazardousmaterials
FuelProcessingTechnology
Technology
Energy&Fuel
71
Collaborators
Assoc. Prof. Inas M. AlNashef,
Dept.ofChemicalEng.,KingSaud
University,SaudiArabia
Assoc. Prof. Norbani Binti
Abdullah, Dept. of Chemistry,
UniversityofMalaya
Assoc. Prof. Farouq S. Mjalli,
Petroleum&ChemicalEng.Dept.,
SultanQaboosUniv.,Oman
FluidPhaseEquilibria
Benchmarking the newly selected
solventswithconventionalones
Title: Impact of Solar Energy Penetration on National
Power Grid and its Solution
Principal Investigator : Dr. Hazlie Mokhlis
InMalaysia,oneofthemostpromisingsourceofrenewableenergythatcan
beutilizedissolarenergy.Atpresent,Photovoltaic(PV)systemhasbegunto
beusedinMalaysiamainlyfordomesticusagesuchastoheatwater.With
thecurrenttrendofenvironmentalawarenessandincreaseoffuelcosts,in
thenearfuture,PVwillbeusedtogenerateelectricityonalargescaleand
injectedintothepowergridsystem.
The integration of a large number of solar panels will have far reaching
consequencesnotonlyonthedistributionnetworksbutalsoonthenational
transmissiongrid.TheincreasingconnectionofPVinthedistributionsystem
could cause various problems that can be categorised in three aspects;
power quality, protection and network performances. Such problem might
leadtoundesirableeventssuchassystemdisturbancesandblackout.
Objectives
This research will be studied the
impact of PVs interconnection to
power system grid in the three
mentionedaspects:1.
Protection
The possible solutions to
address the impacts of
PVs interconnection to the
protectionaspectofapower
systemgridwillbestudied
2.
NetworkPerformance
An effective monitoring
technique for the network
and the impacts of PVs
interconnection
on
the
network performance will be
obtained
Methodology 3.
PowerQuality
The power quality of a
power system grid and
possible
solutions
to
address the impacts of PVs
interconnection to power
qualitywillbedetermined
The steady-state and dynamic
PV generator models (including
PV,MPPT,andInverter)forpower
systemanalysiswillbeaddressed
asamainobjective
The background of power system
networks and the issues of PVs
interconnection will be reviewed.
A networks data such as IEEE
distribution test systems, IEEE
transmissiontestsystemsandalso
utilitydatamainlyfromTNBwillbe
collectedandusedinthisresearch.
Based on the literature reviewed
anddataacquisition,steady-state
and dynamic modelling for PV
arrays, MPPT and Inverters will
be obtained. Simulation studies
will be implemented in PSCAD/
24/05/2012 9:44:53
72
EMTDC software in order to find
theimpactofPVsinterconnection
topowersystemgrid
Outcome
Understanding on the impact of
PVs interconnection in term of
Protection, Power Quality, and
networkperformance
PossiblesolutionstoaddressPVs
impactstogridsystem
forPublications
Renewable & Sustainable Energy
Reviews
IEEE Transactions on Power
Systems
Collaborators
Dr Abdul Rahman Khalid (Tenaga
NasionalBerhad)
Prof. Dr. Terzija (University of
Manchester)
Electrical Power and Energy
Systems
AppliedEnergy
New Dynamic and steady state
modelsforPVsarrays,MPPT,and
inverter
Title: Design and Construction of Early Detection of
Dengue Diagnostic Device
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Fatimah Ibrahim
Faculty : Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Dengue infection has been estimated by World Health Organization (WHO)
toaffect50millionpeopleworldwide,resultinginmorethan20,000deaths
annually. This is an increasing threat to over 2.5 billion people living in the
tropicsandthesub-tropics.However,thecurrentdenguediagnosticmethods
aretedious,needhigh-levelexpertiseandconsumeconsiderableamountsof
expensivechemicalsinsophisticatedlaboratorieswithexpensiveequipment
thatisnotavailableinmanyhospitals.Inaddition,theavailableequipmentis
oftennotintegratedwithintelligentcomputerizedsystems.
With these limitations identified, there is an obvious and urgent need to
developanalternativeportableapproachthatisinexpensive,fastandeasyto
useatthePoint-Of-Care(POC).
Objectives
Methodology The objective of the proposed
workistodevelopaninexpensive,
integrated,
easy-to-use,
and
portable platform based on
microfluidicsfortherapiddiagnosis
of Dengue at the POC. This POC
device will involve innovations
in critical components including
micro-fluidics, packaging, reagent
handling and storage, and waste
handling. The device will be
based on the field of centrifugal
microfluidics. As a whole,
microfluidics aims to miniaturize
laboratory processes to create
portable
diagnostic
devices,
bringingthediagnosticpowerofa
completelaboratorytothePOC
The overall methodology for the
project will be divided into the
following:
• Separateserumfromwhole
blood. The Dengue virus
resides in the serum of
infected individuals and
must be separated and
purified from the whole
blood
• Perform an automated
ELISAtocaptureaDengueuniquebiomarker:theNS-1
glycoproteinfromserum
The following experimentation is
envisionedforthisproject.
• The microfluidic CD is
designedandfabricated
• Experimental procedures
using control and infected
samplesforcharacterization
purposes
• Statistical
analysis
to
confirm the efficiency and
efficacy of the device, and
thereliabilityoftheresults
24/05/2012 9:44:53
Outcome
Theoutcomeofthisprojectwillbe
a novel device, capable of rapidly
diagnosing dengue patients at
thePOC,whichwillresultinearly
treatment and better patient
outcomes. Although this project
focuses on NS1 detection, the
success of developing a portable
miniaturized ELISA POC CD will
establish the foundations for
adapting the device to detect
other Dengue biomarkers (IgM,
IgG) as well as other infectious
diseases,suchasMalaria,HIVand
Leptospirosis
forPublications
Critical Reviews in
LaboratorySciences
Clinical
BiosensorsandBioelectronics
SensorsandactuatorsB-chemical
BiomedicalMicrodevices
ExpertSystemswithApplications
73
Collaborators
Centre
CentreforBiomedicalEngineering,
University of Surrey (Prof. M.P.
Hughes, Dr. F. Labeed, Dr. H.O.
Fatoyinbo)
Prof. Marc Madou, Biomedical,
Mechanical
and
Aerospace
Engineering Department, Faculty
ofEngineering,UCIrvine
Prof. Michel G. Bergeron,
Department of Medical Biology,
LavalUniversity
Title: Experimental Investigation of New Bioenergy
Sources for Biofuel from Tropical Biodiversity
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. T.M. Indra Mahlia
The fast depletion of fossil fuels, coupled with the increasing awareness of
environmentalissues,concernforincreasinggreenhousegasemissionsand
escalating petroleum prices, have led to concerted efforts in thesearchfor
renewableandenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativeenergysources.Bioenergy
isrenewableenergyderivedfrombiologicalsources.Bioenergytechnologies
userenewablebiomassresourcestobeusedforheat,electricity,orvehicle
fuel. A variety of fuels can be made from biomass resources, including the
liquidfuelsethanol,methanol,biodiesel,Fischer-Tropschdiesel,andgaseous
fuelssuchashydrogenandmethane.Anewagriculturaltrendistheuseof
plantbiomasstoprovideliquidfuelscalledbiofuels.Biofuelsarebecomingan
increasinglyimportantalternativesourceofenergy
Biofuelcurrentlyfallsintotwocategories:ethanol,whichiscompatiblewith
gasolineengines,andbiodiesel,whichiscompatiblewithpetroleum-based
diesel engines. Ethanol is an alcohol product produced from two basic
feedstocks:starch-basedfeedstocks,suchascorn,grain,wheat,barleyand
grainsorghum;andsugar-basedfeedstocks,suchassugarcane,sugarbeets,
fruits,citrusmolassesandcane(sweet)sorghum.Itcanbeusedasafuel,
mainlyasabiofuelalternativetogasoline.Whencombinedwithgasoline,it
increasesoctanelevelswhilealsopromotingmorecompletefuelburningthat
reducesharmfulemissions.However,oilseedfeedstockssuchaspalm,soy
andrapeseedareusedforbiodieselfuel
Malaysian Government has now created The National Biofuel Policy (NBP)
where Malaysia has the potential to lead the way in biofuels production
capitalizingonitsvastproductionofagriculturalproductsandby-products.
Hence,theNBPisadriveforextensivedevelopmentofthebiofuelssector
to ensure their greater use in the country. The NBP encourages the use of
biofuelsinlinewiththenation’sFive-FuelDiversificationPolicy.TheNational
BiofuelPolicysetstheplatformforattainmentofthefollowingobjectives:a.
supplementingthedepletingsupplyoffossilfuelswithrenewableresources;
b. mobilizing local resources for biofuels; c. exploiting local technology to
generate energy for the transportation and industrial sectors; d. paving the
way for exports of biofuels; and e. benefiting from the spin-off effect of
more stable prices for palm oil. This project will explores the potential new
bioenergy sources from Malaysia’s biodiversity as well as the method and
impactofbiofuelmassproductionsystemsonbiodiversity
24/05/2012 9:44:53
74
Objectives
Methodology
Infrastructuralcontributions
Tofindpotentialbioenergysources
fromMalaysia’sbiodiversity
Literaturereview:
New
bioenergy
lab
equipmentsandfacilities
To investigate the calorific value
fromselectednewenergysources
fromMalaysia’sbiodiversity
To propose the method of
processingoftheselectedbiofuel
formassproduction
Toinvestigatethepotentialadditive
for the biofuel to enhance quality
ofthefuel
1st stage : Raw material and
feedstockpreparation
• Soxhletextractor
2nd stage
procedures
• Rheometer
:
Experimental
3rd stage : Statistical analytical
andfurtherimprovement
4thstage:Developanddesignthe
methodofprocessingthepossible
biofuelformassproduction
Outcome
with
• Calorimeters
• Kinematicviscometer
forPublications
Reviews(If2009=4.842)
Biomass&Bioenergy(3.326)
Outputsexpected
Energy(2.952)
The study serves as primary
researchtoexploitnewbioenergy
sources
from
Malaysia’s
biodiversity and the potential
feedstock such as durian,
pumpkin,mangosteenseedetc
AtmosphericEnvironment(3.139)
Showthecalorificvalue,kinematic
viscosityandphysicochemicalfuel
propertiesofnewexploitedbiofuel
Explore the relationship between
calorific value and bioenergy
propertiesforbiofuel
Proposethemethodandimpactof
biofuel mass production systems
onbiodiversity.
Perform the potential additive for
the biofuel to enhance quality of
thefuelenergy
Fuel(3.179)
AppliedEnergy(2.209)
Collaborators
Hamdani Umar, Syiah Kuala
University,Acheh,Indonesia
Irwansyah Idram, Syiah Kuala
Prof Dr Ayhan Demirbas, Sirnak
Universitesi Rektorlugu, Turkey
DrAdiSurjosatyo,DepokCampus,
Indonesia
Title: Clean Diesel Technology for Military and Civilian
Transport Vehicles
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Masjuki Hj Hassan
Thedieselengineisbecomingverypopularforhighertorque,reliability,less
maintenance requirement and easy adaptability with alternative liquid fuels
andheavy-dutyservice.
This project focuses on a most critical aspect of today’s world: energy,
environmentandsustainablegrowth.
Target:
1.
OptimizingperformanceofBiofuel.
2.
Reductionofhazardousengineemissions
Ideally, a fuel (e.g. diesel fuel C14.5H 31) should produce only CO2 & H2O as
exhaustemissionswhenitiscompletelyburnedinsidetheenginecylinder.
24/05/2012 9:44:53
75
Itisimpossibletoachievezeropollutantgasesfromcylindercombustionof
any hydrocarbon fuels (CnH2n+2). But the combustion must be controlled to
achieve maximum thermal efficiency with lowest exhaust emissions and in
ordertoachievethisoptimumlevel,modificationshouldbedoneonboththe
fuelandenginesystem.
Objectives
Methodology Study on emission characteristics
of PAH, NOx, unburned HC and
PMforfueladditiveandbioethanol
blended diesel in an unmodified
automotivediesel
Physiochemical
properties
improvementbyusinganti-oxidant
additivesandbiofuel
To optimize the trade-off between
NOx and soot formation while
using EGR in a direct injection
dieselengine
To compare the effect of
injection pressure on emission
characteristics
by
using
electronicallycontrolledrotaryfuel
injectionpumpandacommon-rail
injectionsystem
Compare the properties of
Jatropha biodiesel and Diesterol
(ternary)blendswithDieselfuel.
Studyontribologicalcharacteristics
andcarbondepositonautomotive
components and lubricating oil,
degradation when operated with
bioethanolblendeddiesel
for Publications:
71ISItier-1paper
Tribologicaltestingofmodifiedfuel
andlubeoil
Collaborators
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
technique
Prof.Dr.MasahiroShioji
Diesel Particulate
Strategy
Filter(DPF)
Department of Energy Conversion
Science
GraduateSchoolofEnergy
IdlingReductionstrategy
Combustion & Power Engineering
Lab
Outcome
KyotoUniversity,Japan
This project will develop a state
of the art research facilities for
automotive research in University
ofMalaya
PublicationinhighimpactJournals
Human resource development for
R&D
Patents: Automotivesectormoved
up to the 2nd position in 2010
from 4th in 2009 based on overall
volumeofpatentactivityThomson
Reuters Derwent World Patents
Index (DWPI). So there is a huge
potential for generating patents
fromthisproject
Title: Multiaxial Fatigue of Elastomeric Materials in Biofuel
System
Principal Investigator : Dr. Andri Andriyana
Thepresentprojectcanbeconsideredasanattempttowardanintegrated
durability analysis of industrial elastomeric components subjected
simultaneously to fluctuating multiaxial mechanical loading and hostile
environments. Indeed, in addition to fluctuating multiaxial mechanical
loading,manyengineeringcomponentsareexposedtohostileenvironments
suchasbiofuelsystems.Inthiscase,thedurabilityinserviceofelastomeric
componentsisstronglyaffectedbytheinteractionexistedbetweenmechanical
loadinganddiffusionofliquidintothematerial.Thus,theunderstandingofthe
aboveinteractionbecomescrucial.
24/05/2012 9:44:53
76
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To investigate the interaction
between multiaxial stress states
and diffusion of liquid biofuel into
elastomers undergoing multiaxial
largedeformations
This research will be conducted
according to the two following
majorworks:
New finding on the effect of
multiaxial stress state on the
diffusion of liquid biofuel into
elastomers
1.
To
develop
a
continuum
mechanicalmodeltodescribethe
aboveinteraction
To study the fatigue behavior
of elastomers under multiaxial
loading in the presence of liquid
biofuel
2.
Experimental works. Various
mechanical
testing
will
be conducted in order to
investigate the interaction
between multiaxial stress
state and diffusion of
liquid biofuel. At the same
time,
multiaxial
fatigue
testing of elastomers in the
presence of hostile liquid
biofuel will be performed.
Microstructural
analyses
of materials are also to be
conducted.
Subsequently,
theexperimentaldatawillbe
analyzed
Theoretical
works.
Development of a continuum
model to describe the
phenomena
observed
in
experiments.
The
model will be developed
under
the
framework
of
thermodynamics
of
irreversible processes and
validated by the obtained
experimental data. After
validation, the model will be
implementedintocommercial
finite element code in order
to simulate real engineering
elastomericcomponents
New theory on the modeling of
couplingbetweenmultiaxialstress
stateanddiffusionofliquidbiofuel
inelastomers
New finding on the multiaxial
fatigue of elastomers in the
presenceofhostileliquidbiofuel
forPublications
Journal of the Mechanics and
PhysicsofSolids
MechanicsofMaterials
PolymerTesting
InternationalJournalofFatigue
InternationalJournalofSolidsand
Structures
Collaborators
Prof.ErwanVerron.EcoleCentrale
deNantes,France
Dr. Nicolas Saintier. Ecole
Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et
Métiers,Bordeaux,France
Dr. Sylvie Castagnet. Ecole
Nationale
Supérieure
de
Mécanique et d’Aérotechnique,
France
Title: 2Micron Fiber Laser and Nanowires
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Sulaiman Wadi Harun
Recently with the competition of high power fiber laser development, more
and more people realized the importance of the laser efficiency. Thulium
hasshownitsunsurpassedadvantageintermsoflaserefficiencyduetothe
uniquecrossrelaxationenergytransferprocess.Accordingtothetheoryof
crossrelaxationenergytransfer,theincreaseofthuliumdopingconcentration
isanaturalsteptofurtherimprovethelaserefficiency.NewtypesofThulium–
dopedfiber(TDF)andpumpingschemesaswellasnovelarchitecturesneed
tobestudiedandexploredtoimprovethelaserefficiency.Thisworkinvolves
spectroscopicstudiesonvarioustypesofTDFsandTDFlasersdemonstration
usingvarioustypesofgainmediumandpumplaserstoexplorethepossibility
togenerateahighlyefficientandsinglefrequencylasersat1.9-micronregion.
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77
The second project focuses on designing, modeling, fabricating and
packaging optical fiber micro/nanowires and to develop novel structure
such as Mach Zehnder interefometer, knot resonators etc. Nanowires, also
referred to as photonic wires, microfibers, nanofibers or nanotapers, are
fiber waveguides with sub-wavelength core diameters (typically < 1μm).
Such a small core diameters offer access to extreme fiber properties such
asstrongconfinement,largeevanescentfields,greatconfigurabilityandlow
loss connection. New applications of these devices will also be explored
suchasfibersensorandfilters.Theresonatorsareusefulin2micronlaser
experimentsandsupercontinuumgeneration.
Objectives
Methodology The first project aims to develop
anefficientfiberlaseroperatingat
2-micron wavelength region using
various types of gain medium
such as Thulium-doped fiber and
ThuliumYtterbiumco-dopedfiber.
Theobjectiveofthesecondproject
is to design, model, fabricate
and package optical fiber micro/
nanowires as well as to explore
new applications for this device
suchasloopresonatorandsensor
New gain medium for 2 micron
fiber lasers will be developed in
collaboration with Central Glass
and Ceramic Research Institute,
India. Both cladding and core
pumping techniques will be used
for lasing experiments. Some
works on mode-locked fiber
laser will also be explored. Micro/
nanowireswillbefabricatedusing
aflamebrushingtechniques.Other
techniques such as laser heating
and fiber heater will also be used
torealizeanano-scaledevice
Outcome
New knowledge and devices are
expectedfrombothprojects
forPublications
OpticsLetters
IEEEPhotonicsJournal
LaserPhysicsLetters
SensorandActuatorA
IEEESensors
Collaborators
HarithAhmad,PhotonicsResearch
Center,UniversityofMalaya
Mukul C. Paul, Central Glass and
CeramicResearchInstitute,India
B.M.AzizurRahmanandKenneth
T. V. Grattan, City University
London
Moh. Yasin, Airlangga University,
Indonesia
Noriah Bidin, Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia
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78
Title: Biomechanical System for Hard and Soft Tissues of
Normal ad Disabled Subjects
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman
Tissuesofthehumanbodyplayabigroleindecidingthestateofhealthofthe
individuals.Thisstudywilllookatvariouscomponentsofthebodytissues
and factors affecting their physical states and physiological performances.
Specifically,thestudywillinvolveinvestigationsrelatingtotheeffectofvessel
stiffnessonmodulationofbioavailabilityofnitricoxide,especiallyintermsof
characterizinggeneexpressioninculturedendothelialcells.
Tissue injury is another area of concern to both researchers and practicing
scientists.Thisstudywilllookintothedevelopmentofanovelcarbumper
energy damping system in newly developed cars to improve bumperpedestrianimpactperformance.Hardtissueimplantswillalsobestudiedby
looking specifically on dental implants from functionally graded materials.
Mathematical studies on tissues will involve knee joint biomechanics in
associationwithosteoarthritisaswellasmathematicalmodelingofartificial
heartvalve.
At the practical application level, one study will focus on investigating the
interface pressure between the stump and socket in trans-tibial prosthesis
usingSeal-inlinerandDermo-liner.Inadditiontothat,theabilitytobalance
among trans-tibial amputees by using Biodex Balance System will also be
lookedat.ApplicationofmodernCAEpackagestodevelopa3Dmodelofthe
hipimplantusingafunctionalgradedmaterialandthedesignoffunctionally
gradedhipstemprosthesisareanothertwoareasthatwillbestudied.Thelast
areathatwillbeworkedonwithinthisresearchtopicisthecharacterization
ofprosthesisandorthosisusers’gait,targetinginparticularatunderstanding
theoverallworkingofasmartprostheticleg.
forPublications
ArtificialOrgans
Journal of the Mechanical
BehaviourofBiomadicalMaterials
Biomicrofluidics
Computer methods in Applied
mechanicsandEngineering
Hypertension
Journal of Biomedical Materials
Research(PartA)
Annual Review of Biomedical
Engineering
Journal
BiomechanicsElectrophoresis
HumanMovementScience
ComputationalMechanics
Cardiovascularresearch
ClinicalBiomechanics
ActaBiomaterialia
of
JournalofWear
Biomaterials
Circulation
Collaborators
Prof.Dr.WalterHerzog,University
ofCalgary,Canada
Prof.Dr.AlbertoAvolio,University
ofMarquarie,Australia
CenterofBiomedicalEngineering,
UniversityofSurrey,UK
Dr.MehdiJonoobi,LuleaUniversity
ofTechnology,Sweden
DentalMaterials
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79
Title: Biodiesel from Pyrolytic Oil Produced from Palm
Shell by Hydrodeoxygenation Process
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Wan Mohd. Ashri Wan Daud
OneoftheseriousproblemsinMalaysiaisthedisposalofpalmshellwaste
generated from oil palm industries. One of the methods to overcome this
situationisbyusingitasanalternativefuel.Theconversionofthiswasteto
pyrolyticoilbypyrolysisprocessisattractivesincetheproductthatcanbe
utilized as chemicals or biodiesel fuel. Besides, the process also produces
activatedcarbonandvaluablegasasbyproducts.Forbiodieselpurpose,the
oilneedstobeupgradedinordertoincreaseitsfuelproperties.Theproperties
areinfluencedbysubstantialamountsofsulfur(S),nitrogen(N)andoxygen
(O)heteroatoms.Themostabundantheteroatominthepyrolyticoilderived
frombiomassisoxygenandlimitedcontentsofsulphurandnitrogen.Thus
hydrodeoxygenationisoneofthemajorreactionsoccurredduringupgrading
process.Hydrodeoxygenationhasbeenconsideredbymanyresearchersas
most suitable process to remove oxygen contents in the oil. In the present
study, pyrolytic oil produced from palm shell is chosen as model oil for
hydrodeoxygenation. The oil classified as low-grade pyrolytic oil with high
oxygenandwatercontents(71.40wt%and53wt%),soarechallengingto
becompletelydeoxygenated.
The main purpose of this work is to shed some light on the role of the
catalystsulphidationinhydrodeoxygenation.Theworkwillbeperformedby
using several conventional catalysts such as CoMoS/Al2O3; 5% Pd/Al2O3;
MoS2; CoMoS; NiMo/ Al2O3; Pt/TiO2; Pt/Al2O3 Pt/SiO2 and ZSM-5 Zeolite.
The study will continue with several investigations on process parameters
and characterization of yields product. The project will also cover further
development of renewable energy of biomass based that that is more
environmentalfriendly.Moreover,Malaysiaisrichinagriculturewasteashas
may types of raw materials that can be utilized for such process. Hence,
exploringnewapplicationofbiomasswastetobiodieselisanimportantstep
indevelopingenergyfrombiomass.
Objectives
Methodology Study on effects of the catalyst
prepared
1. Materials
2. KineticTest
Theworkwillbeperformedbyusing
several conventional catalysts
such as CoMoS/Al2O3; 5% Pd/
Al2O3;MoS2;CoMoS;NiMo/Al2O3;
Pt/TiO2;Pt/Al2O3Pt/SiO2andZSM5 Zeolite. The chemicals used in
the synthesis of the catalysts are
Ni(NO3)2·6H2O (Alfa Aesar, 99%),
Fe(NO3)3·9H2O(AlfaAesar,99%),
(NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O(Alfa Aesar,
99%),Co(NO3)2·6H2O(AlfaAesar,
99%),
(NH4)6W12O39·xH2O
(Aldrich, 99%), (NH4)2HPO4
(Aldrich,99%)
Catalytictestswillbecarriedoutin
aliquidphaseina500mlautoclave
(high pressure high temperature)
with a magnetic stirrer. The
autoclave filled with the reaction
mixture consisting of pyrolytic oil
(differentamountoffeeds),solvent
(different solvent) and catalyst
(different type of catalysts). After
that the autoclave will be heated
toarequiredreactiontemperature
and pressurized with gas.
Subsequently, the stirring started.
Thereactiontimewillbemeasured
fromthestartofthestirring
Studyonfeedcompositions
Studyoneffectsofsolventtypes
Study on process parameter
effectsonproduction(temperature,
pressureandreactiontime)
Optimization of the process
variable by Response Surface
Method(RSM)
Characterization of physical and
chemicalcompoundsofHDOoil
Characterizationstudyoncatalysts
beforeandafterHDO
StudyonstoragestabilityofHDO
oil
To estimate process production
cost of HDO oil (Economic
engineeringstudy)
Development of HDO process
design
The chemicals used for the
reactivity tests are guaiacol (Alfa
Aesar, 98%). The gases employed
areH2(Airco,Grade5,99.99%),He
(Airco,Grade5,99.99%),CO(Linde
Research Grade, 99.97%), 0.5%
O2/He(Airco,UHPGrade,99.99%),
O2(Airco,UHPGrade,99.99%),N2
(Airco,Grade5,99.99%)
3. AnalyticalMethods
a)
Scanning
Electron
Microscopy(SEM)
The SEM images of the samples
will be obtained by dispersing
the powders on double-faced
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80
conducting tape fixed on a brass
support. The sample will be
coated with graphite using the
sputtering technique on an LVC
76apparatus,PlasmaScienceInc.
The microscope used is a JEOL
JSMT-300
b)
Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy(FT-IR)
The Fourier transform infra-red
(FT-IR) spectroscopy will be used
to classify the chemical types in
the HDO oil and also to identified
thecatalystsafterandbeforeused
in HDO process. The analysis
will be conducted by using FT–
IR spectrometer (Perkin Elmer,
Spectrum 400). The oil samples
pressed into a disc with small
amountofKBr.Thesampleswillbe
scannedintherangeof550–4000
cm-1witharesolutionof4cm-1
c) GC-MSAnalysis
The
chemical
compositions
determined
by
gas
c h r o m a t o g r a p h y / m a s s
spectroscopy
(GC/MS).
The
analysis will be performed
with Agilent HP 7890A gas
chromatograph equipped with an
Agilent HP 5975C mass-selective
detector (mass spectrometer).
Highpurityheliumwillbeusedas
carriergasatconstantflowrateof
1.0 ml/min. The Agilent DB-Petro
50 m column will be used in the
GC/MS, with an inner diameter
of0.2mmandafilmthicknessof
0.5μm.Theanalysisisstartedby
heating the column at 40 °C and
kept isothermal for 10 min. Then
the temperature will be increased
to75°Cwitharateof0.90°C/min.
When the temperature reaches to
75°C,asteeperrampof1.10°C/
min will be applied until 120 °C.
Finally, the temperature will be
raisedto200°Cwithaverysteep
rampof10°C/minfor20min.The
inletpressureofthecolumnwillbe
set at 135 kPa and the scanning
rangeis10–300amu
d) ThermogravimetricAnalysis
Thermogravimetric analysis of
the raw pyrolytic oil and HDO
oil will be performed using a
thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA
4000, Perkin Elmer). The analysis
will be done under nitrogen flow
rateof25ml/minandheatingrate
of40°C/min
e) Elementalanalysis
The elemental analysis of the
oils will be determined with the
Model 2400 Perkin- Elmer Series
II CHNS/O Analyzer. Each of
elemental values will be used for
calculating the molar ratios of
H/C and O/C in the HDO oils by
followingequation:
(1)
(2)
These values are also used for
calculating the high heating value
(HHV). In this study, HHV will
be calculated by the following
equation (3) that proposed by
Dulong
HHV (MJ/kg) = 0.3383 C + 1.443 (H - (O 8)) + 0.0942 S
(3)
f) Viscosity
Theviscosityofthesampleswillbe
measured using a cone and plate
rheo-meter(Viscotester,Haake).A
temperature ramp (20–140 °C) will
be applied to obtain the viscosity
as a function of the temperature.
Theshearratewillbesetatafixed
valueof30s-1
Outcome
Novel theories/New
Knowledge
findings/
Usingofseveraltypesofprepared
catalystsforhydrodeoxygenationof
palmshellpyrolyticoilisnewstudy
thatastheauthor’sknowledgeno
workwasdoneaboutitpreviously.
This hydrodeoxygenation could
considerably reduce the final
cost of biodiesel production. The
noveltywillbeoncatalystprepared
andprocessoperation
SpecificorPotentialApplications.
The HDO oil has a great potential
tobeusedasbiodiesel
forPublications
BiomassandBioenergy
JournalofAppliedCatalysis
AppliedEnergy
Fuel
24/05/2012 9:44:54
81
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Farid Nasir Bin Ani,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,
Malaysia
Prof. B.C. Meikap, Indian Institute
ofTechnology,India
Prof. A.V. Patwardhan, Institute of
ChemicalTechnology(ICT),India
Title: Synthesis and Development of Novel Nanocomposite
Silver for Metamaterials at Optical and Microwave
Frequencies
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Rafie Johan
Recently,artificiallyconstructedmetamaterialshavebecomeofconsiderable
interest,becausethesematerialscanexhibitelectromagneticcharacteristics
unlikethoseofanyconventionalmaterials(Smithetal.,2004;Pendryetal,
2006).Artificialmagnetismandnegativerefractiveindexaretwospecifictypes
ofbehaviorthathavebeendemonstratedoverthepastfewyears,illustrating
the new physics and new applications possible when we expand our view
astowhatconstitutesamaterial.Oneofthemostfundamentalphenomena
in optics is refraction. When a beam of light crosses the interface between
twodifferentmaterials,itspathisaltereddependingonthedifferenceinthe
refractive indices of the materials. The greater the difference, the greater
the refraction of the beam. For all known naturally occuring materials the
refractiveindexassumesonlypositivevalues.Butdoesthishavetobethe
case?In1967,Sovietphysicist,VictorVeselagohypothesizedthatamaterial
withanegativerefractiveindexcouldexistwithoutviolatinganyofthelaws
ofphysics(Veselago,1967).Hepredictedthatthisremarkablematerialwould
exhibitawidevarietyofnewopticalphenomena,fromreversedgeometrical
opticstoreversedDopplershifts.However,untilrecentlynoonehadfound
such a material, and Veselago’s ideas had remained untested. In this
proposal,wewillsynthesizedsilverpolymericnanocompositemetamaterials
atopticalandmicrowavefrequencies.Thesampleswillbecharacterizedand
testedusingseveralanalyticaltechniques.Newmodelwillbedevelopedin
ordertounderstandthemechanisminvolvedandwillbecomparedwiththe
experimentalresults.Usingourmodelandexperimentaldata,wewillexpect
that the new materials will possess a negative refractive index behavior at
opticalandmicrowavefrequencies.Wewillexpectthatanewtheorywillbe
proposedbasedonthetheoreticalandexperimentalresults.
Objectives
To discover the new physics and
establishmodelingmethod
To develop new characterization
techniques and to measure
the physical properties of the
metamaterials
To design and fabricate new
composite
metamaterials
at
microwaveandopticalfrequencies
To demonstrate metamaterialsbased devices for microwave and
photonicapplications
Methodology In this work, five parameters
have been selected that could
be divided into three variables
parameters.Oneistheamountof
the chemical components, which
composed of precursor (AgNO3,
g), stabilizer (Daxad 19,g), PMMA
andtheotherisreactionconditions
such as the reaction temperature
(Temp, °C) and addition time of
the reducing agent (Time, min). In
this research, we used Daxad 19
and Polyethylene Glycol(PEG)for
reduction of silvers salts. Then,
PMMAwasaddedinthesolution.
Since,PMMAactsasaprotective
agent and restricts the mobility of
24/05/2012 9:44:54
82
silvers ions during the reaction,
agglomerationismostlycontrolled.
Ag/PMMA nano-composite was
characterized. Taking advantages
of Daxad 19 and its miscibility
with PMMA, we describe an easy
synthetic route for silver nanoparticles in PMMA. Inspired from
previous work on such system,
we have generated composite
Ag polymer nano-particles using
chemical reduction method. The
preparedcompositemetamaterials
will be characterized by different
techniques. Experimentally, the
magnitude and phase of the S
parameterswillbemeasured.The
experimentwillbeperformedinthe
microwave chamber using vector
network analyzer for sweeping
microwaves over a frequency
range7–13GHz
The sample will be placed at the
focus where lens assemblies are
mounted on the two microwave
horns (acted as the source and
detector) to produced a focused
spot at a distance of 30.5 cm.
For transmission experiments,
a confocal setup will be used
in which both the source and
detector horns are placed one
focal length from the sample. For
the reflection experiments, the
horns will be moved to the same
sideofthesample.Microstructural
characterization
and
image
analysiswillbeperformedbyusing
SEMandTEM.Opticalstudieswill
be conducted using UV visible
spectrophotometer, FTIR and
Ramanspectroscopy.Modelingof
metamaterials will be conducted
using transfer matrix approach.
The transfer matrix is used to
calculatetheEMtransmissionand
reflectionofmetamaterials
Outcome
New
mechanism/theory
of
metamaterials at optical and
microwavefrequencies
forPublications
Science
Nature
PhysicalReview
AdvancedMaterials
Collaborators
Professor
Dr
Saifollah
Abdullah;Faculty
of
Applied
Sciences, UiTM, Shah Alam,
Selangor
Title: Sustainable Treatment of Wastewater from Latex
and Rubber Process Industries by Biosorption Process
Principal Investigator : Dr. Jaya Narayan Sahu
Theprimarypurposeofwastewatertreatmentsystemsistoprotecthuman
and environmental health. These treatment systems employ processes
that often require human and monetary resources to operate and maintain,
and while some of these treatment systems are suitable for large urban
communities,theymaynotbeappropriateforthesmallercommunities.For
example,someofthesesystemsarecostlyandrequiredskilledworkersto
operateandmaintain.Althoughengineers,scientistsandpolicymakershave
attemptedtoaddresstheneedsofthesedifferentcommunitysizes,whatis
oftenneglectedisthe‘appropriateness’ofthetechnology.Sometimes‘high
tech’ wastewater treatment technologies that are not suitable on a longterm basis in most developing countries, may not always be the solution,
andthereforeother‘appropriatetechnologies’needtobeassessedfortheir
feasibilityasalternativemethods.‘Appropriatetechnology’isdefinedasthe
useofmaterialsandtechnologythatareculturally,economically,andsocially
suitable to the area in which they are implemented. Thus, the purpose of
this project is to evaluate the feasibility and viability of biomass as filtering
material/media for removal of heavy metal from wastewaters of latex and
rubberprocessindustries.
24/05/2012 9:44:54
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Because of increasing population
growthandtheclearlinksbetween
access to water, improved health,
and economic empowerment,
there is a great need for more
sustainable management of water
resources, and most importantly,
a need to learn how sustainable
treatment of water/wastewater
management can be used to
minimize the impact of water
pollution on the future health and
economic livelihoods of those
living in the developing world. On
site,ordecentralized,management
of wastewater is defined as
collection, treatment, and reuse
ofwastewateratornearthepoint
of generation. These systems,
can provide excellent protection
ofpublichealthandwaterquality,
and can be integrated with water
re-use
The investigation of this research
is divided into three phases. The
firstwillbeconcernedtoSelection
ofbiosobentatdifferentoperating
condition,
locally
available
biomasswastesuchaspalmshell,
coconutshell,ricehusks,coirpith,
saw dust, banana pith, banana
stem, and orange peel will be
screenedforitszincmetalremoval
capacity, while the second phase
is sorption test of heavy metals
pollutantsinbatchprocessandthe
thirdphaseisthecolumnstudyfor
realindustrialwastewaterofheavy
metalspollutantsandmodelling
The project’s goal is to promote
the development and use of
environmentally
beneficial
technologies through obtaining
independent
and
credible
performance
evaluations
of
commercially-ready
green
separation
technologies
in
Malaysia. The results from this
project will allow a reappraisal
of the competing theories and
practicaltechnologyofwastewater
treatmentdevelopmentnotonlyin
theMalayasia,butglobally
Synthesis of the biosorbent:
Synthesisofbiosorbentatdifferent
chemical/mechanical
heat
treatment.i.e.microwaveradiation
power, thermal activation, steam
activation activation time and
impregnationratioofZnCl2/H3PO4/
KOH. Different characterization
of AC and raw material: palm
shell i.e. physical and chemical
analysis. Sorption test of heavy
metals: Sorption test of heavy
metals pollutants in batch reactor
using new biosorbent. Column
performance of new biosorbent
packed bed for removal of liquid
pollutants(heavymetals/dyes)
Columntest:Columnperformance
ofnewbiosorbentpackedbedfor
removalofheavymetalspollutants
(real industry waste water).
Modelling and optimization for
removalofheavymetalspollutants
by the process of adsorption in
newbiosorbentbyusingresponse
surfacemethodology
83
forPublications
JournalofHazardousMaterials
BiomassandBioenergy
Industrial&EngineeringChemistry
Research
Collaborators
Prof.B.C.Meikap,IndianInstitute
ofTechnology(IIT)Kharagpur,India
Prof. Kaustubha Mohanty, Indian
Institute of Technology, Guwahati,
India
Prof.K.K.Pant,IndianInstituteof
Technology(IIT)NewDelhi,India.
Prof. V.K. Srivastava, ABES IT
group of institutions, New Delhi,
India
Prof. Prakash R. Apte, Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT)
Bombay,India
Dr. Nivedita Sahu, Indian
Institute of Chemical Technology,
Hyderabad,India
Prof.P.Mondal,IndianInstituteof
Technology(IIT),India
24/05/2012 9:44:54
84
Title: Synthetic Prosthetic Socket through Stump-Liner
Interfacial Stresses Measurement
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman
Co-PI(s) : Prof. Dr. Ir. Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas
SummaryofResearch
Thestudywillfocusonthedesignanddevelopmentofatrans-tibialprosthesis
usingintelligentsmartsensor,actuator,andcontroltechnique.Thefinalaim
istoproduceabio-mechatronicslegwhichenhancesgeneralmovementof
theamputeewearingit.Aspartofthestudy,theresearcherswilllookintothe
influenceofprotectivekneebracingonthebiomechanicsofthelowerlimb
joints.Abiomechanicalanalysisofthekinematicsandkineticsparameters
for a foot prosthesis will also be carried out using the innovative insole
technology.Animportantaspectofprosthesisstudyistheunderstandingof
thepressureprofilebetweenthestumpandthesocket.
Inthisresearch,aninvestigationwillbecarriedoutonthecapabilityofthe
opticalfiberBragggrating(FBG)sensorstomeasuresocket/stumpinterface
pressures, especially at the PT bar area, leading to the development of a
novelinterfacialstressesmeasuringsystemthatcanbeappliedoversurfaces
of irregular shapes. The suspension system is another issue of concern in
prosthesis.Thestudywillinvolvethedesign,development,andevaluationof
anewprostheticsuspensionsystem.Ontopofthat,afundamentalstudywill
becarriedoutonthedifferencesbetweenSeal-inX5andDermoLinersongait
andcomfortintrans-tibialamputees.
Goingbacktobasics,relatedstudieswillbecarriedoutontheheart,muscles,
andbrainofpatients.Asfarastheheartisconcerned,thestudywillinvolvea
computationalfluiddynamicsstudyofafailingheartanda2Dcomputational
fluid dynamic heart modeling. Beyond the heart, physiological studies will
involvethedefinitionofthebrawn-braininteractionsystem,relatingtheeffect
of stimulation of specific muscles on the health state of the brain. Effects
of electromagnetic radiation on the brain activity, eye fatigue, and muscle
activityofthehumanbodywillalsobelookedat.
forPublications
JournalofRehabilitation,Research
andDevelopment
Natureneuroscience
ArchivesofPhysicalMedicineand
Rehabilitation
Gait&Posture
American
Medicine
Journal
of
AnnalsofBiomedical;Engineering
MedicalEngineeringandPhysics
AppliedMathematicalModeling
CardiavascularEngineering
IEEEBio-medEngineering
JournalofAthleticTraining
JournalofBiomechanics
JournalofNeuroscience
Mechatronics
Sport
SensorsandActuatorsA:Physical
JournalofBiomedicalOptics
ArtificialOrgans
Collaborators
Asa
Gudlaug
Ludviksdottir,
Technical
Product
Manager
Interfaces, Össur Head Office,
Iceland
Prof.Dr.NigelLovell,Universityof
NewSouthWales,Australia
Dr. Socrates Dokos, University of
NewSouthWales,Australia
Dr. Mohammad Taghi Karimi,
Isfahan University of Medical
Sciences
ClinicalBiomechanics
JournalofNeurology
24/05/2012 9:44:54
85
Title: Automobiles Fuel Economy Standards and Label:
Implementation Possibilities in Malaysia
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. T.M. Indra Mahlia
Rapid economic growth in Malaysia is driving rapid growth in the number
of automobile in the transport sector, which in turn is straining the energy
supply of the country and contributing to growing negative environmental
impact.Energyefficiencyimprovementforautomobilesthroughfueleconomy
standards and labels can reduce the burden of this growth by establishing
a minimum level of efficiency for automobiles. Today, at least five OECD
countrieshavefueleconomystandardandlabelforautomobile(smallpickup
trucks,sport-utilityvehicleandminivan).CanadaandKoreahavemandatory
standardsforcars.Japanhasfueleconomytargetsforcars.Thetargetsare
voluntarybutwidelymetduetostrongcooperationbetweengovernmentand
manufacturers.SwedenandAustraliahavevoluntaryfueleconomystandard
andlabelforcars.Allofthestandardandlabelarebasedonweightedaverage
fuelefficiencyofnewvehiclesofacertainsizeorofacertainbrand.Inthe
U.S.,theyarecalledCorporateAverageFuelEconomic(CAFE)standards.
SincetheuseandnumberofautomobileshasincreasedrapidlyinMalaysia
andwithincreasingfuelpriceinpreviousyears,thisisthetimetoconsider
automobilefueleconomystandardandlabelsforthecountry.Fueleconomy
standardandlabelisoneofthereasonswhywecannotsellournationalcar
in some countries, but they can sell their inefficient cars in our country. If
thethereisstillnofueleconomystandardsandlabelinMalaysiainthenear
future.Thecountrywillbecomethewastebasketforinefficientvehiclefrom
othercountries.
Objectives
Methodology
To propose an appropriate fuel
economy standard and labels for
automobilesinMalaysia
LiteratureReview
To identify energy efficiency
improvements
potential
for
To create awareness to the
potential buyer and manufacturer
ofautomobileaboutthebenefitof
fueleconomystandardsandlabels
Todeterminethepotentialenergy,
economical and environmental
impact by proposing fuel
economystandardsandlabelsfor
1st stage : The fuel economy
standardsdevelopment
2ndstage:Testproceduresmethod
3rd stage : Engineering and
economicanalysis
4th
stage
:
Improvement
technologies for automobile in
Malaysia
5th stage : Design fuel efficiency
label
Outcome
Outputsexpected
Measurement device that fuel
economy standards and label for
automobiles in Malaysia will be
established.
Design of the current of fuel
economy standard and labels for
reducing fuel consumption and
improvetechnologyenginetypes.
Development economical and
environmentalimpactbyproposing
fueleconomystandardsandlabel
forautomobilesinMalaysia
Encouraging consumer towards
better fuel economy standards
vehicle will also help to reduce
GHGemissions
Environmental automobile test
equipment
Trafficlightsystem
Behaviorsofconsumers
Protonmanufacturer
VehiclestatisticaldataofMalaysia
government
forPublications
Energy(If2009=2.952)
Atmospheric Enviroment (If 2009
=3.139)
EnergyPolicy(If2009=2.436)
EnergyConversion&Management
(If2009=1.944)
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86
Collaborators
Prof Dr Hadi Nur, University of
Technology Malaysia (UTM),
Malaysia
Prof Dr Susumu Tohno, Kyoto University,
Japan
Prof Dr Tetsuo Tezuka, Kyoto University,
Japan
Title: Human-Machine Interface via Brain Signals
Applications
Principal Investigator : Norrima Mokhtar
Inabroadcontext,HumanMachineInteraction,ormorecommonlyHuman
ComputerInterface(HCI),isthestudyofinteractionbetweenahumanand
a machine. It is an interdisciplinary field involving engineering, computer
science and many other disciplines such as psychology, sociology and the
arts. In a common human machine interface system, the input is a request
or command from a human operator to the machine that is communicated
via an input device such as keyboards, buttons, switches, touch screens,
mice and others. The output is an appropriate response from the machine
whichinformstheoperatorthattherequestorcommandhasbeenexecuted
accordingly. Recent advances in the field of digital signal processing have
pavedthewaytonovelandradicalchangesinthewayhumansinteractwith
computers.
Nowadays, it is possible to have inputs in the forms of sounds or voices
produced by humans, the movements of some body parts and ElectroMyographic(EMG),Electro-Oculographic(EOG)orElectro-Encephalographic
(EEG) signals. However, it is difficult to design HCIs that are functional,
efficient,user-friendly,cheapandlogicalusingEMG,EOGorEEGsignalsas
inputs.
Today, machines including the state-of-the-art human–computer interaction
systems,arestillveryfarfrombeingabletoemulatethisabilityespeciallyto
servespecificmembersofsocietyliketheelderlyandthedisabledcommunity.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
The objective of the project is to
develop human-machine interface
technology via brain signals
approach.TheHCIsystemswillbe
modeled, simplified and applied
to actuators. Although HCI is an
interdisciplinary field, the whole
systemintegrationwillbedesigned
for real time applications. The
real time applications will be the
challenge to be tackled as many
componentsareinvolved
Thebrainsignalsitselfisverynoisy
and the unit is in microvolts. The
work start with input processing
via brain signals identification,
acquisition,
filtering,
feature
extraction and classification.
Whentheinputsignalsiscorrectly
characterized and classified,
the link between the input and
actuator is established. Once the
link is established, the systems
integration is optimized for real
timeresponse
HCIsystems
Classificationtechniquesfornoisy
data
forPublications
IEEE Transactions on Biomedical
Circuits
and
Systems
(Multidisciplines) IEEE Transactions on Neural
Systems
and
Rehabilitation
24/05/2012 9:44:54
Engineering(Multidisciplines) Journal of Neural Engineering
(Multidisciplines) Journal of Neuroengineering and
Rehabilitation(Multidisciplines) International Journal of Innovative
Computing, Information and
Control(Multidisciplines) 87
Collaborators
Dr. Hamzah Arof, Department of
Electrical Engineering, University
ofMalaya(Co-PI)
Dr. Zuwairie Ibrahim, Faculty of
Electrical Engineering, Universiti
TeknologiMalaysia
Dr.MarizanMubin,Departmentof
Electrical Engineering, University
ofMalaya
Associate Professor Dr. Masahiro
Iwahashi, Nagaoka University of
Technology,Japan
Title: Torque Ripple Reduction and Design Optimization
of Voltage Vector Controlled PMSM Drives Supplied by
Innovative Multilevel Inverters
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Saad Mekhilef
The permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) have replaced the
inductionmotorsinmanyapplications.Motivatedbythehighefficiency,high
powerdensity,lowinertiaanddeclinedproductioncost,thePMSMbecame
the principle vehicles propulsion drive and very common in high efficiency
appliances.Voltagecontrol-basedPMSMdrivessuchasdirecttorquecontrol
(DTC)drivesanddirectselfcontrol(DSC)havesomeattractivefeaturesover
thefield-orientedcontroldrivesmainlytheeliminationofthecurrentcontrol
andaxistransformationandthesimplemotormode.
The proposed project aims is to integrate the innovative hybrid multilevel
inverters with the PMSM into the voltage controlled drives design. This
integrationinvolves:
1.
The voltage control algorithms and concepts development to
accommodatetheprivilegesprovidedbythemultilevelinverters.
2.
Theintroductionofamathematicaltransformationforthemotormodel
that can lead to simple and direct relationship between the inverter
controlswitchingsignalsandthemotortorqueandflux.
3.
FurtheroptimizationandstandardizationoftheMLIdesignandswitching
algorithm by modifying the inverter design to minimize the DC supply
costmakingafull-utilizationoftheswitchingflexibilitythroughcarefullydesigned control algorithm and adopting the recent technologies and
theindustrialstandardsintheinverterimplementation.
Objectives
To design a hybrid multilevel
inverterwithreducedDClinkcost
To adopt a modular hybrid
inverter design to facilitate the
implementation with standard
smartpowermodules
To design a modified mixed
topology hybrid inverter that
applies reduced number of
switching devices and of simple
DClinkrequirements
To develop voltage control
strategiesofthedesignedinverters
that ensures the operation of
the high power sections at the
fundamental switching frequency,
maintains the DC side capacitors
voltage balancing and sets the
dominant harmonics frequency at
tolerablelevel
To investigate the design of
multistage hybrid inverter that
suppliesthelowvoltagestagewith
capacitors;
24/05/2012 9:44:54
88
To develop a mathematical model
ofthePMSMfromwhichatorque
and flux expressions which are
directly linked to the switching
variablesofmultilevelinvertercan
bederived
To develop special control
algorithms for low and high
speed operations, and to use the
developedalgorithmstoproducea
drivewithwidespeedrange
To develop a MLI-based DSC
algorithm that uses the voltage
timeintegraltoestimatethemotor
flux and controls the voltage
accordingtotheestimatedflux
Methodology The implementation of the project
will involve an intensive review of
various hybrid multilevel inverter
topologies, existing PMSM DTC
concepts, and their control, this
will be followed by modeling
and simulation of the proposed
topology and the development
of the voltage control strategy.
After that the power circuit will
be designed to perform the
experimental verification of the
proposedtopologyandthecontrol
algorithm
Outcome
New hybrid
topology
New introduction of DSC control
for multilevel inverter and PMSM
drives
forPublications
IEEE transaction on industrial
electronics
IEEE transaction
electronics
on
power
Renewableandsustainableenergy
review
Appliedenergy
Collaborators
mixed
inverter
Prof.DrPragasenPillay,Concordia
University,Canada
New capacitor balancing control
algorithmfortheinverter
Prof. Dr. Mutsuo Nakaoka,
YamaguchiUniversity,Japan
New voltage controlled drive
modelandapproach
Title: Undivided Redox Flow Battery Reactor Employing
Porous Flow Through Electrodes and Deep Eutectic
Solvents
Principal Investigator : Dr. Mohammed Harun Chakrabarti
Thisprojectemphasizesuponthewastetoresourcesschemebyutilizingpalm
shell waste to produce activated carbon electrodes for application in novel
flowbatterydesigns.Theuseofionicliquidsanddeepeutecticsolventsmay
berealizedinboththeelectrodepreparationstageaswellastheapplication
of these exotic solvents in flow batteries themselves. The main aim is to
improve the energy density of these batteries whilst maintaining their high
charge/dischargeefficienciesattheleastpossiblecost.Thiswouldenable
theirapplicationsaslargescaleenergystoragemarketsforpeakshavingas
wellasinrenewableenergymarketinMalaysia.
Objectives
Develop novel electrodes from
palm shell wastes (graphene
basednanocomposites)
Runsurfacecharacterizationtests
ontheelectrodes
Test
the
electrochemical
characteristics of the electrodes
in ionic liquids and deep eutectic
solvents
Apply these electrodes with
optimum choice of ionic liquid or
deepeutecticsolventsindifferent
flowbatteryconfigurations
Compare the performance of
typical secondary batteries along
withournovelflowbatterydesign
Mathematical modeling of the
electrode synthesis and flow
battery operation would be
conductedtooptimizetheprocess
Methodology Upon the synthesis of novel
graphene based nanocomposite
electrodes,
they
will
be
characterizedbycyclicvoltammetry
andchronoamperometry.Surface
characterization may be done by
means of EDX, SEM, TEM and
otheranalyticaltechniques.Once
best electrochemical conditions
are identified, same electrodes
wouldbetestedinionicliquidsand
deepeutecticsolvents.Optimum
configurations would be realized
from which, charge/discharge
experiments would be conducted
withsmall-scaleflowcells.Scaleup would be realized based upon
obtaining successful results from
previous tests. Mathematical
modeling would be conducted at
24/05/2012 9:44:54
each stage to help in determining
optimum conditions. From pilotscale, a full-scale commercial
prototype would be proposed
for storing renewable energy
efficientlyinMalaysia
89
forPublications
JournalofPowerSources
ElectrochemistryCommunications
ElectrochimicaActa
Outcome
Application of excess palm shell
wastetoproduceusefulelectrodes
Collaborators
Efficient storage of renewable
energy in Malaysia (better than
lead-acidbatteries)
Dr. C. T. John Low (University of
Southampton)
A new prototype may be
developed for implementation in
hybridvehiclesinMalaysia
ProfessorF.C.Walsh(Universityof
Southampton)
Professor Nigel Brandon (Imperial
CollegeLondon)
Professor Tom Welton (Imperial
CollegeLondon)
Title: Characterization of the Negative Bias Temperature
Instability (NBTI) Impact on New-Age Deep-Submicron
Devices to Effectively Predict System Failure
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Norhayati Soin
Inthefieldofelectronics,circuitlifetimeisamajorreliabilityissue.Intoday’s
era,MOSFETsarethekeyreliabilitycomponentsinanelectronicsystem.The
lifetimeofMOSFETdependsonmanyaspectsandNegativeBiasTemperature
Instability(NBTI)isoneofthem.Thisoccursduetothenegativevoltageon
p-MOSFETsinanelevatedtemperature.Therehasbeenlotsofresearchon
thisregardforthelastfewdecades.But,daybydaytechnologyisadvancing
towardsnanometerscaleandNBTIisbecomingaseriousconcernwhereits’
characterizationisdifficulttopredicttilldate.Thisdirectlyaffectsthecircuit
lifetime.WeneedtounderstandNBTIdynamicsinordertopredictdeviceand
hencesystemaging.Alongwiththis,NBTIrecoveryisoneoftheimportant
featurestobetakencareofinordertoenhancecircuitlifetime.
Objectives
Aspertheresearchproblems,we
havesetourinitialobjectivetocarry
on an investigation on a suitable
characterization method to make
realisticextrapolations.Alongwith
this, we will explore mathematical
and statistical methods to have
an accurate measurement of the
defects which are subject as the
adverse outcome of negative
bias stress voltage under high
temperature and which lead to
NBTI degradation. Finally we
will investigate the right stress
conditions in such a way that
the defect responsible for NBTI
degradation is only accelerated
and not to trigger other defect
generationmodes
Methodology In order to characterize NBTI
initially we are supposed to go
through a thorough literature
review.Thesereviewworksmainly
consist of theoretical modeling,
simulation, device and circuitlevel mismatch. Along with these
the physics of dynamic NBTI
will be investigated, in order to
have a transparent idea on AC
characteristicsofNBTIdynamics
Having gone through thorough
review the next step will be to
perform simulation on NBTI
degradation by employing third
generation Spice software which
willsimulatecircuitlevelanddevice
levelreliability.Thissimulationwill
help us to obtain mathematical
modeltopredictNBTIdegradation
24/05/2012 9:44:54
90
After we attain a mathematical
model a calibration will take
place to get the real time data
and to verify the model obtained
earlier from simulation process.
A calibration will be done by
MOSFET characterization tool
where we will do the experiment
consideringanenvironmenthaving
anelevatedtemperature.Basedon
ourreviewstudyondynamicNBTI
we will characterize the effect of
ACsignalandNBTIonp-MOSFET
Lastly we will optimize the
effectivemeasurementtechniques
to characterize the recovery of
the system lifetime degradation
occurredbytheeffectofNBTI
Outcome
The possible outcomes include
the exploration of the impact of
NBTI degradation on parameters
of CMOS transistors. This
explorationwillincludetheanalysis
of threshold voltage shifts, drain
current degradation and interface
trap concentration. After our
researchwehopetodeterminethe
dependence of NBTI degradation
on
measurement
methods,
temperature stress and process
conditions. Analysis of practical
implications of NBTI degradation
can be predicted by developing
experimentally justified novel
algorithms
forPublications
IEEE Transactions On Electron
Devices IEEEElectronDeviceLetters
Physics,AppliedLetter
MicroelectronicReliability
MicroelectronicEngineering
Collaborators
Professor Dr. Ang Ding Shenp;
NanyangTechnologicalUniversity,
Singapore
ProfessorDr.J.F.Zhang;Liverpool
JohnMooresUniversity,UK
Title: Production of Hydrogen by Hydrolysis of Biomass
Principal Investigator : Dr. Jaya Narayan Sahu
Hydrolysis, gasification, pyrolysis, and catalytic pyrolysis of biomass are
identifiedasthepromisingandcompetitiveroutesforproducingrenewable
hydrogen, although other bioenergy technologies have been developed.
Biomasswastehydrolyzedintohighvalue-addedproductsisapracticaland
effectiveway.Currentindustrialhydrolysismethodsofbiomasswasteinclude
chemical (acid, alkali or catalytic) hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis. But
the chemical hydrolysis needs violent reaction conditions and often brings
seriouspollutionoftheenvironment.Enzymatichydrolysisisexpensive,and
withlongproductioncycle.Therefore,theidentificationanddevelopmentof
a new environment-friendly method to overcome the shortcomings of the
chemicalandenzymatichydrolysisisparticularlyimportant.
Objectives
Most of biomass waste is easily
hydrolyzed in super- or subcritical water, which is structurally
different from normal liquid water,
and possesses some marvelous
properties: first, it behaves like
non-polar organic solvent (similar
withacetone)
Thus it can substitute for some
of organic solvents, and become
a clean medium for chemical
reactions; second, it has density
fluctuation,
low
dielectric
properties,andmolecularclusters,
thus it can become an effective
medium for energy and mass
transfer; third, its ionic product
(H+andOH-)isthousandsoftimes
24/05/2012 9:44:55
higher than normal water, thus it
can take on a powerful catalysis
based on acid and alkali at the
same time, and it also can be a
solvent or reactant participated
in chemical reaction. Therefore,
reaction rate can be accelerated
in super- or sub-critical water.
Without any pollution, hydrolysis
insuper-orsub-criticalwaterisan
environment-friendly technology.
The biomass and waste can
be hydrolyzed into high value
industrial raw material: amino
acid, unsaturation fatty acid, oil,
polysaccharide, hydrogen and
methaneandsoon
Methodology Outcome
The investigation of this research
is divided into three phases. The
firstwillbeconcernedtoSelection
of biomass at different operating
condition,locallyavailablebiomass
wastesuchaspalmshell,coconut
shell, rice husks, coirpith, saw
dust, banana pith, banana stem,
and orange peel will be screened
for its bio-oil capacity, while
the second phase is hydrogen
production test in a fluidizedbed
reactor and the third phase is the
optimization and process control
for real industrial application in a
pilotplantandmodelling
The project’s goal is to promote
the development and use of
environmentally
beneficial
technologies through obtaining
independent
and
credible
performance
evaluations
of
commercially-ready green fuel
technologies in Malaysia. The
results from this project will allow
a reappraisal of the competing
theories and practical technology
of
hydrogen
production
development not only in the
Malaysia,butglobally
a)
b)
c)
Synthesis of bio-oil in batch
process: Synthesis of biooil at different chemical/
mechanical heat treatment.
i.e. microwave radiation
power
or
conventional
thermal power, steam ratio,
reaction time, solid/solvent
catalystdoses
Synthesis of Hydrogen in
continuous
fluidizedbed
reactor:
The
hydrogen
production test of different
biomass in continuous mode
fluidizedbedreactorwithand
withoutcatalyst
ProcessControl,optimization
and modelling: All process
variables are control and
optimization for high yield of
hydrogen conduct for batch
and continuous. Modelling
work will be conducted for
continuousmodeofoperation
in a pilotplant for hydrogen
production
of
different
biomass and sustainability
studiesforlifecycle
91
forPublications
International Journal of hydrogen
Energy
BiomassandBioenergy
Collaborators
Prof.K.K.Pant,IndianInstituteof
Technology(IIT)NewDelhi,India
Prof.B.C.Meikap,IndianInstitute
ofTechnology(IIT)Kharagpur,India
Dr. Ujjal Kumar Ghosh, Curtin
University,Sarawak
Prof. Anand V. Patwardhan,
Institute of Chemical Technology
(ICT),Mumbai,India
Prof. V.K. Srivastava, ABES IT
group of institutions, New Delhi,
India
24/05/2012 9:44:55
92
Title: Phase Change Material (PCM) for Energy Storage
System
Principal Investigator : Dr. Hendrik Simon Cornelis Metselaar
Drasticallyofpopulationgrowthandindustrialrevolutionleadingtheincreasing
gapbetweentheglobaldemandandsupplyofenergy.Theperiodicfeature
of renewable energy such as solar has become a major barrier in the wide
spreadinguseofthisenergy.Thesolutiontothisbarrieristheusageofenergy
storage system which store energy during the day and release energy at
night.Basically,therearethreemethodsofstoringthermalenergy:sensible,
latentandthermo-chemicalheatorcoldstorage.Latentheatthermalenergy
storagesystemwhichutilizesphasechangematerials(PCMs)toabsorband
release heat is widely used. When the energy source is available, PCMs is
heatedandabsorbtheenergyforphasetransition(suchasfromsolidphase
toliquidphase).Whentheenergyisneeded,liquidischangedbackintosolid
byreleasingheat.Alargeamountofheatcanbeabsorbedandreleasedat
constanttemperaturebyusinglatentheatthermalenergystoragesystemand
its size is smaller than sensible heat thermal energy storage. Therefore, to
overcome the potential shortage of energy one of the alternative solutions
istodevelopenergystoragedevicesbyfindingasuitablematerialtostore
energy. The energy storage leads to saving of premium fossil fuel. Phase
changematerials(PCMs)attractattentionasoneofpotentialthermalenergy
storage system due their higher energy storage densities and isothermal
phasetransition.PCMhasbeenusedformanyapplicationswhichincluded
thermal comfort, electronic cooling, space craft, water heating, building,
and etc. Due to this reason, this study attempt to investigate potential of
energyperformanceimprovementthroughselectedphasechangematerials
for thermal heat storage system which will be used in solar collector.
Nanocapsulecontainingsolid/liquidphasechangematerialsornanoparticle
enhancedphasechangematerials(NEPCM)hasbeenproposedtobeusedin
thethermalenergystorage.Forexperimentalpurpose,twotypesofpopular
techniques are used for the measurement of fusion latent heat and PCMs
melting temperature, which are the differential thermal analysis (DTA) and
thedifferentialscanningcalorimeter(DSC).However,experimentalapproach
requiresthesamplesofNEPCM.Thecommontechniqueisthephysicalgasphase condensation or chemical synthesis technique which involves the
evaporation of a source material and the rapid condensation of vapor into
nanometer sized crystallites in a cool, inert, reduced-pressure atmosphere.
NEPCMcanbeformedbypropersuspensionofthesenanoparticlesintoa
PCM.Inthisresearch,theefficientmodelingandsimulationstrategyofthe
heat transfer process for the selected NEPCM will be established. Both
solidificationandmeltingphasetransitionisincludedinthestudy.
TheheattransferbehaviorsforthematerialsareinvestigatedandtheNEPCM
which demonstrates the best performance is proposed for the usage in
energystoragesystem.Theresultswillbeverifiedbyexperimentalfindings
foraccuracy.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To investigate the theoretical and
experimental energy storage on
selectedphasechangematerials
Literaturereview:
Outputsexpected
1 stage: Phase change material
developmentandtesting
st
To design an experimental rig of
energycollectorforselectedphase
changematerials
2nd stage:
development
To characterize the thermal and
melting heat transfer in selected
types of thermal storage system
using combination of phase
change materials for various
renewableenergysources
4th stage: Optimization/further
improvement
Heat
exchanger
3rdstage:Exergyandthermalheat
transferanalysis
• Distinguish
the
physiochemical properties
and
thermal
analysis
by differential scanning
calorimetry
(DSC),
thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA), differential thermal
analysis
(DTA)
and
thermomechanical analysis
24/05/2012 9:44:55
(TMA) for energy storage
on selected phase change
materials
• Development and design
an experimental rig of
renewable energy collector
on selected phase change
materials.
• Show the thermal and
melting
heat
transfer
characterize analysis for
thermal storage system
usingcombinationofphase
changematerialsforvarious
renewableenergysources.
• Perform
the
potential
energy optimisation and
improvementoftheselected
phasechangematerialsand
thecombinationforthermal
heatstoragesystem.
Cells(3.858)
Newphasechangematerial(PCM)
and thermal storage lab with
equipmentsandfacilities
Energy(2.952)
• Environmental
Chamber
• Differential
Calorimeter
Test
Scanning
• ThermogravimetricAnalyzer
• Viscometer
• FTIRSpectrometer
forPublications
Solar Energy Materials And Solar
93
International Journal Of Heat And
MassTransfer(1.947)
International Journal Of Thermal
Sciences(1.770)
AppliedEnergy(2.209)
Collaborators
Hamdani Umar, Syiah Kuala
Irwansyah Idram, Syiah Kuala
Prof Dr Hadi Nur, University of
Technology
Malaysia,
UTM,
Malaysia
Title: Hybrid Solar Energy Research for Rural Electrification
Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Dr. Hew Wooi Ping.
About 93.1% of Malaysian households has access to electricity which is
providedthroughthenationalgrid.InSabahandSarawakthereisalimited
access to electricity mostly due to inaccessible communication and the
access recorded in Sabah is 85% while in Sarawak it is recorded at 90%
(RegionalReport,UNDP2007).ThataccesstoelectricityisrelatedtosocioeconomicdevelopmentshasbeenindicatedbystudiesinMalaysia(Regional
Report, UNDP 2007). Therefore rural electrification is an essential step to
create socio-economic activities and uplifts the income level in the rural
communities so that when Malaysia has achieved the developed status in
2020,theruralcommunitiesarenotneglected.
DuetothedistancefromtheNationalGrid,itisnoteconomicaltouseTNB
supplies for most rural areas. The feasible solution is using solar energy
coupledwithotherrenewablesourcessuchaswindorhydrosoastoproduce
a stable source of electricity supply. The combination and control of these
renewable energy sources depends on the site’s physical terrains and the
weatherconditions.
Objectives
Using mathematical modeling,
we hope to develop a better
understanding of factors that
influence
the
generation,
transmission and distribution of
electricity in the rural areas of
Malaysia. A laboratory prototype
Methodology will be designed and constructed
to verify and investigate some of
actual implementation problems.
Asmallscaleactualsitemodelwill
beinstalledtoverifythefeasibilities
oftheproposedsystem
Actual weather and physical
terrain data for a remote village
in peninsular Malaysia will be
obtained and used to model a
hybrid solar energy powered
single phase electrical power
generation, transmission and
24/05/2012 9:44:55
94
distribution system. Various
approaches to maximize the
power output will be used to
obtain the optimum renewable
energy sources combination and
management to achieve a stable
electricity supply irrespective of
the load requirements. Various
Maximum Power Point Tracking
techniqueswithArtificialIntelligent
featureswillbeappliedtoachieve
this. The load flow pattern and
electrical faults will be detected
and if necessary, automatic load
sheddingandfaultisolationwillbe
activated
forPublications
Outcome
Professor Hideaki Ohgaki, Kyoto
University,Japan
Better understanding of rural
electrificationinMalaysia
Electrical
design
generators/machine
Energypolicies
Convertertopologies
Pico-smartgridsystems
Collaborators
Prof. Ooi Boon Teik, McGill
University,Canada
Prof. Emil Levi, Liverpool John
MooreUniversity,UK
Mathematicalmodelscanbeused
to study the impact of weather
conditions and physical terrains
on the generation, transmission
and distribution of electricity from
renewableenergysources
Title: Hydrogen Refueling Station and Dispenser Control
System
Principal Investigator : Dr. Mahidzal Dahari
Faculty : Department of Engineering Design & Manufacture, Faculty of
Engineering
Hydrogenisthesimplestelementknowntoexist.Anatomofhydrogenhas
oneprotonandoneelectron.Hydrogenhasthehighestenergycontentofany
commonfuelbyweight,butthelowestenergycontentbyvolume.Itisthe
lightestelementandagasatnormaltemperatureandpressure.Hydrogenasa
gas(H2)howeverdoesn’texistnaturallyonearth.Itisfoundonlyincompound
form. Combined with oxygen, it would be water (H2O), whilecombined with
carbonitwouldformorganiccompoundssuchasmethane(CH4),coal,and
petroleum.Hydrogenisahigherefficiencyandlowpollutingfuelthatcanbe
usedfortransportation,heating,andpowergenerationinplaceswhereitis
difficulttouseelectricity.Sincehydrogengasisnotfoundonearth,itcanbe
manufactured using three primary methods i.e., use of a reformer, a direct
methanolfuelcell,andanelectrolyzer.
The commercialization of gaseous hydrogen fueled vehicles requires both
the development of hydrogen fueled vehicles and the establishment of a
hydrogen fueling infrastructure. These requirements would create a circular
cause and consequence, that manufacturers will not build and consumers
will not buy vehicles without an adequate refueling infrastructure, whilst
potentialrefuelingstationoperatorswillnotinvesttheneededcapitalwithout
anadequatemarkettoserve.
Since the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure is a critical
elementtotheintroductionoffuelcell-poweredvehicles,aflexibleandlowcosthydrogenrefuelingtestrigusingsolarpoweredisproposed.Itisflexible
due to its ability to accept hydrogen from the three available methods and
24/05/2012 9:44:55
95
be easily adapted to future renewable hydrogen production system. The
design is expected to be scalable for accommodating future growth which
couldbeeasilyintegratedtoliquidhydrogenrefuelingwithfewmodifications
andminimaladditionalinvestment.Alongwithallthebuilt-inbenefitsofthe
station,innovativestandardsandpublicawarenesscampaignareplannedto
encouragetheacceptanceofhydrogenasafuel,whilesupportingthenational
ongoingfuelcell-poweredvehicledevelopmentprogram.Withtheoperation
of this facility to begin in 2011, it will be the first step in developing the
commercialhydrogeninfrastructureoftomorrow,hereinUniversityMalaya.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Introducing a new hydrogen
refueling algorithm based on
renewable energy process by
considering
the
electrolysis
analysis and renewable energy as
afundamentalmodel.
WhensolarpowerfromthePVarray
is unavailable or insufficient (e.g.,
duetocloudcover,etc.),electricity
from the grid is used for the
electrolysis process. The system,
when running exclusively on solar
energy,couldproduceabout2,000
liters (approximately at 30 bar)
of gaseous hydrogen per year
which is enough to fuel hydrogen
or fuel cell vehicle. By using both
solar power and electricity from
the grid, the station’s production
capabilityisexpectedtobe24,000
liters per year, whilst cars could
befueledattherateof5litersper
minute. Hydrogen fuel (in the gas
form) would be dispensed to the
hydrogen vehicle (hybrid or fuel
cell) using a unique fast-fill and
multi-bankcascadesystem
A test rig of hydrogen refueling
station that can be used to study
hydrogenrefuelingandproduction
systemwhichcomprisesofseveral
componentssuchas:-
A data acquisition system and
mass flow sensor would record
the amount of fuel delivered.
Several new technologies would
be introduced to the test rig. An
innovativepurewaterrecirculation
system would keep the water
losses in the electrolyzer at a
minimum consumption rate. The
control system would maximize
thehydrogenproductionefficiency
by regulating fluctuations in
electric power production caused
by changes in sunlight intensity.
Consequently,
research
on
minimizing the energy losses
associated
with
producing
hydrogenusingsolarenergywould
be carried out. One of the unique
featuresofthisadvancedhydrogen
refuelingtestrigisitsnearlysilent
operation and its visual impact; it
promotes a “customer-friendly”
image with its graceful canopy
designanditscompactandeasyto-operatefeatures
x.
Developingacomputersimulation
modeltorepresentanelectrolysis
measuring system which is used
as a tool for re-evaluating andredesigning the hydrogen refueling
algorithm
i.
SupplyStorageSystem
ii.
DispensingSystem
iii.
CarStorageSystem
iv.
Recycling
System
v.
DataAcquisitionSystem
and
Make-up
vi. Distributed Control
MonitoringSystem
and
vii. Test Rig and Instrumentation
System
viii. FuelReformingSystem
ix. CompressorSystem
FlowMeteringSystem
forPublications
International Journal Of Hydrogen
Energy(ISSN:0360-3199) Renewable Energy (ISSN: 09601481)
JournalOfProcessControl (ISSN:
0959-1524)
Control Engineering
(ISSN:0967-0661)
Practice
IEEE Transactions On Control
SystemsTechnology (ISSN:10636536)
Collaborators
Assoc.Prof.Dr.MohamedIbrahim
B.AbdulMutalib(UTP)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nordin B. Saad
(UTP)
Assoc.
Prof.
Dr.
Daisuke
Kurabayashi (Tokyo Institute of
Technology).
24/05/2012 9:44:55
96
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
FacultyofScience
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/SC/01
Title: Femtosecond Laser and Terahertz Generation for
Photonics Applications
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Harith Ahmad
Terahertz (THz) wave refers to electromagnetic waves propagating in
frequencyrangebetween300GHzand3THz,correspondingtowavelength
regionfrom0.1mmto1.0mm.Itischaracterizedbyitsnon-ionizingnature
and are transparent to most non-conducting materials while not able to
penetrate metals and water. These characteristics have raised the interest
in research for terahertz wave generation and detection for applications in
securities,spectroscopyandTHzsensing.CurrentmethodofTHzgeneration
relieson synchrotron and bulk femtosecond laser as excitation source. It
is therefore important to research methods of THz wave generation using
alternative cost effective solutions such as fibre-based femtosecond laser,
differencefrequencymethodusingdualwavelengthlasersourceandhighly
nonlinear optical materials such as bismuth-doped waveguides and other
approachesthatarenovelandmeetingtheendobjective.
Objectives
Methodology To develop excitation sources for
terahertz (THz) generation. The
sourcesunderstudyincludefibrebased femtosecond lasers, dual
wavelength lasers. To research
the generation of THz wave using
highly nonlinear optical materials
such as bismuth based glasses.
To set up a THz generation and
detectionsystem,andtogenerate
THz wave using the proposed
excitationsourcesandmaterials
Excitation sources for the
generation of THz wave will first
bedeveloped.Theseincludefibrebased femtosecond laser and
dual-wavelength laser. Research
on potential new materials with
high nonlinearity will be carried
out. Nonlinear phenomena in the
materialssuchassupercontinuum
generation
and
wavelength
conversion will be studied.
Development of THz generation
and detection system will be
carried out. Performance of THz
generation using the proposed
excitation sources and materials
willbecharacterized
forPublications
IEEEPhotonicsTechnologyLetters
JournalofSensorsandActuators
OpticsExpress
OpticsLetters
AppliedPhysicsLetters
Collaborators
Douglas Paul,
Glasgow,UK
University
of
MarcSorel,UniversityofGlasgow,
UK
DominiqueCoquillat,Universityof
Montpellier,France
Outcome
Understanding of THz generation
anddetectionprinciple
Development of compact THz
source
24/05/2012 9:44:55
97
Title: Fuctional Molecules for Life-style Diseases
Principal Investigator : Professor Datin Dr. Sri Nurestri Abd Malek
Humankind is plagued by a number of diseases many of which are lifethreatening like neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, cardiac arrests and
cancer.Thesediseasesarearesultofourlifestyleandexposuretopolluted
environmentcontributedbyindustrialization.Thoughmanydrugsareavailable
thequalityoflifeisjeopardizedinmanycases.Toaddtotheburdenisthe
risingcostofhealthcare.
Our strategy now is prevention rather than cure. We are now looking at
functional molecules from plants and mushrooms (a number of which are
includedinourdiet)topreventorreducetheoccurrenceofthesediseases
in humans. Further, the quality of life of those who are ill and on lifelong
therapeutic drugs may be enhanced by using functional molecules from
plantsandmushrooms.
Whatweneedtodonowistovalidatetheseclaimsbyscientificstudies.The
investigationsoftheextractsandpurecompoundsatmolecularandgenomic
levels will help us understand how these functional molecules function in
cells. The interaction between drugs or functional molecules and the major
carrierproteinofmammalianbloodcirculationplaysanimportantroleinthe
pharmacologyandpharmacokineticsofthedrugs.Thesefindingswillhelpin
drugdesign,drugefficacyevaluationandthebestmodetodelivertheactive
ingredient to prevent, reduce incidence or cure diseases. The molecules
canbedeliveredasasolecomponentorinacocktailtotapthesynergistic
effects of these molecules for maximum benefit to the body. The scientific
datafromourstudiescanhelpintheacceptanceofcomplementarymedicine
bydoctors.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To identify functional molecules
frombiodiversityforthetreatment
of diabetes, hypertension, cancer
andneurologicaldisorder
The methodolgies employed
will be based on either standard
established
protocols
or
those modified and in current
applications in the labs involved
in this project. Bioactive primary
andsecondarymetaboliteswillbe
isolated and purified from plants
and mushrooms using standard
techniques
Better understanding of how
functional molecules function in
cells
To investigate and validate the
mechanismofactivityoffunctional
molecules at molecular and
genomiclevels
To study stability and interactions
offunctionalmoleculeswithtarget
site
To manipulate microorganisms
for enzyme production and
applications in production of
potentialfunctionalmolecules
These metabolites and active
extracts will be screened for their
potential activity in preventing
or reducing lifestyle diseases
such
as
neurodegenerative
diseases,
diabetes,
cardiac
arrests and cancer. Useful
enzymes will be utilised in the
production of potential functional
molecules. Binding studies
between functional molecules
and human serum albumin would
be studied by isothermal titration
calorimetry(ITC)andfluorescence
spectroscopy,
as
described
elsewhere
Scientific data from our studies
can help in the acceptance of
complementary medicine by
doctors
forPublications
JournalofNaturalProducts
Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry
JournalofEthnopharmacology
Evidence Based Complementary
andAlternativeMedicine
FoodChemistry
Collaborators
Prof Dr. Aparna Dixit (Jawaharlal
NehruUniversity,NewDelhi)
24/05/2012 9:44:55
98
Prof Dr. Rajiv Bhat (Jawaharlal
University,NewDelhi)
ProfDrRogerKeynes(Cambridge
University,UK)
Prof Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal
(Department of Experimental
Therapeutics, Cytokine Research
Laboratory,theUniversityofTexas
MD Anderson Cancer Center,
Houston,USA)
Title: Metal-organic frameworks for luminescence and
nanoparticle generation
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Edward R.T. Tiekink
Faculty : Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science
Thisresearchpivotsaroundtheexploitationoffunctionalizedthiolateligands,
for example by including hydrogen-bonding functionality and/or multiple
metal binding sites, and their complexation by multifunctional bipyridinetype bases will lead to the generation of novel materials with applications
as luminescent materials, MOF’s, and as synthetic precursors for metal
sulphide nanoparticle production. This proposal is designed to overcome
thegenerallackofcontroloversupramolecularaggregationbytailoringthe
functionality and denticity of the ligands employed to assemble the metal
1,1-dithiolate synthons in the solid-state. The principles developed in this
research will have general applicability and therefore will form a secure
foundationforrelatedstudiesundertakenbyotherresearchers.Thetailored
materials will exhibit solid-state luminescence and different supramolecular
architectureswillallowfine-tuningofemissionproperties.Selectedsystems
willbeevaluatedfortheirpotentialassyntheticprecursorsformetalsulphide
nanoparticlegenerationofspecificsizeandmorphology.Theapplicabilityof
post-syntheticmodificationofselectedmaterialswillbeinvestigatedincases
wheretheperipheralfunctionalityissuitableforsubsequentreactiontoallow,
forexample,hydrogenbondingtobesubstitutedbycovalentinteractions.
Objectives
To rationally design metal thiolate
species of specific dimensions
(0-, 1-, 2- and 3-D) employing
covalent,secondaryandhydrogen
bondinginteractions,
To
correlate
supramolecular
architectures with solid-state
luminescenceresponses,
To increase the dimensions of
synthesised aggregates by postsyntheticmodification,
To correlate synthetic precursor
structure
with
generated
nanoparticles,
To investigate cognate ligands,
their
metal
complexes,
incorporating both transition
metal, main group elements,
lanthanides and actinides, and to
establishtheirpotentialtofacilitate
supramolecular assembly and to
generatefunctionalmaterials
Methodology
Using principles of chemistry and
a full range of physiochemical
characterisation techniques, the
aims of this project above will be
realized primarily by adding metal
coordinating functionality and/
or hydrogen bonding potential to
the 1,1-dithiolate ligands, and by
increasingthecoordinationsiteson
thebases.Whileinitiallyourfocus
will be upon zinc(II), cadmium(II)
and tin(IV) salts, owing to their
easeofhandlingandcoordination
flexibility,ourstudywillbedirected
towards
rationally
designed
supramolecular
architectures
with transition metal nodes
so as to extend our chemistry
and potential applications (e.g.
magnetochemistry)
further.
Typically, metal complexes will be
prepared via metathesis between
ametalsaltandthethiolateligand.
Subsequently, adducts will be
synthesizedbyrefluxingthemetal
saltinthepresenceofthechosen
bases
24/05/2012 9:44:55
Outcomes
The specific outcomes of this
researchprogrammeareexpected
tobe
i.
the
generation
of
new
functional
photoluminescencematerials
ii.
the generation of novel
synthetic precursors for
nanoparticlesgeneration
iii.
the development of an
overarching principle for the
designofMOF’s
iv.
theformationofnewmaterials
for gas (e.g. hydrogen)
storage
v.
thedevelopmentofprinciples
for post-synthetic chemical
modification
vi. the development of novel
materials and synthetic
protocols
99
forPublications
Chemical Communications
CrystEngComm
Crystal Growth & Design
Dalton Transactions
Inorganic Chemistry
Collaborators
Prof.DrIonelHaiduc,Universitatea
Babes-Bolyai
Prof. Dr Kieran Molloy, University
ofBath
Prof. Dr Jan Reedijk, Universiteit
Leiden
Prof.DrVivianWing-WahYam,The
UniversityofHongKong
Prof. Dr Julio ZukermanSchpector, Universidade Federal
deSãoCarlos
Title: Molecular Devices for Nanoscale Applications
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias
The nanoscale science and engineering have shown great promise for the
fabricationofnovelnano-sensorswithfasterresponseandhighersensitivity
than that of planar sensor configurations, due to their small dimensions
combinedwithadramaticallyincreasedcontactsurface,andstrongbinding
withbiologicalandchemicalreagents.Biosensorshavebeenemployedasan
alternativeforrapidmeasurementofbodymetabolitessuchasglucose,urea,
anduricacid.Mostcommerciallyavailablebiosensorstripsexploitenzymes
asthemainrecognisingagenttogiveselectivity.Enzymes,beingproteinin
nature, denatures at room temperature, undergoing structural changes due
to environmental influence. Furthermore, when immobilised on sensing
electrodesurface,certainactivegroupsoftheenzymeformcovalentbonding,
whichcanresultinthelossofcriticalfunctionswhichsignificantlydecreases
theaccuracyofenzymaticbiosensors.
Developmentofmolecularcapsulesbyanionicp-sulfonatocalix[4,5]arenesin
abowlshapedconfigurationofferstheirpotentialapplicationsinseparation
technologyandsensors.Theconfinedguestmoleculeshaveinherentlyweak
interactions involving hydrogen bonding and π-stacking, which presumably
contributes to the formation and stabilisation of the capsules within the
extended structures. Such calixarenes are also effective in accommodating
a wide range of guest molecules in their cavities, including crown ethers,
aminoacidsandnucleicacidbasesanditsderivatives.Weproposedesign
and prototype of molecular sensing devices for bio-chemical nano-sensors
for bio-medical and health applications. Our nano-sensors can be used to
monitor health conditions by monitoring glucose, uric acid, urea, calcium,
potassiumandchloridewhicharerelevanttoourbodymetabolites
24/05/2012 9:44:55
100
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Todesignandmodifyfunctionalised
heterocyclicaromaticmonomers
In order to achieve our specific
objectives and deliverables, we
have identified the following
researchmethodology:
Atleast20Tier1ISI-publications
To design and demonstrate the
versatility of p-sulfonatocalix[4]
areneasmolecularcapsule
To fabricate multifunction nanosensors based on non-enzymatic
materials
To evaluate the performance of
fabricatednanosensors
Design of Molecular Sensing
Device
During the first stage we employ
molecularmodellingandsimulation
inordertodesignmacromolecular
that potentially binds or interacts
withthetargetanalytes
Fabrication of Molecular Sensing
Device
Nano-electrodes
would
be
fabricated using chemical vapour
deposition (CVD) method, though
selective
deposition,
nanolithographyandetching
Non-enzymatic glucose sensor
system based on functionalised
polythiophene nanoparticles and
nanowires
Molecular capsule based on
p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene
forPublications
OrganicLetters
Journal of American Chemical
Society
Journal
of
Communication
Chemical
CharacterisationandPrototypesof
MolecularSensingDevice
NewJournalofChemistry
Molecular junction bridging of
two nano-electrodes can be
conveniently used to detect
the presence of ions, using
conductometricmethod
Collaborators
Systemprototyping
The system-level deliverables
are complete units of integrated
sensor array, readout circuitry,
signal processing and filtering
hardware,
microcontroller,
wireless transmitter and receiver
and
principal
component
analysis software and application
firmware. All these components
are fabricated on a common
PCB board to fit miniaturized
low power portable devices,
equipped with LCD display units
and wireless options. These
prototypes are user-friendly units
fordemonstrationpurposes
5PhDand10MasterStudents
FaradayDiscussion
Prof. Chris Hardacre, QUILL/
Queen’sUniversity,Belfast,UK.
Prof. Colin Raston, Centre of
Strategic
Nano-Fabrication,
SchoolofBiomedical,Biomolecular
and Chemical Sciences/University
ofWesternAustralia,Australia
24/05/2012 9:44:55
101
Title: Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry and Organic
Synthesis
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Kam Toh Seok
Discovery and exploitation of bioactive secondary metabolites from
indigenous plant and microbial sources, including investigations of aspects
ofstructure,biogenesis,bioorganicandmedicinalchemistry,modeling,and
synthesis.
Objectives
Methodology To implement total and partial
synthesesofselectedalkaloidand
oligostilbenoidderivatives
Extensive screening followed by
isolation (small to large scale)
of novel or bioactive secondary
metabolites from plants and
microbes (actinobacteria and
fungi)
To discover bioactive metabolites
from plants and microbes
(actinobacteria and fungi) and to
investigate the bioorganic and
medicinalchemistryaspectsofthe
activeprinciples
To implement syntheses of
flavonoidandchalconederivatives
in connection with a study of the
mechanism of serine proteaseligandinteractionandactivity
To investigate reaction pathways
involved in the electrochemical
oxidationofindolederivativesand
1,2-disubstitutedalkenes
To exploit anodic oxidation
as a key step in the synthesis
of various naturally-occurring
tetrahydrofurans,
indanes,
dihydronaphthalenes,
and
oligostilbenoids
SynthesisofBioactivePrinciples
Bioactive
Principles
from
Microbes – At present a virtually
underexploited source of useful
compounds
mechanism of serine proteaseligandinteractionandactivity
Structure studies of selected
compounds, which are of interest
from viewpoint of novel molecular
architecture,
biogenesis,
or
biologicalactivity
forPublications
Investigations of bioorganic and
medicinal chemistry aspects of
activeprinciples
Journal of Organic Chemistry (J.
Org.Chem.)
OrganicLetters(Org.Lett.)
Exploration and development of
biomimetic syntheses of selected
targets
Journal of Natural Products (J.
Nat.Prod.)
Electro-organicstudiesofselected
compounds
PlantaMedica(PlantaMed.)
Outcome
Tetrahedron
New Compounds with Novel
Structural
Frameworks
and
BiogeneticImplications
Tetrahedron Letters (Tetrahedron
Lett.)
NewBiologicalEffects
Bioorganic
and
Medicinal
Chemistry Letters (Bioorg. Med.
Chem.Lett.)
Associated Bioorganic Chemistry
Studies
Phytochemistry
Organic
and
Biomolecular
Chemistry(Org.Biomol.Chem.)
Chemistry-AnAsianJournal
Bioorganic
and
Medicinal
Chemistry(Bioorg.Med.Chem.)
24/05/2012 9:44:55
102
Title: Synthesis and Application of Low Dimensional
Materials.
Principal Investigator : Professor Datin Dr. Saadah Abdul Rahman.
Faculty : Department of Physics, Faculty of Science.
Lowdimensionalsystemsreferstomaterialswithastructurethatextendsto
lessthanthreedimensions,withlatticestructuresthatcanresemblesheets,
needles, thin films, or dots in nanometer-scale range. The low-dimensional
structures are synthesized from organic and inorganic materials including
carbon-based,metal-oxide-based,andnitride-basedsemiconductors.Such
materialscanbeincorporatedinfabricationofhigh-performanceandenergyeffcient “green” optoelectronic and electronic devices such as organic and
inorganic light-emitting diode (LED), laser diode (LD), photo diode (PD),
solarcells,andtransistors.Theincorporationoflowdimensionalstructures
significantlyenhancestheperformanceofeachofthedevices.
Objectives
Methodology The project is to synthesis/
grow, investigate and optimize
properties of low-dimensional
organic and inorganic thin-films
and nanostructures. Additionally,
the project aims to fabricate and
optimize advanced electronic
and
optoelectronic
devices
incorporating material-engineered
low-dimensional structures. Metal
organicchemicalvapordeposition
(MOCVD)systemisverycriticalfor
thisprojectasitistheonlyproven
technique for epitaxial growth
of high-quality single-crystalline
materials. The major novelty for
MOCVD growth in this project is
thatthethin-filmswillbegrownon
low-cost silicon substrate instead
ofexpensivesapphiresubstratein
conventional techniques by most
other research groups elsewhere.
The novelty would allow for the
realization of next-generation
advanced optoelectronic and
electronic devices at significantly
lowcost
The research will be carriedout
in
four
sub-projects,
comprising, (i) synthesis and
growth of low dimensional
materials, (ii) characterizations
of low dimensional materials,
(iii) fabrication of advance
optoelectronic and electronic
devices
incorporating
low
dimensional
structures,
and
(iv) optimization of devices
performance
by
materials
engineering. In synthesis and
growth sub-project, various low
dimensional structures will be
synthesized/grown by optimizing
the MOCVD growth parameters,
such as gas/vapor type, gas/
vapor ratio, gas/vapor flow rate,
growthtemperature,andchamber
pressure.
Subsequently,
the
material characterization subproject will include investigation
ofstructural,opticalandelectrical
properties, surface morphology,
crystal quality, compositional
profiles, defect analysis, crosssectional thickness, etc, using
advanced
characterization
techniques such as scanning
electron
microscopy
(SEM),
photoluminescence (PL), atomic
force microscopy (AFM), Hall
measurement, x-ray diffraction
(XRD), and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM). In device
fabrication
sub-project,
the
synthesized/grown
thin-film
structure will be fabricated into
operational devices, such as,
organic and inorganic lightemitting diodes, solar cells,
laser diodes, photo diodes, and
transistors.Thefabricationprocess
will include photolithography,
etching, metallization and hightemperature annealing. Finally, in
device optimization sub-project,
the properties of each thin-film
layer in the device structure will
be further optimized to obtain
high-performance energy-effcient
devices.
Advanced
material
engineering techniques such as
modulation doping, strained-layer
superlattices, lateral epitaxial
overgrowth and pendeo epitaxial
overgrowth would be beneficial
to significantly improve device
performanceandefficiency
Outcome
The
materials
synthesis/
growth method in this project
would open up possibilities
for innovative development of
various novel low-dimensional
structures and nanostructures.
The MOCVD epitaxial growth
technique in this project enables
innovative exploration in thin-film
growth such as strained-layer
superlattices(SLS),multi-quantum
well (MQW), quantum-dot (QD),
distributed Bragg reflector (DBR),
multilayer(ML)thin-filmstructure,
andnano-structures.Theadvance
low-dimensional structures and
nanostructureswouldenhancethe
performance optoelectronic and
electronic devices. The project is
the fundamental approach for the
growth and fabrication of energyefficient “green” devices such as
high-bright ligh-emitting diode
(HB-LED) for high color rendering
24/05/2012 9:44:55
index (CRI) light source, shortwavelength laser-diodes (LD)
for high-density storage, broadsensitivity photo-diodes (PD) for
fire and missile detection, and
high-performance high-electron
mobility transistors (HEMT) for
next
generation
microwave
communication
and
power
electronics
forPublications
Carbon
ThinSolidFilms
JournalofAppliedPhysics
103
Collaborators
Prof. Dr. Zainuriah Hassan,
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM),
PulauPinang,Malaysia.
Prof. Dr. Kamarulazizi Ibrahim,
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM),
PulauPinang,Malaysia.
Prof. Dr. Takashi Egawa, Nagoya
Institute of Technology, Nagoya,
Japan.
Prof. Dr. Takeo Furukawa, Tokyo
University of Science, Tokyo,
Japan.
Prof. Dr. Masahiro Funahashi,
Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa
University,Japan.
AppliedPhysicsLetter
MaterialsLetter
Title: An Empirical Kinetic Approach to Study the Occurence
of Ion Exchange at the Aqueous Cationic Micellar Surface
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Mohammad Niyaz Khan
Theoccurenceofionexchangebetweencounterionsationicmicellarsurface
wasprobablyfirstdetectedbykineticstudy.Nowitseemscertainthatthis
is an ubiquitous feature of such a colloidal system. But the fine-detailed
mechanism(s) of the occurence of ion exchange at ionic micellar surface
remained essentially a major problem in various areas of interest. The ion
exchangeconstant(alsoknownasionselectivityconstant)forionexchange
ationicmicellarsurfacecanbedeterminedbyvariousphysicalandchemical
techniques.
Viscoelasticity in dilute surfactant solutions has been of great interest.
It is believed that these viscoelastic systems form abnormally long (of
several hundred angstroms) cylindrical micelles which are responsible for
viscoelasticity.Itisoftenstatedintheliteraturethattheexistenceofthreadlike
micellesisnecessaryforsurfactantstobedrag-reducersinturbulentflow.In
spiteofdetailedstudies,severalaspectsoftheoriginofviscoelasticityhave
remainedunanswered.Forexample,itisnotclearwhythecylindricalmicelles
growtoseveralhundredangstromlengtheventhoughthevolumefrictionof
thesurfactantsisstilloftheorderof10-3(atthemilimolarconcentrations).
24/05/2012 9:44:55
104
Objectives
Methodology Todeveloptheanalyticalmethod(s)
for the determination of rate law
for cationic micelle-catalyzed
reactions.
To study the ion exchange at
ionic micellar surface by the use
of kinetics requires reaction rate
study involving an appropriate
semi ionic reaction carried out in
the presence of ionic micelles.
The main requirement of the
reactionsystemisthattherateof
the reaction must be significantly
sensitive to the occurrence of ion
exchange.Thereactionsweintend
toselectforthisprojectare(i)pHindependent hydrolysis of anionic
estersorimides,(ii)pH-dependent
hydrolysis of non-ionic esters
or imides and (iii) aminolysis of
anionicestersorimides
To investigate the kinetics and
mechanism of cationic micellecatalyzedreactionsofinterest.
To obtain/determine the ion
exchange constants (KXBr) for ion
exchange processes occuring at
thecationicmicellarsurface.
To establish a quantitative
correlation between the values of
KXBr(fordifferentX)andX–induced
cationicmicellarstructuralgrowth
Theratestudiesofthesereactions
can more accurately and
convenientlybestudiedbytheuse
of UV-Visible spectrophotometric
technique if there is a significant
change in UV-visible spectra
of the reactants and products.
The rate of reaction was studied
spectrophotometrically
by
monitoring either the decrease
or increase in the absorbance at
an appropriate wavelength as a
functionofreactiontime
For slow reactions (with half-lives
of 45-90 minutes), four to six
kinetic runs can be carried out
simultaneously by the use of the
multi sample cell programmer
unit of the spectrophotometer
The pH and cmc (critical micelle
concentration) measurements can
be carried out by the use of the
appropriate instruments available
inourresearchlabordepartment
The observed data (absorbance
versus reaction time) can be
analyzedusingappropriatekinetic
equation and nonlinear/linear
least-squarestechnique
Outcome
relationship between counterion
ion affinity to micelle and
counterion – induced micellar
growth
forPublications
Langmuir
Current Opinion in Colloid and
InterfaceScience
Advances in Colloid and Interface
Science
Journal of Physical Chemistry A
andB
Softmatter
Collaborators
Nil
Title: Mechanism of Binding of Antimicrobial Peptides on
Targeted Bacterial Membrane
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Koshy Philip
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are proteins of small molecular weight and
canactagainstbacteria,viruses,fungiandcancercelllinesactingasnovel
therapeuticproducts.ThelargerAMPsmayhavemorethan100aminoacids
andoftenbringaboutlysisintargetcells.Thesmallerpeptidesfunctionby
disruptingthestructureofcellmembranesinthetargetcells.Thesepeptides
areofdiverseoriginexhibitingsimilarordifferentmodesofaction.
Antimicrobial peptide mediated cell death show that some peptides may
be able to kill cells within 2 to 3 minutes of exposure. Novel antimicrobial
peptidesmayhavetheanswertodevelopmentofanewlineofantimicrobials
inviewoftheincreasingantibioticresistanceandemergenceofsuperbugs
worldwide. This study examines the mode of action of naturally occurring
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105
andsynthesizedpeptidesonselectedmicroorganisms,cancercelllinesand
red blood cells as targets for growth inhibition and proliferation. With the
elucidation of the fundamental mechanism, novel peptides can be isolated
anddevelopedforpossibleusedasbiopharmaceuticals.
Objectives
Methodology The physical and chemical
characteristics of synthesized
antimicrobial peptides will be
examined and compared with
those bio-prospected from plant
andmicrobialsources
Test bacteria are selected for
studying the effects of the
antimicrobial peptides including
strains
from
Escherichia
coli,
Helicobacter
pylori,
Staphylococcus aureus and oral
bacteria isolated from Malaysian
subjects. The peptide inhibition
of the test bacteria are examined
using standard microbiological
methods. Hemolytic activities of
the peptides are evaluated using
erythrocyte cells by determining
spectrophotometrically
the
amount of haemoglobin (Hb)
released from 8% suspension
of fresh rabbit red blood cells
(RBCs).The variation in effect of
the peptides on cell morphology
will be examined by scanning
electron microscopy. Circular
dichroism
(CD)
experiments
will be performed using a
spectropolarimeter to determine
the CD spectra of the peptides.
To investigate the conformational
changes induced by membranemimetic
environments,
dodecylphosphocholine and SDS
micellesofdefinedcompositionwill
beaddedtothepeptides.Foreach
spectrum,thedatafromfivescans
willbeaveraged.NMRexperiments
are conducted to investigate
the intramolecular hydrogen
bondinginthepeptidesandNMR
spectroscopy is used to generate
useful information about the
interaction between the peptides
and
micelles.
Inflammation
study will be carried out using
appropriate in vitro cell lines and
variationsingeneexpressionsare
to be evaluated suing specially
designedmicroarraygenechips
The
interactions
between
the peptides and the plasma
membrane (bacterial membrane
and erythrocyte cells) will
be determined using NMR
spectroscopy
Themodeofactionofthepeptides
in disrupting the membranes and
the morphology of the targeted
bacteriaandredbloodcellswillbe
investigated
Microarray genetic technique will
be used to evaluate change in
gene expression of inflammatory
molecules by the action of the
peptidesin vitro
Outcome
A better understanding of the
fundamental
mechanism
of
inhibition of microbial cells and
regression of cancer cell lines
by selected peptides can be
generated and the results can be
published in high impact tier one
journals
With the increase in antibiotic
resistance
from
mutant
microorganisms, the study will
be able to throw new light on
the use of novel antimicrobial
peptides to control and manage
the outbreaks of such pathogenic
microorganisms
forPublications
PLOSBiology
PLOSOne
JournalofBacteriology
JournalofBiotechnology
NewEnglandJournalofMedicine
AdvanceMicrobialPhysiology
CellMicrobiology
International
Journal
AntimicrobialAgents
of
Collaborators
Professor
Dr
John
Tagg,
Microbiology
Department,
UniversityofOtago,Dunedin,New
Zealand
Dr. Osama Abou Zied, Sultan
QaboosUniversity,Oman
Professor Dr Andres Metspalu,
University of Tartu & Head of
EsoniaGenomeProject,Estonia
Professor Sekaran Muniandy,
UniversityofMalaya,Malaysia
Dr. Noni Ajam, Deputy Head,
UniversityofMalaya,Malaysia
Dr.
Kumaresan
Nallasamy,
UniversityofMalaya,KualLumpur,
Malaysia
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106
Title: Bioactive Compounds from Malaysian Plants
Principal Investigator : Professor Datuk Dr. A.Hamid A.Hadi
This research involves the extraction and isolation of phytochemicals from
plantspecies.Thecrudeandpurecompoundswillsubjecttothebiological
activityassay.Theactivitymechanismwillalsobestudied.Thisprojectalso
involvesthesynthesisofbioactivemolecules.Thesynthesizedmoleculewill
betestedfortheirbioactivity.
Objectives
Methodology To extract the natural compounds
fromplantspecies
Extraction of dried plant species
using various solvent systems
suchashexane,dichloromethane,
andmethanol
Toisolatethepurephytochemicals
fromthecrudeextracts
Torunbioactivityforthecrudeand
purecompounds
To synthesis
molecules
the
bioactive
To
develop
the
compoundsfordrug
bioactive
forPublications
Interesting results havebeen
obtainedfromthisprojectandthis
resultscanbepublished
Isolationofpurecompoundsusing
chromatographic techniques such
as column chromatography, thin
layerchromatographyandHPLC
In tier-1 journal such as Journal
of Natural Products, Tetrahedron
letters,PlosandPhytochemistry.
Test for bioactivity of pure
compounds
using
standard
protocol such as antioxidant,
antiinflammatory,vasorelaxantand
anticancer
Collaborators
Professor David Mc Nicol,
GlassgowUniversity,Scotland
Outcome
Two papers have been published
inFitotrapiaandMolecules
Two papers have been submitted
intier-1journal
Morepapersareinpreparationfor
publicationintier-1journal
Title: Understanding Guerbet Glycosides’ Self-Assembly
Structures & Dynamics for Functional Nano-Biotechnology
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Rauzah Hashim.
Glycolipids can be found extensively in cell membranes of prokaryotes
and eukaryotes. Their detailed chemical structure is functional to stabilize
membrane structure and assist in molecular-recognition at the cell-surface.
Glycolipidsareamphiphilescomprisingofasugarheadgroupandanalkyl
chain.Theyareamphitropicabletoself-assemblewhendryaswellaswhen
solvated and their role in the membrane processes is understood through
theirlyotropicandsurfactantproperties.Thecellmembraneisassumedto
be a fluid bilayer containing both a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic region.
The former is involved in electrostatic interactions, mainly through the
extensivenetworkofhydrogen-bondingfromtheheadgroup-headgroupand
headgroup-water interactions, whereas the latter is governed by repulsive,
steric interaction between the alkyl chains, which are dynamic and often
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assumed to be randomly organised giving its fluidity nature. Within this
complexself-organisedmembraneassembly,thestructuralroleofglycolipids
canbestbeunderstoodthroughasystematicexaminationofthesemolecules
varying in headgroup geometry and their hydrocarbon chains structures, in
absence of solvent (thermotropic) as well as with studies performed as a
functionofwatercontent(lyotropic).
Relative to the lyotropic, study on glycolipid thermotropic phase behaviour
is recent less-well understood and investigation of possible thermotropic
application is underexploited. For example, despite being chiral and
ferroelectric possible tilted self-assembly structure similar to a tilted
thermotropic smectic C or SC, in the glycolipid organization has not been
shownuntilrecentlyeventhoughferroelectricphenomenaincellmembrane
functions have been reported. In addition, temperature dependent current
impliesthepresenceofpyroelectriceffectsandtheswellingofmembranes
inresponsetoanappliedvoltagealsosuggeststhepresenceofpiezoelectric
contributioninglycolipidbilayers.Thepresentresearchfocusonnature-like
syntheticglycosidesderivedfromthefamilyofGuerbetalcohols.
Objectives
Methodology The objectives in this research
are to understand the detailed
structure of Guerbet glycosides
using and to determine the
possible polymorphism which
may arise from heating these
material.Dynamicsbehaviorinthe
lyotropic will also be determined.
The possible applications of
these materials will be explored
especiallyforpyroelectricbehavior
Thepresentprojectfocusesonthe
following: preparation of Gerbet
glycosides. The self-assembly
structures of these materials
are studied by diffraction and
scatteringtechniques(eg.SWAXS,
SANS and synchrotron). Some
basic dynamics of self-assembly
will be determined by using
deuteriumNMRandtime-resolved
fluorescence
spectroscopy.
Aspects of modeling and
simulation will be included to
get detailed structure property
relationship
Nanoelectronic property of selfassemblyandinvestigationonthe
effectofexternalperturbation(eg.
field effect) on self-assembly will
beattempted
Outcome
forPublications
JournalofPhysicalChemistryB&
C
ColloidandSurfacesB
ChemistryandPhysicsofLipids
Langmuir,
Nanomedicines
LiquidCrystals
CarbohydrateChemistry
Collaborators:
Prof.J.M.Seddon
Prof.C.Solans
Prof.G.R.Luckhurst
Prof.OsamaK.Abou-Zied
Producing novel materials for
improvedformulation
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Title: Nanocavities for Fuel Storage
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Edward R.T. Tiekink
Exploitingfunctionalizedphosphineandthiocarbamideligands,byincluding
hydrogen-bondingfunctionality,and/orhavingphosphineandthiocarbamide
molecules capable of interacting with more than one gold atom, will
lead to a diverse variety of high-nuclearity clusters and supramolecular
architectures.Thesewillbeexaminedfortheirluminescencecharacteristics
and correlated with the formation of aurophilic interactions. The gold-rich
species, representing a link between mononuclear species and nano-sized
gold, and having water-solubilising groups, will be evaluated for their antitumouractivityaswellastheirpotentialuseahanstrheumatoidarthritisand
other disease. The ability of the newly synthesized molecules, all-organic
aswellasthegoldcompounds,toformco-crystalswillbeevaluated.This
project will generate new supramolecular chemistry, luminescent materials,
andindicationsforpharmacologicalpotential.
Objectives
Methodology
The objectives of this research
are multi-faceted and will have
significant
ramifications
for
supramolecular chemistry as
well as metal-based drugs,
and are summarised as i) to
develop a design principle for the
construction of high-nuclearity
aggregated based on covalent,
aurophilic and hydrogen-bonding
interactions, ii) to fine-tune
supramolecular architecture to
control solid-state luminescence
response,iii)tocorrelateaurophilic
interactions with solution and
solid-state luminescence, iv) to
generate (more) water-soluble
gold-rich species for biological
activity, v) to explore topochemical
photodimerization reactions mediated
by aurophilic interactions, vi) to
understand heterosynthon stability
in the solid-state as revealed in cocrystals, and, finally, vii) to develop a
hierarchy of supramolecular synthons
Using principles of chemistry and
a full range of physiochemical
characterisation techniques, this
project will be conducted on the
following set of principles: i) to
develop a design principle for the
construction of high-nuclearity
aggregated based on covalent,
aurophilic and hydrogen-bonding
interactions, ii) to fine-tune
supramolecular architecture to
control solid-state luminescence
response,iii)tocorrelateaurophilic
interactions with solution and
solid-state luminescence, iv) to
generate (more) water-soluble
gold-rich species for biological
activity, v) to explore topochemical
photodimerization reactions mediated
by aurophilic interactions, and vi)
to provide a handbook outlining the
hierarchy of supramolecular synthons
functional groups for evaluation
of pharmacological potential, and
iv) to determine the propensity
of
thioamide
and
related
molecules to form co-crystals
with GRAS (Generally Regarded
As Acceptable) as well as
functionalizedorganicmolecules
forPublications
ChemicalCommunications
CrystEngComm
CrystalGrowth&Design
DaltonTransactions
InorganicChemistry
Collaborators
Prof.DrIonelHaiduc,Universitatea
Babes-Bolyai
Outcomes
Prof. Dr Jan Reedijk, Universiteit
Leiden
The specific outcomes of this
researchprogrammeareexpected
to be i) the rational design of
phosphinegold(I) thiocarbamate
species of specific dimensions
(0-, 1-, 2- and 3-D) employing a
combinationofcovalent,aurophilic
andhydrogenbondinginteractions,
ii)thecorrelationofsupramolecular
architectures with solid-state
luminescence responses, iii) the
generationofnovelhigh-nuclearity
clusters with water-solubilising
Prof.DrVivianWing-WahYam,The
UniversityofHongKong
Prof. Dr Michael J. Zaworokto,
UniversityofSouthFlorida
Prof. Dr Julio ZukermanSchpector, Universidade Federal
deSãoCarlos
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109
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
FacultyofDentistry
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/DEN/01
Title: Dental Derived Stem Cells for Regenerative
Therapies
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Hayaty Abu Kasim
Faculty : Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry
The transplantation of human dental pulp stem/stromal cells (DPSCs) in
humanmandiblebonehascreatedanothersignificantimpactinthefieldof
regenerativemedicine.Thismadeforthefirsttimedentalstemcellresearch
tomovefrombenchtobedside.HumanDPSCsareoriginatedfromneuralcrestlineageandcanbeobtainednon-invasivelyfromteeththatareextracted
forclinicalreasonsandusuallydiscardedasbiologicalwaste.Studieshave
shownthatDPSCsarecapableofdifferentiatingintofullyfunctionalneuronal
cells, odontoblast, endothelium, hepatocytes and pancreatic cells. They
have also shown some remarkable outcome in pre-clinical studies. This
paradigm shift opens avenue into treatments for debilitating diseases with
tailor-madechoiceofstemcellinanticipationtoachievemaximumefficacy
in regenerative medicine. However, just like any other mesenchymal stem
cells(MSCs)sourcestheuseofDPSCsintransplantationrequireslargescale
expansionofcellsinordertocaterfortheneedofclinicalquantity.Inmost
clinical trials, including the first human DPSCs transplantation, fetal bovine
serum(FBS)hasbeenusedasthemainnutritionalsupplement.However,the
useofxenogenicserumiscomplicatedbecauseofhighlot-tolotvariability
coupledwiththeriskoftransmittinginfectiousagentsandimmunizingeffects.
Thereforethereisalwaysaneedtosearchforalternativesourcestoreplace
FBS wherein these substitutes must show competitive results. Human ES
cells allow scientists to explore early human development through in vitro
differentiation,whichrecapitulatesaspectsofnormalgastrulationandtissue
formation.Arobustmethodforestablishingimmortalculturesofpluripotent
stemcellsfromdiseasedindividualswouldnotonlybolsterdiseaseresearch
butalsolayafoundationforproducingautologouscelltherapiesthatwould
evade immune rejection and enable correction of gene defects prior to
tissuereconstitution.Onestrategyforproducingautologous,patient-derived
pluripotent stem cells is somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). In a proof of
principleexperiment,SCNT-embryonicstem(ES)cellsgeneratedfrommice
withgeneticimmunodeficiencywereusedtocombinegeneandcelltherapyto
repairthegeneticdefect.However,todate,SCNThasnotprovensuccessful
inthehumanand,giventhepaucityofhumanoocytes,isdestinedtohave
restrictedutility.Theseresultsserveasproof-of-principlethatpluripotentstem
cellscanbegeneratedfromsomaticcellsbythecombinationofappropriate
factors.Furthermore,thisgroupsuccessfullygeneratediPScellsbyretroviral
transductionfromhumandermalfibroblastsandothersomaticcells,which
arecomparabletohumanEScellsintheirdifferentiationpotentialin vitroand
in teratomas. Given the robustness of the strategy, direct reprogramming
appearstobeasimplisticsourceofpatient-derivedcelllines.Suchlineswould
be instantaneously valuable for medical research, yet current methods for
reprogrammingrequireinfectingthesomaticcellswithmultipleviralvectors,
therebyprecludingconsiderationoftheiruseintransplantationmedicineat
thistime.Thereforethefollowingprojectswillbeconductedtoaddressthe3
mainissues-:theusageofanimalproductindentalstemcellculturing,large
scale expansion to cater the clinical scale manufacturing and induction of
pluripotentstemcellsfromdentalstemcells.
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110
Objectives
Methodology Programme1:Isolation,expansion,
characterization and multilineage
differentiation of dental stem cells
inxeno-freeculturecondition
TheInstitutionalEthicsCommittee
will approve sample collection
protocols used. The inform
consent will be obtained from
all human subjects that will
participate in the study and the
nature of the procedure and
be fully explained. The following
experiments will be conducted
to achieve the aforementioned
objectives, isolation of stem cells
from various sources of dental
tissues as well as from other
sources,colonyformingunits,cell
proliferationassay,flow-cytometry,
immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR,
Real Time PCR, Microarray,
karyotyping,
immunohistochemistry,safetyandtoxicitytest.
1.
To optimize the isolation of
dental stem cells in a xenofree culture condition for
therapeuticusage
2.
To identify the level of
expansion of dental stem
cells in a xeno-free culture
condition
3.
To determine whether dental
stemcellsculturedinaxenofreecultureconditionareable
to differentiate into neuroectcoderm, mesoderm and
endodermlineages
Programme 2: large scale
expansion of dental pulp stem
cellsfortherapeuticpurposes
1.
To design a large scale cell
expansionsystemusingstem
cells from single and pooled
donors
2.
To compare the biosimilarities of dental stem
cells derived from single and
pooleddonorsinalargescale
system
3.
To compare the large scale
stem cells from dental pulp
withothercelllines
Outcome
Optimisationand expansion of
dentalderivedstemcellsinxenofreeculturecondition
Better
understanding
of
advantages and disadvantages
of dental derived stem cells
expanded from single and pooled
donors
Derivation of iPS cell lines from
dentalorigin
Understanding
the
potential
of dental derived stem cells in
regenerativemedicine
for Publications
JournalforDentalResearch
JournalofEndodontics
JournalforPeriodontalResearch
StemCellsResearch
RegenerativeMedicine
Collaborator
Prof. Jeremy Mao, Tissue
Engineering
&
Regenerative
MedicineLaboratory,
College of Dental Medicine,
ColombiaUniversity,USA
Hygieia Innovation Sdn. Bhd,
Federal Territory of Putrajaya,
Malaysia.
Programme 3: Derivation of
induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
(iPScelllines)fromdentalorigin
1.
Tounderstandtheunderlying
biologyofreprogramingcells
through viral and non-viral
induction
2.
To identify the efficacy of
dental pulp stem cells in
developing towards induced
pluripotent cell lines (iPS cell
lines)
3.
To differentiate the induced
pluripotent stem cells from
dental origin into lineage
progenitorcelllines
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111
Title: Pre-Clinical Assessment of Autologous/Allogeneic
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Fromvarious Sources
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Sabri bin Musa
Faculty : Department of Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of
Dentistry
Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate
intovariouslineagesandareknowntobehypo-immunogenicinnature.These
uniquepropertieshaveattractedtheattentionofcellbiologists,immunologists
as well as clinicians leading to initiation of pilot clinical trials for various
indications. However, MSC transplantation in humans has its own benefits
and risks. The presence of MHC-I and up-regulation of MHC-II expression
in the presence of host interferon-gamma are important determinants of
their use as immunomodulators. Safety profiling in terms of cytogenetic
instability, support of tumor growth, ectopic differentiation, fetal calf serum
response, effect of inflammatory molecules released from MSCs, and cell
productpurificationmustbecarefullyconsideredpriortoincorporatinginto
clinicalpractice,speciallyforallogeneicMSCtransplantation.Mesenchymal
stemcellshavealargenumberofreceptorsthatcanmakethemintolerant
ofT-cellsandactivatetheMHC-IIup-regulation.Autologous/allogeneicMSC
transplantationoftenfollowsacascadeofimmunefunctionmodulationevents
resultingincomplexcell–cellinteractionsandvaryingresponsestodifferent
cell types. On most occasions autologous cells may not pose as serious a
threatofrejection,graftversushostdisease(GvHD)orimmunedeviationas
allogeneicMSCtransplantation.ThecontrastingreportsoftheMSCimmune
modulation and subversion of the same on the host milieu or under other
inflammatoryconditionstriggeringthereversalofthesamefunctionsindicate
that these cells must be thoroughly evaluated for the cell–cell compatible
factors . Further, MSC passage cell infusion number, frequency, duration,
concurrent immune-suppression and pre-injection manipulation of MSCs
areneededtoderiveoptimaltherapeuticbenefitfromMSCtransplantation.
Withthegapsinexistingliterature,wefelttheneedtoexplorethefeasibility
of developing a pre-clinical model for a few common diseases using
mesenchymalstemcellsderivedfromvarioussources.
Objectives
The objective of the project has
beendividedinto3majorsegments
in order to fully understand the
biologyimportanceofdentalstem
cellsinregenerativetherapies
1.
Theefficacyofmesenchymal
stem cells in critical limb
ischemiapre-clinicalmodel
Theobjectivesare:
a)
b)
c)
To set up and possibly
validate the methods
to investigate biodistribution, trafficking
and persistence of
mesenchymal
stem
cells isolated from
various sources in vivo,
tumorigenic
potential
andlocaltolerability
Tosetupanappropriate
animalmodelforcritical
limbischemia
Toexamineprosandcons
of immunocompromised
animalsandhomologous
models
in
the
aforementioneddisease
models
in
the
2.
The effect of mesenchymal
stem cells transplantation in
an Osteoarthritis (OA) preclinicalmodel.
Theobjectivesare:
a)
b)
c)
To set up and possibly
and persistence of
mesenchymal
stem
cells isolated from
tumorigenic
potential
and local tolerability in
anOAmodel
animal
model
for
osteoarthritis(OA)
3.
Thepotentialofmesenchymal
stem cells transplantation in
a cerebral stroke pre-clinical
model.
Theobjectivesare:
a)
b)
c)
To set up and possible
and persistence of
mesenchymal
stem
cells isolated from
tumorigenic
potential
and local tolerability in
ancerebralstrokemodel
animal
model
for
cerebralstroke
models
in
the
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112
Methodology TheInstitutionalEthicsCommittee
will approve sample collection
protocols used. The inform
consent will be obtained from
all human subjects that will
participate in the study and the
nature of the procedure and
be fully explained. The following
experiments will be conducted
to achieve the aforementioned
objectives, isolation of stem cells
from various sources of dental
tissues as well as from other
sources,colonyformingunits,cell
proliferationassay,flow-cytometry,
immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR,
Real Time PCR, Microarray,
karyotyping,
immunohistochemistry,safetyandtoxicitytest
Outcome
1ISIPublicationsfortheYear2011
forPublications
StemCells
PNAS
PLoSone
Collaborator
Hygieia Innovation Sdn. Bhd,
Federal Territory of Putrajaya,
Malaysia.
Title: Constructing the Cancer Progression Model: The
Identification of Key Players in Malignant Transformation
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Zainal Ariff Abdul Rahman
Faculty : Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry
It is well-established that cancer occurs as a result of a sequential
accumulation of genetic alterations. The ability to identify the specific
changes between normalcy and malignancy enables us to understand the
geneticchangesthatareneededformalignanttransformation.Often,cancer
ispreceededbypremalignantstageswhichallowsanopportunitytointervene
topreventcancerdevelopment.Changesinthegeneticprofilesofthedifferent
carcinogenesisstages,atboththeepithelialandstromacompartmentswill
provide an opportunity to use this information as a screening tool to catch
theselesionsearlybeforetheyreachmalignancy.Oralcancer(oralsquamous
cellcarcinoma;OSCC)isasignificantdiseaseworldwideandaccountsforup
to400,000newcaseseachyear.Usingoralcancerasamodel,weproposeto
analysethegeneticchangesthatdrivemalignanttransformation.
Objectives
Using array-based methods and
systembiology,wehopetoidentify
genetic changes that drive the
malignanttransformationprocess,
and to use this information
to develop gene signatures
for diagnostic and prognostic
purposes. Further, we aim to
establish in vitro models to study
the function of genes that will be
identifiedinthisstudy
Methodology
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded
tissue specimens for this project
will be obtained from the Oral
Cancer Research and Co-
ordinating
Centre,
Universiti
Malaya.Theepithelialandstromal
tissues of the specimens will
be microdissected. RNA will be
extractedandarray-basedstudies
will be performed. A systems
biology approach will be used to
analyse the gene expression and
DNA array results. Dysplastic cell
lineswillbeestablishedfromfresh
tissuestodevelopin vitromodels.
Upto3over-expressedgeneswith
maximum biological significance
derived from the array-based
studies will be selected and
studiedusingthein vitrosystems.
Thesestudieswillformthebasisof
inhibitingtheproteinexpressionof
candidategeneswiththepurpose
of curbing the development of
OSCC
Outcome
From the studies, we will be able
to identify genetic markers which
drive malignant transformation.
Based on the genetic changes,
a screening tool to catch these
lesions early before they reach
malignancycanbedeveloped.
forPublications
ClinicalCancerResearch
CancerResearch
JournalofPathology
Oncogene
BritishJournalofCancer
24/05/2012 9:44:56
Collaborators
ProfDrRosnahBintiZain,PnWan
Nabillah Abd Ghani. Oral Cancer
Research
and
Coordinating
Centre,UM.
Dr Lau Shin Hin, Institute for
MedicalResearch,Malaysia
Dr Wan Mahadzir Wan Mustafa,
Dr Mannil Thomas Abraham,
Dr Norlida Abdullah, Ministry of
HealthMalaysia
113
Prof Dr Stephen Prime, Dr. Nicola
Cirillo,UniversityofBristol,United
Kingdom
Asst Prof Dr Tan Aik Choon,
University of Colorado, United
States
Statistical Analysis Laboratory,
Dept. of Clinical Research,
KaohsiungMedicalUniversity
Assoc Prof Dr Connie Yang
Yi-Hsin, Chung-Ho Memorial
Hospital,Kaohsiung,Taiwan
Dr Thomas George, Faculty of
Dentistry,UM
Title: Periodontal Disease: The Development of Genomic
Biomarkers and the Impact of Disease on Quality of Life
Principal Investigator : Dr. Rathna Devi Vaithilingam
Faculty : Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine and Periodontology,
Faculty of Dentistry
Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease which results in
irreversible attachment loss, bone destruction and tooth loss, is a major
oralhealthproblemaffecting90.2%ofMalaysianpopulation.5.5%ofthese
subjects have advanced periodontal disease. Although periodontitis is a
multi-factorial disease and microbial and environmental factors initiate and
modify disease progression, findings from several studies suggest that the
severity and progression of periodontitis might be associated with genetic
polymorphisms.Geneticallytransmittedtraitssuchasgenepolymorphisms
may accentuate the host’s inflammatory response to a bacterial challenge
andaccountforvariationinindividualsusceptibilitytoperiodontitis.Here,we
proposetoidentifycandidategenesandpolymorphismsthatareassociated
with periodontitis using genomewide association studies (GWAS). The
analysis and identification of potential genes of this scale (using GWAS) is
unprecedented in South East Asia and current literature indicates that the
existing studies conducted in the West may not directly be relevant to the
Asianpopulationduetoinherentgeneticdifferences.Apreliminarystudyto
establishthebaselineSNPsinvolvedinadvancedperiodontaldiseasewillbe
expandedfurthertoincludesubjectsbothwithinMalaysiaandintheSouth
EastAsiancountriesthroughexistingcollaborationstovalidatetheSNPsthat
wereidentified.
Objectives
To validate if known genetic
polymorphisms for periodontal
disease
express
functional
evidenceinMalaysianperiodontitis
subjects by assessing host
responseexpression
To analyse and identify genetic
susceptible loci of advanced
periodontaldiseaseusingGWAS
Tovalidateifknownpolymorphisms
for periodontal disease are
associated with risk factors like
microbiological
parameters,
ethnicityandsystemicdiseases
Ingeneral,theoverallmethodology
ofthiscase-controlstudy,centres
around the identification of
advanced chronic periodontitis
patients who have not undergone
treatment and patients without
periodontal disease acting as
controls. Control patients will be
To evaluate the oral health
related quality of life impacts of
periodontalpatients
Methodology matched on sex, age (within five
years)andethnicity
Data collection will include
demographicdata,lifestylehabits,
levelofeducation,dentalvisitsand
brushing frequency. The patients
will then be examined and their
clinical parameters (excluding
the 8’s) will be assessed using
PlaqueIndex(Silness&Loe,1964),
Gingival index (Loe & Silness,
1963), Bleeding Index, Clinical
attachment loss and Probing
PocketDepth
24/05/2012 9:44:56
114
Patients’heightandweight(forBMI
calculation) will also be recorded.
Bloodandplaquesampleswillbe
collectedfromthesepatients
Host response expression of
known genetic polymorphisms
for cytokines (ILs, TNF, TGF),
receptor polymorphisms and
other polymorphisms will be
evaluated from serum samples
using ELISA. Microbiological
identification and quantification
of Porphyromonas gingivalis,
Tannarella forsythia, Prevotella
intermedia and Aggregatibacter
actinomycetemcomitans will be
conducted using Real Time-PCR.
The OHIP-14 questionnaire (Oral
Health related Quality of Life
survey) which has been validated
for the Malaysian population
will be used to assess the oral
health impacts of periodontal
disease on these patients.
GenotypingandClinicalChemistry
will be conducted through
GWAS, whereby sequencing of
susceptibility loci in selected
genes and fine-mapping of the
association signals of selected
geneswillbeconducted
Outcome
Better understanding of genes
that predispose individuals to
periodontitis
Individualswhocouldbenefitfrom
early and appropriate periodontal
treatmentcanbeidentifiedandthis
may ultimately improve patients’
oralhealthrelatedqualityoflife
forPublications
JournalofClinicalPeriodontology
JournalofPeriodontology
HumanMolecularGenetics
JournalofPeriodontalResearch
Collaborators
Prof Mark Bartold, University of
Adelaide,Australia
Title: Tissue-Engineered Oral Mucosa
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Chai Wen Lin
Faculty : Department of General Practice and Oral and Maxillofacial, Faculty
Dentistry
With the advance of tissue-engineering technology, innovative oral mucosa
substituteshavebeendeveloped.Ithasbeenusedtocoverthedefectsinoral
cavityafteroralandmaxillofacialsurgerysuchaspremalignantandcancerous
excision,orpreprostheticsurgery.Besidesitsuseforintra-oraldefects,some
studieshaveculturedoralmucosalequivalents(OMEs)forextra-oralgrafting,
suchasfortissuesubstitutesinurethroplasty,extensiveburnwoundandeyelid
reconstruction.InadditiontotheclinicalapplicationoftheOMEs,themodels
havebeenusedinin-vitrostudies,suchaspermeabilitytestfortransmucosal
drugdelivery,oralmucosalresponsetoinfection,biocompatibilitytestingfor
dentalbiomaterials,andimplant-softtissueinterfaceinvestigations.
24/05/2012 9:44:56
Objectives
Methodology Using cadaveric acellular dermis,
weaimtodevelopa3-dimensional
oral mucosa equivalent that will
serve wide potential as in intraoral grafting, in-vitro models for
the investigation of the implantsoft tissue interface. However,
the
instability
of
cultured
keratinocytes lead us to explore
the potential of dental pulp stem
cell that will further direct us to
investigate the interactions of
various mesenchymal stem cells,
i.e. gingival, periodontal ligament
fibroblasts, pulpal stem cells,
bone marrow stroma cells on the
epithelial morphogenesis of oral
mucosalequivalents
To develop the oral mucosal
model, four different cell sources,
i.e.gingivalfibroblasts,periodontal
ligament fibroblasts, pulpal stem
cellsandbonemarrowstromacells
will be used. These organotypic
tissueswillbeculturedondifferent
types of scaffolds and different
duration to obtain an optimised
epithelial morphogenesis. The
engineered organotypic tissues
willbecharacterizedhistologically
andquantitativelyevaluatedusing
a permeability test. Exploration of
regenerationofperi-implanttissue
willbeconductedusing periodontal
fibroblasts which will be cocultured onto the pericardium
membrane.Theproteinexpression
oftheinteractionoftheregenerated
tissue will be investigated. The
investigation
of
peri-implant
tissue will be conducted using
in-vitro and in-vivo models. For
in-vitro model, based on the
developed oral mucosa model
and new implant surfaces, the
qualityofthebiologicalsealofthe
implant-softtissueinterfacewillbe
evaluated qualitatively as well as
quantitatively.Asforin-vivostudy,
the soft tissue response on the
dentalimplantswillbeinvestigated
inhumanandanimalsubjects
115
substitutes for grafting purposes.
Theoralmucosaldonorsitecould
be the most convenient site for
cells harvesting in constructing
the tissue substitutes. Hence,
the knowledge of oral epithelialmesenchymal interaction will
enhancethepotentialconstruction
ofsofttissuesubstitutesforclinical
applications.Inaddition,thethree
dimensional
tissue-engineered
oral mucosal model is a more
representative in-vitro model for
various in-vitro studies such as
biocompatibilitytestoforalhealth
products, drug diffusion, invasion
of infectious or cancerous lesions
and implant-soft tissue interface
investigations
forPublications
JournalofClinPeiodontol
ClinicalOralImplantResearch
ClinicalImplantDentalResearch
Journal of Biomedical Materials
Research
DentalMaterials
Collaborators
Outcome
A better understanding of the
epithelial-mesenchymalinteraction
inregulatingepithelialphenotypes
during
tissue-engineering,
could advance the technology
in constructing different tissue
substitutes for either in-vivo
or in-vitro purposes. To date,
there is still a lack of ideal tissue
Dr
Keyvan
Moharamzadeh,
University of Sheffield, Sheffield,
UK
Dr Zurairah bt Berahim, USM,
Kelantan
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116
Title: Biobanking of Oral Cancers: An Assessment of
Survival, Clinicopathological Parameters, Management
Strategies, Nutrition, and Genetic Susceptibility of Patients
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Rosnah Mohd Zain
Faculty : Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine and Periodontology,
Faculty of Dentistry
Oral Cancer Research & Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), at the Faculty of
Dentistry, Universiti Malaya (UM) through collaborations with Universiti
Sains Malaysia (USM), Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health (MOH) and
Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF) has initiated a biobanking
system named as the Malaysian Oral Cancer Database and Tissue Bank
System(MOCDTBS)in2003undertheIRPARMK8fundingmechanism.The
MOCDTBSisnowattherightplacetoprovidegoodclinicalandlaboratory
dataasthedatacollectedisnowmaturedwhereithasreachedthe5-year
markwhere5-yearsurvivaldatawouldbeavailable.Thusweneedtoevaluate
thedifferentaspectsthatcontributetotheriskoforalcancerandthesurvival
ofthepatients.
Objectives
Methodology In this study, we plan to
assess relationship between
clinicopathological parameters,
managementstrategies,nutritional
status and genetic susceptibility
withriskoforalcancerandsurvival
of these patients. Furthermore,
duetotheincreaseintherequest
for data with good follow up and
biospecimensofhighqualityfrom
bothresearchersandpostgraduate
students, there is a need for the
MOCDTBS to be consolidated
and enhanced. The maintenance,
consolidation
and
further
development of the MOCDTBS
will allow for continuous credible
data and specimen collection
thus providing for a large number
of high quality biospecimen with
good data for future research
projects
Data on various parameters
such
as
sociodemography,
clinicopathological parameters,
details of patient management
and nutrition; and specimens will
be collected from three higher
learning institutions and six
government hospitals. Data and
specimens collected will then be
analysed
To enhance MOCDTBS for better
retrieval, a system where data
from database and biospecimen
information from the Freezerwork
can be integrated for ease of
retrieval will be developed. The
currentdatabaseandFreezerwork
software will also be upgraded to
allow for a more efficient system
of data/specimen storage and
retrieval as there is an increase
of more complex data such as
intervalfollow-updata,histological
sections and laboratory findings.
Membership into ISBER, a
leading international forum for
promoting consistent, high quality
standards, ethical principles and
innovationinbiospecimenbanking
will also be initiated to ensure
that the MOCDTBS conforms to
internationalstandards
Outcome
Establishment
of
a
more
comprehensive oral cancer data
andspecimenbank.
Clinicopathological
parameters
will be established for better
prognostic evaluations of oral
cancerpatients
Identification
of
the
best
management strategies for oral
cancerpatients
Knowledge on the effect of
nutritionintakeonriskandsurvival
ofpatients.
Identification of important genes
susceptibletooralcancer
Recognition of Universiti Malaya
as the repository for oral cancer
biospecimen
collection
and
analysis
forPublications
OralOncology
Head&Neck
American Journal of Clinical
Nutrittion
HumanGenetic
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers
&Prevention
EuropeanJournalofEpidemiology
International
Epidemiology
Journal
of
Collaborators
Oral Health Division, Ministry of
Health
UniversitiSainsMalaysia
Cancer
Research
Foundation(CARIF)
Initiatives
24/05/2012 9:44:56
117
Title: The Oral Health Status, Unmet Needs, Barriers and
Management Strategies for Dental Healthcare Among HIV/
AIDS and Other Patients With Special Needs in Malaysia
Principal Investigator : Dr. Jacob John
Faculty : Department of General Practice and Oral and Maxillofacial, Faculty
of Dentistry
Withanestimated90000personswithHIV/AIDSinMalaysialivinglonger,the
needforroutinedentalcare,aswellasrelieffromthediscomfortanddisability
associated with concomitant oral lesions is increasing steadily. Changes in
the mouth are common in a person with a weakened immune system and
also while taking certain medications. However, the fear among healthcare
providersofbeinginfectedhasledtoirrationalanddiscriminatorytreatment
ofpeoplelivingwithHIV/AIDS.PeoplelivingwithHIVhavemoreunmetoral
healthcareneedsthanthegeneralpopulationandtheyalsohavemoreunmet
oral health care needs than unmet medical needs. Desired oral healthcare
forpatientswithspecialneedscanonlyberenderedifnegativeperceptions
amongthehealthcareprovidersareeliminated,accesstocareimprovedand
innovativepreventiveprogramsdeveloped.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
To evaluate the oral health status
in terms of prevalence of dental,
periodontal, mucosal lesions
and quality of saliva in relation to
generalhealthamongthesubjects.
The oral health status of HIV/
AIDS patients and other patients
with special needs recruited for
this study in terms of prevalence
of dental, periodontal,mucosal
lesionsandsalivaryqualitywillbe
determined. The findings will then
be correlated with their general
health and perceived oral health
related quality of life. The costing
for managenment of the subjects
willalsobedetermined
Data on the oral health status
of HIV/AIDS patients as well as
patients with special needs in
Malaysia
To identify the oral healthcare
rendered to the subjects and the
treatmentneeds/barriersofthese
patients
To assess the perception and
atitude of dental healthcare
providers in managing oral health
statusofthesubjects.
To analyse the costing of delivery
ofcareforthesubjects
To recommend guidelines and
policiestoimprovetheoralhealth
status of HIV/aids patients and
Malaysia
Dentalhealthcareproviderswillbe
trainedtorecognizethetreatment
needs and mangement strategies
of these patients by conducting
standardization training and
calibration
workshops.
The
knowledge on treating these
patients will be assessed at
training to get the baseline data
on the level of awareness and
experienceofthedentalhealthcare
providers. The effectiveness of
this standardization workshop on
oral health management of these
patientswillbeassessed
Aninterventionprogramtoimprove
the oral health status of this
population will then be designed
based on the data collected.
This intervention program will be
evaluated for its effectiveness
and finally, recommendations
on guidelines and policies on
oral health treatment strategies
in treating patients with special
needsinMalaysiawillbemade
New knowledge on the unmet
needs, barriers as well as
perception and attitude of dental
health care providers on treating
Malaysia
Training of dental healthcare
providersforbetteroralhealthcare
management of patients with
specialneedsinMalaysia
forPublications
Community Dentistry & Oral
Epidemiology
Brazilian Journal of Infectious
Diseases
MedicalEducation
AIDSPatientCareandSTDs
Collaborators
CentreofExcellenceforResearch
inAIDS(CERiA)
MinistryofHealth,Malaysia
MalaysianPrisonsDepartment
Dr. K. Ranganathan, Prof. of Oral
& Maxillofacial Pathology and
ResearchDirector,ChennaiDental
ResearchFoundation
DrRuthGray,InternationalLiaison
Officer, National Association of
PrisonDentistry,UK
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118
Title: Identification of Cancer Specific Genomic
Duplications and Deletions by Use of Array Based
Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), Validation
of Differentially Expressed Genes and Single Nucleotide
Polymorphisms (SNPs) Studies and Protein Array Analysis:
Possible Prognostic Tools
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Rosnah Mohd Zain
Faculty : Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine and
Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry
Despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell
carcinoma(OSCC),themortalityandmorbidityratesareexceptionallyhigh.
Ofnote,oralcarcinogenesisisamultistepprocessinvolvingtheaccumulation
of chromosomal aberrations which could lead to oncogenic transformation
byactivationofanoncogeneandinactivationoftumorsuppressorgene.In
viewofthis,thisstudyaimstoperformthearrayCGHandgeneexpression
microarray with similar samples in order to identify the ‘driver’ gene which
conferstogrowthadvantageinoralcarcinogenesis.Thecorrelationbetween
chromosomal alterations regions (from aCGH) and gene expression data
(microarray) with socio-demographic and clinico-pathological parameters
can facilitate early intervention and identify key genetic abnormalities that
reflect different stages of tumour progression (development, invasion and
metastasis).
Thisstudyalsocarriesoutproteinarraytoidentifythetumorauto-antibodies
(TAAs) in oral cancer patients. TAAs could play roles as novel diagnostic
cancerbiomarkersandmaycontributetowardsabetterunderstandingofthe
molecularmechanismsinvolved.
Objectives
Theaimofthisprojectistoidentify
copynumberalterations(CNAs)in
oral cancer patients and correlate
the CNAs with sociodemographic
andclinic-pathologicalparameters.
Using advanced bioinformatics
approaches, the integration of
CNAs and gene expression data
will give a comprehensive picture
of biomarkers that are highly
correlated to oral cancer. This
study also aims to determine the
mRNA and protein expression for
potential oncogenes and tumor
suppressor. In order to determine
the implication of the selected
gene(s) in oral carcinogenesis,
further downstream functional
assays will be carried out. This
studywillannotatenoveltranscript
differentially expressed between
oral cancers and normal samples
from
previous
trancriptome
sequencing
Tumor auto-antibodies (TAA) will
be determined using advanced
proteinarrayusingserumsample.
Identification of TAA could play
roles as novel diagnostic cancer
biomarkers and may contribute
Methodology towards a better understanding
of the molecular mechanisms
involved. Based on previous
studies, a few novel SNPs were
identified.Asthesetumorspecific
markerscouldbeusedtodevelopa
diagnostictoolforearlydetection,
this project aims to validate the
known and novel SNPs/mutation
discoveredinoralcancersamples
gDNAandcDNAofOSCCsamples
will be concurrently used for
array CGH and gene expression
microarray study. The matched
potential oncogenes and tumor
suppressor genes will be further
studied using real time PCR and
IHC technique. Their function in
oral cancer will be characterized
usingsiRNAknowdowntechnique
inselectedoralcancercellline(s).
The gene annotation process is
conducted in three stages, which
are nucleotide level annotation,
protein-level annotation and
process-level annotation. Through
our collaborations with Oxford
Gene Technology, we plan to
determine the novel TAA from
OSCC Indian patients using
protein array. The novel TAA will
then be further validated using
ELISA/Westernblottechnique.The
validationofthenovelandknown
SNPs will be carried out using
RFLPandsequencingmethod
24/05/2012 9:44:57
Outcome
Collaborators
Identification of oral cancer
markers
and
mutations
(biomarkers) that can be linked to
increased risk enabling preventive
measurestobetakenatanearlier
stage
Oral Health Division, Ministry of
Health
119
CARIF
OxfordGeneTechnology,UK
forPublications
PlosOneBiology
OralOncology
JournalofProteomics
Cancer Research
Biology
/
Genome
OralOncology
Head&Neck
InternationalJournalofCancer
Pathology
OralOncology
CancerResearch/GenomeBiology
24/05/2012 9:44:57
120
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
FacultyofComputerScienceandInformationTechnology(FCSIT)
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/FCSIT/03
Title: Mobile Cloud Computing: Device and Connectivity
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Gani
Faculty : Department of Computer System & Technology, FCSIT
Cloud computing (CC) is the future. As such, IBM, Amazon, HP and many
more have invested in the infrastructure. Gartner Research estimates CC
globalmarketvaluecouldreachUSD150billionin2014.Thepublicasuser
has responded positively to the services offered by CC due to a bunch of
advantages. However, those services can only be enjoyed by powerful
devicessuchasdesktops,andlaptops.Smallportabledevicessuchassmart
phones,tabletswiththelimitationinprocessingpower,storagecapacity,and
batterylifeareunabletotaptheadvantagesrenderedbyCC.Thisresearch
willfindwaystonarrowthegapbetweenCCandsmartphonesbycreatinga
smartphone-friendlyarchitectureandoptimizethecapabilityofsmartphones
tosuitthenatureofCC.
Objectives
Methodology The research focuses on
developinganewmobileplatform
and
wireless
connectivity
architecture that can access the
richcloudcomputingservicesfrom
smartphone.Threemajorprojects
areundertaken,asfollows:
The research is undertaken by
three groups. Each member
of the project group works on
specific project. Each project will
work on the proposed model,
generated through an intensive
study on the literature of CC,
Grid Computing and Distributed
Systems to produce a model that
lateronwouldbeusedtodevelop
aprototype
• Lightweight
mobile
architecture.
The
architecture of Rich Mobile
Application
(RMA)
is
proposed
• Seamless
wireless
broadband
connectivity.
The
architecture
that
supports heterogeneity is
proposed
• Security.Privacyisthemain
concern in the community,
and therefore this project
addressestheissueofdata
availability
Prior to developing a prototype,
the model will be validated by
runningaseriesofsimulation.The
prototype is used for the purpose
ofevaluation
Outcomes
forPublications
IEEE/ACM
Networking
Transaction
on
IEEETransonMobileComputing
IEEE Trans on Parallel and
DistributedSystems
Future Generation
Systems
Computer
Collaborators
Nasser Abouzakhar, University of
Hertfordshire,UK
Raul Acquinor, Universidad de
Colima,Mexico.
Raj Kumar Buyya, University of
Melbourne,Australia
Newmodelofarchitectures
Prototypes
Simulationcodes
AcademicReports
24/05/2012 9:44:57
121
Project No: UM.C/HIR/MOHE/FCSIT/04
Title: Recursive Approach for the Design of Asynchronous
Sequential Circuits
Principal Investigator : Mohammed Ziaur Rahman
Faculty : Department of Computer System & Technology, FCSIT
The current processors are limited by the performance of their clock
cycles. This is a fundamental disadvantage of synchronous circuits. As the
developmentpushedthelimitstoworkfurtherincreasingtheprocessorspeed
accordingtoMoore’slawwillnotbepossiblebysynchronoustechniques.An
alternativeistodeviseasynchronousclock-lessprocessors.Inthisresearcha
consolidatedapproachwillbetakentodeviseafullyfunctionalasynchronous
clock-lessprocessortoovercomethechallengesofsynchronousprocessors.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
Design and improve mechanisms
for efficient hand-shaking of
asynchronousdigitallogiccircuits
The existing simulation and
electronic design automation
(EDA) tools from Synopsis,
Mentorgraphics or Orcad will be
used.Additionally,astheproposed
approach
is
fundamentally
differentfromexistingsynchronous
sequential circuits, newer tools
need to be implemented and
tested for the simulation and
realizationofthenewercircuits
New theories for asynchronous
sequential circuits will be
developed.
The
theoretical
basis will be exploited to design
fully asynchronous self-timed
processors that will challenge the
mainstreamcomputerprocessors
Design new adder/multiplier
logic circuits using recursive
circuit invented and patented by
the principal researcher. These
building blocks will be utilized in
thenextobjective
To devise a complete prototype
asynchronous reduced instruction
set processor using self-timed
recursivecircuit
Development of design tools for
asynchronous circuit simulation
that will particularly address
simulationofrecursivecircuits
Developmentofproperinstruction
set for the new processor and
assembly language compiler for
thedesignedinstructionset
Three major groups will be
operating for the realization of
the project. Firstly, the theoretical
evaluation team will delve deep
into the fundamental aspects
of asynchronous processors.
Secondly, the system evaluation
and simulation team will be
involved for design of software
solutionsforthepropersimulation
of asynchronous systems. Lastly
the physical verification team will
be involved for VLSI fabrication
and
prototype
hardware
implementation. All these three
teamswillworkundersupervision
oftheteamleader.Nominalgroup
sizewillbe3foreachteam
The developed technology could
possibly be utilized for both
mainstream computer processors
aswellasprocessorsadaptedfor
low power micro devices such as
mobilehandphones,smartphones,
ipad,tabletPCsetc
forPublications
IEEETransactionsonComputers
IEEE Trans on Circuits and
Systems
Jnl of Computer and System
Sciences
Integration:TheVLSIJnl
TheoreticalComputerScience
Collaborators
Rezaul Alam Chowdhury, Stony
BrookUniversity,NewYork,USA.
24/05/2012 9:44:57
122
Title: Multimodal Engagement For Children With
Communication Disabilities
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr Siti Salwah Salim
Faculty : Department of Software Engineering, FCSIT
The term communication disabilities refer to speech impairments such as
stuttering,impairedarticulationoravoiceimpairmentthatadverselyaffects
a child’s educational performance. This research focuses on two types of
communication disabilities among children – speech disorders and autism.
Speech disorders involve problems such as difficulties in making speech
sounds.Autismontheotherhandreferstoneuraldevelopmentimpairments
characterized by damaged communication and social interaction. With the
advancementintechnologythesechildrencanimprovetheircommunication
capabilitybyusingcommunicationdevicesthatenablevocalcommunication.
Thesecommunicationdeviceswouldpotentiallyimprovethecommunication
ability of these children. However, the existing systems, software tools and
devicesareprofoundlyinadequatetomeettheseobjectives.
The experiments with traditional speech recognition models show a wordlevelaccuracyoflessthan4.5percentondisorderedspeechcomparedwith
84.8percentonnon-disorderedspeechusingasmallvocabulary.Toimprove
the performance of existing software tools, we need to better understand
the speech of these children in order to analyze and identify common
speech errors (low volume, variable rate and rhythm, irregular pitch, clarity,
voicequality,lowintelligibilityandfluency).Theknowledgegainedfromthis
understandingcanbeappliedforthedevelopmentofbettermodelsthatcan
accuratelypredictwhatthesechildrenaretryingtosay.
Objectives
Methodology This research is sub-divided into
fourvisibleprojects.Thefirstsubproject will be the development
of a Malay automatic speech
recognitionsystem(ASR)basedon
the Hidden Markov Model (HMM)
torecognizethespeechofchildren
withspeechdisorders.Thesecond
sub-projectwillbetheapplication
oftheMalayASRforchildrenwith
speech disorders in the area of
children’sentertainment,especially
for game-based applications,
with a view to improving their
communicationability
This project will carry out a
literature review to identify and
comprehend the related research
studies in the area of speech
recognition and communication
disabilities among children to
identify the problem of existing
communication-assistive
tools
for children with communication
disabilities. An empirical analysis
willbecarriedoutonchildrenwith
speech disorders and autism by
collectingexistingspeechdisorder
databases for other languages
andbyusingacollectionofMalay
databases of disordered speech
uttered by children with speech
disorders, their communication
behaviour and their needs from
special schools or centres using
video recording and audio
recording tools. Based on the
evidenceandinformationgathered
from the empirical analysis this
research will define feasible
techniques and modalities from
the understanding gained from
the review of the collected data.
The identified techniques and
modalitieswillbeusedtodevelop
a Malay ASR that can perform
The third sub-project will be the
development of a speech error
detection and corrective model
that will detect and correct the
speech recognition errors of the
Malay ASR by adopting a formal
approach through the analysis
and identification of the speech
recognitionerrorsofthedeveloped
Malay ASR. The final sub-project
will be the development of an
augmentative
communication
system that will ease and
encourage
communication
development for children with
autismimpairment
the recognition of the speech
of children with communication
disorders.TheimplementedMalay
ASR will be applied in a gamebasedapplicationtotrainchildren
with speech disorders to improve
their
communication
ability.
The speech errors produced by
the developed Malay ASR will
be corrected using a speech
detection and corrective model
based on a formal approach. For
childrensufferingfromautismthis
research will design and develop
an augmentative communication
systemusingauser-centreddesign
approach.Finally,theimplemented
systemswillbeevaluatedthrough
experimentalevaluation
Outcome
The collection of a Malay speech
corpus and visual recordings of
childrenwithspeechdisordersand
autism
A Malay speech recognition
systemtorecognizethespeechof
childrenwithspeechdisorders
24/05/2012 9:44:57
Aformalapproachmodeltoreduce
therecognitionerrorsoftheMalay
ASRwhenrecognizingthespeech
of children with communication
disabilities
A children’s entertainment gamebased application that improves
theircommunicationability
An augmentative communication
systemforautisticchildren
forPublications
ComputersandEducation
SpeechCommunication
123
Educational technology Research
andDevelopment
International Journal of Human
ComputerStudies
Collaborators
Spastic Children’s Association of
SelangorandFederalTerritory
Sekolah Rendah Alam Shah,
PetalingJaya
The National Autism Society of
Malaysia
Prof. Shaoying Liu (Formal
Engineering Methods), Hosei
University,Tokyo
JournalofBiomedicalInformatics
Title: A Generic / Natural Language Expert System for
Robotics and Bazaar Simulation
Principal Investigator : Dr. Ng Liang Shing
Faculty : Department of Artificial Intelligence, FCSIT
This proposal concerns 6 major fields of research concerning Artificial
Intelligence:
i.
TuringTest
ii.
Semantics
iii.
Robotics
iv.
SearchEngine
v.
ExpertSystem
vi. CloudComputing
We seek to address the shortcomings of the these fields with a “unified
framework”basedongraphtheory,whichcanbeoutlinedasfollow:
i.
“Thinking” can be represented as “an infinite loop of questions and
answers”.
ii.
Questionasunconnectedgraph.
iii.
Answerasconnectedgraph.
iv.
Programcode(orequivalent)aslowlevelgraph.
v.
Relation/description,labelashighlevelgraph.
We will use this framework to create a machine learning method that is
similar to human learning i.e. Human babies learn by associating vision
(representation of low level operations) with speech (labels or high level
relations,whichinturnisthebasisoflanguage).
WewillusetheaboveframeworktocreateanExpertSystemarchitecturefor
“ProgramModifier”(aprogramthatmodifiesotherprograms.)
We can also use the above framework to investigate the question “Is the
Internet intelligent?” and provide a quantitative solution to the question of
“Technological Singulartity” (the point in time when machine intelligence
exceedsthatofhuman.)
24/05/2012 9:44:57
124
Objectives
Methodology 1.
Core AI
Hierarchy)
2.
3.
4.
5.
To produce an improved
theoretical foundation of
“machineintelligence”,which
can also be used to analyse
humanbehaviour
Tocreateanimprovedtestfor
“intelligence”,theIncremental
Turing Test, that is based on
“survival” and “competition
forresources”,andapplicable
to groups of human beings,
computer networks and
groups comprising human
andmachines
To develop a mathematical
framework based on graph
theory to address several
fundamental
issues
in
ArtificialIntelligence
Todesignanovelarchitecture
for
Expert
Systems
comprising natural language
and multimedia interface
(GNLES: Generic / Natural
Language Expert System)
based on the unified graph
theoreticframeworkin(3)
To develop the Universal
Data Exchange Architecture
(UDEX, an extension of Unix
pipe to Cloud/Grid/Internet)
required for large scale
simulationrequiredin(4)
Engine
Universal
Data
Architecture(UDEX)
(Semantic
forPublications
ComputationalIntelligence
Exchange
IEEEtransactionsonfuzzysystems
Artificialintelligence RoboticsSimulation
Journal of Machine Learning
Research
BazaarSimulation
Simulation of Gold Bullion Market
andEconomy
AppliedSoftComputing Collaborators
Outcome
Novel theories/New discovery/
Newknowledge
i.
A Unifying Graph Theoretic
Framework for low level
“operations” and high level
“concepts”;
Incremental
TuringTest
ii.
Generic / Natural Language
ExpertSystem(GNLES
iii.
ProgramModifier
iv.
Universal Data Exchange
Architecture(UDEX)
Dr Li Wei Feng, Tsing Hua
University,China
Dr Richard Dearden, Prof Aaron
Sloman, Birmingham University,
UnitedKingdom
ResearchPublication:
15ISIjournalpapers
SpecificorPotentialApplications
AutonomousRobots
Intelligent“NetBot”
BazaarBusinessInfrastructure
Gold/Silver/Commodity
Currency
Universal
Data
Architecture(UDEX)
Digital
Exchange
24/05/2012 9:44:57
125
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(HIR-MoHE5Years)
Chancellory
Project No: UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/CHAN/01
Title: Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Quorum Quenching
Research
Principal Investigator : Dr. Chan Kok Gan
Faculty : Institute of Bilological Sciences, Faculty of Science
Infectiousdiseasesaccountformorethan13milliondeathsayearandare
themaincausesofmortalityandmorbidityglobally.Althoughantibioticshave
historicallybeenverysuccessful,theemergenceofmulti-antibioticresistant
bacteriaandthefailureofdrugdiscoveryprogrammesoverthelast10years
toprovidenewbroadspectrumantibioticswithtrulynovelmodesofactionis
amajorthreattopublichealthworldwide.
There is a compelling need to expedite anti-infective therapy and ideally a
newmagicbulletisverydesirable.Indeedsuchamagicbulletdoesoccur:
QuorumSensingwhichcanbeatargetedtoattenuatepathogenicbacteria,
whichservesasthebasisfornon-antibioticdrugdiscovery.
Objectives
Methodology Quorumquenchingwhichinterferes
were quorum sensing, represents
an important way to regulate
bacterialvirulencewithouttheuse
of antibiotic. Quorum quenching
can be achieved in 3 ways: (1)
Degrading the autoinducer, (2)
blockthesynthesisofautoinducer,
and (3) block the receptor protein
wheretheautoinducerbindto
Hundreds of quorum quenching
bacteria have been isolated from
a selective medium (termed KG
medium) designed by my group.
Thesequorumquenchingbacteria
representarichsourceofenzymes
thatcaninterferequorumsensing.
Natural products have also
been explored in search of nonenzymatic approach, small active
biomolecules that exhibit antiquorumsensingproperties
All 3 ways eventually jam the
bacteria from talking, which in
turn, force-to-silent bacteria are
unable to express their virulence
determinants
production,
or
attenuated without killing the
bacteria, thus removing survival
pressurethatevolutionhasproven
to select resistant bacteria from
emerging,orre-emerging
Outcome
Novel quorum quenching bacteria
isolated
Small,active,anti-quorumsensing
biomolecules can serve as lead
compound for novel anti-infective
drugdesign
forPublications
EnvironmentalMicrobiology
MicrobialEcology
AppliedEnvironmentalMicrobiology
Antimicrobial
Chemotherapy
Agents
and
BMCMicrobiology
JournalofNaturalProducts
Proceeding of National Academy
ofScienceofUSA
Collaborators
ProfPaulWilliams(Nottingham)
ProfYvesDessaux(CNRS,Paris)
Assoc.ProfKohChongLek(NTU)
DrSamChoonKook(NTU)
ProfKalaiMathee(FIU,USA)
24/05/2012 9:44:57
126
Title: Molecular Genetics
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Jamuna Vadivelu
TheMolecularGeneticsprojectconsistsof8sub-projects:
1.
Genetics of the Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Central Nervous System
andBlood-bornePathogens;
2.
Genome-wideAssociationStudies(GWAS)forInfectiousDiseases;
3.
InterspeciesMolecularCrosstalkinHelicobacter pyloriInfections;
4.
Molecular Genetics and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern in Local
ClinicalHelicobacter pyloriIsolates;
5.
International Network of Excellence on Chronological Evolution and
Replicative Genomics of the Human Gastric Pathogen, Helicobacter
pylori;
6.
PathogenomicsandphenomicsofFoodborneBacterialPathogens;
7.
RegulationofImmuneResponsebyEpigenetics;and
8.
Genome Organization in Diseases: From Mutations to Structural
VariationsandEpigenetics.
Thesebroad-basedsubprojectswillcoverthegeneticsandmolecularbasis
of various human infectious diseases and cancer from both microbial and
hostperspectives.
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
isolates in the Malaysian
population;andtodetermine
the relationship between
genetic mutations and the
prevalence of antibiotic
resistance in the local
population(sub-project4)
To determine the complete
genetic map for pathogens
commonlyassociatedwiththe
respiratory, gastrointestinal,
central nervous system and
blood-borne diseases (subproject1)
To conduct genome-wide
association studies (GWAS)
that examine the human
genetic variants that can be
associated with immunity,
susceptibility, progression,
treatment response and
recovery
of
infectious
diseases(sub-project2)
To study Helicobacter pylori
interspecies communication
bymeansofapredetermined
bacterial consortium under
controlled
laboratory
conditions, in germ-free
mouse model and in human
stomach; and to carry out
in-depth analysis of proteins
and metabolites that may
be involved in molecular
crosstalkandquorumsensing
inthemultispeciescommunity
(sub-project3)
To analyze the molecular
geneticbasisofantimicrobial
resistance of H. pylori
5.
6.
7.
To investigate the genetic
adaptation mechanisms of
H. pylori after challenge in
humans by means of whole
genome sequencing and
comparative genomics (subproject5)
To identify the virulence
factors and determinants
that contributes to the
acute and chronic systemic
infections,aswellassurvival
and persistence outside
the human host; and to
understand the genetics and
mechanisms of adaptation
and persistence of S. typhi
in various systemic organs
withinhumanhostandinthe
environment(sub-project6)
To link the genomic and
phenotypicvariationbetween
Salmonella Typhi and its
closely related species,
Salmonella
Typhimurium
and Salmonella Paratyphi A
and B, to their differences
in the virulence and disease
manifestation(sub-project6)
8.
To investigate the genomic
and phenomic variation
between Salmonella and
Vibrios that contribute to the
super-adaptive mechanisms
of Vibrios that enables the
pathogentopersistinhostile
and changing environment
(sub-project6)
9.
To study the molecular
mechanism
of
H3K9
methylation removal and
EHMT1-mediated
gene
repression in an immune
response; to explore the
potential
application
of
BIX01294 in cancer therapy;
andtodeterminethefunctions
ofPRDM11andJMJD8inthe
immune response regulation
(Sub-project7)
10. To study the genome
organization
of
various
cancers,e.g.nasopharyngeal
carcinoma, lymphoma and
multiplemyeloma
24/05/2012 9:44:57
Methodology MassTaq PCR developed by
ColumbiaUniversityandmolecular
methods developed by CERiA for
screeningofpathogens
Full-lengthgenomesequencing
Genome-wide association studies
(GWAS)analysis
Meta-proteomics and metametabolomics analysis using
microfluidicliquidchromatography
mass spectrometry system (ESIQTOF)
PFGE,MLVA, AFLP analysis of
selectedfoodbornepathogens
QuantitativePCR
Chromatin
immunoprecipation
(ChIP)analysis
Meta-genomicsanalysis
Copy number variation (CNV)
analysis
Epigeneticsanalysis
High-throughput
phenotypic
microarray analysis of foodborne
pathogen
Bioinformaticsanalysis
Outcome
The complete genetic map
for
pathogens
commonly
associated with the respiratory,
gastrointestinal, central nervous
systemandblood-bornediseases
willbedetermined
Humangeneticvariantsthatcanbe
associatedwithdiseaseimmunity,
susceptibility,
progression,
treatmentresponseorrecoveryto
particular infectious diseases will
beidentified
Molecular crosstalk and quorum
sensing between H.
pylori
and other Gram-positive and
Gram-negative members of a
multispecies bacterial consortium
willbeidentified
population; especially that of
newer antibiotics that are not
conventionally used in H. pylori
treatmentcurrently
Geneticadaptationmechanismsof
H. pyloriafterchallengeinhumans
andthewholegenomesequencing
and analysis of H. pylori strains
corresponding to three different
ethnic groups in Malaysia will be
determined
The virulence factors and
determinants
of
foodborne
pathogens that contribute to
the acute and chronic systemic
infections, as well as the survival
andpersistenceoutsideofhuman
hostwillbeidentified
Understanding the role of
methylation in regulating NF-B
activity, identify new co-activators
orco-repressorsthatfine-tunethe
transcriptionalactivityofNF-B.
Identifying
of
genetic
polymorphism associated with
specific functional and clinical
characteristics; genetic, structural
variantsandepigeneticalterations
that are associated with selected
cancer susceptibility, immunity
andprogression
forPublications
USA
MartinBlaser,NewYorkUniversity,
USA
LingLu,UniversityofKansas,USA
Thomas
Briese,
University,USA
Columbia
W.IanLipkin,ColumbiaUniversity,
USA
Hardie Kim,
Nottingham,UK
University
of
OliverG.Pybus,OxfordUniversity,
UK
Peter Simmonds, University of
Edinburgh,UK
Sven Pettersson,
Institutet,Sweden
Karolinska
NaoyukiKamatani,RIKEN,Japan
Yusuke Nakamura, University of
Tokyo,Japan
Yutaka Takebe, National Institute
ofInfectiousDiseases,Japan
DavidBooth,UniversityofSydney,
Australia
Hazel Mitchell, University of New
SouthWales,Australia
Sharon Lewin, Alfred Hospital,
Australia
Xueshan Xia, Kunming University
ofScienceandTechnology,China
Science
Yi-Ming Arther Chen, National
YangMingUniversity,Taiwan
Nature
ManfredRaida,A*STAR,Singapore
NatureGenetics
Seow Shih Wee, National Cancer
CentreofSingapore,Singapore
NatureImmunology
127
NewEnglandJournalofMedicine
Ahmed Niyza,
Hyderabad,India
University
Lancet
MohdZakiSalleh,UiTM
MolecularCell
TehLayKek,UiTM
PNAS
AdeebaKamarulzaman,UM
PLoSGenetics
ChaiLayChing,UM
MedicalGenetics
CindyTehSuanJu,UM
of
EaChee-Kwee,Caltech/UM
Collaborators
GanGinGin,UM
The molecular mechanisms of
action of microbially generated
metabolites
on
host
cell
proliferative/ apoptotic responses,
cytokine production, inflammatory
and immunomodulatory effects
and pathogenesis will be
determined
David Baltimore (Nobel Laureate),
Caltech,USA
Understanding the prevalence
rates of antibiotic resistance
and genetic mutations in H.
pylori isolates in the Malaysian
Eric Delwart, University
CaliforniaSanFrancisco,USA
Barry Marshall (Nobel Laureate),
University of Western Australia,
Australia
GohKheanLee,UM
GopalaKrishnanA/LGovindasamy,
UM
AllanHildesheim,NationalCancer
Institute,USA
of
FritzFrancois,NewYorkUniversity,
24/05/2012 9:44:57
128
Title: Understanding the Fundamental Aspects Through
Molecular and Cellular Studies to Determine The Lineage
Commitment Mechanisms Involed In Mesenchymal Stem
Cells Differentiation for Potential Upscaling and Clinical
Applications
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Tunku Kamarul Zaman
Faculty : Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
Summaryofresearchproposal
Project1:Contingentgeneregulatorynetworksinchondrogenesis:
Chondrogenesis is a stringently regulated, multistep cellular differentiation
program culminating in acquisition of the chondrocytic phenotype. The
process of chondrogenesis occurs in stages beginning with mesenchymal
cell recruitment and migration, proliferation and condensation, which are
regulated by mesenchymal- epithelial cell interaction. Several regulatory
factors have been identified to play a role in chondrogenesis, including the
positive transacting factors of the SOX family such as SOX9, SOX5, and
SOX6,aswellasnegativetransactingfactorssuchasC/EBPanddeltaEF1.
However,acompleteunderstandingoftheintricateregulatorynetworkthat
governsthetissue-specificexpressionofcartilagegenesisnotyetavailable.
Hencethecurrentprojectisintendedtoidentifythecontingentgeneregulatory
networkduringchondrogenesis.
Project 2: PLLA/coll/HA Nano-fibrous scaffold for controlled delivery of
recombinanthumanPDGF-BB:
Plateletderivedgrowthfactor(PDGF)isamultifunctionalgrowthfactor,whose
homo-orheterodimericmoleculesbindstotwostructurallyrelated,intrinsic
tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGF-Rα and PDGF-Rβ) to exert its biological
effects.Apartfromparticipatinginembryonicdevelopmentoforgansitalso
playsaveryimportantroleinpostnataltissuerepair,regenerationanddisease
development. PDGF possesses biological functions on cellular chemotaxis,
mitogenesis, proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, anti-apoptosis and
vascularization. As a potential therapeutic agent, PDGF has been widely
studied both pre-clinically and clinically. Thus the study was proposed to
develop PLLA/coll/HA nanofibrous scaffold incorporated with the growth
factor (PDGF-BB) containing microspheres with the capacity of releasing
bioactivePDGF-BBinawell-controlledmannerandinducingosteogenesis.
Project3:TreatmentofDiabetesMellitususingAdiponectinsecretionobtained
fromGeneticallyModifiedMesenchymalStemCell:
Geneandstemcelltherapiesbythemselvesholdpromiseforthetreatment
of a variety of human disease, but combinations of these approaches may
be even more useful for certain disorders. Adiponectin has been found to
increase insulin sensitivity of tissues and it decreases in diabetes type II
patients. Genetically modified MSC have the potential to distribute human
adiponectininsystemiccirculation.Inthisregardthisprojectattemptstouse
genetically modified MSC as a cell base therapy for potential treatment in
diabetes.Theresultofthisstudycanprovideessentialinformationleadingto
thepotentialuseofmesenchymalstemcellsfortreatingthischronicdisease.
Project4:Roleofadiponectinininducing/promotingtenocyteprogenitorcell
proliferationanddifferentiation:
Adiponectinisahormoneresponsibleinmodulatinganumberofmetabolic
processes, which includes glucose regulation and fatty acid catabolism.
Although it has also been shown that this protein induces the proliferation
and differentiation of many progenitor cells including endothelial cells,
hematopoietic stem cells and osteoblasts, its role in inducing tenocyte
progenitorcells(TPC)hasnotbeenpreviouslyelucidated.Hencethisstudy
is designed to investigate the effects of adiponectin on the differentiation
and proliferation of tenocyte progenitor cells and the possible downstream
signalingpathway.Itissuggestedthatadiponectinmaybeconsideredasa
potentialtherapeuticagentfortendon-relateddiseases.
24/05/2012 9:44:57
Objectives
Methodology Project 1: To understand the
genes that are upregulated or
downregulated at different time
points of chondrogenesis and
to identify the contingent gene
regulatorynetworkthatcanleadto
thedifferentiationofMesenchymal
stemcellstoChondrocytes
Project 1: Mesenchymal stem
cells will be isolated from bone
marrow and characterized by
FACS.Themicroarrayanalysiswill
be performed for profiling gene
expression at epiphysis, resting,
proliferative, transitional and
hypertrophicstage.Tovalidatethe
microarraydatausingindependent
methods, novel markers will be
selected for analysis of gene
expression using RT – PCR and
FACS to detect the actual gene
expression during different time
points. The gene loss function
using SiRNA will be carried out
to understand the functional
hierarchyofupregulatedgenes
Project 2: To develop a PLLA/
coll/HA Nano-fibrous scaffold
for the controlled delivery of
human recombinant PDGF-BB
and its potential role in inducing
osteogensis
Project 3: The objective of this
studyistousegeneticallymodified
MSCs to secrete adiponectin
to compliment the endogenous
adiponectin with the aim to
ameliorate diabetes symptoms in
diabeticrats
Project 4: The objective is
to investigate the effects of
adiponectin on the differentiation
and proliferation potential of
tenocyte progenitor cells and to
study the possible downstream
signalingpathwaysinvolvedinit
Project 2: The PLLA/HA, PLLA/
coll, PLLA/coll/HA nanofiberous
scaffold will be prepared using
the electrospinning technique and
PLGA microspheres. FITC-BSA
or PDGF-BB will be incorporated
into PLLA nano-fibrous scaffolds
using a post-seeding method.
The morphology and distribution
of microspheres in scaffold were
examined using SEM and laser
scanning confocal microscopy.
After characterization, the MSCs
willbeseededontothescaffolds
andgrowninosteogenicmedium,
at different time points the cell
will be harvested, RNA was
isolated and the osteogenic gene
expressionprofileswillbestudied
using Realtime PCR and PCR
arraytechniques
Project 3: A recombinant plasmid
containing GFP and in vitro
constructed adiponectin gene
using overlap extension PCR
of exon1 and exon2 will be
constructed and transfected into
MSCs.Thesegeneticallymodified
adiponectin secreting MSCs will
be screened for adiponecting
secretion and these cells will be
injected into diabetic rats, while
thenormalMSCservesascontrol.
After treatment period the blood
glucose,adiponectinlevelandthe
lipidprofilewillbeanalysed
Project 4: Adiponectin gene
will be constructed using gene
overlap extension PCR and
cloned into E. coli to express as
periplasmic protein, which will be
purifiedandconfirmedbywestern
blotting using anti-adiponectin
antibody. The adiponectin will
be added to Tenocyte progenitor
cells culture and the proliferation
129
and differentiation potential of
adiponectinwillbeanalysed.Real
time PCR analysis of tenogenic
genemarkerswillbeperformed
Outcome
contingent
gene
regulatory
networksduringchongrogenesis.
Abetterscaffoldwiththecontrolled
releaseofgrowthfactorwhichcan
supportosteogenesis
New
generation
treatment
strategies
using
genetically
modified stem cells can be used
fortreatingdiabetesmellitus
Adiponectin can be used as
a growth factor for promoting
tenocyte
proliferation
and
differentiation and it can be
possibly used in clinical trials for
tendonrelateddiseases
Possible high impact journals
forpublications
OsteoarthritisandCartilage
JournalofBoneandJointSurgeryAmericanVolume
JournalofBoneandJointSurgeryBritishVolume
American
Medicine Journal
of
Sports
Collaborators
Prof. Dan Badder, School of
Engineering and Material Science
QueenMary,UniversityofLondon
(QMUL),UnitedKingdom
Assoc.Prof.JamesWang,Director
oftheMechanoBiologyLaboratory,
Department
of
Orthopaedic
Surgery,UniversityofPittsburgh
Dr. Chim C Lang, Centre for
Cardiovascular & Lung Biology,
Division of Medical Sciences,
College of Medicine, Dentistry
& Nursing, Ninewells Hospital &
MedicalSchool
24/05/2012 9:44:57
130
Title: Quantum and Laser Science
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Raymond Ooi
Our research develops future technologies that will be driven by light or
photons.Itinvolvesengineeringquantumpropertiesoflightandmatter.We
explore thefundamental propertiesoflight inexoticopticalmaterialssuchas
nanostructuresandmetamaterialstobringinnovationinopticalscienceand
technology.Theresearchinterestofthegroupisthecontrolandmanipulation
of quantum systems that exhibit quantum mechanical effects such as
entanglement,quantumcorrelationsandquantuminterference.Theseeffects
areusefulforperforminghighprecisionmeasurements,metrology,quantum
computing, communication and cryptography. Our research uses surface
plasmon to achieve smaller, efficient, faster and more sensitive all-optical
devicesforvariousapplicationsespeciallyforsensingsinglemolecules,high
resolution imaging and ultrafast optical switching, reliable transmission of
quantuminformationinconfinedenvironment.
Another aspect of our research concerns the interaction of high-intensity
andultra-shortlaserpulseswithmatter,thegenerationofultra-shortpulses
and the study of dynamical quantum proceses in atomic, molecular and
opticalsystems.Wealsostudyultracoldmatter,suchaslaser-cooledatoms,
molecules, and novel properties quantum fluids which are useful for ultra
precisespectroscopyandtime-frequencystandard.
Objectives
Methodology To develop state-of-the art
researchinvolvingquantumoptics,
optical materials and advanced
laser science, particularly to
study quantum coherence and
correlation in light and matter at
theatomiclevel
We
develop
theory
and
computational capabilities to
study the physics in the a)
generation, b) propagation and c)
interactions of novel light sources
in photonic structures and
quantum systems. This research
involves mathematical modeling
and theoretical study. Hence,
the research involves the
mathematical development of
the proposed formulation and the
skill of mathematical analyzing in
order to implement and solve the
nonlinear equations. A substantial
amount of study is involved in
developing the key framework in
nonrelativisticquantummechanics
and quantum electrodynamics.
These formalisms enable the
calculations to be performed
rigorously for light matter
interaction, ultra-high intensity
laser
propagation,
nonlinear
effects in wave propagation and
ultra-intense laser generation.
Thesimulationofopticalmaterials
may involve developing manybody quantum theory, a topic
of crucial importance in fields
ranging from quantum chemistry
and biochemistry to the study
of advanced materials such as
graphene,
high-temperature
superconductors and carbon
To develop and apply a
combination of cutting-edge
techniques to model dynamical
properties of photons, molecules
and nanostructures interacting
withintenselaserfields
nanostructures. This research
must also include the use of
computingskillsandsimulationsin
MathematicaorMatlabtoproduce
analytical results and numerical
results
In the case of ultra-high intensity
laser a lot of amazing nonlinear
effects can be studied by
combining
nonlinear
optical
processes with quantum optics.
The production of the ultra-high
energy pulse through nonlinear
interactions and high harmonic
generation lead to an efficient
generation of coherent X-ray
pulses.Atextremelyhighintensity,
the electromagnetic waves in the
vacuumcannolongerbeexplained
by the ordinary electrodynamic
theory. The Maxwell’s equation
has to be modified to include
nonlinearity of quantum vacuum.
Besides, the ultra-high intensity
laserinthenonlinearvacuum,such
laser can interact between each
other when they overlap. Hence,
the process leads to the creation
of photon-photon scattering and
photon splitting can be studied in
detail. The whole process would
be very interesting since it has
not been fully explored until very
recently
24/05/2012 9:44:57
Outcome
Collaborators
This is a programme of advanced
research with potential for high
scientific impact and applications
to areas of strategic importance
such as advanced information
technology, novel light sources
with new applications, renewable
energy
and
biomolecular
technology
QihuangGong-PekingUniversity
Paul Berman,
Michigan
University
Andre Bandrauk,
University
131
of
Sherbrooke
Noriah Bidin, University
TechnologyMalaysia
of
forPublications
PhysicalReviewLetter,
PhysicalReviewA
Title: Fundamental Sciences of Self-Assembly
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Rauzah Hashim.
Molecularself-assembliesfromlowmolarmassliquidcrystals(thermotropic
and lyotropic) are widely used in nanotechnology and life sciences. Many
well-known thermotropic applications include flat panel display devices,
while lyotropic liquid crystals are found pervasively in living systems and
their commercial applications include surfactants and emulsifiers. We
have conducted a wide range of research on self-assembly phenomena
includingsynthesizingaspecialclassofnon-ionicandenvironmentalfriendly
surfactantsbasedonglycolipid.Glycolipidsbelongtoaclassofliquidcrystal
material termed amphitropic since they can show both thermotropic and
lyotropic liquid crystalline properties. Hence the potential applications of
thesematerialsarefarwiderthantheconventionalthermotropicorlyotropic
liquidcrystalsencompassingbothhigh-technologyindustryandlifesciences.
Ouremphasishasalwaysbeenunitingtheapproachesinexperiment,theory
and computation to gain knowledge in the structure-property relationship.
In liquid crystals science, the basic understanding of the phase behaviour
andhowtomanipulatethemwiththeexternalfactorsareimportantandthe
interplay of these spearhead many innovative ideas in technology. In the
ensuinginvestigation,theprogramofFundamentalSciencesofSelf-Assembly,
broadensitsscopebyincludingotherfundamentalstudiesonstructureand
ultrafastdynamicstoexploremicro-environmentoflipidicsystemaswellas
exploringapplicationsindeliverysystems,thinfilmforIR-sensorandinfuture
materialsforproteincrystallization.
Objectives
Methodology With this basic knowledge in
structure-property
relationship,
currentlywecontinuetosynthesize
several novel liquid crystals
including
thermotropic
(eg.
metellomesogens), amphitropics
(eg, crown-ether glycolipids),
triazole glycolipids compounds
and chromonics (sugar derived)
liquidcrystals
The present program focuses on
the followings: novel materials
for self assembly and related
phenomena (synthesis approach
and design). The self-assembly
structures of these materials
are studied by diffraction and
scattering
techniques
(eg.
SWAXS, SANS and synchrotron).
Some basic dynamics of self-
assembly will be determined
by using deuterium NMR and
time-resolved
fluorescence
spectroscopy. acroscopic and
microscopic theories for selfassembly phenomena. Aspects
of modeling and simulation
will be included to get detailed
structure property relationship.
Nanoelectronic property of selfassembly and investigation on
the effect of external perturbation
24/05/2012 9:44:58
132
(eg. field effect) on self-assembly
will be attempted. Finally, we
shall also focus on applications
of nanostructure self-assembly
and formulation in a few cases
includingdrugdelivery.
Outcome
Producing novel materials for
improvedformulation
forPublications
JournalofPhysicalChemistryC,
Langmuir,
Nanomedicines
Collaborators
Dr.SimYokeLing,UniversitiTunku
AbdulRahman
Prof.OsamaAbou-Zied,Chemistry
Department, Sultan Qaboos
University,Oman
Prof. John M. Seddon, Chemistry
Department, Imperial College
London
UniversityUniversity,Oman
Prof. A. Sugimura, Osaka Sangyo
University
Prof.
Ou-Yang
Zhong-Can,
ChineseAcademyofScience
Prof.C.Solans,CSIC,Barcelona
Dr.Mehrdad,Iran
Dr. R. Bryce and Prof. G. Tiddy,
ManchesterUniversity
Dr. M. Hato, Riken Yokohama,
Japan
Prof. Mitsumasa Iwamoto and
Prof. H. Takezoe, Tokyo Institute
ofTechnology
LiquidCrystals
Prof. Hiroyuki Minamikawa, AIST,
Tsukuba
CarbohydrateChemistry
Prof.G.R.Luckhurst,Southampton
Title: Breast Cancer Project
Principal Investigator : Professor Dr. Yip Cheng Har
Faculty : Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
BreastcanceristhecommonestcancerinMalaysianwomen,comprising31%
ofcancersinwomen.(NSR2003-2006).ThebreastunitinUniversityMalaya
MedicalCentrestartedresearchintotheepidemiologyofbreastcancerwith
anIRPAresearchgrantin1994,continuingintoresearchintobreastcancer
geneticswithCARIFin2003,andlaterintoresearchintopsychosocialissues.
Breast cancer pathology, particularly in the ER, PR and HER2 was also
studied,andseveralpublicationshavebeenproduced.
WiththeawardoftheHIRgrantfortheBreastCancerProjectinAug2011,
research has been divided into 5 programmes ie the Clincial Epidemiology
programme (includes the Malaysian Breast Cancer Cohort study and the
Breast Health Initiatives Study), the Genetics Programme, the Pathology
programme,theInvestigatorInitiatedTrials(IIT)programme,andtheImmune
Therapeutics (ITL) Programme. Each of these programmes has their own
leaders,andProfessorCHYipistheoverallPrincipalInvestigator.
Objectives
The objectives of this project are
to answer the following research
questions:
1.
Clinical Epidemiology: Why
do Malay women have
poorer survival? Is it lifestyle
or is it genetics? What are
the prognostic models that
may work well in the Asian
population?
2.
Genetics: Are there other
highriskgeneticmutationsin
the multiethnic population in
Malaysia and how do these
interactinbreastcancerrisk?
4.
Investigator Initiated Trials:
Are there novel treatment
strategies that may improve
outcome in women with
breastcancerinMalaysia?
3.
Pathology:
Are
there
differences between triple
negative breast cancer in
Malaysians compared to
Caucasiansandwhatarethe
determinants of outcome in
triplenegativebreastcancer?
5.
Immune Therapeutcis: How
can we monitor the immune
response that occurs with
novel therapeutics agents
suchastheHER2vaccine?
24/05/2012 9:44:58
Methodology Each programme has several
individual projects, that is
designed to answer each of
the research questions. The
methodology of each project and
output is discussed with regular
research meetings. International
collaboration
is
developed
within each programme. Each
programme can recruit new
projects if the investigator feels
that it can lead to a meaningful
outcome ie publication in a high
impact journal. Audit of each
projectwillbecarriedoutduringthe
regular meetings. Collaborations
withinthecountryareencouraged,
and networking is encouraged to
identify international collaborators
whoareexpertsinthearea,toadd
tothosewhoarealreadyinthelist
ofcollaborators
Outcome
Better understanding of breast
cancer in Malaysian women, in
terms of risk factors, ethnicity,
genetics, pathology, psychosocial
barrierstoeffectivetreatment,and
prognosisbasedonthesevarious
133
features.
Development of new treatment
strategiesforbreastcancer
forPublications
LancetOnocogy
EuropeanJournalofCancer
WorldJournalofSurgery
Breast Cancer Research and
Treatment
BreastCancerResearch
Collaborators
NationalUniversityofSingapore
UniversityWestofEngland
Utrecht
Medical
Netherlands
Centre,
UniversityofCambridge,UK
KarolinskaInstitute,Sweden
QueensUniversityBelfast,Ireland
UniversityofLeeds,UK
Uniformed Services University of
theHealthSciences,USA
Title: Integrated Photonics for Biosensors
Principal Investigator : Associate Professor Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan
Faculty : Department Of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Optical fibres helped revolutionize medicine when they were first used to
illuminate endoscopes in the 1960s. The result was the development of
minimallyinvasivetoolsthathavebecomeessentialformedicaldiagnosisand
surgery.Interestingly,theconceptofintegratedopticswasalsointroducedin
the60s,pavingwaytomultifunctionalchipsthesizeofaricegrain.Oneofthe
mostimportantandgrowingareasthatmakesignificantuseofthesechipsis
insensing,inparticularbio-sensing.Thisledtotheintroductionofsuchterms
asbiosensors,biochips,andlab-on-chip.Thesechipscanbelooselydefined
as a collection of miniaturized test sites (microarrays) arranged on a solid
substratethatpermitsmanyteststobeperformedatthesametimeinorder
toachievehigherthroughputandspeed.
In medical applications, optical based sensors offer many advantages
over conventional sensors: they are small, immune from electromagnetic
interference(EMI),haveincreasedsensitivityandareveryrobust.
Thechallengeistodesignandproduceanin-situ,real-time,easytouse,simple
andcheapsensorsystemthatareabletodetectinfectiousorcommunicable
diseases caused by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, such
as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These diseases include dengue fever,
malaria,chikukunya,andtuberculosis.
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134
Objectives
Methodology To develop biosensors/biochips
for use in detecting infectious
diseases by extending the
combined capabilities of Flat
Fibres, laser written polymer
layers,micromachining/milling,and
surface treatment of substrates
withbindingagents
Phase1:Designandfabricationof
basicdetectionsystemsbasedon:
To push the limit of sensing by
attempting to detect the presence
of viruses/micro-organisms before
theycoagulateintoRNAs/antigens
i.
optofluidics/microfluidicsand
spectroscopy,and
ii.
gratings (long period and
Bragg)
This phase will also involve chip
functionalisation
via
surface
treatment to improve both
sensitivity and selectivity of the
sensors.Thesensorswillbetested
usingdenguevirusserotypes
Wewillalsoinvestigatetheoptical,
magnetic,andelectricalproperties
of these serotypes, in order to
assess if it is possible to employ
field assisted techniques such as
electrophoresis to further improve
thesensorperformance
Phase2:Designandfabricationof
novel sensor chip based around
FlatFibreandlaserwriting
Thechipswillseetheincorporation
of capillaries, and the use of
micro-milling
techniques
to
improve interaction between the
electromagnetic field confined
within the transport medium
(evanescent) and the test
specimens
This stage will also explore
featuresuniquetoFlatFibressuch
asmulti-layerwaveguidance,and
asymmetricexcitation
Phase2willgohand-in-handwith
the current work in producing
ultra flexible, multi-structured
Flat Fibre chips. A number of
novel fabrication techniques will
be tested in order to explore the
possibility of incorporating as
many functionalities into the Flat
fibre. Furthermore, the ability to
achieve as many functionalities
within a single fabrication run is
alsotargetedinordertoreducethe
costperchip
Phases 3 will
simultaneously
take
place
Phase3A:Detectionofvirus
Upon completion of the above
two phases, we would be able
to determine the capability of
our chips. This stage, which is
the most ambitious, attempts to
sense the onset of infection at
its earliest stage, thus improving
the survivability, and disease
management
Phase 3B: System integration –
chipwithsensorinterrogator
Engineeringacheap,fullyflexible,
disposablechipthathastheability
todetectthevariousstagesofthe
dengueinfection
Outcome
Disposable, point-of-care sensor
chipsandmodules;
Expertise in optical chip making
– based around polymer and Flat
Fibre: formation of a spin-off high
techcompany
forPublications
ThinSolidFilms;
OpticsExpress;
OpticsLetters;
AppliedPhysicsLetters;
NaturePhotonics;
Lab-on-Chip
Collaborators
Prof. Faidz Rahman, Dr Loh Han
Chern(UTAR)
DrMukhzeerShahimin(UNIMAP)
ProfMohdAdzirMahdi,DrNizam
Tamchek(UPM)
Prof Peter GR Smith, Dr James
Gates (Optoelectronics Research
Centre,UniversityofSouthampton)
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135
Title: The In Vivo Target Specificity and Function of HOX
Proteins
Principal Investigator : Dr. Lawerence Choo Siew Woh
Faculty : Dental Research & Training Unit, Faculty of Dentistry
The Hox genes form a genetic code for generating morphological diversity
alongtheantero-posteriorbodyaxisduringanimaldevelopment.Inaddition
tothemorphogenesis,Hoxgeneshavealsobeenshowntolinktooncogenesis
andhumandiseases.AllHoxgenesencodehighlyconservedDNA-binding
homeodomainandhavebeenshowntobindtoverysimilar/samesequences
in vitro (poor specificity) despite having distinct functions in vivo (high
specificity). Although they have been shown to regulate a wide variety of
downstream processes, direct transcriptional targets have been difficult to
identifyandthishasbeenamajorobstacletoourunderstandingofHoxgene
functionandhowthesegenesexecutethecodeinmorphogenesisoreven
theirlinkwithhumandiseases/cancerswhichisstillnotwellunderstood.Our
groupisinterestedtostudyhowHoxgeneticcodeworks.
Objectives
Methodology Outcome
TodecodehowHoxgeneticcode
works, we will embark on several
aspects of fundamental research
inthisprogramme:(1)understand
thebasisoftheHOXspecificity,for
example, by mapping the binding
sites of different HOX proteins
in the Drosophila cell lines, as
a model system. (2) the roles/
functions of HOX transcription
factors in development and gene
control, (3) to identify their target
genes which will give us insights
into how HOX proteins execute
their functions, (4) the association
between chromatin states and
HOX target selection, and (5) the
influence of cofactors on HOX
targetspecificity
We map the binding profiles
of different HOX proteins in
the Drosophila genome across
different time-points using whole
genometilingarrays.Thegenomewide expression profiles are also
generated across different timepoints.Byintegratingthebinding
and expression profiles, we could
look for functional target genes
directlyregulatedbyHOXproteins
and study the transcriptional
outputs determined by different
HOXtranscriptionfactors
specificityandrolesofHoxproteins
Extensive bioinformatic anayses
will be performed to identify
HOX-bound
regions,
target
genes, and to be used for other
downstream
analyses.
The
enrichment profiles of different
histone modification marks will
be determined at a genome-wide
scale using established ChIP-onCHIP technology. By identifying
the genomic regions marked by
theserepressive/activationhistone
marksandassociatedtargetgenes
on genome-wide scale, we have
an opportunity to compare and
associatetheHOXbindingprofiles
withchromatinstatesreflectedby
thesehistonemodificationmarks
PLoSBiology
In addition to the HOX projects,
we are also working on various
bioinformatics-related
projects
covering the following major
areas: software, database and
pipelinedevelopment,bioimaging,
comparative
genomics,
and
Next Generation Sequencing
(NGS) projects such as exome
sequencing, RNA-seq, genome
assembly and annotation, and
metagenomics
dynamicsofHOXproteinbinding
Hox genes are conserved among
animals,anynewknowledgefound
in this study could be applied to
Humansorotherorganisms
PossibleHighImpactJournalsfor
Publications
Nature
BMCBiology
PNAS
PloSONE
Collaborators
Steven Russell, Department of
Genetics,UniversityofCambridge,
United Kingdom Robert White,
Department
of
Psychology,
University of Cambridge, United
Kingdom
Rita Colwell, John Hopkins
University/UniversityofMaryland,
USA Tom Cebula, John Hopkins
University,USA
Lee Hwee Kuan, Bioinformatics
Institute, SingaporeCheng Li,
BioinformaticsInstitute,Singapore
Ngeow Yun Fong, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Malaya
ChanKokGan,FacultyofScience,
UniversityofMalaya
Chen Yeng, Faculty of Dentistry,
UniversityofMalaya
24/05/2012 9:44:58
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PHOTO GALLERY
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
HIR GUIDELINES
SOP FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HIR FUND
PROCUREMENT PROCESS
GUIDELINES ON TECHNICAL EVALUATION
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24/05/2012 9:44:59
139
24/05/2012 9:44:59
140
HIR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS
1.
BurnetInstitute,Australia
39. UniversityMedicalCentreUtrecht,Netherlands
2.
RMITUniversity,Australia
40. UniversityofOtago,NewZealand
3.
CurtinUniversity,Australia
41. UniversityofAuckland,NewZealand
4.
SydneyUniversity,Australia
42. UniversityofJos,Nigeria
5.
UniversityofMelbourne,Australia
43. SultanQaboosUniversity,Oman
6.
UniversityofWesternAustralia,Australia
44. UniversitateaBabes-Bolyai,Romania
7.
UniversidadeFederaldeSãoCarlos,Brazil
45. KingSaudUniversity,SaudiArabia
8.
McGillUniversity,Canada
46. AlexandraHospital,Singapore
9.
UniversityToronto,Canada
47. NationalUniversityofSingapore,Singapore
10. UniversityofCalgary,Canada
48. UniversityofPeradeniya,SriLanka
11. UniversitédeSherbrooke,Canada
49. LuleaUniversityofTechnology,Sweden
12. HongKongUniversity,China
50. NationalYang-MingUniversity,Taiwan
13. BeijingGenomeInstitute,China
51. NationalChungHsingUniversity,Taiwan
14. ChineseUniversity,HongKong,China
52. SirnakUniversitesiRektorlugu,Turkey
15. Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Jiangsu,
China
53. UnitedArabEmiratesUniversity,UAE
54. BristolUniversity,UnitedKingdom
16. Kunming Institute of Science and Technology,
China
55. UniversityofBath,UnitedKingdom
17. PekingUniversityHealthScienceCentre,Beijing,
China
57. UniversityofSussex,UnitedKingdom
56. UniversityofSurrey,UnitedKingdom
18. UniversityofTartu,Estonia
58. CambridgeUniversity,UnitedKingdom
19. LavalUniversity,France
59. UniversityofSheffield,UnitedKingdom
20. EcoleCentraledeNantes,France
60. KingsCollegeLondon,UnitedKingdom
21. IITRoorkeeIndia
61. UniversityofLiverpool,UnitedKingdom
22. NITTiruchirappalli,India
62. UniversityofManchester,UnitedKingdom
23. ChristianMedicalCollege,India
63. UniversityofHertfordshire,UnitedKingdom
24. JawaharlalNehruUniversity,India
64. UniversityCollegeLondon,UnitedKingdom
25. IndianInstituteofTechnologyMadras(IITM),India
65. UniversityofSouthampton,UnitedKingdom
26. AirlanggaUniversity,Indonesia
66. UniversityWestofEngland,UnitedKingdom
27. SyiahKualaUniversity,Indonesia
67. YaleUniversity,USA
28. UniversityofSiena,Italy
68. A&MUniversity,USA
29. HoseiUniversity,Japan
69. UniversityofTexas,USA
30. KyotoUniversity,Japan
70. ColumbiaUniversity,USA
31. NihonUniversity,Japan
71. UniversityofMichigan,USA
32. HokkaidoUniversity,Japan
72. StonyBrookUniversity,USA
33. NagoyaInstituteofTechnology,Japan
73. UniversityofPittsburgh,USA
34. NationalInstituteofInfectiousDiseases,Japan
74. UniversityofSouthFlorida,USA
35. KobeUniversityResearchCenterforInlandSeas,
Japan
75. PennsylvaniaStateUniversity,USA
36. UniversidaddeColima,Mexico
77. CancerInstituteofNewJersey,USA
37. LeidenUniversity,Netherlands
78. WilliamCareyUniversity,Mississippi,USA
38. LeidenUniversityMedicalCentre,Netherlands
79. UnitedStatesMilitaryCancerInstitute,USA
76. UniformedServicesUniversity,USA
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141
HIR PUBLICATIONS
1.
AhmadyA,HashimMA,ArouaMK.Experimental
Investigation on the Solubility and Initial Rate
of Absorption of CO2 in aqueous Mixtures of
Methyldiethanolamine with the Ionic Liquid
1-Butyl-3-methylimidazoliumTetrafluoroborate,J.
Chem.Eng.Data.2010;55:5733-5738.
2.
SairiNA,YusoffR,AliasY,ArouaMK.Solubilities
of CO2 in aqueous N-methyldiethanolamine and
guanidinium trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic
liquidsystemsatelevatedpressures,FluidPhase
Equilibria.2011;300:89–94.
3.
Ahmady A, Hashim MA, Aroua MK. Solubility
of Carbon Dioxide in the aqueous mixtures
of Methyldiethanolamine with three types of
Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids, Fluid Phase
Equilibria.2011;309:76–82.
4.
Ahmady A, Hashim MA, Aroua MK. Density,
viscosity,physicalsolubilityanddiffusivityofCO2
inaqueousMDEA+[bmim][BF4]solutionsfrom
303 to 333 K. Chemical Engineering Journal (in
press).
5.
Hamah-AliB,AliBA,YusoffR,ArouaMK.Corrosion
ofCarbonSteelinAqueousCarbonatedSolution
of MEA/ [bmim] [DCA], Int. J. Electrochem. Sci.
2011;6:181-198.
6.
Lam SK, Burke D, Capeding MR, et
al. Preparingforintroductionofdenguevaccine:
Recommendationsfromthe1st Denguev2VAsiaPacificMeetingVaccine 2011;29:9417-22.
7.
Lam SK, Burke D, Gubler D, Mendez-Galvan
J, Thomas L. Call for a World Dengue Day
Lancet December 2011; doi:10,1016/S01406736(11)61922-3.
8.
9.
NgeowYF,WongYL,NgKP,OngCS,WahWah
Aung. Rapid, cost-effective application of Tibilia
TBRapidtestforcultureconfirmationofliveand
heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Clin
Microbiol2011;49:2776-2777.
ChongPP,SelvaratnamL,AbbasAA,KamarulT.
Human peripheral blood derived mesenchymal
stem cells demonstrates similar characteristics
and chondrogenic differentiation potential to
bonemarrowderivedmesenchymalstemcells.J
OrthopRes.2011Sept15doi:10.1002/jor.21556.
10. KrishnamurithyG,ShilpaPN,AhmadRE,Sulaiman
S,NgCL,KamarulT.Humanamnioticmembrane
as a chondrocyte carrier vehicle/substrate: in
vitro study. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2011 Dec 1;
99(3):500-6.doi:10.1002/jbm.a.33184.
11. Appanna R, Ponnampalavanar S, Lum LCS
See, Devi S. Susceptible and protective HLA
class 1 alleles against dengue fever and dengue
hemorrhagic fever patients in a Malaysian
population.PLoSOne,2010.5(9).
12. Alhoot MA, Wang SM, Sekaran SD. Inhibition
of Dengue Virus Entry and Multiplication into
Monocytes Using RNA Interference. PLoS Negl
TropDis.2011;5(11):e1410.doi:10.1371/journal.
pntd.0001410.
13. KufianMZ,AzizMF,ShukurMF,RahimAS,Ariffin
NE,ShuhaimiNEA,MajidSR,YahyaR,ArofAK.
PMMA-LiBOB Gel Electrolyte for Application in
LithiumIonBatteries,SolidStateIonics,2011.(In
press).
14. Vincent-Chong VK, Ismail SM, Rahman ZAA,
SharifahNA,AnwarA,PradeepPJ,Ramanathan
A, Karen-Ng LP, Kallarakkal TG, Mustafa WMW,
Abraham MT, Tay KK, Zain RB. Genome wide
analysis of oral squamous cell carcinomas
revealed over expression of ISG15, Nestin and
WNT11.OralDisease2011(inpress).
15. Ismail MA, Tamchek N, Muhammad Rosdi
AH, Dambul KD’ Selvaraj J, Abd Rahim, N,
Sandoghchi SR, Adikan, FRM. A Fiber Bragg
Grating-Bimetal Temperature Sensor for Solar
PanelInverters.SENSORS2011;11:8665-8673.
16. Hassan MRA, Tamchek N, Abas AF, Johar RM,
MahamdAdikanFR.Dual-phasesensingforearly
detectionofprepregstructuralfailuresviaetched
claddingBragggrating.SensorsandActuatorsA.
Physical2011;171:126-130.
17. Mahamd Adikan FR, Sandoghchi S, Chong
W, Simpson R, Mahdi MA, Webb A, Gates J,
HolmesC.DirectUVWrittenOpticalWaveguides
in Flexible Glass Flat Fiber Chips’, Journal of
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE
JournalofSelectedTopicsinQuantumElectronics
2011(inpress).
18. Chan YF, Sam IC, Wee KL, and AbuBakar S.
Enterovirus 71 in Malaysia: A decade later.
NeurologyAsia.2011;16:1-15.
19. Ayu SM, Lai LR, Chan YF, Hatim A, Hairi NN,
Ayob A , Sam IC. Seroprevalence survey of
Chikungunya virus in Bagan Panchor, Malaysia.
AmJTropMedHyg.2010;83:1245-8.
20. SamIC,ChuaCL,ChanYF.Chikungunyavirus
diagnosisinthedevelopingworld:apressing
need.ExpertRevAntiInfectTher.2011;9:108991.
21. Zubir A, Kazi SN, Badarudin A. Numerical
investigation of the effect of various
thermopyhsical properties on convection heat
transfer performance of flowing nanofluid in
a circular tube. Applied Thermal Engineering,
December2012.(Inpress)
22. Rubio-Godoy M, Paladini G, Freeman MA,
García-Vásquez A, Shinn AP. Morphological
and molecular characterisation of Gyrodactylus
salmonis(Platyhelminthes,Monogenea)collected
in Mexico from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
mykiss Walbaum). Vet Parasitol 2011
Doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.005.
23. UrawaS,FreemanMA,JohnsonSC,JonesSRM,
Yokoyama H. Geographical variation in spore
morphology,genesequencesandhostspecificity
of Myxobolus arcticus (Myxozoa) infecting
salmonid nerve tissues. Dis Aquat Org 2011
Oct;96:229-37.DOI:10.3354/dao02398.
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142
24. KristmundssonÁ,HelgasonS,BambirSH,Eydal
M, Freeman MA. Margolisiella islandica sp. nov.
(Apicomplexa: Eimeridae) infecting Iceland
scallop Chlamys islandica (Müller, 1776) in
Icelandic waters. J Invert Path 2011 Nov; 108:
139-146.DOI:10.1016/j.jip.2011.08.001.
25. LimCL, HonarvarB,ThungKH,ParamesranR.
FastcomputationofexactZernikemomentsusing
cascaded digital filters. Information Sciences.
2011:181:3638-3651.
26. Chan KG, Atkinson Mathee K, Sam CK, S.R.
Chhabra SR, M. Cámara M, C.L. Koh CL,
WilliamsP.CharacterizationofN-acylhomoserine
lactone degrading bacteria associated with
the Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizosphere: Coexistence of quorum quenching and quorum
sensinginAcinetobacterandBurkholderia.BMC
Microbiology 2011; 11: 51. doi:10.1186/14712180-11-51.
27. Wong CS, Yin WF, Choo YM, Sam CK, Koh CL,
ChanKG.Coexistenceofquorumquenchingand
quorumsensingintropicalmarinePseudomonas
aeruginosa strain MW3A. World Journal
Microbiology Biotechnology 2011 doi 10.1007/
s11274-011-0836-x.
28. Chong YM, Yin WF, Ho CY, Mustafa MR, Abdul
Hadi AH, Awang K, Narrima P, Chong- CL,
Appleton DR, Chan KG. Malabaricone C from
Myristica cinnamomea Exhibits Anti-Quorum
Sensing Activity. Journal of Natural Product.
2011, 74 (10), pp 2261–2264. DOI: 10.1021/
np100872k
29. Lim HN, Huang NM Loo CH. Facile preparation
of graphene-based chitosan films: Enhanced
thermal,
mechanical
and
antibacterial
properties, Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids. (In
Press).
30. Huang NM, Lim HN, Chia CH, Yarmo MA,
Muhamad MR, Simple room-temperature
preparation of high-yield large-area grapheme
oxide, International Journal of Nanomedicine,
2011;6:3443-3448.
31. ChandramathiS,SureshK,AnitaZB,Kuppusamy
UR. Infections of Blastocystis hominis and
Microsporidia in Cancer Patients: Are They
Opportunistic?TransactionsoftheRoyalSociety
ofTropicalMedicineandHygiene.(Inpress).
32. Chan KH, Chandramathi S, Suresh K, Chua KH,
Kuppusamy UR. Effects of Symptomatic and
AsymptomaticIsolatesofBlastocystisHominison
ColorectalCancerCellLine,HCT116.Parasitology
Research.(Inpress)
33. Tiekink ERT, Zukerman-Schpector J. Emerging
supramolecular
synthons:
C–H…κ(chelate)
interactions in metal bis(1,1-dithiolates). Chem
Commun.2011;47:6623–5.
34. Zukerman-Schpector
J,
Otero-de-la-Roza
A, Luanã V, Tiekink ERT. Supramolecular
architectures based on As(lone pair)…κ(aryl)
interactions.ChemCommun.2011;47:7608–10.
35. Câmpian MV, Haiduc I, Lönnecke P, Tiekink
ERT. Crystal and molecular structures of two
triphenylleadxanthates,Ph3Pb(S2COR),R=Me
and i-Pr, featuring weak intramolecular Pb...O
interactions.ZKristallogr.2011;226:780–5.
36. NazirR,MazharM,WakeelT,AkhtarMJ,Siddique
M, Nadeem M, Khan NA, Shah R. Pyrolysis
Mechanism of Trisbipyridineiron(II) Chloride to
IronNanoparticles.JThermAnalCalorim.2011
doi:10.1007/s10973-011-1919-5.
37. Ehsan MA, Tahir AA. Hamid M, Mazha M,
Wijayanatha KGU, Zeller M. Deposition of iron
titanate/titaniaceramiccompositethinfilmsfrom
single molecular precursor. Inorganica chemical
Acta.2011;376:189-194.
38. Sultan M, Mazhar M, Tahir AA Wijayantha KGU,
Zeller M. Isostructural copper-zinc mixed metal
complexes for single source CuZnO composite
thinfilms:.DaltonTransections2011.doi10.1039/
c1dt10560D
39. Crystalline 3Cu-PbO ceramic composite thin
films from Pb2(OAc)4(U-O)3Cu6(dmae)4Cl4.
C7H8.1.7H2O:Muhammad
Shahid,Mazhar
Hamid,Muhammad Mazhar, Javed Akhtar,
Matthias Zeller,Allen D.Hunter. Inorganic
ChemistryCommunications.2011;14:288-291.
40. Alam N, Shahid M, Mazhar M, Aljassabi S,
Zeller M, Hunter AD. Catena-poly[[[tetrakis(4methylpyridine-kN)copper(II))]-U-sulphatoK2O:O]4.393-hydrate. Acta Cryst. 2011; E67 :
375-376.
41. TajS,MuhammadMD,ChaudhryMA,MazharM.
Lithium, rubidium and cesium ion removal using
potassium iron(III)hexacyanoferrate(II) supported
on polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA). J.Radioanal
NuclChem.2011;288:79-88.
42. Alam N, Ehsan MA, Zeller M, Mazhar M, Arifin
Z.
Bis(O-n-butyl
dithiocarbonato-K2S,S)bis(pyridine-kN)manganese (II). Acta Cryst.
E67,m1064.
43. Alam N, Zeller M, Ahmed Tajidi NS, Arifin Z,
Mazhar M. Catena-poly[[diaquabis(3-methylpyridine-kN)cobalt(II)]-u-sulphato-K2O:O’]..Acta
Cryst.2011E67,m1065-1066.
44. TanWR,ChanCS,YogarajahP,CondellJ.AFusion
Approach for Effecient Human Skin Detection,
IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. (In
Press)
45. Arafat MM, Dinan B, Haseeb ASMA, Akbar
SA. Gas Sensors Based on One Dimensional
NanostructuredMetalOxides:AReview.Sensors
(2012)(Accepted).
46. Zak AK, Abd. Majid WH. Effect of solvent
on structure and optical properties of PZT
nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel method in
infraredregion.CeramInt.2011;37:753-8.
47. ZakAK,Abd.MajidWH,EbrahimizadehAbrishami
M,YousefiR,HosseiniSM.X-rayanalysisofZnO
nanoparticles by Williamson–Hall and size–strain
plotmethods,SolidStateSci.2011;13:251-6.
24/05/2012 9:44:59
48. Zak AK, Gan WC, Abd. Majid WH, Darroudi M,
Velayutham TS. Experimental and Theoretical
Dielectric Studies of PVDF/PZT Nanocomposite
ThinFilms.CeramInt.2011;37:1653-60.
54. NguiR,IshakS,ChuenCS,MahmudR,LianYLA.
Prevalenceandriskfactorsofintestinalparasitism
in rural and remote West Malaysia. 2011; PLoS
NTD5(3):e974.
49. Zak AK, Razli R, Abd. Majid WH, Darroudi M.
Synthesis and characterization of narrow size
distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Int J
Nanomed.2011;6:1399–1403.
55. Ngui R, Lim YAL, Amir NF, Nissapatorn V,
Mahmud R 2011. Seroprevalence and sources
oftoxoplasmosisamongOrangAsli(Indigenous)
Communities in Peninsular Malaysia. American
Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2011;
85:660-666.
50. Zak AK, Yousefi R, Abd. Majid WH, Muhamad
MR.FacilesynthesisandX-raypeckbroadening
studiesofZn1-xMgxOnanoparticles.CeramInt..
doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2011.10.042 (Article in
press).
51. Razali R, Zak AK, Abd. Majid WH, Darroudi M.
Solvothermal synthesis of microsphere ZnO
nanostructures in DEA media. Ceram Int. 2011;
37:3657-63.
52. VelayuthamTS,AbdMajidWH,AhmadAB,Gan
SN. Electrical behaviour of polyurethane derived
from polyols synthesized with glycerol, phthalic
anhydrideandoleicacid.JApplPolymSci.2011;
121:1796-1803.
143
56. Ngui R, Ching LS, Kai TT, Roslan MA, Lim YAL.
Molecular identification of hookworm infections
inruralandremoteareasofPeninsularMalaysia.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and
Hygiene2011.(Acceptedforpublication).
57. OoiR.ConversionofheattolightusingTownes’
maser-laser engine: Quantum optics and
thermodynamic analysis. Physical Review 2011;
A 83;043838.
58. Ooi R. Near-Field and Particle Size Effects in
Nonlinear Optical Scattering. PIERS 2011; 117:
479.
53. Hany A. Childhood Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma
as a Sentinel Cancer for Detecting Families with
Germline TP53 Mutations, Clinical Genetics
(acceptedforpublication).
24/05/2012 9:44:59
144
HIR PAPER PRESENTATION
1.
Aziz N, Yusoff R, Aroua MK. CO2 Absorption
UsingMixturesofIonicLiquidandAlkanolamines
3rd International Congress on Green Process
Engineering, 6-8 December 201, Seri Pacific
Hotel,KualaLumpur,Malaysia.Abstractno163,
pp.73.
2.
Ngeow YF. Molecular characterization of MDRTB strains in Malaysia. 1st AMDI International
Biohealth Science Conference,29 Nov-1 Dec,
2010,Penang.
3.
Mei YS, Ling NS, Peng NK. Molecular approach
in characterization of Cladosporium isolates. In
Symposium on leveraging on microbial diversity
for a sustainable future, Bayview Beach resort,
Penang, 8th – 11th December 2011. Poster
presentation.
4.
GopalK,AmirhamedH,KamarulT.Uniaxialtensile
loadinginfluencescellproliferationandapoptosis
inadultbonemarrowderivedMesenchymalstem
cells. 41st Malaysian Orthopaedic association
annual scientific meeting. 22nd – 24th May 2011,
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Abstract
No.P016,pp140.
5.
KufianMZ,YusufSNF,MajidSR,ArofAK.PMMALiBOB Gel Electrolyte for lithium Ion Batteries,
Posterpresentation,XIIInternationalSymposium
onPolymerElectrolytes,29August-3September
2010Padova,Italy.
6.
Samin SM, Md. Isa KB, Othman L, Osman Z.
“Li-IonconductionandStructuralStudiesofGPE
basedonPolymethymethacrylate”,presentedat
Malaysia Polymer International Conference, 18
– 20 Oct 2011, Bangi, Selangor, (selected to be
publishedinJurnalSainsMalaysiana).
7.
Ghazali MIM, Othman L, Md Isa KB, Osman Z.
“Ionic Conductivity and Structural Studies of
PMMA+EC+PC+LiBF4GelPolymerElectrolytes”,
presented at Malaysia Polymer International
Conference, 18 – 20 Oct 2011, Bangi, Selangor,
(selected to be published in Jurnal Sains
Malaysiana).
8.
9.
MdIsaKB,OthmanL,MansorM,OsmanZ.“Ionic
Conductivity And Transference Number Studies
of PVDF-HFP/PMMA – (EC+PC) Gel Polymer
Electrolytes Containing Lithium Salt”, presented
atMalaysiaPolymerInternationalConference,18
– 20 Oct 2011, Bangi, Selangor, (selected to be
publishedinJurnalSainsMalaysiana).
11. Vincent-Chong VK, Rahman ZAA, Ismail
SM, Zakaria Z, Pradeep PJ, Kallarakkal TG,
Ramanathan A, Karen-Ng LP, Tay KK, Zain RB.
Recurrent amplicon of nestin and its mRNA
expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma
(OSCC). 4th Regional Conference on Molecular
Medicine (RCMM), 9-11 October 2011, G-Hotel,
Penang,Malaysia.Abstractno.OP13;pp37.
12. Kong YH, Syed Zanaruddin SN, Ghani WMN,
RahmanZAA,AbrahamMT,RamanathanA,Lau
SH, Zain RB, Cheong SC. Expression of EMT
markersisassociatedwithpatternofinvasionin
oralcancer.4thRegionalConferenceonMolecular
Medicine,(RCMM),9-11October2011,G-Hotel,
Penang, Malaysia. Abstract no. OP11; pp35
(AwardedtheBestOralPresentation).
13. Dambul KD, Tamchek N, Sandoghchi SR, Abu
Hassan MR, Tee DC, Mahamd Adikan FR.
‘Fabrication and Characterization of Flat Fibers’,
2ndInternationalConferenceonPhotonics2011
(ICP2011),Sabah,Malaysia,pp.27-30,October
2011.
14. JahanshahiP,SandoghchiSR,ParviziA,Mahamd
Adikan FR. “Three-dimensional Modeling of
Surface Plasmon Resonance Based Biosensor”,
COMSOL Conference 2011 Boston, Boston,
Massachusetts02466,USA.
15. ChanSY,SamIC,ChanYF.DifferentialProteome
analysis of human colon adenocarcinoma cells
infected with enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus
A16. 1st International Symposium of Infectious
DiseasesandSignalTransductionResearch.1920November2011,Tainan,Taiwan.
16. Tan CW, Chan YF, Tan EL, Sim KM, Poh CL.
Inhibition of enterovirus 71 infections by a novel
peptidederivedfromenterovirus71capsidprotein
VP1. 1st International Symposium of Infectious
DiseasesandSignalTransductionResearch.1920November2011,Tainan,Taiwan.
17. Chan YF. Enterovirus 71: a decade later. 9th
Biennial Convention of the Asean Neurological
Associaiton (ASNA): Neuroinfection symposium.
2-5November,2011.
18. Chan YF. Phylogenetic designation of EV71
genotypes and subgenotypes. The 1st
InternationalSymposiumofVaccineDevelopment
againstHumanHand-Foot-and-MouthDiseases.
4-5September2011,Zhunan,Taiwan.
Othman L, Samin SM, Zainol NH Md Isa KB,
OsmanZ.“LithiumIonConductionStudiesofGel
PolymerElectrolytesBasedonPMMA”,presented
atMalaysiaPolymerInternationalConference,18
–20Oct2011,Bangi,Selangor.
19. Sam IC. The burden of infectious diseases in
Southeast Asia. Microsystems Technologies for
African Health, μ-Med-A 2011, 7-9 September
2011, Protea Hotel, Kruger Gate, Mpumalanga,
SouthAfrica.
10. Osman Z, Zulkifli MF, Md Isa KB, Othman L.
“PreparationandCharacterizationofGelPolymer
ElectrolytesBasedonPVDF-HFP/PMMABlend”,
presented at Malaysia Polymer International
Conference,18–20Oct2011,Bangi,Selangor.
20. ChiamCW,ChanYF,OngKC,WongKT,SamIC.
NeurovirulencevariationofdifferentChikungunya
virus genotypes in ICR suckling mice. 16th
Biological Sciences Graduate Congress, 12-13
December 2011, National University Singapore,
Singapore.
24/05/2012 9:44:59
21. FreemanMA,HorákA,EydalM,KeelingP.X-cell
parasitesofAtlanticcodarebasaldinoflagellates.
VI European Congress of Protistology (ECOP
VI). 25th-29th July 2011 Freie Universität Berlin,
Germany.OralAbstractpp64.
22. Chan KG, Chong TM., Sam SC, Koh CL. SalD,
a lactonase in Staphylococcus sp. L1, and its
predicted homologues. 4th ASM Conference
on Cell-CellCommunicationinBacteria.6-9Nov
2011.Miami,USA.56:25.
23. Soh Y, Chhabra SR, Halliday N, Williams P,
Chan KG. Inactivation of the Pseudomonas
aeruginosa quinolone signal molecule, PQS by
Achromobacter xylosoxidans. 6-9 Nov 2011.
Miami,USA.56:26.
24. Lee IL,Suresh K. Blastocystis spp: Evidence of
its occurrence in water sources in Peninsular
Malaysia. Oral presentation at the 47th Annual
Scientific Seminar of Malaysian Soceity of
ParasitologyandTropicalMedicineatInstituteof
MedicalUniversity3rd -4th March2011.
25. Afzan MY, Suresh K. Phenotypic and genotypic
characterization of Trichomonas vaginalis.
Oral presentation at the 47th Annual Scientific
Seminar of Malaysian Society of Parasitology
and Tropical Medicine at Institute of Medical
University3rd -4th March2011.
26. Ronald VS, Abdullah AN, Govindasamy V, Musa
S,AbuKasimNH.HumanDentalStemCellsand
TheirPlasticityPotentials.JDentRes90B,(www.
dentalresearch.org)(ISI-CitedAbstract) (ISI-Cited
Publication) IADR Singapore, SEA 28th- 30th
October2011.
27. Abdullah AN, Ronald VS, Govindasamy V, Musa
S, Abu Kasim NH. Dental Pulp Stem Cells :
Hepatocyte Differentiation in Animal-free Serum.
J Dent Res 90B, (www.dentalresearch.org) (ISI-
Cited Abstract) (ISI-Cited Publication) IADR
Singapore,SEA28th-30thOctober2011.
28. TiekinkERT.Crystal Engineering: Steric Bulk as a
Design Element - Implications for Luminescence
and Nanoparticle Generation. Departmental
Seminar,April26th2011,DepartmentofChemistry.
UniversitiBruneiDarussalem.
29. Tiekink ERT. Emerging supramolecular syntrons:
Stabilisation of crystal structures by C.H…
pi(chelate ring) and by metal(lone pair)…pi(aryl)
interactions.DepartmentalSeminar,October13th
2011, Department of Chemistry. University of
Malaya.
30. Tiekink ERT. Emerging supramolecular syntrons:
Stabilisation of crystal structures by C.H…
pi(chelate ring) and by metal(lone pair)…pi(aryl)
interactions. Keynote Speaker, October 17th
2011, 3rd Asian Conference on Coordination
Chemistry(ACCC-3).
145
32. YeoGN,WoonKL.InfluenceofSeriesResistance,
ShuntResistanceandInterfacePropertiesonFill
FactorofP3HT/PCBMOrganicPhotovoltaic-26th
RegionalConferenceonSolidStateScienceand
Technology 2011, 22-24 November 2011, The
Royale Bintang Seremban, Negeri Sembilan,
Malaysia.RCSSSTAbstractnoC10.
33. Abdullah Norbani, Mohammad Isa Mohamadin
Mixed-Valence Low Bandgap Photovoltaic
Material: [Cu(II)Cu(I)(R)3(RH)2CH3COCH3 (R =
C6H5COO; L =CH3COCH2C(OH)(CH3)2) 2011
InternationalConferenceonEnergy,Environment
andSustainableDevelopment.
34. A.K. Zak, W.H. Abd. Majid, W. C. Gan,
“Experimental and Theoretical Dielectric Studies
of PVDF/PZT Nanocomposite Thin Films”,
International Symposium on Advanced Materials
forOpticsMicroelectronicsandNanaoelectronics,
AMOMEN’2011, Kénitra Morocco, 27-29 Oct.
2011-InvitedSpeaker.
35. RehanaRazali,W.Abd.Majidetal,“Solvothermal
synthesis of microsphere ZnO nanostructures
in DEA media”, International Symposium on
Advanced Materials for Optics Microelectronics
and Nanaoelectronics, AMOMEN’2011, Kénitra
Morocco,27-29Oct.2011-PosterPresentation.
36. Soo Sin CHOONG, Zarina Adbul LATIFF,
Mahfuzah MOHAMED, Leon Li Wen LIM, Kok
SiongCHEN,LelamekalaVENGIDASAN,Hadibiah
RAZALI, Eni Juraida ABDUL RAHMAN, Hany
ARIFFIN,Childhood Adrenocortical Carcinoma
as a Sentinel Cancer of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome.
16th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress,
12nd -14th December 2011, National University
ofSingapore,Singapore.
37. Choo, Y. M. “Malaysian Terrestrial Plants and
Microorganisms: Source of New Leads”, The
6th International Conference on Cutting-Edge
OrganicChemistryinAsia11-15December2011
Hong Kong. Invited oral presentation. Abstract
No.IL-8.
38. RomanoNgui,YvonneA.L.Lim,RebeccaTraub,
Rohela Mahmud, Mohd Sani Mistam. Zoonotic
transmission of Ancylostoma ceylanicum among
humananddomesticanimalsinendemicareasof
Malaysia. JITMM 2011. December 1-2, Centara
Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Central
World,Bangkok,Thailand.
39. “Superconducting Photonic Crystal with
Nanostrips for Mid-Infrared Applications”,
Ooi C. H. Raymond, Malaysia Annual Physics
Conference2010(PERFIK-2010):AIPConference
ProceedingsVolume:1328Pages:24-27(2011).
31. LimCH,ChanCS.AFrameworkonFuzzyIntrusion
Detection.IWACIII,Suzhou,China.2011.
24/05/2012 9:44:59
146
HIR GUIDELINES
Introduction
The high impact research grants from the University
ofMalayaaretofundprojectswhichwillresultinthe
publicationofmanuscriptsinTier1ISI/WebofScience
journals.Assuch,theemphasiswillbeonfundamental
research which will lead to the generation of new
knowledge rather than on the development of new
productsorpatents.Itisalsoaimedatgeneratingmore
researchcapabilitiesandexpertisewithintheuniversity
andthismayresultfromcollaborationwithIvyLeague
universitiesoverseas.
Thesegrantswillbehandleddifferentlyfromallexisting
grantsandwillbeadministeredundertheChancellery.
The Vice-Chancellor will be Chairman of the High
Impact Research Committee which will evaluate
the projects, decide on its suitability for funding and
monitortheirprogress.
Each project initial funding will have a ceiling of
RM500,000 over 2 years, but those which receive
more funding will be expected to out-perform those
withlessfunding.Theinitialfundingwillbefor2years
with the proviso that projects with excellent outcome
will receive further funding. To make projects more
cost-effective, each Tier 1 paper should not exceed
RM60,000.Projectsrequestingformorethan40%of
totalbudgetforequipmentwillnotbeconsidered.
•
Allocation cannot be used for study fees. The
maximum wages/allowances for temporary or
contract personnel will be based on prevailing
rates.
TravelandTransportation(V21000)
Includes travel and transportation expenses for
domesticandoverseastripswhicharedirectlyrelated
totheproject.
Overseastripsmustmeetthefollowingcriteria:
•
Attendingconferences,seminarsorworkshopsto
presenttheresultsoftheproject.
•
Conducting a portion of the required research
when domestic facilities and expertise are
inadequate.
•
Thevenuefortheabovemustbesuitableinterms
offacilities,expertiseandtechnologytransfer.
•
Travel is limited to economy class using the
shortest direct routes. Travel is only allowed on
MASorAirAsiacarriersexceptunderextenuating
circumstances.
Rentals(V24000)
All projects must have international partnerships.
Each PI will have only 1 HIR funded project under
the Chancellory HIR Fund. Those who are about to
complete their current project and have met their
targetsmaybeconsideredforasecondgrant.
•
Eligibility
ResearchMaterialsandSupplies
(V27000)
All academic staff, senior research fellows, research
fellows,andexpatriatesattachedtotheuniversityare
eligibletoapply.
Post-doctoral researchers must apply in the name of
theirsupervisorsoramemberoftheacademicstaff.
ScopeofFunding
Only projects which will result in Tier 1 ISI/Web of
Science publications will be funded. Successful PIs
will need to sign a contract to agree to the terms of
funding.
Thefundingcanbeutilizedforthefollowingcategories:
•
Only rental expenses for building space,
equipment, transportation and any other items
directlyrelatedtotheprojectshouldbeincluded.
Rentalofvehiclesforthepurposeoftransportation
mustbefromalicensedtransportcompany.
Onlyexpensesforresearchmaterialsandsupplies
MinorModificationsandRepairs
(V28000)
•
Onlyexpensesforminormodificationsandrepairs
of the laboratory, equipment or any other items
•
The maintenance costs of existing equipment
usedduringthedurationofprojectperiodshould
alsobeincluded.
WagesandAllowancesforTemporaryand
ContractPersonnel(V11000)
•
Includes wages and allowances for temporary
andcontractpersonnelwhoaredirectlyengaged
intheproject.
24/05/2012 9:45:00
SpecialServices(V29000)
PUBLICATIONS
•
Services directly related to the project such as
consultancy, payment for enumerators, usage
of computer facilities, chemical analysis, data
processingandpatentregistration.
Researchersshouldonlypublishtheirresearchfindings
in Tier 1 ISI/Web of Science journals. All publications
must indicate and acknowledge the University of
Malayaasthesourceoffunding.
•
Engagementofforeignexpert(s)willbeconsidered
onacase-bycasebasis.
ThePImustindicateintheapplicationformthenumber
ofTier1publicationsexpectedfromtheproject,aswell
as a list of five Tier 1 journals which the publications
willappearin.
EquipmentandAccessories(V35000)
•
•
Special equipment and accessories purchased,
includingaccessoriestoupgradethecapabilityof
existingequipmentdirectlyrelatedtotheproject.
Funding for special equipment and accessories
has to be reasonable and should have a direct
bearingontheproject.
VariationsinProjectCosting
Requests for variations in funding after a project has
been approved must be made to the Committee for
approval.
ProjectExtension
Requestsforprojectextensionsmustbemadetothe
Committee6monthsbeforethecompletiondateofthe
project. The maximum extension period is not more
than6months.
AcceptanceofOffer
Applicants must accept or decline the offer within 14
days after notification. Upon acceptance, the PI will
needtosignacontractwiththeuniversitytofulfillall
thetermsandconditionsasstated.
OwnershipofResearchEquipment
All research equipment purchased under the project
belongstotheuniversityandshouldbemadeavailable
tootherresearchers.Theuniversityreservestheright
tore-locatetheequipmentattheendoftheproject.
147
FINANCIALREPORT
AFinancialreportmustbesubmittedatthesametime
astheprogressreport.
PROJECTIMPLEMENTATIONAND
MONITORING
•
PROJECTIMPLEMENTATION
AllprojectsfundedbytheHighImpactResearchGrant
must be conducted in accordance withtherulesand
conditions governed by research in the university.
Projects which involve experimentation with humans
or animals will require approval from the respective
Ethics Committees prior to the fund being released.
The projects will be closely monitored to ensure that
theyarecarriedoutsuccessfully.
•
PROGRESSREPORT(PR)
1.
Thefirstprogressreportmustbesubmitted
8monthsafterthebeginningoftheproject.
Thesecondreportshouldbe16monthsafter
theprojecthasstarted.
2.
FailuretosubmittheProgressReportbythe
stipulateddatelinesmayresultinsuspension
oftheprogresspayments.
3.
The End of Project Report (EPR) is to be
submitted3monthsafterthecompletionof
theproject
4.
In addition to reviewing the above reports,
the Committee may, from time to time,
conduct on-site monitoring of projects and
colloquiums.
Note: Failure to complete the project satisfactorily
mayresultintheresearcherbeingbarredfrommaking
futureapplicationsforuniversityresearchfunding.
24/05/2012 9:45:00
148
SOP FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HIR FUND
(AFTER APPROVAL BY HIR COMMITTEE)
1.
Received approval letter, account number and
SOPforHIRFundManagement.
2.
ResearchAssistant
(Master)
RM2,500-RM4,000
Spending should start immediately according to
thefollowingfinanciallimits:-
ResearchAssistant
(Degree)
RM1,200-RM2,500
(Please state the
documentation)
ProjectAssistant(SPM/
Diploma)
RM800-RM1,500
account
number
in
all
a)
b)
ForpurchaseofitemsbelowRM5,000
ForpurchaseofitemsmorethanRM5,000
toRM20,000
c) ForpurchaseofitemsmorethanRM20,000
toRM50,000
d) ForpurchaseofitemsmorethanRM50,000
toRM100,000
e) Forpurchaseofitemsmorethan
RM100,000toRM500,000
f) Forpurchaseofitemsmorethan
RM500,000
All expenses must be made according to
approved allocation by each vote.
3.
5.
RecruitmentProcess:
i.
PItoforwardallrelevantdocumentsforeach
candidatetotheHIRSecretariat:
1.
Application form with passport size
photograph
2.
(Can be downloaded from http://www.
hir.um.edu.my)
3.
1 copy of RA’s Bank account number
(CIMBonly-forsalarycrediting)
4.
1 copy of passport front page
(foreignersonly)
Any transfer between the votes needs the VC’s
approval.
ii.
Allappointmentof RAs will be submitted to HIR
Secretariat. Monthly salary offered will be based
onthesalaryrangeaccordingtoRAqualification
andexperienceasfollows:
HIRSecretariatwillprocessandissueLetter
of Appointment to RA; copies to PI, Bursar
andHumanResourceDepartment.
iii.
UponstartofdutyPItoforwardReportDuty
ofthecandidatestotheHIRSecretariatand
copytoBursar’sOfficetoinitiatepaymentof
salaries.
SeniorResearcher(PhD&
5yearsexperience
RM5,000-RM7,000
HIRPost-Doc(PhD)
RM4,000-RM6,000
4.
PIreceivesexpensereportsfromBursar’sOffice–
Reconcileandconfirm.
ContactPerson:
VC’sOffice
SitiZawahirZubir
03-79673400 zawahirzubir@gmail.com
VC’sOffice
AzbullahCheIbrahim
03-79673231
azbullahibrahim@gmail.com
VC’sOffice
NurAinValerieCasseraBintiRapoi
03-79677763
navalcas@um.edu.my
VC’sOffice
HamizahHusain
03-79677791
hamizah_husain@um.edu.my
VC’sOffice
SarinaRamli
03-79677790
rienaramli@um.edu.my
Bursar
HalizaHarun
03-79673205
halizahr@um.edu.my
AssistantBursar
NorshahidayuAli
03-79673270 shahidayu@um.edu.my
ProcurementUnit
PuteriHeirzereinMegatZamry
03-79676996
put3mz@um.edu.my
PaymentUnit
Dr.NoorHashimTaib
03-79673403
nhashim@um.edu.my
FacultyofMedicine
SitiFatimahZahraMohdAnuar
03-79677515
fatimah_zahra@ummc.edu.my
NoorlainiewatiAbdullah
03-79677684
laini@um.edu.my
FacultyofScience
AzianAwang
03-79674201
azianawang@um.edu.my
FacultyofDentistry
IntanSuhanaHamid
03-79676454
intansuhana@um.edu.my
FacultyofComputerScience
&InformationTechnology
MuhamadAfiqZainiAlamar
03-79676382
afiq.almar@um.edu.my
Secretariat,
HighImpactResearchGrant
OfficeoftheViceChancellor
Level9,ChancelloryUniversityofMalaya
50603KualaLumpur
hirgrant@gmail.com
http://www.hir.um.edu.my
24/05/2012 9:45:00
149
24/05/2012 9:45:00
150
GUIDELINES ON TECHNICAL EVALUATION
1. Doestheprojectmeettheexpectationsofthe
HIRGrantScheme?
TheHIRGrantSchemefromtheUniversityofMalaya
is to fund projects which will result in publications in
Tier 1/ISI WoS journals. As such, the emphasis is on
fundamentalresearchwhichwillleadtothegeneration
ofnewknowledgeratherthanonthedevelopmentof
newproductsorpatents.
2. DothePrincipalInvestigator(PI)andthe
researchteamhavetheexpertiseand
thenecessarytrackrecordinconducting
researchinthisarea?
Itisimportanttolookattheprofessionalqualifications
andpastperformanceofthePIandhisteam.Weshould
refer to the records of the researchers with regard to
the type of projects funded, whether completed or
on-going and the outcome of those funded projects.
TheCVsofthePIandhiscollaboratorswillbeagood
indicatoroftheirrecordsandpreviousexperiences.
The budget should reflect on this collaboration, with
exchangesofvisitsbetweenthecollaboratingcentres.
Prominent Malaysian scientists working overseas
should be invited to participate in HIR projects and
funds provided to encourage them to be actively
involved. There should be documentary evidence to
show that the collaboration is active and meaningful
andwillleadtoanoutcomeofmutualbenefit.
7. AppropriatenessofResearchMethodology
Theresearchmethodologyintheapplicationformmust
containsufficientinformationfortheHIRCommitteeto
determinethefeasibilityoftheproject.FlowandGrant
charts of research activities must be provided and
the respective milestones and dates of achievements
provided. These will serve for the monitoring of the
projectoutcomes.
8. ResearchBudget
Inordertoavoidduplication,wemustensurethatthe
HIR project has not been funded elsewhere. There
shouldbeasubstantialdifferencebetweenthisproject
andthosepreviouslyconductedbytheresearchers.
Thebudgetrequestshouldberealisticandreflectthe
targetandcost-benefitsoftheproject.Theguidelines
fortheutilizationofHIRbudgetshouldgenerallybein
linewiththeguidelinesassetupbyothergovernment
ministriessuchasMOSTIandMoHE.However,more
flexibility will be allowed here subject to the approval
oftheVice-ChancellorwhoistheChairmanoftheHIR
Committee(refertoScopeofFundingintheGuidelines
forHighImpactResearchGrants).
4. Creditabilityofresearchobjectives
9. Cost-effectivenessofHIRProjects
The research objectives must be clear, accurate and
consistent and the proposed methodology relevant
to meet the set goals. It is important to ensure the
objectives are not too ambitious and that the goals
are achievable within the time period set. Objectives
mustbesetinsuchawaythattheyareverifiableupon
completionoftheproject.
The cost-effectiveness of the HIR project should be
relatedtothebudgetrequestandthenumberofTier
1 publications. If the merits of two proposals are the
same,thenitisobviousthattheonewithbettercostbenefitswillbegivenpriority.Asaruleofthumb,under
theSAGAResearchProgrammeofMOSTIunderRMK
8,thecost-benefitsofSAGAprojectsaveragetoabout
RM46,000perISIpublication.Requestsforequipment
must be related to the project and must be justified.
Althoughthereisnocapontherequestforequipment
budgetvis-à-visthetotalbudget,thegeneralpractice
withgovernmentfundinghasbeen40%oftotalbudget
forequipment.
3. Whatotherfundingsourceshavebeen
awardedpreviously?
5. Outputexpected
The primary output expected of HIR funded projects
areTier1ISI/WoSpublicationsandanyotheroutcome
issecondary.AlistofTier1journalsshouldbeprovided
by the PI and the number of expected publications
mustreflectthecost-benefitoftheprojectoutputand
budgetrequest.
6. ResearchCollaboration
Research collaboration is strongly encouraged
and emphasis should be placed on international
collaboration with Ivy League universities and
institutions that can lead to the transfer of cuttingedgetechnologiesandthetrainingofUMresearchers.
10. HIRRecommendationsfollowingTechnical
Review
HIR Committee Members should convey to the PI
the reasons that their recommendation to projects
that have been rejected. PIs are then advised to
look for funding elsewhere (MOSTI RMK10, MoHE
or FRGS). Projects which require large budgets may
be considered under the category “Commissioned
Research”andtheprojectsubjectedtomorestringent
evaluationandthePIinterviewed.
24/05/2012 9:45:00

Untitled - High Impact Research

Transcription

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