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SDG 16 | Strong Institutions

2 Disember 2025 | UMBI telah menerima lawatan rasmi delegasi Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM), Indonesia pada 1 hingga 2 Disember 2025.

Delegasi daripada RSCM ini dipimpin oleh Dr. Ardy Wildan (Endocrinologist) dan turut dihadiri oleh Mentari Kasih (Bioinformatician), Shahnaz Mutia Dewi (Laboratory Analyst) dan Harfi Maulana (Biobank Analyst). Lawatan yang diselaraskan oleh UMBI ini turut melibatkan lawatan ke Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, Hospital Pakar Kanak-kanak ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp (Hospital TABTAR) dan Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM).

Turut hadir semasa sesi lawatan ini adalah Pengurusan Tertinggi UMBI, Profesor Madya Dr. Nor Azian Abd Murad (Pengarah UMBI), Profesor Madya Ts. Dr. Chin Siok Fong (Timbalan Pengarah UMBI), Ts. Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin (Ketua Jaminan Kualiti UMBI) dan Profesor Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal (Felo Utama UMBI); serta Profesor Dr. Norlaila Mustafa (Consultant Endocrinologist HCTM), Profesor Dr. Hamidah Alias dan Dr. Loh C-Khai (Paediatric Haematology-Oncology Ward Hospital TABTAR), Dr. Yong Woon Lee (Department of Diagnostic Laboratory Services Hospital TABTAR) dan Profesor Madya Dr. Hafizah Allaudin (Department of Diagnostic Laboratory Services HCTM).

Lawatan ini merangkumi sesi penandaarasan yang memberi tumpuan kepada pengurusan operasi dan pelaksanaan strategi dalam pembangunan penyelidikan kohort. Para delegasi turut di bawa melawat ke fasiliti-fasiliti yang berkaitan bagi berkongsi teknologi-teknologi yang digunakan. Antaranya termasuk lawatan ke Biobank UMBI, yang merupakan biobank terbesar di Asia Tenggara; Makmal Penjujukan Genom yang merupakan makmal penyelidikan berteknologi tinggi dengan aplikasi dua (2) platform utama iaitu PromethIon dan Ion GeneStudio S5 Prime System; dan Pusat Rekrutmen Projek The Malaysian Cohort (TMC), projek kajian prospektif populasi terbesar di Malaysia.

Pihak UMBI secara khususnya merakamkan setiggi-tinggi penghargaan kepada RSCM atas kesudian mengadakan lawatan ini. Diharapkan jalinan kerjasama ini dapat diteruskan pada masa hadapan demi memperkukuhkan pembangunan profesional dalam bidang penyelidikan.

ÌýÌý

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Wellbeing, Education, Innovation, Global partnership, Knowledge sharing

Pada 20 November 2025, sekumpulan pelajar perubatan dari Universiti MAHSA telah mengadakan lawatan pendidikan ke Institut Biologi Molekul Perubatan ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp (UMBI). Delegasi seramai 26 orang pelajar ini merupakan pelajar daripada Fakulti Bioperubatan dan Fakulti Farmasi.

Lawatan ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pendedahan dan perkongsian terhadap fasiliti termaju institut penyelidikan perubatan di ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp disamping mengetengahkan tahap perkhidmatan penyelidikan dan perkhidmatan yang berkualiti tinggi kepada mereka.

Delegasi yang diiringi oleh 2 orang pensyarah ini telah dibawa melawat ke makmal-makmal UMBI di aras 2 (Makmal Penjujukan), aras 3 (Makmal Mikroatur, Makmal Yayasan Petronas, Makmal Sel Biologi dan Makmal Bioinformatik) dan aras 5 (Makmal Sel Kuktur, Makmal Metabolik dan Makmal Penyakit Berjangkit) dan turut di bawa ke Biobank UMBI yang merupakan biobank terbesar di Asia Tenggara. Sebelum itu, delegasi telah diberikan taklimat ringkas berkenaan latar belakang dan operasi UMBI oleh En. Bisharuzi Omar, Pegawai Sains UMBI (C12). Sesi lawatan diakhiri dengan sesi bergambar dan taklimat akhir.

Diharapkan lawatan ini mencapai objektifnya disamping memberi pengalaman dan ilmu baharu kepada para pelajar yang terlibat, seterusnya dapat terus memberikan ilham dan minat di dalam bidang penyelidikan perubatan.

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SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Education, Knowledge sharing

World Diabetes Day | 14 November 2025

Theme for 2025: Diabetes and Well-Being at Work

? Why Do We Celebrate World Diabetes Day?

World Diabetes Day was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the rising global burden of diabetes. In 2007, the United Nations declared 14 November an official international health day.

? Why 14 November?

This date marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the scientist who—together with Charles Best—discovered insulin in 1922. Their discovery transformed diabetes from a fatal illness into a treatable chronic condition.

? Diabetes: A Growing Global & National Concern

• Global Impact
  • Over 537 million adults worldwide live with diabetes.
  • Expected to reach 643 million by 2030.
  • Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and lower limb amputation.

• Malaysia’s Reality
  • Malaysia has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in Asia.
  • About 1 in 5 adults are living with diabetes.
  • Many individuals remain undiagnosed until complications arise.
  • Lifestyle factors—urbanisation, diet, stress, and limited physical activity—play a significant role.

? How UMBI Contributes to Diabetes Research

At the ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), researchers work to advance diabetes science through:

1. Genomic & biomarker research for early detection

2. Precision medicine strategies to understand individual risk

• Research Updates Series in Molecular Medicine No. 24/2025

3. Population studies to map trends and prevention strategies

• Case Control Study O Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Findings from the Malaysia Cohort Study

4. AI-driven predictive models for cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes

5. Collaborative projects under UMBI and The Malaysian Cohort, and other national and international initiatives

• PRIME Study: Precision Medicine in T2DM for Malaysia.
• Webinar Precision Medicine in Malaysia: Ready for Prime Time
• PRecision medicine for diabetic Individuals: a joint Malaysia- UK Effort (PRIME): Close out Symposium
• The PRIME collaboration
• Obesity and non-communicable disease in Malaysia: an imaging study of 6000 adults in the Malaysian Cohort StudyÌý

? What Can You Do Today?

• 1. Know Your Numbers

  • Schedule a screening for:
  • Fasting glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Kidney function

• 2. Build Healthier Daily Habits

  • Choose balanced meals
  • Be physically active
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce sugary drinks
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress

• 3. Support Awareness & Research

  • Share reliable information, encourage loved ones to screen, and support health initiatives.

? We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant funders, collaborators, patients, their families, and our dedicated team and staff for their unwavering commitment.

Our goal: better prediction, better treatment, and better quality of life for Malaysians.

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Diseases, Health, Wellbeing, Education, Global Parnership, Knowledge sharing

23 Oktober 2025, Unit Biobank UMBI – Unit Biobank UMBI telah menerima dua (2) orang kakitangan daripada Hospital Pengajar Universiti Putra Malaysia, Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS) untuk menjalani latihan sangkutan selama dua minggu bermula pada 6 Oktober 2025 hingga 17 Oktober 2025. Peserta latihan terdiri daripada kakitangan Jabatan Patologi iaitu Puan Nurul Syuhada Osman, Pegawai Sains, dan Encik Muhammad Nur’faiz Hilmie Razali, Juruteknologi Makmal Perubatan. Sepanjang tempoh latihan, peserta berpeluang menjalani latihan teori dan teknikal secara terperinci meliputi keseluruhan aspek pengurusan Biobank — bermula daripada pengendalian logistik sampel, pemprosesan sampel, penyimpanan, pengurusan data klinikal, penyelenggaraan instrumentasi dan prasarana Biobank, sehinggalah kepada kawalan kualiti (QC) sampel. Latihan ini bertujuan memberikan pendedahan mendalam mengenai amalan terbaik dalam operasi Biobank selaras dengan piawaian antarabangsa.

Selain itu, peserta turut berpeluang menyertai satu sesi perkongsian ilmu bersama Prof. Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal, Penasihat Biobank UMBI. Dalam sesi ini, beliau berkongsi pengalaman dan kepakaran beliau yang luas selama lebih 20 tahun dalam mentadbir urus Biobank serta usaha beliau membawa Biobank UMBI ke peringkat antarabangsa sebagai antara pusat Biobank terkemuka di rantau ini.

Secara keseluruhannya, peserta mengikuti enam (6) modul pembelajaran utama yang disusun khas oleh pasukan Biobank UMBI, iaitu:
1. Biobank Introduction & Governance
2. Biobank Ethics & Confidentiality
3. Infrastructure, Safety & Management
4. Biospecimen Handling & Processing
5. Biospecimen Storage & Safety
6. Biobank Informatics & Monitoring

Selain memperkukuh pengetahuan teknikal peserta, latihan ini turut bertujuan untuk menjalin hubungan kolaborasi strategik antara UMBI dan HSAAS, khususnya dalam memperkukuh jaringan kepakaran dan perkongsian ilmu dalam bidang Biobank dan penyelidikan bioperubatan. Latihan sangkutan ini diharapkan dapat menjadi platform penting dalam memperkukuh kecekapan tenaga kerja serta memperluas kerjasama antara institusi ke arah pembangunan Biobank yang lebih mampan dan berimpak tinggi di Malaysia.

Institusi atau syarikat yang berminat untuk menjalankan latihan sangkutan di Unit Biobank UMBI atau menjalinkan kolaborasi penyelidikan, boleh berhubung terus dengan pihak UMBI untuk mendapatkan maklumat, modul latihan serta penjadualan program. Pihak UMBI sentiasa mengalu-alukan kerjasama serta perkongsian ilmu dalam memperkukuh pembangunan Biobank dan penyelidikan bioperubatan di Malaysia.

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SDG 4 | SDG17

Keywords: Quality education, Knowledge sharing

Familial Hypercholesterolemia Awareness Day | September 24, 2025

ÌýDo you know?

• Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is more common than you think. In Malaysia, one out of every 100 individuals is living with FH, which translates to an estimated 320,000 people living with FH.
• FH is a health condition characterised by individuals having high blood cholesterol levels due to genetic factors. Genetic mutation affects the way cholesterol is cleared from the blood, therefore causing a very high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
• Untreated high LDL cholesterol can lead to the buildup of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries, resulting in clogged vessels,Ìýwhich could further lead to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) or a heart attack. These conditions eventually increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Early diagnosis is essential as FH runs in families but is undiagnosed in most individuals.

ÌýResearch Highlights from UMBI

At UMBI, we are committed to performing research in FH, enabling us to contribute to meaningful and impactful changes in the community.

Here are some of the things we are doing:

Understanding the key genes and pathways underpinning hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis ()

ÌýScreening of FH genetic mutations in a Malay family affected with FH ()

ÌýIdentification of a novelÌýOSBPL7Ìý(oxysterol-binding protein-like 7) genetic variant (c.651_652del) that increased 17-fold risk for hypercholesterolemia in the TMC cohort ()

ÌýCollaboration with Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM, USM), Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN, ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp), and Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE, UMP) to produce a pilot lateral flow assay to detect the FH mutations for a point-of-care testing tool development (Ìý)

ÌýWe extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant funders, collaborators, patients, their families, and our dedicated team and staff for their unwavering commitment.

Know your risk and act now! Book our health screening package:Ìý/umbi/registration-uwc/

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Diseases, Health, Wellbeing, Education, Global Parnership, Knowledge sharing

Celebrate World Alzheimer’s Day | September 21, 2025

? What are we celebrating?

• World Alzheimer’s Day aims to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around people living with Alzheimer’s and all types of dementia.
• Alzheimer’s or dementia is not normal part of ageing. More than 55 million people around the world live with this health condition. In Malaysia alone, about 8.5% of the elderly population is living with dementia.

? Theme for this year

This year, the World Alzheimer’s Day 2025 theme is to promote greater awareness and understanding of dementia, encouraging everyone to ask about dementia. With the hashtags #AskAboutDementia and #AskAboutAlzheimers, every participation will contribute to changing public perceptions and normalising asking questions to learn more about this health condition.

? Research Highlights from UMBI

At UMBI, we are committed to understanding dementia and driving impactful changes through research. Together with our collaborators from the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), we hope tohelp educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote support for individuals and families affected by these challenging conditions.

Here are some of the things we are doing:

? Understanding cognitive impairment (early dementia) from the perspective of gut microbiomes (a research sub-project under the MySero-Biome project)

? Dementia Research Dialogue session with various stakeholders/

? We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant funders, collaborators, patients, their families, and our dedicated team and staff for their unwavering commitment.

#WorldAlzheimersDay #AskAboutAlzheimers #AskAboutDementia #UMBIsharing #ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Diseases, Health, Wellbeing, Education, Global Parnership, Knowledge sharing

Pada 12 Ogos 2025, sekumpulan pelajar perubatan dari Jepun telah mengadakan lawatan pendidikan ke Institut Biologi Molekul Perubatan ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp (UMBI). Delegasi seramai 18 orang ini merupakan peserta daripada Program Pertukaran Pelajar Perubatan Asia (AMSEP) Malaysia-Jepun di bawah anjuran Persatuan Pelajar Perubatan Asia (AMSA) Malaysia.

Lawatan ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pendedahan dan perkongsian terhadap fasiliti termaju institut penyelidikan perubatan di ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp disamping mengetengahkan tahap perkhidmatan penyelidikan dan diagnostik yang berkualiti tinggi kepada mereka.

Delegasi yang diiringi oleh ahli AMSA ini telah dibawa melawat ke Biobank UMBI yang merupakan biobank terbesar di Asia Tenggara dan Makmal Tisu Kultur. Sebelum itu, delegasi telah diberikan taklimat ringkas berkenaan latar belakang dan operasi UMBI oleh Pengurus Teknikal Makmal UMBI, En. Muhiddin Ishak. Sesi lawatan diakhiri dengan sesi bergambar dan taklimat akhir. Diharapkan lawatan ini mencapai objektifnya disamping memberi pengalaman dan ilmu baharu kepada para pelajar yang terlibat, seterusnya dapat membuka peluang kepada lebih banyak kolaborasi di masa hadapan apabila mereka pulang ke negara asal.

Pautan berkaitan di Facebook UMBI:

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SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Education, Knowledge sharing

Happy DNA Day | April 25, 2025

? Did you know?

• Your DNA is 99.9% identical to everyone else’s! It’s the tiny 0.1% that makes you unique.
• Your DNA can reveal your health risks, how you react to medications, and the lifestyle choices that work best for you!

? What is DNA Day?

DNA Day is an annual global event celebrated on April 25th to commemorate the discovery of the DNA double helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. The day serves to recognize the significance of genetics in advancing science and medicine, and to encourage public awareness and education about the role of genetics in health, disease, and the broader scope of biology.

? Research Highlights from UMBI

UMBI is at the forefront of innovative research on various aspects of DNA, from understanding genetic factors in disease to cutting-edge research in personalized medicine.

? Cancer Genomics

Using advanced tools like next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics, UMBI researchers are uncovering the genetic changes behind cancer progression and treatment response. Their discoveries are leading to new biomarkers for early detection and paving the way for precision medicine. These studies receive support from various funding sources, including the Long Research Grant Scheme from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and Yayasan Petronas.

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? /umbi/news/memorandum-perjanjian-moa-ukm-yayasan-petronas/

? Non-communicable diseases

Leveraging advanced genomic tools—including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenetic analyses—researchers at UMBI in collaboration with University of Dundee, UK are working to identify disease-associated genetic variants, biomarkers, and gene-environment interactions unique to diverse populations, shedding light on the molecular basis of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The project was supported by funding from the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) Newton-Ungku Omar Fund.

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? /umbi/prime-introduction/

? Rare Genetic Diseases

UMBI researchers are also leading efforts to study rare genetic diseases in the Malaysian population. Through genetic screening and mutation analysis, they have gained key insights into the local genetic landscape, improving diagnosis and treatment for these conditions. The work was supported by Genomic Unit PPÿÈÕ´óÈüapp-UMBI fund.

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? SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance

UMBI researchers use DNA sequencing to track and study viruses like SARS-CoV-2, with funding from a Strategic Research Fund grant provided by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Malaysia. By monitoring genetic changes, we gain insights into how viruses spread and evolve, helping to guide public health actions and vaccine development.

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? Microbiome

UMBI researchers are studying how human microbes influence health, uncovering connections between microbial communities and diseases such as cancer (funded by the Trans-disciplinary Research Grant Scheme of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia) and chronic conditions (funded by the Dana Langganan Sukuk Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi Prihatin Rakyat (PRIHATIN) Fasa 2). This work is helping us better understand how microbes shape our health and disease outcomes.

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? /umbi/mysero-biome/

? Join our Professional Certificate

• Professional Certificate In Genome Sequencing
• Professional Certificate In CRISPR Technology

? We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant funders, collaborators, and industry partners for their invaluable support in advancing DNA research at UMBI. Special thanks to our staffs and students for their tireless efforts, as well as the patients and participants who generously contributed to our studies.

?Celebrating the Blueprint of Life – Happy DNA Day!

#PresicionMedicine #PerubatanJitu #DNADay #DNAResearch #UMBIGenomics #UMBIsharing #ÿÈÕ´óÈüapp