Academic Staff

Abdul Munir Abdul Murad, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: munir@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5951 / 5696

Research Interests

Understanding cold adaptation mechanisms of a psychrophilic yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica

Development of fungi and carbohydrate-acting enzymes towards the hydrolysis of agricultural biomass

Developing Aspergillus niger as a cell factory for recombinant protein production

Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of fungal pathogen, Ganoderma boninense

Selected Publications

1. Hashim, N.H.F., Sulaiman, S., Bakar, F.D.A., Illias, R.M., Kawahara, H., Najimudin, N., Mahadi, N.M., and Murad, A.M.A. 2014. Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of Afp4, an antifreeze protein from Glaciozyma antarctica. Polar Biology 37:1495-1505.

2. Chin, I.S., Murad, A.M.A., Mahadi, N.M., Nathan, S., and Bakar, F.D.A. 2013. Thermal stability engineering of Glomerella cingulate cutinase. Protein Engineering, Design & Selection 26(5): 369-375.

3. Priyatno, T.P., Bakar, F.D.A, Kamaruddin, N., Mahadi, N.M., and Murad, A.M.A. 2012. Inactivation of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-Dependent protein kinase A causes delayed appressorium formation and reduced pathogenicity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The Scientific World Journal. Article ID 545784.

4. Ramli, A.N., Mahadi, N.M., Rabu A., Murad, A.M.A., Bakar F.D.A., and Illias, R.M. 2011. Molecular cloning, expression and biochemical characterisation of a cold-adapted novel recombinant chitinase from Glaciozyma antarctica PI12. Microbial Cell Factory 10(1): 94.

5. Quay, D.H.X., Bakar, F.D.A, Rabu, A., Said, M., Illias, R.M., Mahadi, N.M. Hassan, O., and Murad, A.M.A. 2011. Overexpression, purification and characterization of the Aspergillus niger endoglucanase, EglA, in Pichia pastoris. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(11): 2101-2111.

2

Aidil Abdul Hamid, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: aidilah@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3246

Research Interests Lipid biosynthesis in oleaginous filamentous fungi and microalgae producing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cunninghamella bainieri sp 2A1 and Schizochytrium sp. SW1 are two locally isolated

oleaginous microbes producing -linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. My research group focuses on the elucidation of the role of key enzymes implicated in the regulation of lipid biosynthesis as malic enzyme, ATP-citrate lyase and fatty acid synthase. Our findings include the importance of malic enzyme and its isoforms in determining the extent of lipid accumulation, factors implicated in the reinstatement of malic enzyme activity as well as evidence related to the physical association of malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase. The work also includes the development of fermentation processes using different modes of cultivation and utilization of agrowastes for cost effective production of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. We are also involved in work related to the production of Biobutanol by Clostridium sp.

Selected Publications

1. Manikan, V., Kalil, M.S., Mohd Isa, M.H., and Abdul Hamid, A. 2014. Improved prediction for medium optimization using factorial screening for docosahexaenoic acid production by Schizochytrium sp. SW1. American Journal of Applied Sciences3:462-474

2. Shuib, S., Wan Nawi, W.N.N., Taha, E.M., Omar, O., Abdul Kader, A.J., Kalil, M.S., and Abdul Hamid, A. 2014. Strategic feeding of ammonium and metal ions for enhanced GLA-rich lipid accumulation in Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1. The Scientific World Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/173574

3. Shukor, H., Al-Shorgani, N.K.N., Abdeshahian, P., Abdul Hamid, A., Anuar, N., A.-Rahman, N., and Kalil, M.S. 2014. Production of butanol by Clostridiumsaccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 from palm kernel cake in acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation using an empirical model. Bioresource Technology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.07.055

4. Abdul Hamid, A., Mokhtar, N.F., Taha, E.M., Omar, O., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2011. The role of ATP citrate lyase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase in the regulation of lipid accumulation in Cunninghamella sp. 2A1. Annals of Microbiology 61:463-468.

3

Ainon Hamzah, PhD Professor Datin E-mail: antara@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3812

Research Interests Environmental microbiology and biotechnology Bioremediation of hydrocarbon and heavy metal pollution, endophytic bacteria for treatment of fungal pathogens, biosurfactants for enhancement of bioremediation, and biosynthesis of nanoparticles using bacteria.

Selected Publications

1. Hamzah, A., Phan, C.W., Yong, P.H. and Mohd Ridzuan, N.H. 2014. Oil palm empty fruit bunch and sugarcane bagasse enhance the bioremediation of soil artificially polluted by crude oil. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal 23(7):751-762.

2. Hamzah, A. and Wong, K.K. 2014. Tailoring the nitrogen sources of bacteria culture to enhance methyl tert-butyl ether degradation. Annals of Microbiology 65(2):1131-1136.

3. Suja, F., Rahim, F., Taha, M.R., Hambali, N., Razali, M.R., Khalid, A., and Hamzah, A. 2014. Effects of local microbial bioaugmentation and biostimulation on the bioremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in crude oil contaminated soil based on laboratory and field observations. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 90:115–122.

4. Hamzah, A., Md Salleh, S.N., and Sarmani, S. 2014. Enhancing biodegradation of crude oil in soil using fertilizer and empty fruit bunch of oil palm. Sains Malaysiana 4(9):1327-1332.

5. Hamzah, A., Phan, C.W., Abu Bakar, N.F., and Wong, K.K. 2013. Biodegradation of crude oil by constructed bacterial consortia and the constituent single bacteria isolated from Malaysia. Bioremediation Journal 17(1): 1-10.

4

Asmat Ahmad, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: drasmat@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3221

Research Interests Marine microbiology

Exploring selected indigenous marine microbes of strategic and commercial relevance using genomic and glycomic approaches

Bioactive compounds, quorum sensing and biofilm inhibitors from marine bacteria include actinomycetes.

Biology, ecology and bloom dynamics of the toxic marine dinoflagellate

Assessing the pathogenicity potential of marine bacteria in Malaysian waters

Identifying, characterizing and understanding the gene function of marine bacteria and industry

Determination of corrosion potential for microbiologically influenced corrosion in tropical marine environment

Selected Publications

1. Ahmad, A., Dada, A.C., Usup, G., and Heng, L.Y. 2014. Occurrence of Enterococcus species with virulence markers in an urban flow-influenced tropical recreational beach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 82(1-2):26-38.

2. Odiyemi, O.A., and Ahmad, A. 2014. Anti-biogram and resistogram profiling of Aeromonas species isolated from Malaysian coastal seawater. Pollution Research 33(2): 487-492

3. Ahmad, A., Hamid, R., Dada, A.O., Usup, G. 2013. Pseudomonas putida strain FStm2 isolated from sharkskin: A potential source of bacteriocin. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins 5(3): 165-175

4. Sahrani, F.K., Nawawi N.F., Usup G., Ahmad A. 2014. Open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies on stainless steel corrosion by marine sulfate-reducing bacteria. Malaysian Applied Biology 43(1):141-150.

5. Usup, G., Ahmad, A., Matsuoka, K., Lim, P.T., Leaw, C.P. 2012. Biology, ecology and bloom dynamics of the toxic marine dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense. Harmful Algae 14:301-312.

5

Babul Airianah Othman, PhD Lecturer E-mail: airianah@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5979

Research Interests Mechanism and control of plant cell wall loosening In addition to progressive studies of plant cell wall loosening catalysed by enzymic mechanisms, I am also interested in considering the possible contribution of non-enzymic scission of polysaccharides in living plant walls during different developmental stages such as seed germination, leaf injury and fruit ripening. Currently, my study focuses on understanding the cell wall softening of tropical fruit (sapodilla and carambola) during the ripening process, exclusively by the action of hydroxyl radicals.

Selected Publications

1. Babul-Airianah O., Vreeburg R.A.M., and Fry S.C. 2015. Pectic polysaccharides are

attacked by hydroxyl radicals in ripening fruit: evidence from a fluorescent

fingerprinting method. Annals of Botany (In press)

2. Vreeburg R.A.M., Babul-Airianah O., and Fry S.C. 2014. Fingerprinting of hydroxyl radical-attacked polysaccharides by N-isopropyl 2-aminoacridone labelling. Biochemical Journal 463(2):225–237.

Fluorescence labelling strategies to detect in vivo hydroxyl radical attack on pectins.

Two tiny plants with huge potential for biocomposite, biofuel and food industry: Khai Nam (top) and duckweed (bottom).

6

Che Radziah Che Mohd Zain, PhD Lecturer E-mail: cradziah@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5877

Research Interests My research field is the intersection of plant molecular genetics with plant physiology and plant development. My areas of interest include plant in vitro culture and genetic improvement, and plant growth-environment interactions by applying a variety of molecular, genetic and physiological tools.

Selected Publications

1. Hedayati, P., Monfard, H.H., Md. Isa, N., Hwang, D.J., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Uddin, M.I., Ab Rahman, Z., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2015. Construction and analysis of an Oryza sativa (cv. MR219) salinity-related cDNA library. Actae Physiologiae Plantarum 37:91.

2. Kadhimi, A.A., Alhasnawi, A.N., Mohamad, A., Wan Yusoff, W.M., and Che Mohd. Zain, C.R. 2014. Tissue culture and some of the factors affecting them and the micropropagation of strawberry. Life Science Journal 11(8): 484-493.

3. Md Setamam, N.M., Jaafar Sidik, N., Abdul Rahman, Z., and Che Mohd Zain, C.R. 2014. Induction of hairy roots by various strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes in

different types of Capsicum species explants.BMC Research Notes 7(414): 1-8.

4. Doni, F., Isahak, A., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2014.Physiological and growth response of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) to Trichoderma spp. inoculants. AMB Express 4(45): 1-7.

5. Doni, F., Isahak, A., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Wan Ahmed, W.N., Ashari, A., Suryadi,

E., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2014.Enhanced rice seedling growth by Clostridium and Pseudomonas. Biotechnology 13(4): 186-189.

7

Endom Ismail, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: eismail@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5237

Research Interests

Natural and synthetic molecule screening for anticancer research

Animal population genetics of horseshoe crab

Human population and medical genetics of Cancer, G6PD deficiency, Thalassemia, Hemoglobinopathies, Spina bifida, Hip dysplasia, Heterotypic ossifications, Rheumatoid arthritis, NOMID/CINCA and Down syndrome.

Selected Publications

1. Halim Fikri, H., Eternad, A., Abdul Latif, A.Z., Feisal Merizan, A., Amin Baig, A., Ahmad Annnuar, A., Ismail, E., Salahshourifar, I., Ahmad Tajudin, L.S., Ramli, M., Shah, M.I, Johan, M.F., Nik Hassan, N.N., Abdul Aziz, N.M., Mohd Noor, N.H., Ab Rajab, N.S., Hassan, R., Bahar, R., Zain, R., Mohammed Yusoff, S., Yusoff, S., Tan, S.G., Thong, M.K., Wan Isa, H., Abdullah, W.Z., Mohamed, Z., Abdul Latiff, Z., and Alwi, Z. 2015. The first Malay database towards the ethnic-specific target molecular variation. BMC Research Notes 8(176):1-6.

2. Deng, L., Peng, H.B., Lu, D., Fu, R., Phipps, M.E., Li, S., Nur-Shafawati, A.R., Hatin, W.I., Ismail, E., Mokhtar, S.S., Jin, L., Alwi, Z., Marshall, C.R., Scherer, S.W., Al-Mulla, F., and Xu, S. 2014. The Population Genomic Landscape of Human Genetic Structure, Admixture History and Local Adaptation in Peninsular Malaysia. Human Genetics 133(9):1169-85.

3. Ismail, E., Amin Nordin, F.D., Daud, F., Awang, M.R., and Ibrahim, N. 2014. Bioactivity screening of various extracts and polysaccharide of local mushroom amauroderma sp. from Royal Belum State Park. Sains Malaysiana 43(2):195-201

4. Amini, F., and Ismail, E. 2013. 3′-UTR variations and G6PD deficiency. Journal of Human Genetics 58(4):189-194.

5. Murakami, A., Fukushima, C., Yoshidomi, K., Sueoka, K., Nawata, S., Yokoyama, Y., Tsuchida, S., Ismail, E., Al-Mulla, F., Sugino, N. 2011. Suppression of carbonyl reductase expression enhances malignant behaviour in uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma: Carbonyl reductase predicts prognosis and lymph node metastasis. Cancer Letters 311(1):77-84.

8

Farah Diba Abu Bakar, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: fabyff@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5237

Research Interests

Development of protein expression systems using yeast (Pichia) and filamentous fungi (Trichoderma and Aspergillus)

Protein engineering and structural biology/structural genomics of selected industrial enzymes and extremophilic proteins (fungal cutinases, proteases and cellulases; selected extremophilic proteins of the alkaliphilic Bacillus lehensis and the yeast, Glaciozyma antarctica)

Development of fungal cell factories (Aspergillus) via metabolic engineering

Pathogenicity studies of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Glomerella cingulata) based on signal transduction pathways and appressoria specific genes

Selected Publications

1. Wan Seman, W.M.K., Bakar, S.A., Bukhari, N.A., Gaspar, S., Othman, R., Nathan, S., Mahadi, N.M., Jahim, J., Murad, A.M.A. and Abu Bakar, F.D. 2014. High level expression of Glomerella cingulata cutinase in dense cultures of Pichia pastoris grown under fed-batch conditions. Journal of Biotechnology 184: 219-228.

2. Noor Y.M., Samsurizal N.H., Jema’on, N.A., Low, K.O. Ramli, A.N., Damis, S.I., Fuzi, S.F., Isa, M.N., Murad A.M., Raih, M.F., Abu Bakar, F.D., Najimudin, N., Mahadi, N.M., & Illias, R.M. 2014. A comparative genomic analysis of the alkalitolerant soil bacterium Bacillus lehensis G1. Gene 25, 545 (2):253-261.

3. Wan Azelee, N.I., Md Jahim, J., Rabu, A., Murad, A.M.A., Abu Bakar, F. D. and Md Illias, R. 2014. Efficient removal of lignin with the maintenance of hemicellulose from kenaf by two-stage pretreatment process. Carbohydrate Polymers 99: 447–453.

4. Chin, I.-S., Murad, A.M.A., Mahadi, N.M., Nathan, S., and Abu Bakar, F.D. 2013. Thermal stability engineering of Glomerella cingulata cutinase. Protein Engineering Design and Selection 26: 369-375.

5. Hashim, N.H.F., Bharudin, I., Law, D.S.N., Higa, S., Abu Bakar, F.D., Nathan, S., Rabu, A., Kawahara, H., Illias, R.M., Najimudin, N., Mahadi, N.M., and Murad, A.M.A. 2013. Characterization of Afp1, an antifreeze protein from the psychrophilic yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12. Extremophiles. 17: 63-73

9

Fauzi Daud, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: fauzid@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5216

Research Interests Cultivation and breeding of local mushrooms

Isolation and identification of active compounds from local mushrooms

Selected Publications

1. Lai, W.H., Mohd Salleh, S., Daud, F., Zainal, Z., Abas Mazni Othman, A.M., and Mohd Saleh, N. 2014. Optimization of submerged culture conditions for the production of mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharides from Lignosus rhinoceros. Sains Malaysiana 43(1): 73–80.

2. Ahmad, R., Muniandy, S., Abdullah Shukri, N.I., Alias, S.M.U., Abdul Hamid, A., Wan Yusoff, W.M., Senafi, S., and Daud, F. 2014. Antioxidant properties and glucan compositions of various crude extract from Lentinus squarrosulus mycelial culture. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology 5(10): 805-814.

3. Ahmad, R., Al-Shorgani, N.K.N., Abdul Hamid, A., Wan Yusoff, W.M., and Daud, F. 2013. Optimization of medium components using response surface methodology (RSM) for mycelium biomass and exopolysaccharide production by Lentinus squarrosulus. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology 4: 1079-1085.

4. Lai, W.H., Loo, S.S., Rahmat, N., Shaharuddin, S., Daud, F., Zamri, Z., and Saleh, N.M. 2013. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of wild Tiger Milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) collected from Pahang, Malaysia and its nutritional value and toxic metal. International Food Research Journal 20(5): 2301-2307.

10

Hasidah Mohd. Sidek, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: hasidah@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5954

Research Interests Protein kinases as drug targets in malarial infection Malaria, a devastating infection caused by protozoa from the genus Plasmodium, remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases especially in the tropics, due to the escalating numbers of parasite strains with reduced sensitivity to common anti-malarials. More effective therapeutics are therefore urgently sought after to combat drug resistant parasites. Tapping into the potential of the protein kinase family of enzymes as anti-malarial drug targets is my group’s research initiative. Our research is directed towards screening for GSK3 inhibitors from the local biodiversity to develop therapeutic agents against malaria. We are evaluating local medicinal plants and their products for both anti-plasmodial and immunomodulatory effects as alternative malarial interventions.

Selected Publications

1. Suhaini, S., Liew, S.Z., Nohaniza, J., Lee, P.C., Jualang, G., Embi, N. & Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects of Gleichenia truncata are mediated through inhibition of GSK3β. Tropical Biomedicine (in press).

2. Wong, S.K., Lee, S.J., Suhaini, S., Wan Rozianoor, M.H., Lee, P.C., Embi, N., and Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura procumbens are mediated by caempferol via inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK3β). Sains Malaysiana (in press).

3. Wong, S.K., Nurul Aiezzah, Z., Embi, N., and Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK3β) inhibition by kaempferol mediates the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of Gynura procumbens. Malaysian Applied Biology 44(2)

4. Marhalim, L., Embi, M.N., and Mohd Sidek, H. 2014. Synergistic effects of GSK3 and p38 MAPK inhibitors on growth of Plasmodium falciparum ex vivo. Malaysian Applied Biology 43(1): 65-71.

5. Abdullah, N.R., Norahmad, N.A., Jelip, J., Sulaiman, L.H., Mohd Sidek, H., Ismail, Z., and Noedl, H. 2013. High prevalence of mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum dhfr and dhps genes in field isolates from Sabah, Northern Borneo. Malaria Journal 12:198.

11

Herryawan Ryadi Eziwar Dyari, PhD Lecturer E-mail: herry@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 4813

Research Interests Signal transduction

Selected Publications 1. Dyari, H.R.E., Rawling, T., Bourget, K., and Murray, M. 2014. Synthetic ω-3

epoxyfatty acids as antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic agents in human breast cancer cells. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 57 (17): 7459-7464.

2. Murray, M., Dyari, H.R.E., Allison, S.E., and Rawling, T. 2014. Lipid analogues as potential drugs for the regulation of mitochondrial cell death. British Journal of Pharmacology. 171 (8): 2051-2066.

12

Ismanizan Ismail, PhD Professor E-mail: maniz@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3297

Research Interests Biotechnology of secondary metabolites Our research group focuses on secondary metabolite content through green technology. We emphasize the use of in vitro culture for production of hairy root lines which combine structural analysis with target molecule activity. Characterization of those molecules is performed through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), combining molecular biology, chemistry and biomedical analysis to understand the structure-activity relationship (SAR). microRNA (miRNA) related to the F-box protein We are also interested in the regulation of gene expression in relation to plant response toward stress. Our initial study with the F-box protein involving the Ubiquitin E3 ligase mechanism suggests the involvement of miRNA molecules. We have identified a few miRNA candidates that are potentially related to the F-box protein. One of our goals is to draw a comprehensive view of the miRNA-Transcription factors (miRNTF) network.

Selected Publications

1. Ashraf, M.F., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Zainal, Z., Mohd Noor, N., Anuar, N., Markom, M., and Ismail, I. 2014. Establishment of Persicaria minor hairy roots and analysis of secreted β-caryophyllene in medium broth. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture DOI 10.1007/s11240-014-0674-2.

2. A. Shukor, M.F., Ismail, I., Zainal, Z., and Mohd Noor, N. 2013. Development of a Polygonum minus cell suspension culture system and analysis of secondary metabolites enhanced by elicitation. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 35(5):1675-1689.

3. Ee, S.F., Oh, J.M., M. Noor, N., Kwon, T.R., Mohamed Hussein, Z.A., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2013. Transcriptome profiling of genes induced by salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate in Polygonum minus. Molecular Biology Reports 40(3):2231-2241.

4. Taha, R.S., Ismail, I., Zainal, Z., and Abdullah, S.N.A. 2012. The stearoyl-acyl-carrier-protein desaturase promoter (Des) from oil palm confers fruit-specific GUS expression in transgenic tomato. Journal of Plant Physiology 169 (2012) 1290–1300.

13

Izyanti Ibrahim, PhD Lecturer E-mail: izzy@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5994

Research Interests

Structural and functional analysis of glutamate dehydrogenase from a halophilic archaeon Halobacterium salinarum

Structure and function of glutamate dehydrogenases and other dehydrogenases from various organisms, especially extremophiles

The biotechnological potential of extremophilic enzymes for industry

Halophilic protein expression technology in halophilic expression hosts

Proteomics

Selected Publications

1. Ahmad, M. N., Yarmo, M. A., Ibrahim, I., and Abdullah, E. N. 2014. Protease extraction from Horse mango (Mangifera foetida lour) kernels. Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. (Book)

2. Ahmad, M.N., Yarmo, M.A., Said, M., and Ibrahim, I. 2013. Protease of the Horse Mango (Mangifera foetida Lour) Kernel: Optimum Conditions for Extractions. Malaysian Journal of Chemistry 15(1): 020-026

14

Mahanem Mat Noor, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: mahanem@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5193 / 5948

Research Interests

Development of immunocontraceptive agents

Development of potential herbal supplements to increase fertility

Molecular characterization of sperm proteins involved in fertilization

Selected Publications Selected Publications

1. Nor-Raidah,R. and Mahanem,M.N. 2015. Enhancement of fertility and libido in male Sprague Dawley rats following the administration of aqueous extract of Lunasia amara. Malays. Appl. Biol. 44(1):125-131.

2. Dayang Nurul Fatiha and Mahanem, M.N. 2015. Fertility suppression in male Sprague Dawley rats by administration of methanolic extract of Hempedu Bumi (Andrographis paniculata). Sains Malaysiana 44(9):1249-1255.

3. Tan,Y.J. Mahanem,M.N. and Somarny W.W.M.Z. 2015. SYBR Green quantitative PCR for sex determination of bovine spermatozoa. J.Trop. Agric. and Fd.Sc. 43(1):29-39.

4. Al-Shuhaib, M.B., Al-Saadi, A., Ewadh, M., and Noor, M. 2014. The role of recombinant sperm technology in enhancing mammalian transgenesis. Translational Clinical Biology. 2 (2): 29-39.

5. Al-Shuhaib, M.B., Al-Saadi, A., Ewadh, M., and Noor, M. 2013. Low cost alternative method to monitor the electrophoretic bands substitution of the positively charged rabbits seminal fluids. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3(16):74-78.

6. Al-Shuhaib, M.B., Al-Saadi, A., Noor, M., and Ewadh, M. 2013. Ion exchange fractionation of rabbit seminal fluid: Recognizing DNA retardation activity from the main DNase activity. Advance in Life Sciences and Technology 11:8-18.

7. Al-Shuhaib, M.B., Al-Saadi, A., Ewadh, M., and Noor, M. 2013. The efficiency of transgenesis by restriction enzyme mediated integration-sperm mediated gene transfer (REMI-SMGT). Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3(11):100-116.

8. Al-Shuhaib, M.B., Al-Saadi, A., and Noor, M. 2012. An attempt to utilize a gel double staining technique to visualize DNA-seminal protein interactions. Medical Journal of Babylon 9(1):36-42.

15

Mohammed Noor Embi, PhD Professor Dato’ E-mail: noormb@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5999

Research Interests Role of GSK3ß in host-pathogen signaling during melioidosis infection The goal of my research is to understand the role of GSK3ß in the modulation of inflammatory cytokine production during host innate immune response to Burkholderia pseudomallei, the etiological agent of melioidosis. Melioidosis, an acute septicaemic disease with high mortality in humans and prevalent in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, is a major cause of community-acquired sepsis in endemic areas. GSK3 is a ubiquitous Ser/Thr kinase, which is a key component in insulin signaling for the control of glycogen metabolism. It is now also recognized in playing a central role in the regulation of pathogen-induced PI3K-mediated anti-inflammatory signaling. Our on-going effort is to exploit GSK3ß inhibitors as anti-infectives for the control of melioidosis. We are evaluating the effects of various natural immunomodulators of plant origin in modulating the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines mediated via GSK3ß inhibition in a melioidosis infection. Positive findings from this study can pave the way for their potential use for sepsis treatment and will have wide implications in the clinical management of melioidosis.

Selected Publications

1. Suhaini, S., Liew, S.Z., Nohaniza, J., Lee, P.C., Jualang, G., Embi, N., and Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects of Gleichenia truncata are mediated through inhibition of GSK3β. Tropical Biomedicine (in press).

2. Wong, S.K., Lee, S.J., Suhaini, S., Wan Rozianoor, M.H., Lee, P.C., Embi, N., and Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory effects of Gynura procumbens are mediated by caempferol via inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK3β). Sains Malaysiana (in press).

3. Wong, S.K., Nurul Aiezzah, Z., Embi, N., and Hasidah, M.S. 2015. Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK3β) inhibition by kaempferol mediates the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of Gynura procumbens. Malaysian Applied Biology 44(2)

4. Marhalim, L., Embi, M.N., and Mohd Sidek, H. 2014. Synergistic effects of GSK3 and p38 MAPK inhibitors on growth of Plasmodium falciparum ex vivo. Malaysian Applied Biology 43(1): 65-71.

16

Mohd Fareed Mohd Sairi, PhD Lecturer

E-mail: fareed@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5954

Research Interests

Understanding the feasibility of invertebrate cell culture in bioactive compound synthesis

Production of bioactive compounds and their application in the food and pharmaceutical industries

Selected Publications

1. Sairi, F., Valtchev, P., Gomes, V.G., Dehghani, F. 2014. Distribution and characterisation of rhogocyte cell types in the mantle tissue of Haliotis laevigata. Marine Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1007/s10126-014-9605-9

2. Zanjani, N.T., Sairi, F., Marshall, G., Saksena, M.M., Valtchev, P., Gomes, V.G., Cunningham, A.L., Dehghani, F. 2014. Formulation of abalone hemocyanin with high antiviral activity and stability. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 53, 77–85. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2013.11.013

pores

Hemocyanin antibody/FITC

Hemocyanin

Albrecht et al 2001

Hemocyanin

Deconvulation Image of a Rhogocyte cell stained with hemocyanin antibody (green) and mRNA probe (red)

17

Mohd Firdaus Mohd Raih, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: m.firdaus@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5961 Website: www.mfrlab.org

Research Interests Our research is primarily directed at understanding molecular function regulation by exploring RNA biology and mechanisms that affect microbial pathogenesis and environmental adaptation. To accomplish this, my research group studies: i) the structure and function of non-coding RNA molecules and how their interactions with other macromolecules affect regulatory changes in the cell, ii) the structure, function and evolution of proteins with currently uncharacterized functions (hypothetical proteins), and iii) additional layers of information encoded within the genome such as methylation and small hypothetical proteins (sORFs). The methods employed in exploring these key areas of interest include bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics and structural biology approaches. The insights revealed from these investigations can provide clues as to how molecular level regulation and responses in living systems eventually lead to an organism’s capacity to adapt to extreme (i.e. extremophiles) or diverse environments (i.e. pathogenic soil bacteria) as well as the discovery of novel factors that provide a molecular level mechanistic understanding of triggers and switching mechanisms that control and regulate pathogenesis.

Selected Publications

1. Raih, M.F., Hamdani, H.Y., Nadzirin, N., Ramlan, E.I., Willett, P., and Artymiuk, P.J. 2014. COGNAC: a webserver for searching and annotating hydrogen bonded base interactions in RNA 3-dimensional structures. Nucleic Acids Research, 42: 382-388.

2. Appasamy, S.D., Ramlan, E.I., and Raih, M.F. 2013. Comparative sequence and

structure analysis reveals the conservation and diversity of nucleotide positions and their associated tertiary interactions in the riboswitches. PLOS ONE 8(9): e73984. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073984.

3. Nadzirin, N., Willett, P., Artymiuk, P.J., and Raih, M.F. 2013. IMAAAGINE: a webserver for the searching of hypothetical 3D amino acid side chain arrangements in the Protein Data Bank. Nucleic Acids Research, 41: 432-440.

4. Nadzirin, N., Gardiner, E., Willett, P., Artymiuk, P.J., and Raih, M.F. 2012. SPRITE and ASSAM: web servers for side chain 3D-motif searching in protein structures. Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 40: 380-386

18

Mohd Shazrul Fazry Sa’ariwijaya, PhD Lecturer E-mail: shazrul@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5995

Research Interests

Understanding the role of DNA damage proteins during mitosis and biological development

Zebrafish developmental and application

Selected Publications 1. Oon, Seok Fang, Meenakshii Nallappan, Thiam Tsui Tee, Shamarina Shohaimi,

Nur Kartinee Kassim, Mohd Shazrul Fazry Sa’ariwijaya, and Yew Hoong Cheah.

2015. Xanthorrhizol: a review of its pharmacological activities and anticancer

properties. Cancer Cell international 15: 1-15.

2. Azman, Imran, Sahilah A. Mutalib, Siti Fairus M. Yusoff, Shazrul Fazry, Akram

Noordin, Malina Kumaran and Azwan Mat Lazim. 2015. Novel Dioscorea hispida

starch-based hydrogels and their beneficial use as disinfectants. Journal of

Bioactive and Compatible Polymers: Biomedical Applications

0883911515597704.

3. Yuswan, M. H. M. Y., Jameel R. Al-Obaidi, A. Rahayu, S. Sahidan, F. Shazrul, and

D. Fauzi. 2015. New bioactive molecules with potential antioxidant activity from

various extracts of wild edible gelam mushroom (Boletus spp.). Advances in

Bioscience and Biotechnology 6: 320.

4. Lim, Y. C., Roberts, T. L., Day, B. W., Stringer, B. W., Kozlov, S., Fazry, S., Bruce, Z. C., Ensbey, K. S., Walker, D. G., Boyd, A. W., and Lavin, M. F. 2014. Increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation by targeting the homologous recombination pathway in glioma initiating cells. Molecular Oncology 8(8):1603-1615.

5. Gatei, M., Jakob, B., Chen, P., Kijas, A. W., Becherel, O. J., Gueven, N., Birrell, G., Lee, J., Paull, T. T., Lerenthal, Y., Fazry, S., Taucher-Scholz, G., Kalb, R., Schindler, D., Waltes, R., Dork, T., and Lavin, M. F. 2011. ATM protein-dependent phosphorylation of Rad50 protein regulates DNA repair and cell cycle control. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 286 (36): 31542-56.

19

Muhammad Ashraf Shahidan, PhD Lecturer E-mail: ashraf@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5996

Research Interests Development of label-less biosensors for glycoproteins detection

Selected Publications 1. Kasim, N.A., Ariffin, S.H.Z., Shahidan, M.A., Abidin, I.Z.Z., Senafi, S., Jemain,

A.A., and Wahab, R.M.A. 2013. Stability of Lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase in human saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in the presence of protease I. Archives of Biological Science 65(3):1131-1140.

20

Nazlina Ibrahim, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: nazlina@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3815 / 4461

Research Interests Antimicrobial activity and toxicity My research interest is in evaluating and determining antimicrobial activities of plants, endophytes and synthetic chemicals. I am also interested in evaluating the toxicity of antimicrobial agents in cell culture and animals.

Selected Publications

1. Ibrahim, N. dan Japri, N.A. 2015. Kepelbagaian kulat endofit daripada Asplenium nidus. Malaysia Applied Biology 44(1):147-153.

2. Abu Bakar, N.A., Ibrahim, N., Abdul Rahman, M.H., and Shakri, N.A. 2015. Microbial population assessment during IMO-composting production. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 11(1):47-53.

3. Abdul Muthalib, A.F., Baba, I., and Ibrahim, N. 2015. Synthesis, characterization and biological studies on Nes phenyltin (IV) dithiocarbamate compounds. The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences 19(2):349-358.

4. Mie, R., Din, L., Samsudin, M.W., Ahmad, A., and Ibrahim, N. 2015. Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the lichen Ramalina dumeticola and the antibacterial activity. Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences 19(2):369-376.

5. Adnan, S-N-A., Ibrahim, N. and Yaacob, W. A.. 2014. Isolation and identification of anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus compounds from Phyllanthus columnaris stem bark. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 10(4): 225-233.

6. Rohazila, M.H., Nazlina, I. and Yaacob, W.A. 2014. Cerapan mikroskopi dan analisis sitometri Streptococcus mutans yang ditindakkan dengan ekstrak batang Melastoma malabathricum L. Malaysian Applied Biology 43(2):41-47.

7. Fayyad, A., Ibrahim, N., and Yaakob, W.A. 2014. Phytochemical screening and antiviral activity of Marrubium vulgare. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 10(2): 106-111.

8. Mie, R., Samsudin, M.W., Din, L.B., Ahmad, A., Ibrahim, N., Adnan SNA. 2014. Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity using the lichen Parmotrema praesorediosum. International Journal of Nanomedicine 9(1), 121-127.

9. Alwash, M.S., Ibrahim, N., Ahmad W.Y. 2013. Identification and mode of action of antibacterial components from Melastoma malabathricum Linn leaves. American Journal of Infectious Diseases 9(2):46-58.

21

Nik Marzuki Sidik, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: nms@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5998

Research Interests

Recombinant cellulase from Aspergillus terreus SUK-1

Phytoremediation of heavy metals contamination using a transgenic approach

Bioactive compounds from mushrooms Selected Publications

1. Azad, M.A.K., Amin, L. and Sidik, N.M. 2014. Genetically engineered organisms for bioremediation of pollutants in contaminated sites. Chinese Science Bulletin 59(8):703–714.

2. Azad, M.A.K., Amin, L., and Sidik, N.M. 2014. Gene Technology for papaya ringspot virus disease management. The Scientific World Journal, Article ID 768038.

3. Cheah, T.W., Ismail, I., Sidek, N.M., Wagiran, A., and Abdullah, R. 2013. Biosynthesis of very long polyunsaturated Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in transgenic Japonica rice (Oryza sativa L). Australian Journal of Crop Science 7: 1227-1234.

4. Sarmin, N.I.M., Zin, N.M., Tien, N.K., Sidik, N.M., Kaewkla, O. and Franco, C.M.M. 2012. Ethnomedicinal plants as host of bioactive endophytic actinomycetes. Sains Malaysiana 41(5): 547-551.

5. Sidik, N.M., Abdul Manan, A.H., Yazid, R.M. and Sharifuddin, S.A. 2012. Gene cloning and characterisation of a new glycosyl hydrolase family 3 β-Glucosidase from Aspergillus terreus SUK-1. Australian Journal of Basic Applied Sciences 6(2): 200-205.

22

Noor Liyana Sukiran, PhD Lecturer E-mail: liyana@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5950

Research Interests Abiotic stress response in plants Climate change has a major influence on plant growth and development. Environmental stressors such as drought, high temperature and salinity are the factors that negatively affect crop production. I am interested in understanding the molecular mechanism of plant response to abiotic stress, particularly on elucidation of stress transcriptional regulatory networks. We employ genetics, molecular biology and genomics approaches to dissect the function of genes involved in stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa (rice).

Selected Publications

1. Ma, X., Sukiran, N.L., Ma, H., and Su, Z. 2014. Moderate drought causes dramatic floral transcriptomic reprogramming to ensure successful reproductive development in Arabidopsis. BMC Plant Biology 14 (164): 1-16.

2. Su, Z., Ma, X., Guo, H., Sukiran, N.L., Guo, B., Assmann, S.A., and Ma, H. 2013. Flower development under drought stress: Morphological and transcriptomic analyses reveal acute responses and long-term acclimation in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 25 (10): 3785-3807.

23

Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor, PhD Lecturer E-mail: efrina@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3931

Research Interests My work involves investigation of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and new sources of anti-herpes from natural compounds, in particular, compounds that trigger apoptosis during HSV-1 infection. Manipulation of this specific ability can hinder HSV-1 cell-to-cell spread. Tissue culture based techniques such as plaque assay and in situ ELISA are routinely utilised for anti-HSV-1 screening. Molecular approaches such as gene expression and protein localization using fluorescence antibodies are employed to elucidate possible anti-HSV-1 pathway/mechanism(s) involved.

Selected Publications

1. Hussin, A., Md Nor, N. S., and Ibrahim, N. 2013. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of induced acyclovir-resistant clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus type 1. Antiviral Research 100(2): 306–313.

24

Nur Hazlin Hazrin Chong, PhD Lecturer E-mail: hazlin@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3513

Research Interests Fundamental (biological and physico-chemical) aspects of microbial cell

attachment on surfaces

Microbial degradation of hydrocarbon and organic contaminants

Selected Publications

1. Hazrin-Chong, N.H., Marjo, C., Das, T., Rich, A., and Manefield, M. 2014. Surface analysis reveals biogenic oxidation of bituminous coal by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98:6443-6452.

2. Hazrin-Chong, N.H. and Manefield, M. 2012. An alternative SEM drying method using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for microbial cell attachment studies on sub-bituminous coal. Journal of Microbiological Methods 90:96-99.

3. Zemb, O., Lee, M., Gutierrez-Zamora, M.L., Hamelin, J., Coupland, K., Hazrin-Chong, N.H., Taleb, I. and Manefield, M. 2011. Improvement of RNA-SIP by pyrosequencing to identify putative 4-n-nonylphenol degraders in activated sludge. Water Research 46:601-610.

25

Nurul Yuziana Mohd Yusof, PhD Lecturer E-mail: yuziana@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5861

Research Interests Mammalian cell-based technology In the era of modern medicine, recombinant therapeutic proteins contribute to innovative and effective therapies for treatment of numerous human illnesses, ranging from blood disorders and infectious diseases to cancers. The majority of these proteins are produced in mammalian cell lines, which are equipped with extensive post-translational modification mechanisms such as glycosylation and disulphide bond formation. With improved techniques on process development, bio-production from mammalian cells is now becoming cost effective and less complicated, thus, leading to the production of more affordable biologics. I am interested to explore the potential of mammalian cell-based bio-manufacturing platforms, from various aspects including recombinant gene construction, producer cell development and identification of novel biologics, integrating the latest molecular biology techniques and technologies. Selected Publications

1. Nurul Atikah, Z. Zulkiflie, M.A.W. Rohaya, S. Sahidan, Z.A. Intan Zarina, M.Y. Nurul Yuziana, M. Zulkifli & Z.A. Shahrul Hisham. 2014 Identification of transfection efficiency using qualitative and quantitative analyses of green fluorescent protein in CHO cells. Journal of Applied Sciences 14(5): 489.

2. Johari, N.A., Anuar, N., Mohd Yusof, N.Y., Mohd Pilus, N.S., and Mohamed, M.A. 2013. Construction of high expression vector system producing therapeutic monoclonal antibody through incorporation of matrix attachment region element: A preliminary report. The Open Conference Proceedings Journal 4: 6-10.

3. Mohd-Yusof, N.Y., Monroig, O., Mohd-Adnan, A., Wan, K.-L., and Tocher, D.R. 2010. Investigation of highly unsaturated fatty acid metabolism in the Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry 36:827-843.

26

Nurulhikma Md. Isa, PhD Lecturer E-mail: hikma@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5879

Research Interests Plant abiotic stress As we know, plants cannot move when exposed to environmental changes, hence, they have to adapt in order to survive. Our main interest is to understand how plants survive in unfavorable conditions. We would like to understand plant abiotic stress mechanisms particularly at the transcriptional regulation stage. This includes work on rice and the plant model system Arabidopsis. The targeted proteolysis Another research interest of mine focuses on targeted proteolysis as part of the Ubiquitin dependent mechanism. We are studying the role of targeted proteolysis during tomato plant development and fruit ripening.

Selected Publications

1. Hedayati, P., Monfared, H.H., Md. Isa, N., Hwang, D.J., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Uddin, M.I., Ab Rahman, Z., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2015. Overexpression of the stress-associated protein (SAP) SAPMR219 in Oryza sativa (var. MR219) increases salt tolerance in transformed Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Plant Omics Journal. 8(4):292-299.

2. Hedayati, P., Monfard, H.H., Md. Isa, N., Hwang, D.J., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Uddin, M.I., Ab Rahman, Z., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2015. Construction and analysis of an Oryza sativa (cv. MR219) salinity-related cDNA library. Actae Physiologiae Plantarum 37:91.

3. Gibbs, D.J., Md Isa, N., Movahedi, M., Lozano-Juste, J., Guillermina M. Mendiondo, G.M., Berckhan, S., Marı´n-de la Rosa, N., Conde, J.V., Correia, C.S., Pearce, S.P., et al. 2014. Nitric oxide sensing in plants is mediated by proteolytic control of Group VII ERF transcription factors. Molecular Cell 53: 369–379.

4. Gibbs, D.J., Lee, S.C., Md Isa, N., Gramuglia, S., Fukao, T., Bassel, G.W., Correia, C.S., Corbineau, F., Theodolou, F.L., Bailey-Serres, J., and Holdsworth, M.J. 2011. Homeostatic response to hypoxia is regulated by The N-end rule pathway in plants. Nature: LETTER 479: 415-418.

27

Roohaida Othman, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: roohaida@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5190

Research Interests

Functional genomics of algae and plants

Molecular biology of fruit ripening

Selected Publications 1. Song, A.A., Ong Abdullah, J., Abdullah, M.P., Shafee, N., Othman, R, Mohd

Noor, N., and Rahim, R.A. 2014. Engineering the lactococcal mevalonate pathway for increased sesquiterpene production. FEMS Microbiology Letters 355: 177–184.

2. Wan Seman, W.M.K., Bakar, S.A., Bukhari, N.A., Gaspar, S.M., Othman, R., Nathan, S., Mahadi, N.M., Jahim, J., Murad, A.M.A., and Abu Bakar, F.D. 2014. High level expression of Glomerella cingulata cutinase in dense cultures of Pichia pastoris grown under fed-batch conditions. Journal of Biotechnology 184 (2014) 219–228.

3. Razali, M., Ali, Z.M., Othman, R. (2013) Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene on activities of ethylene biosynthesis and cell wall degrading enzyme during ripening of papaya ‘Sekaki’. Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Science 41(1): 1–13.

4. Johari, N.A., Mohd Sidek, H., Othman, R., and Anuar, N. 2013. Gracilaria changii derived cholesterol cause necrotic cell death in an ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line, Caov-3 through p38 MAPK and FasL activation in combination with ethanol. Global Journal of Pharmacology 7 (1): 01-13.

5. Roslan, N.D., Mat Yusop, J., Baharum, S.N., Othman, R., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Ismail, I., Mohd Noor, N., and Zainal, Z. 2012. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes putatively identified in the aromatic plant Polygonum minus via Expressed Sequences Tag (EST) analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 13: 2692-2706.

28

Sahidan Senafi, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: sahidan@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3833

Research Interests

Cellulases

Mammalian cell development

Molecular archaeology

Selected Publications

1. Ahmad, R., Muniandy, S., Abdullah Shukri, N.I., Alias, S.M.U., Abdul Hamid, A., Wan Yusoff, W.M., Senafi, S., and Daud, F. 2014. Antioxidant properties and glucan compositions of various crude extract from Lentinus squarrosulus mycelial culture. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology 5(10): 805-814.

2. Hadzir, S.N., Ibrahim, S.N., Megat Abdul Wahab, R., Zainol Abidin, I.Z., Senafi, S., Zainal Ariffin, Z., and Zainal Ariffin, S.H. 2014. Ascorbic acid induces osteoblast differentiation of human suspension mononuclear cells. Cytotherapy 16(5): 674-682.

3. Zainal Ariffin, S.H., Yeen, W.W., Zainol Abidin, I.Z., Megat Abdul Wahab, R., Zainal Ariffin, Z., and Senafi, S. 2014. Cytotoxicity effect of degraded and undegraded kappa and iota carrageenan in human intestine and liver cell lines. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 14: 508. Doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-508.

4. Kasim, N.A., Ariffin, S.H.Z., Shahidan, M.A., Abidin, I.Z.Z., Senafi, S., Jemain, A.A., and Wahab, R.M.A. 2013. Stability of Lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase in human saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in the presence of protease I. Archives of Biological Science 65(3):1131-1140.

5. Zainal Ariffin, S.H., Kermani, S., Zainol Abidin, I.Z., Megat Abdul Wahab, R., Yamamoto, Z., Senafi, S., Zainal Ariffin, Z., and Abdul Razak, M. 2013. Differentiation of dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells in serum free medium. Stem Cells International vol. 2013, Article ID 250740

29

Shahrul Hisham Zainal Ariffin, PhD Professor E-mail: hisham@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3245

Research Interests Adult stem cell development during orthodontic tooth movement Our stem cell research has led to the invention of new approaches to use both suspension and adherent stem cells as host cells for cytotoxicity analysis to replace the common approach of using cancer cell lines. Our research group has also established that ALP and TRAP enzymes play a role as markers for the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. These enzymes, which are involved in bone formation and resorption, are also a major requirement in tooth movement. Further studies identified that these enzymes have potential use as in vivo markers for bone cell development and during tooth movement. In addition, molecular studies on samples of ancient bone (Perairan Dungun and Kelumpang Island) successfully verified the ancient samples as human, male and determined age at time of death using the dental pulp chamber and race through mitochondrial DNA analysis.

Selected Publications 1. Shahrul Hisham Zainal Ariffin, Nur Akmal Mohamed Rozali, Rohaya Megat Abdul

Wahab, Sahidan Senafi, Intan Zarina Zainol Abidin & Zaidah Zainal Ariffin. 2015. Analyses of basal media and serum for in vitro expansion of suspension peripheral blood mononucleated stem cell. Cytotechnology. Doi: 10.1007/s10616-014-9819-8.

2. Zainal Ariffin, S.H., Yeen, W.W., Zainol Abidin, I.Z., Megat Abdul Wahab, R., Zainal Ariffin, Z., and Senafi, S. 2014. Cytotoxicity effect of degraded and undegraded kappa and iota carrageenan in human intestine and liver cell lines. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 14: 508.

3. Shabnam Kermani, Rohaya Megat Abdul Wahab, Intan Zarina Zainol Abidin, Zaidah Zainal Ariffin, Sahidan Senafi & Shahrul Hisham Zainal Ariffin. 2014. Differentiation capacity of mouse dental pulp stem cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Cell Journal (Yakhteh) 16(1): 31-42.

4. Hadzir, S.N., Ibrahim, S.N., Megat Abdul Wahab, R., Zainol Abidin, I.Z., Senafi, S., Zainal Ariffin, Z., and Zainal Ariffin, S.H. 2014. Ascorbic acid induces osteoblast differentiation of human suspension mononuclear cells. Cytotherapy 16(5): 674-

30

682.

Sheila Nathan, DPhil Professor E-mail: sheila@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 3862

Research Interests Bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen response Burkholderia pseudomallei is a tropical pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis. My current research interests focus on understanding how this pathogen interacts with its host using the mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans models of B. pseudomallei infection. Findings from my research group include a new bacterial mechanism to hijack and degrade host transcription factors of the immune response, a delayed immune response in diabetics who are more susceptible to melioidosis as well as a number of bacterial key potential virulence factors and essential proteins. My group also uses worms as a tool for whole animal screening of natural and synthetic molecules as anti-infectives.

Selected Publications

1. Chin, C.Y., Hara, Y., Ghazali, A-K., Yap, S.J., Kong, C., Wong, Y.C., Rozali, N., Koh, S.F., Hoh, C.C., Puthucheary, S.D. and Nathan, S. 2015. Global transcriptional analysis of Burkholderia pseudomallei high and low biofilm producers reveals insights into biofilm production and virulence. BMC Genomics 16:471

2. Eng, S.A., and Nathan, S. 2015. Cucurmin rescues Caenorhabditis elegans from a

Burkholderia pseudomallei infection. Frontiers in Microbiology 6:290.

3. Eu, L.C., Ong, K.C., Hiu, J. Vadivelu, J., Nathan, S. and Wong, K.T. 2014. In situ hybridization to detect and identify Burkholderia pseudomallei in human

melioidosis. Modern Pathology 27:657-664. 4. Lee, S.H., Wong, R.R., Chin, C.Y., Lim, T.Y., Eng, S.A., Kong, C., Ijap, N.A., Lau,

M.S., Lim, M.P., Gan, Y.H., He, F.L., Tan, M.W., and Nathan, S. 2013.

Burkholderia pseudomallei suppresses Caenorhabditis elegans immunity by

specific degradation of a GATA transcription factor. Proceedings of the National

Academy of Sciences USA 110 (37):15067 – 15072.

5. Chieng, S., Carreto, L., and Nathan, S. 2012. Burkholderia pseudomallei

31

transcriptional adaptation in macrophages. BMC Genomics 13:328.

Wan Kiew Lian, PhD Professor E-mail: klwan@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5997

Research Interests

Molecular parasitology

Genomics of tropical resources

Selected Publications 1. Reid, A.J., Blake, D.P., Ansari, H.R., Billington, K., Browne, H.P., Bryant, J., Dunn,

M., Hung, S.S., Kawahara, F., Miranda-Saavedra, D., Malas, T.B., Mourier, T., Naghra, H., Nair, M., Otto, T.D., Rawlings, N.D., Rivailler, P., Sanchez-Flores, A., Sanders, M., Subramaniam, C., Tay, Y.-L., Woo, Y., Wu, X., Barrell, B., Dear, P.H., Doerig, C., Gruber, A., Ivens, A.C., Parkinson, J., Rajandream, M.-A., Shirley, M.W., Wan, K.-L., Berriman, M., Tomley, F.M. & Pain, A. 2014. Genomic analysis of the causative agents of coccidiosis in domestic chickens. Genome Research 24: 1676-1685.

2. Haji Adam, J., Mohamed, R., Juhari, M.A.A., Nik Ariff, N.N.F. & Wan, K.-L. 2013. Rafflesia sharifah-hapsahiae (Rafflesiaceae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia. Turkish Journal of Botany 37: 1038-1044.

3. Lim, L.-S., Tay, Y.-L., Alias, H., Wan, K.-L. & Dear, P.H. 2012. Insights into the genome structure and copy-number variation of Eimeria tenella. BMC Genomics 13: 389. ISSN 1471-2164.

4. Amiruddin, N., Lee, X.-W., Blake, D.P., Suzuki, Y., Tay, Y.-L., Lim, L.-S., Tomley, F.M., Watanabe, J., Sugimoto, C. & Wan, K.-L. 2012. Characterisation of full-length cDNA sequences provides insights into the Eimeria tenella transcriptome. BMC Genomics 13: 21.

5. Chow, K.-S., Mat-Isa, M.-N., Bahari, A., Ghazali, A.-K., Alias, H., Mohd.-

Zainuddin, Z., Hoh, C.-C. & Wan, K.-L. 2012. Metabolic routes affecting rubber

biosynthesis in Hevea brasiliensis latex. Journal of Experimental Botany 63:

1863-1871.

32

Wan Mohtar Wan Yusoff, PhD Professor E-mail: wantar@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 19 3333 921

Research Interests Design of biological systems (single and multistage reactor) for the

production of primary and secondary metabolites

Evaluation (qualitative and quantitative) of fermentation process

Development of high density biomass production systems

Production of cellulase, CGTase, itaconic acid, bioinsecticides, PUFA

Growth of paddy using Sustainable Resources Intensification (SRI)

Indigenous production of biofuel for community empowerment

Selected Publications

1. Doni, F., Isahak, A., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Wan Ahmed, W.N., Ashari, A., Suryadi, E., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2014. Enhanced rice seedling growth by Clostridium and Pseudomonas. Biotechnology 13(4): 186-189.

2. Al-Shorgani, N.K.N., Tibin, E.-M., Ali, E., Abdul Hamid, A., Wan Yusoff, W.M., and Kalil, M.S. 2013. Biohydrogen production from agroindustrial wastes via Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (ATCC 13564). Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 16(1): 11-21.

3. Doni, F., Al-Shorgani, N.K.N., Tibin, E.-M., Abuelhassan, N.N., Isahak, A., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2013. Microbial involvement in growth of paddy. Current Research Journal of Biological Sciences 5(6):285-290.

4. Khamaiseh, E.I., Kalil, M.S., Dada, O., Ibrahim El-Shawabkek, I., and Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2012. Date fruit as carbon source in RCM-modified medium to produce biobutanol by Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIMB13357. Journal of Applied Sciences 12(11): 1160-1165.

5. Hamid, A.A., Mokhtar, N.F., Taha, E.M., Omar, O., Wan Yusoff, W.M. 2011. The role of ATP citrate lyase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase in the regulation of lipid accumulation in Cunninghamella sp 2A1. Annals of Microbiology 61(3):463-468.

33

Wan Syaidatul Aqma Wan Mohd Noor, PhD Lecturer E-mail: syaidatul@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5970

Research Interests Environmental microbiology

- Bacterial stress response – Biofilms and aggregation formation - Bioremediation of heavy metals and phenolic compounds

Selected Publications

1. Aqma W. S., and Quilty B. 2015. Influences of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) for autoaggregation of Pseudomonas putida CP1 during growth on mono-chlorophenol. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. (In press)

2. Hanafiah R. M., Aqma W. S., Yaacob W. A., Said Z. and Ibrahim N. 2015. Antibacterial and biofilm inhibition activities of Melastoma malabathricum stem bark extract against Streptococcus mutants. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 11(2): 199-206.

3. Chen, Z., Zhang, Z. and Aqma, W. S. 2015. Mechanical characteristics of

antibacterial epoxy resin adhesive wood biocomposites against skin disease. Saudi

Journal of Biological Sciences. (In press).

4. Aqma, W. S., Anuar, W. A., Hamzah, A., Ahmad, A. and Ashraf, M. A. 2016.

Autoaggregation potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6M2 in 3-chlorophenol. In.

Ashraf, M. A., Aqma, W. S and Balkhair, K. S. (Eds.). International Conference on

Clean Water, Air & Soil (CleanWAS 2015). Springer. (In press).

5. Ashraf, M. A., Batool, S., Ahmad, M., Sarfraz, M. and Aqma, W. S. 2016.

Biopolymers as biofilters and biobarriers. In. Pacheco-Torgal, F., Ivanov, V, Karak,

N and Jonkers, H. (Eds.). Biopolymers and Biotech Admixtures for Eco-Efficient

Construction Materials. Elsevier. (In press).

Pseudomonas putida CP1 cell aggregates during growth on 100

ppm 3-chlorophenol.

Pseudomonas putida CP1 following growth on 100 ppm 3-chlorophenol on Day 0 and Day 4

34

Zamri Zainal, PhD Professor E-mail: zz@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5694

Research Interests

Molecular studies of abiotic stress on rice

Genetic manipulation of rice

Transcriptomic studies of kesum (Polygonum minus) Selected Publications

1. Hedayati, P., Monfard, H.H., Md. Isa, N., Hwang, D.J., Che Mohd Zain, C.R., Uddin, M.I., Ab Rahman, Z., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2015. Construction and analysis of an Oryza sativa (cv. MR219) salinity-related cDNA library. Actae Physiologiae Plantarum 37:91.

2. Ee, S.F., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Othman, R., Shaharuddin, N.A., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2014. Functional characterization of sesquiterpene synthase from Polygonum minus. The Scientific World Journal. dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/840592

3. A. Shukor, M.F., Ismail, I., Zainal, Z., and Mohd Noor, N. 2013. Development of a Polygonum minus cell suspension culture system and analysis of secondary metabolites enhanced by elicitation. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 35(5):1675-1689.

4. Roslan, N.D., Mat Yusop, J., Baharum, S.N., Othman, R., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Ismail, I., Mohd Noor, N., and Zainal, Z. 2012. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes putatively identified in the aromatic plant Polygonum minus via Expressed Sequences Tag (EST) analysis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 13: 2692-2706.

5. Maarof, E., Harun, S., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Ismail, I., Sajari, R., Jumali, S and Zainal, Z. 2011. Cloning and heterologous expression of CDefl, a ripening-induced defensin from Capsicum annuum. Australian Journal of Crop Science 5(3):271-276.

35

Zeti Azura Mohamed Hussein, PhD Associate Professor E-mail: zeti.hussein@ukm.edu.my Phone: +60 3 8921 5993 Website: www.zetilab.org

Research Interests

Reconstruction of secondary metabolite pathways in plants

Modeling of PCOS pathophysiology network towards the development of PCOS biomarker

Development of biological databases for marine metagenomics and plant systems biology research

Computational systems biology of cancers in Malaysian patients

Knowledge-based structural bioinformatics approach on proteins of interest and hypothetical proteins.

Selected Publications

1. Refaei, J., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., and Santhanam, J. 2014. Diversity of type I polyketide synthase genes in a bioactive Phoma sp. Endophytic fungus isolated from Cinnamomum mollissimum in Malaysia. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology 8(2).

2. Ee, S.F., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Othman, R., Shaharuddin, N.A., Ismail, I., and Zainal, Z. 2014. Functional characterization of sesquiterpene synthase from Polygonum minus. The Scientific World Journal. dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/840592

3. Abdul Rahman, S., Abu Bakar, A., and Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A. 2013. Feature selection on pectin lyase-like enzyme using computational methods. Advanced Scientific Letters 19, 3374-3380.

4. Neoh, H.M., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Xin-Ee, T., Raja Abd Rahman, R.M.F., Hussin, S., Mohd Zin, N., and Jamal, R. 2013. Draft genome sequences of four nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcis aureus strains (PPUKM-261-2009, PPUKM-332-2009, PPUKM-377-2009 and PPUKM-775-2009) representative of dominant MRSA pulsotypes circulating in a Malaysian university teaching hospital. Genome Announcement 1(1) e00103-12.

5. Chew, T.H., Joyce-Tan, K.H., Mohamed-Hussein, Z.A., Elizabeth-Chia, P.I., and Shamsir, M.S. 2013. Improving molecular dynamics simulation performance on low-cost systems. Computing in Science & Engineering 15(3):64-70.

36

Academic Staff on Study Leave

Izwan Bharudin E-mail: ibb@ukm.edu.my Field: Transcript Degradation in Fungi / Polyosome Profiling University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

Muhamad Hafiz Che Othman E-mail: hafiz87@ukm.edu.my Field: Plant Proteomics The University of Western Australia, Australia

Nadiah Wan Mohd Ghazali

Norfarhan Mohd. Assa’ad E-mail: n_farhan@ukm.edu.my Field: Genomics of Fungal Pathogens ETH Zurich, Switzerland

37

Nur Amirrah Ibrahim E-mail: nai22@cam.ac.uk Field: Synthetic Biology University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Nur Hidayah Jamar E-mail: njamar@ukm.edu.my Field: Quality Control System in Yeast University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Shairah Abdul Razak E-mail: shairah@ukm.edu.my Field: Microbes Population and Community Ecology Michigan State University, USA