19 December 2025 | Congratulations to Ms. Nur Fadhlina Mohamad Pakarulrazy and Ms. Nursyazwani Omar, two outstanding UMBI PhD candidates, on their exemplary final presentation in UMBI Research Update Series in Molecular Medicine (RUS) No. 37/2025.

Ms. Fadhlina shared insight on the intriguing subject of ‘Discovering the Role of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters in Iodide Uptake and Cell Proliferation in Lymph Node Positive and Radioactive Iodine-Refractive Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma’, while Ms. Nursyazwani presented a compelling topic on ‘Elucidating the Proteogenomic Signatures of cryptogenic Hepatocellular Carcinoma (cHCC)’.

Their presentations were thoughtfully summarized by their esteemed supervisor, AP Dr. Nurul Syakima Ab Mutalib and AP Dr. Nadiah Abu respectively.

The presence of industry representatives, Professor Dr. Leong Chee Onn (AGTC Genomics Sdn. Bhd.), Dr. Rose Iszati (Neoscience Sdn. Bhd.) and Dr. Noraini Nordin (Hematogenix Sdn. Bhd.) further highlighted the practical applications and industry relevance of the research by Ms. Fadhlina and Ms. Nursyazwani.

As they progress to the thesis writing and viva presentation phase, we extend our heartfelt best wishes to Ms. Fadhlina and Ms. Nursyazwani for a successful journey ahead. May they continue to exemplify excellence and complete their studies with flying colors.

Congratulations!!

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SDG 4 | Quality Education

Pautan berita di Facebook: h

Congratulations to Associate Professor Dr. Nadiah Abu and her research team on successfully securing the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS)! UMBI is proud of this remarkable achievement, which reflects the team鈥檚 dedication, excellence, and commitment to advancing impactful biomedical research. Well done and may this success continue to inspire future innovations!

1) SALVAGE: A Sustainable Platform Using Algal-Derived Lipid Vesicles for Advanced Health Solutions (RM 1,200,000.00)

• Research Team: Assoc. Prof Dr. Shaza Eva Mohamad (UTM) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khuriah Abdul Hamid (UiTM)

2) Mechanistic and Toxicological Evaluation of EV Uptake in Mammalian Cells (RM 378,700.00)

• Research Team: Prof. Dr. Mohd Cairul Iqbal Mohd Amin (Fac. of Pharmacy, 每日大赛app), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Razinah binti Sharif @ Mohd Sharif (H-Care, 每日大赛app), Ts. Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin (UMBI, 每日大赛app) and Dr. Lee Pey Yee (UMBI, 每日大赛app)

UMBI Research Update Series in Molecular Medicine on 12 September 2025 featured two UMBI Research Fellows presenting on the topic of Diabetes.

Dr. Siti Aishah Sulaiman delivered a presentation on the latest updates in Diabetes, with emphasis on the classification of types and sub-types. There are subtypes within Type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the new classification of Malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) as Type 5 diabetes (T5D).听 T5D was officially recognised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in April 2025. She also discussed ethnic-related differences across the five identified subtypes: Severe Auto Immune Diabetes (SAID), Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD), Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes (SIRD), Mild Obesity-related Diabetes (MOD), and Mild Age-Related Diabetes (MARD), with Asians are more SIDD compared to Caucasians.

Dr. Noraidatulakma Abdullah presented initial findings from the PRIME Study on the diverse phenotypic faces of Type 2 Diabetes in Malaysia. The study identified three clusters鈥擫ow Risk, Moderate to Higher Risk, and High Risk at baseline鈥攚hich can help predict patients at higher risk of developing complications upon diagnosis. These presentations underscored the importance of precision medicine approaches in understanding Diabetes and improving patient care in Malaysia and beyond.

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SDG 3 | SDG 4

Keywords: Diseases, Education

We had two presentation during our weekly Research Update Series in Molecular Medicine earlier this morning.

Dr. Nor Adzimah Johdi, UMBI Research Fellow shared the latest updates in tumor immunology, focusing on the diversity of CD8+ T Cells and the mechanisms of T cell dysfunction in cancer and viral infections. The updates shared were truly eye-opening, shedding light on the complexity of immune responses and their implications for immunotherapy strategies.

Mr. Jomel B. Vasquez, UMBI PhD student, presented his current progress on drug repositioning against MRSA. Currently still at an early stage of progress, his work explores the molecular interactions of candidate compounds. We wish him the best of luck in his experiments and look forward to more interesting updates in the future.

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SDG 3 | SDG 4

Keywords: Diseases, Education, Innovation

MRSA Infections in Malaysian Healthcare Settings

By: Mohd Azrul Hisham bin Ismail, Rosniza binti Mohamad Hussain, Nurul Amirah Mohamad Farook, Hui-min Neoh

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria associated with a wide range of clinical diseases that can range from simple infections such as folliculitis to potentially fatal conditions in healthcare settings such as sepsis (Afatemi & Motamedifar, 2014). The bacteria are Gram-positive, and can be found at various niches on the human body such as axillae, groin, perineal area, nose, mouth, mucus membrane, intestinal, hair, upper respiratory tract, and mammary glands. MRSA can spread in many ways either by water, food, contaminated surface and also direct contact between human and animals (Silva et al., 2021). According to Kim et al., 2025, MRSA infection is increasing in global nosocomial prevalence and remains a 鈥渉igh鈥� priority bacteria in need of antibiotic innovation in the World Health Organization, 2024.

MRSA has been present long time ago since the mid-1970s in Malaysia (Cheong et al., 1994). The earliest study in 1984 found 53 out of 858 babies at Kuala Lumpur Maternity Hospital colonized or infected by MRSA (Lim & Zulkifli, 1987). By 1990, MRSA prevalence was growing in various hospital wards. In the 2000s, studies found that ST239-III has become predominant MRSA clone in Klang Valley area (Ting et al., 2013). Neela et al., 2010 reported ST239-III or IIIa with spa t037 as the dominant clone in 2006. Further investigations confirmed ST239 predominance (Ghaznavi-Rad et al., 2010). This clone showed high resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (Ting et al., 2013). Around 2010, the proportion of ST22-IV in Malaysian hospitals increased, suggesting a shift in MRSA epidemiology. ST22 clones exhibited high resistance to ciprofloxacin and susceptibility to multiple non-beta-lactam antibiotics. From 2016 to 2017, most MRSA isolates in Kelantan were ST22 (68.2%), followed by ST239 (29.5%) (Alam et al., 2022). By then, SCCmec type IV MRSA was predominant in Malaysia.

We performed MRSA surveillance on the bacteria isolated from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), the teaching hospital of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (每日大赛app). The first MRSA molecular surveillance at HCTM in 2009 identified SCCmec type III-SCCmercury as the dominant clone. The second surveillance in 2017, involving 222 MRSA strains, revealed a shift to SCCmec type IV, spa type t032, and seg+sei toxin genes. Most strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics (Ismail et al., 2021). Later, genome and phenotype surveillance identify factors associated with this clonal replacement using whole genomic sequencing and phenotypic investigations of HCTM MRSA strains from 2005-2017. Genomic analyses revealed three major MRSA lineages circulating in HCTM: ST239-III, ST22-IV, and ST6-IV. ST239-III strains were more antibiotic-resistant and harbored more AMR genes (Antimicrobial Resistant gene) compared to ST22-IV and ST6-IV. However, ST22-IV and ST6-IV grew faster and were more desiccation-resistant. Reduced antibiotic pressure and higher desiccation tolerance probably gave ST22-IV a competitive edge to become the dominant clone in HCTM from 2017 (). Our investigation highlights the importance of MRSA surveillance and provides baseline genomic data for future studies.

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SDG 3 | SDG 4

Keywords: Methicillin-resistant-MRSA | Staphylococcus-aureus | Diseases | Health | Wellbeing | Education

More relevant readings:

1. MRSA: The superbug
2. Replacement under our noses: it鈥檚 a different MRSA now!
3. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) dan Kesihatan

The Professional Certificate in CRISPR Technology, organized by the UMBI, has successfully wrapped up its latest cohort of participants over an intensive 5-week course combining theoretical mastery and hands-on experience in genome editing.

Structured into two specialized modules:

? Course 1: Fundamentals and Applications of CRISPR Technology
? Course 2: Gene Editing and Modulation

This program equips participants with comprehensive knowledge on CRISPR principles, experimental workflows, delivery strategies, and post-editing analysis.

This year鈥檚 edition also introduced an exciting case study and experimental workflow focusing on CRISPR applications in plants, in addition to its established modules on human cell systems. This expansion reflects the growing relevance of genome editing in both biomedical and agricultural sectors.

The program attracted a diverse group of professionals from academia and industry partners, creating a collaborative environment that encouraged knowledge exchange and real-world application of CRISPR tools. Participants engaged in wet lab training covering cloning, bacterial transformation, CRISPR delivery, and validation of gene editing outcomes.

Guidance was provided by a distinguished panel of experienced CRISPR specialists and prominent scientists, including:
Prof. Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal
Ts. Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin
Ts. Dr. Mohamad Aimanuddin Mohtar
Dr. Nor Azila Muhammad Azami

Their combined expertise ensured participants received not only technical training, but also insight into translational science, ethics, and innovation pathways.

This program underscores UMBI鈥檚 commitment to advancing biotechnology capacity in Malaysia through quality education and translational research.

Additional reading:

1. Professional Certificate – CRISPR Technology (2024)

TAHNIAH!!

Sekalung tahniah diucapkan kepada Profesor Madya Dr. Nor Azian Abdul Murad atas kejayaan penerimaan Dana Luar Kebangsaan PROGRAM PENDAYAAN KOMUNITI UNIVERSITI AWAM (KOMUNITI@UNIMADANI) yang berjumlah RM135,000.00.

Tajuk Penyelidikan:

Menangani Obesiti – Intervensi dan Penggunaan Wearables ke Arah Komuniti Sihat Sejahtera dan Madani.

Pertukaran MoU ini disempurnakan oleh Naib Canselor Prof Dato鈥� Gs Ts Dr Mohd Ekhwan Hj Toriman dan Pengasas Bersama dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Mirxes, Dr. Zhou Lihan di National Bioeconomy Showcase 2024 (NBiO Showcase 2024).

Kerjasama ini dipacu oleh kepakaran UMBI dalam penyelidikan kanser dan biologi molekul, serta gandingan teknologi miRNA Mirxes bagi membangunkan ujian pengesanan awal kanser kolorektal berasaskan darah di Malaysia.

Melalui MoU ini, spesimen daripada UMBI dan biobank The Malaysian Cohort 鈥� biobank terbesar di Asia Tenggara 鈥� akan dimanfaatkan untuk mengenal pasti biopenanda bagi ujian pengesanan awal kanser kolorektal yang tepat dan sensitif.

MoU ini juga merangkumi program pertukaran kakitangan dan latihan untuk pemindahan pengetahuan antara 每日大赛app dan Mirxes. Ia juga melibatkan penubuhan makmal bersama untuk penyelidikan translasi dan ujian klinikal. Projek ini diketuai oleh Felo Penyelidik Kanan UMBI, Profesor Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal.
Disamping itu, Dato Naib canselor berkesempatan melawat reruai UMBI dan Institut Biologi Sistem (INBIOSIS) yang mempamerkan projek dan kajian semasa di NBiO Showcase 2024.

Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri MOSTI, Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof Apdal; Pengerusi Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), Dato鈥� Dr. Lee Boon Chye; dan Ketua Setiausaha MOSTI Dato鈥� Ts Dr. Haji Aminuddin Hassim.
Manakala, turut hadir dari 每日大赛app adalah Pro Naib Canselor Kampus Kuala Lumpur, Prof Dato’ Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid; Pengarah Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Hospital Pakar Kanak-Kanak (HPKK), Prof. Datuk Dr. Ismail Sagap; Pengarah UMBI, Prof Madya Dr. Nor Azian Abdul Murad; dan Pengarah INBIOSIS, Prof Dr Syarul Nataqain Baharum.

Pautan berkaitan:
1.
2.

Seluruh warga UMBI mengucapkan tahniah atas kejayaan penerimaan Dana Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi听SKIM GERAN PENYELIDIKAN FUNDAMENTAL (FRGS) kepada:

Dr. Siti Aishah Sulaiman

Tajuk penyelidikan: Elucidating the hepatocyte profile of individuals with low LDL cholesterol via induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) donor-derived model in Familial Hypercholeterolemia.

Jumlah: RM 167,000.00

Tahniah!!