UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute - UMBI

𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨.𝟓/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐬: 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐢 (𝐌𝐑𝐒) 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

UMBI is pleased to share a published scientific report arising from the PhD research of 𝐌𝐬. 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤 under the supervision of 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐡 𝐇𝐮𝐢-𝐦𝐢𝐧. Published in IJID Regions, the study examines the nasal carriage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among migrant workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Nepal living in Malaysia's Klang Valley, highlighting an important but often overlooked public health issue affecting migrant worker communities in the country.

A total of 𝟐𝟓𝟖 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝, revealing that nearly 𝟏𝟓% 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧-𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐢 (𝐌𝐑𝐒), underscoring the potential role of healthy carriers as silent reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the community. Distinct MRS species dominance was also observed among different nationalities. The study further identified a significant link between 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and the presence of these pathogens, particularly among workers employed in the 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬. Molecular analysis showed that many bacterial isolates exhibited 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, raising concerns for silent transmission within the community. These findings emphasize the need for better 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 and improved living standards for migrant populations to manage public health risks. Ultimately, the source serves as the first investigation into how 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 may contribute to the spread of resistant staphylococci among these communities in Malaysia.

These findings further demonstrate UMBI’s growing contribution to translational and community-focused molecular medicine research, particularly in understanding antimicrobial resistance, pathogen transmission, and population health challenges affecting vulnerable communities.

Read the full article to learn more about the study findings, antibiotic resistance patterns, and their implications for public health research in Malaysia.

5 June 2026 | This morning's 𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏𝟒/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 featured an insightful presentation by 𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐢 𝐀𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧, entitled “Fatty Liver: Thin Doesn't Mean Immune”.

The session highlighted fatty liver disease as a growing global health concern and a silent epidemic, with prevalence continuing to rise worldwide. Dr. Aishah shared that the global prevalence reached approximately 38% in 2022, affecting an estimated 3 billion individuals, while more than 30% of the population in South-East Asia is affected. In Malaysia, findings from the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 (𝐍𝐇𝐌𝐒) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 indicate that approximately 28% of Malaysians have fatty liver disease.

A key focus of the presentation was the often-overlooked phenomenon of Lean MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease), where 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 (𝐁𝐌𝐈) 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫. The audience was introduced to the concept of 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐈 (𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐅𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞), describing individuals with relatively low subcutaneous fat but high levels of visceral fat, which may increase MASLD risk despite appearing lean. Dr. Aishah also discussed the 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐍𝐏𝐋𝐀𝟑𝐈𝟏𝟒𝟖𝐌 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐃 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The presentation further explored the differences between obese and lean MASLD profiles, highlighting current clinical challenges and the tendency for 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐃 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A discussion, reflecting strong interest from participants. Appreciation is extended to Dr. Aishah for her informative sharing and to all attendees for their active participation and insightful questions.

𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨.𝟒/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐆𝐅β 𝐈𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 (𝐓𝐍𝐁𝐂)

UMBI is pleased to share a recent publication from our researchers, led by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐳𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐟, exploring the distinct molecular roles of TGFβ isoforms in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive and treatment-challenging breast cancer subtypes.

Using transcriptomic analysis of 486 TNBC patient samples, the study revealed that 𝐓𝐆𝐅β𝟏, 𝐓𝐆𝐅β𝟐, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐆𝐅β𝟑 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, with TGFβ1 demonstrating the largest genomic influence. Despite these differences, all three isoforms converged on critical biological pathways linked to metabolic reprogramming, cellular polarity, and Rap1 signalling — mechanisms 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Importantly, the team identified several 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬, including CAMK2N1 and COL1A1, which were associated with 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 and may contribute toward future precision medicine strategies in TNBC management.

This work highlights UMBI’s continued contribution to advancing molecular oncology, translational medicine, and biomarker discovery research aimed at improving personalised cancer therapeutics and patient outcomes.

We invite colleagues and collaborators to explore the full study

Merafak sembah ucapan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim sempena Sambutan Ulang Tahun Hari Keputeraan Rasmi Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku.

Seluruh Pengurusan Tertinggi dan Warga UMBI mendoakan ke hadrat Allah SWT semoga Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku sentiasa dikurniakan rahmat dan hidayah-Nya serta berada dalam keadaan sihat, sejahtera dan penuh kedaulatan.

Daulat Tuanku.

Seluruh warga UMBI mengucapkan selamat merayakan Sambutan Hari Wesak 2026 kepada semua penganutnya. Semoga sambutan ini membawa kedamaian, ketenteraman, dan kebahagiaan kepada semua.

🎓 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Congratulations to 𝐌𝐬. 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐟𝐢𝐪𝐚𝐡 𝐀𝐳𝐦𝐚𝐧 on successfully completing his 𝐏𝐡𝐃 𝐕𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

Her doctoral research, entitled “𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐧𝐜𝐑𝐍𝐀 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 (𝐓𝐍𝐁𝐂)”, contributes valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying TNBC and advances our understanding of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in breast cancer research.

We would also like to extend our sincere congratulations and appreciation to her supervisory team for their dedication, guidance, and mentorship throughout this academic journey:

The work was conducted under the supervision of:

• 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐳𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐟– Main Supervisor
• 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐬. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐛 – Co-Supervisor

This achievement reflects the hard work, perseverance, and commitment of both the candidate and her supervisors. We wish Ms. Afreena continued success in her future academic and professional endeavors.

Seluruh Warga UMBI mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Pesta Keamatan dan Hari Gawai kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia yang meraikannya.

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai!

✨🌙✨ 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐀𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚 𝟏𝟒𝟒𝟕𝐇 ✨🌙✨

“Sesungguhnya solatku, ibadahku, hidupku dan matiku hanyalah untuk Allah, Tuhan seluruh alam.”
— Surah Al-An'am, ayat 162

Semoga segala pengorbanan dan amal ibadah kita diterima Allah SWT.

Aidiladha mengajar kita erti keikhlasan, kesabaran dan ketaatan. Mari kita hayati semangat pengorbanan ini dalam kehidupan dan pekerjaan seharian.

Ikhlas daripada:
Seluruh Warga UMBI
27 Mei 2026 | 10 Zulhijjah 1447H

𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨.𝟑/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐌𝐋: 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲

UMBI is pleased to share a recent publication from our researchers, led by Dr. Redha Abdullah, exploring novel genes associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using a graph-based clustering approach and protein-protein interaction network analysis.

By analysing complex molecular interaction networks, the team identified 𝟏𝟔 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐌𝐋-𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐌𝐋 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬, including PML-RARα and CD34-positive AML. The findings revealed that these genes are 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥, 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 such as PI3K/AKT signalling and hematopoietic dysregulation.

Importantly, this systems-level approach provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying AML progression and highlights several candidate genes that may serve as future biomarkers or therapeutic targets for this aggressive blood cancer. The study also demonstrates the 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 in advancing precision diagnostics and personalised treatment strategies in hematological malignancies.

These findings further reflect UMBI’s growing strength in molecular oncology, bioinformatics, systems biology, and translational cancer research aimed at improving disease understanding and patient outcomes.

We invite colleagues and collaborators to explore the full study:

Muhamad Azuan et al. Oncologie (2026)

22 May 2026 - The weekly 𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏𝟑/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 featured two insightful presentations by UMBI Research Fellows, highlighting the dynamic landscape of scientific research, innovation and adaptability in molecular medicine.

The first session by Assoc. Professor Dr. Nadiah Abu titled “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝐏𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞” explored the evolving nature of scientific careers and the importance of strategic adaptability in research. Her presentation discussed the concept of intellectual freedom, structural pillars of academic survival, and the many dimensions of research pivoting including hypothesis, methodological, model-system, career and translational pivots. Drawing from notable scientific success stories such as the discovery journey of Minoxidil, Dr. Nadiah also shared important reflections on “pivot penalties”, the Dunning-Kruger Effect, Nobel Disease, and the challenges faced by non-pivoters. She further inspired the audience through her personal experience in securing the 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 (𝐋𝐑𝐆𝐒) 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐊𝐏𝐓). The session concluded with a meaningful take-home message that the best scientists are often those who know when to persist and when to pivot.

The second session was delivered by Ts. Dr. Aiman Mohtar entitled “𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐑 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬”. The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of CRISPR technology, tracing its origins from bacterial immune defense systems to one of the most transformative tools in biotechnology. The audience gained insights into how scientists repurposed the bacterial memory spacer system into synthetic guide RNA technology, enabling broad applications across multiple fields. Dr. Aimanuddin highlighted the growing impact of CRISPR in plant biotechnology, livestock improvement, genetic and metabolic disease correction, infectious disease control, drug discovery, biofuel production and the food industry. He also shared updates on CRISPR therapeutics currently in clinical trials, alongside ongoing UMBI research applications including targeted gene knockout studies in breast cancer cells and CRISPRi genetic screening targeting upregulated cell surface genes in glioblastoma (GBM).

The session reflected UMBI’s continued commitment towards advancing molecular medicine research and fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration. Appreciation is extended to both speakers for their informative and engaging sharing sessions, as well as to all participants for their active participation and encouraging discussions throughout the programme.