iPROMISE · PDF fileiPROMISE International Seminar 2017 28-29th November 2017, UiTM Puncak Alam iv Message from the Director of iPROMISE First and foremost, I

International Seminar iPROMISE

28th and 29th November 2017

Integrating Omics Precision Medicine

Student Activity Room I & II,

1st Floor FF2 building, UiTM Puncak

Alam

iPROMISE International Seminar 2017

28-29th November 2017, UiTM Puncak Alam

iii

Content

Message from the Director of iPROMISE ..................................................... iv

Message from the Organising Chairman ...................................................... v

Organizing Committee ................................................................................... vi

Programme Tentative .................................................................................... ix

Scientific Program (Oral Presentation) ........................................................ xi

Bibliography of Professor Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam.............................. 1

Invited Speaker’s Abstract ............................................................................. 3

Postgraduate Student’s Abstract ................................................................ 13

Acknowledgement ........................................................................................ 28

Sponsor ......................................................................................................... 29



iv

Message from the Director of iPROMISE

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest

gratitude to the iPROMISe 2017 organizing committee

on their monumental and tireless effort in realising this

seminar. It is therefore a great pleasure for me to

welcome all the distinguished guests, speakers and

participants to the iPROMISE international Seminar

(iPROMISe 2017). It is also a huge honour for me to

welcome our special guest of honour Prof. Dr.

Mohammad Safiqul Islam from Noakhali Science and

Technology University, Bangladesh to our humble

cradle of knowledge. I sincerely hope that this seminar

will serve as an important platform for the exchange of

idea, social networking and research collaboration at the international level.

Designating “Integrating Omics in Precision Medicine” as the theme has been

appropriate and well-timed. The world is facing an arduous challenge in the healthcare

industry in terms of accessibility, feasibility and affordability. We believed that precision

medicine is the key, hence it is our duty to create awareness so that everybody is ready

to play their part in making a smooth transition for a better quality of healthcare in the

future. With increasing medical bill looking like an insurmountable task, there is a dire

need to revamp our perspective of delivering health care, to modernize it so that the

public can benefit from the advancement of technology. Innovative researches are

accelerating at various levels, therefore a more concerted collaborative effort from all

parties is crucial so that we can serve the public the best way possible.

It is my aspiration that such event can be continued in the future, discussing and

creating awareness on cutting edge technology with the hope that brighter prospects are

not too distant from us.

Thank you,

Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Zaki Salleh

Director

Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE)

Universiti Teknologi MARA



v

Message from the Organising Chairman

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the International

iPROMISE Seminar (iPROMISe 2017). The seminar is a

continuum of our commitment to engage researchers, academics,

industry and the community on issue of global health. The theme

of the seminar “Integrating Omics in Precision Medicine” was

selected in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2020.

True to the theme, iPROMISe 2017 integrates an innovation

competition, as well as an exhibition of interdisciplinary research

groups into the scientific programme.

Our keynote lecture “Pharmacogenomics: The Way to

Personalised Medicine” by Professor Dr. Mohammad Safiqul

Islam will highlight examples of transformation of healthcare,

through the use of advanced methods and technology when dealing with health data. In

addition, an impressive line-up of eminent speakers will be sharing their insights at the plenary

sessions.

We are delighted that iPROMISe 2017 has attracted significant number of participation which

represents the tremendous support. A warm thank you to our distinguished speakers and

participants for imparting scientific value to the seminar and personal gratitude to all members

of organising committee for their excellent organisation and commitment.

We hope that iPROMISe 2017 will further steer the development of research towards

improving healthcare.

Best wishes,

Mohd Izwan Mohamad Yusof

Chairman of the Organising Committee,

iPROMISE International Seminar (iPROMISe) 2017



vi

Organizing Committee

PATRON

Profesor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Hassan bin Said

ADVISOR

Profesor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Zaki Salleh

CHAIRPERSON

Mohd Izwan bin Mohamad Yusof

SECRETARY

Rizal Husaini bin Razali

VICE SECRETARY

Puteri Nur Aliah bt Wan Faizal

TREASURER

Nur Madilawani bt Badri



vii

SUB COMMITTEE GROUP

Scientific Programme Bureau

Profesor Dr Teh Lay Kek

Profesor Dr. Wong Tin Wui

Y.M. Dr. Tengku Shahrul Anuar Tengku Ahmad Basri.

Dr Richard Muhammad Johari James

Dr. Mohd Salleh bin Rofiee

Dr Ang Geik Yong

Dr Yu Choo Yee

Dr Lim Wai Feng

Hisyam bin Jamari

Vinothini Subramaniam

Logistic

Muhd Hanis bin Md Idris

Mohd Nur Fakhruzzaman bin Noorizhab

Registration

Nurul Ain bt Khoruddin

Rosnani Hanim bt Mohd Hussain

Protocol

Norzuliana bt Zainal Abidin

Food & Beverages

Umi Hairun Anis bt Ismail

Suhalfarina bt Suhaimi



viii

Certificate & Gifts

Noor Fahimah bt Saari

Hazirah bt Abd Azhar

Graphic & Publicity

Muhamad Aswad bin Abd Razak

Muhammad Zaid bin Abdul Shukor

Wan Nur Izatti bt Kamarul Hisham

Technical

Muhammad Afif bin Muhammad Amin

Mohammad Faris Fauzi bin Ismail

Special Tasks

Mohammad Zulfadhly bin Jan Jam

Aina Mardhia bt Khalid

Norhuda bt Kadir



ix

Programme Tentative

Day 1: Tuesday, 28th November 2017

Venue Student Activity Room 1, 1st Floor, FF2 Building

0800-0900 Registration

0900-0915 Arrival of VIP

0915-0930 Doa recital & Welcoming Speech

0930-1030 Keynote Speaker:

Profesor Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam “Pharmacogenomics: the Way to Personalized Medicine”

1030-1100 Morning break

1100-1130 Invited speaker 1: Dr. Yu Choo Yee

“Exploring the Human Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code”

1130-1200 Invited speaker 2: Dr. Ang Geik Yong

“Sports Genomics: Translating Potential into Performance”

1200-1230 Invited speaker 3: Vinothini a/p Subramaniam

“Basic Applied Bioinformatics”

1230-1300 Invited speaker 4: Dr.Lim Wai Feng

“Epigenetic: Food, Lifestyle & Environment = YOU”

1300-1400 Lunch Break

Concurrent session

Venue Student Activity Room 1, 1st Floor, FF2

Building Student Activity Room 2, 1st

Floor, FF2 Building

1400-1430

Invited speaker 5: Dr. Nauman Rahim Khan

“Microwave & 5-Fluorouracil Ethosomes Combination for Enhance

Skin Drug Retention”

Invited speaker 9: Dr. Lee Chee Yang

“Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Solutions”

1430-1500

Invited speaker 6: Dr. Asif Nawaz Marwat

“Profiling of Skin Drug Delivery of Chitosan: Surfactant Nanoparticles”

Oral Presentations

1500-1530

Invited speaker 7: Dr. Kifayat Ullah Shah “Treatment of Pulmonary

Tuberculosis Using Rifampicin: Loaded Double Receptor-Targeting”

1530-1600

Invited speaker 8: Dr. Mulham Al-Fatama “Preparing & Evaluation of Alginate –

C18 Conjugate Nanoparticles Embedded Into Coated Calcium Alginate Beads for Efficient Oral

Insulin Delivery”

1600-1700 Oral Presentations

1700-1715 Tea break



x

Day 2: Wednesday, 29th November 2017

Venue Student Activity Room 1, 1st Floor, FF2 Building

0800-0900 Registration

0900-0930 Invited speaker 10: Dr. Mohd Salleh Bin Rofie

“Secret to Stay Young with Murunggai”

0930-1030 Oral Presentations

1030-1100 Morning break

1100-1130 Invited speaker 11: Hisyam bin Jamari

“Zebrafish as a Disease Model”

1130-1200 Prize & Closing ceremony

1200-1400 Lunch Break

Venue Integrative Pharmacogenomic Institute (iPROMISE) 7th Floor, FF3 Building

1400-1600 iPROMISE Open day



xi

Scientific Program (Oral Presentation)

Tuesday, 28th November 2017, Student Activity Room 1, FF2 Building, UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus

No. Time Name Title

1 1430-1445 Mohd Nur Fakhruzzaman Bin

Noorizhab

Multi-omics of Thermal Adaptation Strategies of Geobacillus thermocatenulatus and Some of Hot

Spring Thermophiles

2 1445-1500 Nurul Azmir Bin Amir Hasim Metabolomics Of Colorectal Cancer In Malaysia

3 1500-1515 Noor Fahimah Binti Saari Effect of Lansium domesticum Leaves Ethanolic Extract on Anxiety-Like Behaviour in Zebrafish

4 1515-1530 Hazirah Binti Azhar Quantification of Cortisol Using LC/MS/MS in Relation to Stress Among University Students

5 1530-1545 Rizal Husaini Bin Razali

Understanding the Genetic Risk of Childhood Leukemia among the Orang Asli and Malay in

Malaysia: Mining the Whole Genome Sequence Database

6 1545-1600 Umi Hairun Anis Binti Ismail Differential Protein Expression in Bone

Remodelling Induced by Denture Wearing – Preliminary Results

7 1600-1615 Rosnani Hanim Binti Mohd

Hussain

Vision Threatening Amoeba: Morphological and Molecular Based Evidence Isolated From Contact

Lens Users, Malaysia

8 1615-1630 Muhd Hanis Bin Md Idris In silico Molecular Docking Studies on Chalcone

and Flavones Derivatives as Multi-subtypes Inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase

Tuesday, 28th November 2017, Meeting room, iPROMISE, UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus (Concurrent Session)

No. Time Name Title

9 1600-1615 Dr.Kamran Ashraf Chemical Diversity Analysis In Indian Turmeric

(Curcuma longa L.) by HPTLC Method

10 1615-1630 Norul Nazilah Ab’lah Development of Resistant Corn Starch for Use as

an Oral Colon-specific Nanoparticulate Drug Carrier

11 1630-1645 Badrul Hisyam Zainudin Design of Low Molecular Weight Pectin and its

Nanoparticles Through Combination Treatment of Pectin By Microwave and Inorganic Salts

Wednesday, 29th November 2017, Student Activity Room 1, FF2 Building, UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus

No. Time Name Title

12 0930-0945 Norzuliana Binti Zainal Abidin Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of a Clinical

Multi Drugs Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

13 0945-1000 Nurul Ain Binti Khoruddin Genomic Analysis of Breast Cancer Risk for the

Orang Asli and Malays

14 1000-1015 Suhalfarina Binti Suhaimi Comparative Genomic Analysis of

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Identification of Multidrug Resistance Genes

15 1015-1030 Mohd Izwan Bin Mohamad

Yusof

Significant Modulation of Immune Response and Oxidative Stress During Infection of Klebsiella

pneumoniae Profiled Using Metabolomics Analysis



1

Bibliography of Professor Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam

Dr. Mohammad Safiqul Islam is currently working as a

Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy,

Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh and

is the principal investigator of pharmacogenomics lab. After

completing his B.Pharm and M.Pharm from the University of

Dhaka, he joined as an industrial pharmacist in the Novartis

(BD) Ltd for 2 years and later worked as a community

pharmacist in abroad. His inclination always lies toward

academia and after gaining substantial experiences in

pharmaceutical fields, he joined in the University of Asia Pacific

in 2005 and finally in the current institution in 2006 as a

lecturer. In 2010, he joined the research group of late Professor Dr. Abul Hasnat,

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Dhaka who was the

pioneer of pharmacogenomics research in Bangladesh and completed his PhD on the

“Lung cancer risk in relation to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, CYP2A6 and

CYP1A1 genotype in Bangladeshi population”. Professor Dr. Ann K Daly, Newcastle

University, UK was also involved with his PhD research work and relevant publication and

one of his publications obtained the University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh

award, 2013.

Professor Islam then worked on the several researches works on the pharmacogenomics

of Bangladeshi lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers and is now actively

collaborating with some local and international research institutes. A research article

entitled “Loss of asparagine synthetase causes congenital microcephaly and a

progressive form of encephalopathy” was published from the collaboration with a

Canadian research group in the Neuron. He has also collaboration with a faculty member

of Monash University Malaysia and recently an article has been published in the BMJ

Open from this collaboration.

He received a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh in 2013.

Mr. Islam was awarded JSPS postdoctoral fellowship (standard, 2 years) and joined the

laboratory of Professor Kazushige Yokota, Shimane University on the April

2014. Currently, he is doing research on the Pharmacogenomics of autism spectrum

disorder, schizophrenia and cervical cancer of Bangladeshi population. He has more than

66 peer-reviewed publications and submitted few more in the related peer-reviewed

journals.



2

Keynote Lecture by Prof. Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam

28thNOV

0930

Pharmacogenomics: The Way to Personalized Medicine

Drug treatment is customized in case of personalized medicine (PM) based on the genetic

profile of individual patients. The associations between variations on those genes that may

cause susceptibility to certain diseases or may cause abnormal reactions to certain drugs that

people normally take are the basis of PM. By looking at the peoples' genetic makeup one can

design therapies and choose drugs that can minimize toxicities and maximize benefits. One is

able to tailor therapies specifically for an individual person based upon one’s genetic makeup.

Even though the task might seem a lot of works requiring huge space but because of cutting-

edge genomic technologies it is possible to do large scale genetic project in a very small area.

Today the necessary instruments for genetic profile analysis are micro or miniaturized and the

process relies on commercially available chips encoded with up to half a million or so common

genetic variations. Scientists now have a complete picture of humans and therefore they are able

to scan millions of genes in the amount of times of just a few hours which in the past required

years- even tens of years in order to do the same thing. Pharmacogenetic techniques have been

successfully applied in treating (choosing personalized medicines) different diseases including

cancers, cardiac diseases, liver disease etc.



3

Invited Speaker’s Abstract

28thNOV

1100

Exploring the Human Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code

Yu Choo Yee, Ang Geik Yong, Teh Lay Kek and Mod Zaki Salleh

Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak

Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

The ambitious idea to map all the genes of the human genome dated back to the 1990s and the

through the Human Genome Project, the first human genetic map, which took 13 years to

complete and cost 2.7 billion dollars, was released in 2003. The availability of the first human

genetic map has greatly revolutionised genomic studies and accelerated the research into human

health, gene expression, human genetic variation, pharmacogenomics and genome-wide

association studies. Driven by the advancement of next-generation sequencing or massively

parallel sequencing, sequencing of human genome is poised to be become a common practice in

genomic medicine and precision medicine. The enormous interest and funding to unravel the

association between genetic changes and with various health conditions have lead a greater

understanding of human health, disease and development but the current knowledge may only

represent the tip of the iceberg. In this presentation, the road map of Human Genome Project

and the current approaches as well as the challenges of utilizing human genomic information in

clinical applications will be discussed.



4


28thNOV

1130

Sports Genomics: Translating Potential into Performance

Ang Geik Yong1,2, Yu Choo Yee1, Teh Lay Kek1 and Mohd Zaki Salleh1

1Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak

Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 2Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam,

Selangor, Malaysia.

Sports genomic is a relatively new field that focuses on the genomic architecture of elite

athletes. It seeks to unravel the genetic endowments that would explain, in part, why some

individuals reach the upper end of the performance continuum while others do not. Studies have

shown that inter-individual variability in physical performance characteristics is associated with

natural genetic variations that leads to improved athletic capability. The knowledge on genetic

factors that are associated with human physical performance to date are derived mainly from

Caucasian populations and as such, there is a huge research gap in the field of sports genomics

in Malaysia. Research into the genetic architecture of our local athletes is long overdue as

exemplified by the recent replication of association between physical performance and the first

performance enhancing polymorphism that was discovered almost two decades ago in 1998 in

Malaysian university athletes. The human physical performance is a multigenic trait and hence,

variation in athletic performance may be attributed to a polygenic profile instead of single

genetic variant. Therefore, there is urgent need to determine the allelic and genotype

frequencies of multiple performance enhancing polymorphisms in elite Malaysian endurance

and power/speed athletes so that the association between the genetic variants and physical

performance in these athletes from the competing ends of the strength-endurance continuum can

be unraveled. The resulting database will then serve as the basis to establish endurance and

power-based polygenic profiles of our local athletes.



5


28thNOV

1200

Basic Applied Bioinformatics

Vinothini Subramaniam, Teh Lay Kek and Mod Zaki Salleh


Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Bioinformatics is a field of study that uses computation to extract knowledge from biological

data. It includes the collection, storage, retrieval, manipulation and modelling of data for

analysis, visualization or prediction through the development of algorithms and software.

Applied bioinformatics is the pertinent information such as downloading molecular sequences

(nucleotide and protein) from databases, BLAST analyses, primer designing and its quality

checking, multiple sequence alignment (global and local using freely available software),

phylogenetic tree construction (using UPGMA, NJ, MP, ME, FM algorithm and MEGA7 suite),

prediction of protein structures and genome annotation, RNASeq data analyses and

identification of differentially expressed genes and similar advanced bioinformatics analyses.

Computerized analysis has a role both as support for wet-lab projects and as a means of

extracting knowledge from already available datasets. The fast-growing amount of data makes

it necessary to be able to automate analysis and make analysis on a very large scale.



6


28thNOV

1230

Epigenetics: Food, Lifestyle & Environment = YOU

W.F.Lim, C.Y.Yu, G.Y.Ang, L.K.Teh, M.Z.Salleh


Alam Campus, Selangor, MALAYSIA

Have you ever wonder why you are the unique YOU? The answer lies with the power of

epigenetics. Epigenetics occurs beyond the ‘conventional genetics’, which is characterized by

the alternation of gene expression without the influence by an individual’s DNA sequence.

Epigenetic events (e.g. DNA methylation, histone modification and nucleosome positioning)

switch genes on and off and decide which proteins to be transcribed. These epigenetic marks

can be passed down from parents to offspring. Food that you eat, lifestyle that you practice and

the environment that you are exposed to, can influence your epigenetic machinery which can

either result in very healthy or extremely unhealthy conditions that lead to disease. Obesity is a

disease condition where abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

Garcinia atroviridis is commonly found in Malaysia and is used as an anti-obesity agent. We

extend our interest to investigate the intergenerational epigenetic response conferred by

Garcinia atroviridis extract in rat adipocytes. Besides obesity, heroin addiction is a growing

concern that affects many countries. Drug exposure has been associated to persistent changes in

gene expression and can be inherited to unexposed offspring. Our preliminary study

demonstrated that rats over three generations sustained anxiety and aggressive behaviour,

attributed by paternal heroin exposure. We are now investigating the heroin-induced epigenetic

mechanism of this observed effect. In short, any epigenetic marks will make you, YOU! Hence,

to realize the promise of precision medicine, both genetics and epigenetics diagnostic testing are

required.



7


28thNOV

1400

Microwave and 5-Fluorouracil Ethosomes Combination for Enhanced Skin

Drug Retention

Nauman Rahim Khana,b,c, Tin Wui Wonga,b*

aNon-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, iPROMISE bParticle Design Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia. cFaculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, DIKhan, 29050, KPK, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre,

iPROMISE, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia.

Tel.: +60 3 32584691

E-mail addresses: [email protected], [email protected] (T.W. Wong),

[email protected] (N.R. Khan)

Skin drug retention is detrimental to treat deep skin pathologies locally with minimal systemic

drug absorption. Ethosomes are well-known elastic vesicular carriers which increase the skin

drug retention by fusing with the skin. Combined use of microwave pre-treatment of skin and

ethosomes may seal the skin drug permeation pathways and hence lead to increased drug

deposition in the skin. 5-fluorouracil ethosomes with varying quantities of ethanol were

developed and subjected to size, surface charge, morphology, drug content, drug release and in

vitro drug permeation tests. The ethosomes were then investigated for in vitro skin drug and/or

ethosomes retention and permeation in combination with skin pre-treatment with microwave.

The mechanism of enhanced skin drug retention was investigated with fourier transform

infrared and raman spectroscopy, thermal and electron microscopic techniques. Low ethanolic

ethosomes promoted skin drug retention as they were larger in size, had high negative charge

and were less able to fluidize epidermal intercellular lipids and defluidize hydrophilic skin

domains. The skin pre-treatment with microwave at 2450 MHz frequency for 2.5 min further

promoted skin drug and/or ethosomes retention and reduced the skin drug permeation compared

to 1.15 min and 5 min treatment. The mechanistic investigations revealed that microwave and

ethosomes synergized to promote skin drug retention by macromolecular swelling and

expansion of specific deep dermal proteins via C=O moiety which translated to narrowing of

deep skin intercellular spaces, increased drug retention and reduced drug permeation.



8


28thNOV

1430

Profiling of Skin Drug Delivery of Chitosan-Surfactant Nanoparticles

Asif Nawaza,b,c*, Tin WuiWonga,b*

aNon-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, iPROMISE

bParticle Design Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy Universiti Teknologi MARA,

42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. cAhmad Medical Institute Peshawar, Pakistan.

Email Address:

[email protected]

[email protected]; [email protected]

This study investigated the transdermal drug delivery mechanisms of chitosan-surfactant

nanoparticles in the skin modification and transport. Low molecular weight chitosan

nanoparticles, were prepared by nanospray-drying technique with tween 20 and span 20 as

additives. The transdermal drug delivery profiles of nanoparticles across the rat skins were

examined. The average size and zeta potential of the chitosan-surfactant nanoparticles were

85.0 ± 3.5 nm and 42.7 ± 2.7 mV, respectively. Chitosan along with tween and span of

nanoparticles were required to succeed the transdermal delivery. The ninhydrin assay of

nanoparticulate chitosan revealed that the chitosan-surfactant nanoparticles permeated through

the skin and a fraction of the permeated nanoparticles were retained in the skin. The population

of chitosan-surfactant nanoparticles was found higher in dermis than epidermis according to

FTIR Imaging results. The nanoparticles transport was facilitated through constituent

nanoparticles fluidizing both protein/lipid domains of epidermis and dermis (O-H, N-H, C-H,

C-N), largely affecting the palmitic acid and keratin domains. Future study will further probe

into the effects of nanoparticles on tight junction of human skin and its changes on transdermal

drug transport.



9


28thNOV

1500

Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Using Rifampicin-Loaded Double

Receptor-Targeting

Kifayat Ullah Shah1,3*, Wong Tin Wui1,2*

1Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, iPROMISE 2Particle Design Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy

Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 3Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, 29050, D.I.Khan,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

*[email protected], [email protected]

Most of the current anti-tubercular drugs fail to penetrate into alveolar macrophages that harbor

mycobacterium tuberculosis. In conjunction with tubercle bacilli lurking in macrophages, this

then translates to reduced therapeutic effectiveness and need for higher drug doses and hence

toxicity. The study aims to develop o/w nanoemulsions that can aerosolize the drug in

appropriate particle size and concentration to ensure optimal deposition and dose in the desired

region of the lungs. Chitosan-folate conjugate-decorated third generation rifampicin-oleic acid

nanoemulsion was designed with chitosan and folate acting as the homing device for

macrophages with mannose and folate receptors at their cell surfaces. The nanoemulsion was

prepared by conjugate synthesis and spontaneous emulsification techniques. It was then

subjected to physicochemical, drug release, aerosolization, inhalation, cell culture and

pharmacokinetics analysis. The nanoemulsion had average droplet sizes of 40-60 nm, with

narrow polydispersity indices. It exhibited desirable pH, surface tension, refractive index,

density, and viscosity attributes for pulmonary rifampicin administration. The nanoemulsion

demonstrated more than 95 % aerosol output and inhalation efficiency greater than 75 %. The

nanoemulsion was found to be safe with negligible cytotoxicity effects. It exhibited high

macrophage cell internalization potential, reduced plasma drug concentration and high lung

drug content. Nanoemulsion has a great potential to deliver anti-tubercular drugs by

nebulization in the treatment of tuberculosis.



10


28thNOV

1530

Preparation and evaluation of alginate-C18 conjugate nanoparticles

embedded into coated calcium alginate beads for efficient oral insulin

delivery

MulhamAlfatama,a,b Lee Yong Lim,c Tin WuiWonga,b*


UniversitiTeknologi MARA Selangor, PuncakAlam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia. cPharmacy,Centre for Optimisation of Medicines, School of Allied Health, The University of

Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009, Australia.

*[email protected]

The rapid drug release from natural polymeric nanoparticles and the physical barriers including

mucus and mucosa have precluded the efficient penetration and absorption of therapeutics

particles. In this study, a complex of nanoparticles and beads were designed using alginate and

chitosan as matrix and coat materials respectively. Three types of nanoparticles namely simple

alginate, alginate-stearic acid and alginate-C18 conjugate were formulated by chemical

synthesis and nanospray drying technology. The nanoparticles were characterized regarding

their size, zeta potential, surface morphology, drug content, drug encapsulation efficiency, drug

release profile, matrix molecular characteristics, mucus penetration, HT-29 cell line cytotoxicity

and intracellular trafficking profiles. Alginate-C18 conjugate nanoparticles were selected as

insulin nanocarrier of interest due to their non-toxicity and favourable physicochemical

attributes which enhanced mucus penetration and intracellular trafficking, and minimal insulin

reabsorption tendency. These nanoparticles were loaded into a pre-optimized tripolyphosphate-

crosslinked chitosan-oleic acid conjugate-coated calcium alginate beads by vibratory nozzle

microencapsulation techniques. Incorporation of nanoparticles into coated beads successfully

reduced insulin release in the simulated gastric phase with the majority of insulin being

transported transmucosally in the form of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles and beads combination

system has found to be more effective in lowering blood glucose level and enhancing insulin

bioavailability than nanoparticles alone.



11


29thNOV

0900

Secret to Stay Young with “Murunggai”

M.S. Rofiee, L.K. Teh, M.Z.Salleh

Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Lelvel 7, FF3, Universiti Teknologi

MARA Kampus Selangor

Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of mainly physical and psychological

change. Approximately 100,000 people worldwide die each day of age-related causes. Life

extension science, also known as anti-ageing medicine, is the study of slowing down the

processes of ageing to extend both the maximum and average lifespan. We therefore searched

for a herbal alternative for slowing down the process of ageing. From our study, the

supplementation of TGT-PRIMAAGE which is a combination of M. oleifera and Centella

asiatica leaves extract to the ageing rats showed improvement in memory and learning abilities.

Histopathological examinations on the ageing skin also showed significant protection in the

groups of ageing rats treated with TGT-PRIMAAGE. With the evidence and its efficacy, the

extract was formulated as preservative-free capsule for easy consumption and dose

standardization. This product can be used as a supplement to improve memory and learning

abilities. Besides that, this product may protect the skin from damage through the anti-glycation

process.



12


29thNOV

1100

Zebrafish as Human Disease Model

Muhammad Hisyam Jamari, Teh Lay Kek and Mod Zaki Salleh


Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become more important to biological research ever since it was

made popular by George Streisinger in the 1960s. The small freshwater fish, native to parts of

the Himalayas and South East Asia have many advantages over other vertebrate animal models.

Amazingly, zebrafish have similar genetic structure to human and they share about 70% of the

genes with human. It is a very efficient model - high fecundity and short life cycle allow

research to be carried out at a larger scale and shorter time. Various diseases can be studied

using zebrafish, ranging from acquired diseases to genetic diseases, as 84 per cent of genes

known to be associated with human disease have a zebrafish counterpart. Their external

reproduction allows genetic study, and the transparent embryo allows developmental research to

be carried out easier. It is thus very versatile and frugal - it is becoming more popular within the

scientific community and various methods have been established to study many human

diseases.



13

Postgraduate Student’s Abstract

28thNOV

1430 Multi-omics of Thermal Adaptation Strategies of Geobacillus

thermocatenulatus and Some of Hot Spring Thermophiles

Fakhruzzaman, M.N.N1, Teh, L.K1 Zaki, M.S1, Nazrina, S.C2

1Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak

Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Geobacillus thermocatenulatus is a facultative anaerobic thermophilic bacterium isolated from

Sungai Klah hot spring in Perak, Malaysia. A study was designed to elucidate the thermal

adaptation strategy adopted by this bacterium which allows it to strive at high temperature

which normally inhibits life. Here, we report the proteins associated in G. thermocatenulatus

thermoadaptation. To induce thermal stress, G. thermocatenulatus was grown at 60°C and 70°C

where the latter represent thermal stress condition. Upon induction of thermal stress, a biphasic

growth profile was observed from the bacterium growth curve. Next, SDS-PAGE analysis

disclosed substantial changes in the proteome profile. Protein identification by MS/MS revealed

that the bacterial proteome when grown at 60°C and 70°C contain 1490 and 895 proteins

respectively. In addition, 195 proteins were found to be only expressed during thermal stress.

Functional annotation of the identified proteins indicated that the bacterial undergone nearly

50% of changes in its proteome in compensation to thermal stress. Additionally, pathways that

greatly influenced by thermal stress in this bacterium were amino acid metabolism and transport

and energy production and conservation. As a conclusion, this study successful in elucidating

components that contributed to the thermal adaptation of G. thermocatenulatus were

successfully elucidated.



14


28thNOV

1445

Metabolomics of Colorectal Cancer in Malaysia

N.A.A. Hashim1, S. Ab-Rahim1, W.Z.W. Ngah2, S. Nathan3, M. Mazlan1, L. K. Teh4,5, M. Z.

Salleh4,5

1Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh

Selangor 2Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras Kuala Lumpur

3Faculty of Science and Technology Universiti Kebangsaaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor 4Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Puncak Alam, Selangor 5Faculty Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) involves invasive techniques such as colonoscopy and

histopathology. Other screening tests are neither not accurate nor specific for CRC. This

contributes to the late diagnosis of CRC. Hence, a more accurate, specific and non-invasive

method for diagnosis is required for better prognosis. In this study, we aim to identify serum

biomarkers for detecting CRC using metabolomics. Serum from 50 healthy controls and 50

colorectal cancer patients were collected at Hospital UKM. The samples were deproteinized

with acetonitrile and then analyzed using liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight

mass spectrometry (LC-QTOFMS, Agilent USA). The data were analyzed using Mass Profiler

Professional (Agilent, USA) software. A total of 127 metabolites were obtained in the serum.

Among these 127 known metabolites, 12 metabolites were significant after recursion analysis.

Partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) of metabolic profile data showed robust

discrimination between healthy controls and CRC patients. Based on area under the curve,

sensitivity and specificity values for lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE 22:6),

lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC 16:1), glycocholic acid, xanthine, malic acid and

hypoxanthine for detecting CRC were above 70%. The alterations in these metabolites reveal

perturbations of purine metabolism associated with increase growth and proliferation of CRC

cells. These results suggest that serum metabolomics profiling has great potential in identifying

biomarkers for CRC and helping to understand its underlying mechanisms.



15


28thNOV

1500

Effect of Lansium domesticum Leaves Ethanolic Extract on Anxiety-Like

Behaviour in Zebrafish

Noor Fahimah Saari1, Salfarina Ramli1, Teh Lay Kek1.2, Mohd Zaki Salleh2, Richard Johari

James1,2

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak

Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 2Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus,

42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor

New plant natural compounds or plant extracts are frequently under investigation to explore

alternative to conventional anxiolytic therapies. Exposure to novelty evokes robust anxiety

responses in zebrafish. Therefore, zebrafish has emerged as a useful animal model to study

anxiety-like behaviour. In this study, adult zebrafish was exposed to L.domesticum ethanol

leaves extract (20 mg/L) before being introduced to the novel tank. The behaviour of treated

zebrafish in novel tank, untreated zebrafish in novel tank and home tank were recorded for 6

minutes and the video outputs were analysed using Any-maze software V.5.2. From the results,

the treated zebrafish showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in the behaviour parameters which

include time spent in top, number of entries to the top and total distance travelled compared to

zebrafish in home tank which indicated elevated state of anxiety. However, no significant

behavioural changes were observed between treated and untreated zebrafish in novel tank which

indicated that L. domesticum leaves ethanolic extract did not affect the anxiety-like behaviour in

the novel tank experiment.



16


28thNOV

1515

Quantification of Cortisol Using LC/MS/MS in Relation to Stress among

University Students

A. Hazirah1,2, M. S. Rofiee2, A.G. Rohana2,3, L. K. Teh1,2, M. Z. Salleh1,2R. J. James1,2

1Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia;

2Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak

Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai

Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia

Pursuing higher education at the university is perhaps a stressful life event for some student as

they need to adapt with various environmental and psychosocial changes. Previously, cortisol

has been measured in several types of biological sample for evaluation of physiological and

psychological stresses, anxiety and depression. The aim of this study is to develop a method for

quantification of cortisol using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and

correlate with the level of depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students. A total

of 24 undergraduate students were administered with Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)

and serum sample were collected during the beginning of semester, middle of semester and

final examination week. The cortisol was quantitated using a fast, selective and sensitive LC-

MS/MS. The method was developed and validated according to European Medicine Agency

(EMA) guidelines and was linear from 7.8 to 500 ng/mL for cortisol (r2 = 0.986). The

precision, accuracy, and recovery of the method for cortisol were ranged from 1.98-10.46%,

90.68-91.94%, 90.38-93.88%. The cortisol level at the beginning of the semester was

significantly lower than the cortisol level at middle of semester. Furthermore, the concentration

of cortisol in serum was significantly correlated with stress level. Therefore, the developed

method has met the quality standards of EMA, can be utilized for quantitation of cortisol in

serum and correlate with the DASS data to measure and monitor stress condition of

undergraduate students.



17


28thNOV

1530

Understanding the Genetic Risk of Childhood Leukemia among the Orang

Asli and Malay in Malaysia: Mining the Whole Genome Sequence Database

R.H. Razalia, N.A. Khoruddina, H. Jamaria, G.Y. Anga,b, C. Y. Yua,b, R. J. Jamesa, K.H. Tehc, H.

Ibrahimc, L.K Teha and M. Z. Salleha

aIntegrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor

(UiTM), Malaysia bFaculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia

cDepartment of Pediatric, Pediatric Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Leukemia is the seventh most common childhood malignancy in Malaysia. It is of great interest

to determine the genetic factors that cause leukemia in order to strategise for prevention and

treatment modalities. We aimed to determine the genetic variability that increase ALL

susceptibility of the Orang Asli and the Malays using existing genome database. Genomic DNA

from the Orang Asli were isolated from blood and the whole genome sequencing analysis were

performed. Genomes were assembled, aligned and variants were called using GATK Best

Practise workflow. Leukemic-associated variants were identified and analysed for the Orang

Asli and Malays. A total of 98 Orang Asli and 100 Malays were recruited in this study. Of the

126 codon changes identified, the number of variants predicted to be deleterious among the

Orang Asli and the Malays were 24 and 2, respectively. The SNPs with the highest allele

frequency associated with ALL risk in the Orang Asli and the Malays was XRCC1rs25487-G

with 72.44% and 66%, respectively. This study is believed to be the first to report on the higher

predicted genetic risks of susceptibility against leukemia among the Orang Asli compared to the

Malays.



18


28thNOV

1545

Differential Protein Expression in Bone Remodelling Induced by Denture

Wearing – Preliminary Results

U. H. Anis1, R. Ahmad2,3, L. K. Teh3, M. Z. Salleh3

1Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh Campus, Sungai Buloh,

Selangor, Malaysia;

2Unit of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh

Campus, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia; 3Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute

(iPROMISE), Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

The continuous and intermittent mechanical pressure exerted by complete and partial dentures

on the soft tissue mucosa of edentulous patients induce inflammation to the supporting tissues

underlying the dentures. This lead to alveolar bone resorption and triggered secretion of various

proteins and enzymes into saliva. This study aims to identify the change in protein expression

associated with bone remodelling induced by denture wearing. These differentially expressed

proteins can potentially serve as protein biomarkers for bone remodelling in denture wearing

patients. The protocol of the study was approved by Human Research Ethics Committee, UiTM.

Patients attending treatment at Dental Clinic, UiTM were recruited after informed consent form

was obtained. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected twice from patients of complete and

partial dentures, once before the issuance of denture (T0) and another after 30 days post denture

insertion (T1). Salivary proteins were resolved using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE)

over a pH range of 3-10, and the resulting proteome profiles were compared. Differentially

expressed proteins were then identified by Q-TOF LCMS. There were differences in protein

profile between T0 and T1 of each patient when the saliva sample was subjected to 2DE. These

data are significant in explaining the mechanism involved in bone resorption phenomenon

associated with denture wearing. The discovery of protein biomarker in denture wearers with

alveolar bone resorption allows the identification of high risk patients in order to avoid severe

bone resorption.



19


28thNOV

1600

Vision Threatening Amoeba: Morphological and Molecular Based Evidence

Isolated from Contact Lens Users, Malaysia

Rosnani Hanim Mohd Hussain1, Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani2, Anisah Nordin3, M. Z. Salleh1,4

, Tengku Shahrul Anuar1,4

1Centre of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi

MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Selangor, Malaysia 2Biomedical Science Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus,

42300 Selangor, Malaysia

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious eyes infection among contact lens wearers and it is caused

by an opportunistic free-living amoeba known as Acanthamoeba spp. Trophozoite and cyst of

this parasite can be found ubiquitously in the environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was

to characterize the morphology and genotypes the species of Acanthamoeba from contact lens

users in Malaysia. Two clinical samples in the form of cyst culture were obtained from private

hospital. Sub-cultured was done on non-nutrient agar seeded with heat-killed Escherichia coli

and incubated at 30°C (±2oC) for 10 days. Morphological identification was performed using

methylene blue stain based on shape and size of the endocyst and ectocyst. Observation was

made under an inverted microscope (x40). Genomic DNA samples were extracted and PCR

assay was conducted for amplification of the Acanthamoeba-specific amplimer (ASA.S1)

region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The phylogenetic analysis was carried out using Unipro

UGENE software. It was observed that both clinical isolates have cyst sizes 18 µm with

wrinkled exocyst and stellate endocyst. This morphological characterization demonstrated that

the isolates belonged to Group II (Polyphagids). Product of approximately 464-bp was obtained

using JDP1 and JDP2 primers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that it belongs to genotype T4. In

conclusion, the presence of Acanthamoeba Group II with genotype T4 resembled with previous

studies that shown the major Acanthamoeba keratitis cases are associated with this genotype.

Thus, Acanthamoeba infection is no more a rarity and can be a public health issue among the

Malaysian community.



20


28thNOV

1615

In silico Molecular Docking Studies on Chalcone and Flavones Derivatives as

Multi-Subtypes Inhibitors of Phosphodiesterase

Muhd Hanis Md Idris, Manikandan Selvaraj, Teh Lay Kek, Mohd Zaki Salleh

Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor

Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) is known to promote inflammation by degrading cyclic adenosine

monophosphate (cAMP) which is intracellular secondary messenger that help in maintaining

immune homeostasis. Therefore, selective inhibition of PDE elevates cAMP and consequently

downregulate inflammation. The structural motifs of chalcones and flavones with varied

substitutions had been studied for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. However, there

is lack of study on chalcones and flavones as PDE inhibitors so far. Thus, this study was to

investigate the phosphodiesterase activity of chalcones and flavones using molecular docking.

A series of chalcone and flavone analogs were synthesized and virtually screened using

molecular docking against multi-subtype of phosphodiesterase (PDE4B, PDE4D, PDE3B,

PDE7A). The results showed that seven compounds exhibited good binding activity against all

subtypes of PDE ranging between -10.656 kcal/mol – -5.206 kcal/mol. Molecular docking

experiments indicated that π-π interaction, hydrogen-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions

were all contributed to interactions between compounds and targets. Further, these compounds

were predicted to possess good pharmacokinetics properties with less side effects. Based on

binding energies, these molecular docking analyses could lead to the further development of

potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.



21


28thNOV

1600

Chemical Diversity Analysis in Indian Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) by

HPTLC Method

Kamran Ashraf 1,2,3

1 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar

Puncak Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 2 Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Products Discovery (AuRIns), Universiti Teknologi

MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 3 Bioactive Natural Product Laboratory, Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry,

Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard Univ, New Delhi-62, India

Curcuma longa is a valued medicinal plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae which

comprises more than 80 species of rhizomatous perennial herbs and has extensive occurrence in

the tropics of Asia Africa and Australia. To access chemical diversity analysis in accessions of

Curcuma longa L. of Indian subcontinent. Phytochemical constituent curcumin of all turmeric

accessions was evaluated by High Performace Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method.

Results obtained from chemo profiling showed that C. longa undergone chemical variations

among samples collected across indian subcontinent. Chemical variation occurred in turmeric

may be due to wide range of ecological conditions within distribution area of its population in

India. The outcome would provide an important input into determining efficient management

strategies for the cultivation of C. longa and its improvement program.



22


28thNOV

1615

Development of Resistant Corn Starch for Use as an Oral Colon-Specific

Nanoparticulate Drug Carrier

Norul Nazilah Ab’laha,b,d, Nagarjun Konduru Venkatac, Tin Wui Wonga,b*


Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia cDepartment of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard

University, 665, Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, USA dCentre of Foundation Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Dengkil, 43800, Selangor,

Malaysia

*[email protected], [email protected]

Amylose and amylopectin are the main constituent in starch. Debranching of amylopectin

converts it into amylose thereby producing resistant starch which is known to be less digestible

by amylase. This study examines acid hydrolysis and heat-moisture treatment methods in

designing of resistant starch as a drug carrier from native corn starch. The starch was subjected

to treatment using 0.2M hydrochloric acid buffer, pH 2.2 at 37o ± 0.2oC or at 90oC, 100oC and

110oC for 2h and 16h heating in the presence of 25% moisture content. Both native and

processed starch were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray

diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and molecular weight analysis. They were

nanospray-dried with 5-fluorouracil as a drug of interest for colon cancer treatment. These

nanoparticles were subjected to size, zeta potential, morphology, drug content and in-vitro drug

release analysis. Heat-moisture treatment of native corn starch at 100oC for 2h enabled the

formation of resistant starch through amylopectin debranching and molecular weight reduction

thereby enhancing hydrogen bonding between the starch molecules at the amorphous phase and

gelatinization capacity. With reduced branching, it represents an ideal precursor for targeting

ligand conjugation in design of oral colon-specific nanoparticulate drug carrier.



23


28thNOV

1630

Design of Low Molecular Weight Pectin and Its Nanoparticles through

Combination Treatment of Pectin by Microwave and Inorganic Salts

Badrul Hisyam Zainudin a, b, c, d, Wong Tin Wui a, b, *, Halimaton Hamdan d

a Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre, iPROMISE, Universiti

Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia b Particle Design Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak

Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia14 c Malaysian Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovative and Technology Centre, Lot 12610, Kawasan

Perindustrian Nilai, Nilai, 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia d Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia,

54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

* Corresponding author: Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Centre,

iPROMISE, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia

E-mail address: [email protected], [email protected] (T.W. Wong)

This study assessed the molecular weight and degree of esterification profiles of pectin treated

by microwave (900 W) for different irradiation durations in combination with monovalent

(sodium chloride) or divalent (calcium acetate) inorganic salt as the promoter of superheating at

liquid state. The pectin molecular weight, degree of esterification, viscosity, particle size, zeta

potential and elemental content were determined. The pectin was subjected to nanospray drying

with the size, zeta potential and morphology of the formed nanoparticles examined. The use of

calcium acetate brought about the formation of pectin with lower molecular weight and degree

of esterification, but higher solution viscosity than that of sodium chloride. Such pectin had its

molecules crosslinked by soluble calcium at COO- moiety in liquid phase. It experienced a

higher heat transfer through salt bridges and chain breakdown propensity. The formed

nanoparticles had a mean size smaller than 600 nm and were envisaged suitable for use as

nanocarrier of cancer therapeutics with respect to permeation and retention attributes of tumour

vasculature. The combination of microwave with multivalent inorganic salt approach can be

used to convert the pectin into matrix material of nanoparticles.



24


29thNOV

0930

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of a Clinical Multi Drugs Resistant

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

N. Z. Abidin1,2, F.Z.M Yusof1,2, N.M. Noordin6, C.Y. Yu1, G.Y. Ang1,3, A.I. Ismail4, L.K.

Teh1,5, M.Z. Salleh1,5

1 Integrative Pharmacogenomic Institute (iPROMISE), UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus

2 Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Shah Alam Campus 3Faculty of Sport Sciences and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Shah

Alam Campus 4 Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Sungai Buloh

Campus 5Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Puncak Alam

Campus 6National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). In 2016, cases

of rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis (RR-TB) which had resulted in death had been reported by

WHO, at the same time cases of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) were reported at least

one in all the countries including Malaysia. We believed that changes in the genomic structure

of the pathogen are responsible for the resistance pattern observed and are useful diagnostic

markers. Together with National Public Health Laboratory (Makmal Kesihatan Awam

Malaysia), the deposit of MTB strains isolated from patients who were diagnosed with MDR-

TB will be sequenced. We present here one of the MDR-TB strain (PR12) which were

successfully sequenced and annotated. The genomic DNA of the MDR-TB strain was extracted

and sequenced with the next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach using the Miseq

(Illumina). The output sequences were processed and analysed with the bioinformatics tools.

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) sites identified within the Mycobacterium

tuberculosis PR12 strain include the embB (Met306Val), katG (Ser315Thr), pncA (Leu85Pro),

rpoB (Ser450Leu) and rpsL (Lys43Arg). The variation on these genes were predicted to cause

the pathogen to be resistant towards ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and

streptomycin, respectively. Using the whole genome sequence analysis, the variations detected

can help to determine the resistance pattern of MTB and the information is useful for the

clinician to tailor made the correct antimycobacterial agent for the patients. It is also used to

track the evolution of the resistance patterns in order to control occurrence of TB and to identify

potential new therapeutic targets.



25


29thNOV

0945

Genomic Analysis of Breast Cancer Risk for the Orang Asli and Malays

N.A. Khoruddin1,2, F.Z.M. Yusof1,2, Y.C. Yee1, A.G. Yong1,3, L.K. Teh1,4, M.Z. Salleh1,4

1Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM)

Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus 2 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM) Selangor, Shah Alam

Campus 3Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam

Campus 4Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus

A comprehensive whole genome study to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

that cause breast cancer is of great interest to implement precision medicine and develop

therapies that improve lives. Here, we report the whole genomes analysis using computational

approaches on unrelated 98 Orang Asli and 96 Malays individuals to search and identify SNPs

which confer risks of breast cancer. The SNPs were retrieved from dbSNP and predicted as

cancer driver variants based on the functional impact scores by CHASM and VEST tools that

were built in the CRAVAT software. Four candidates SNPs (rs33927012, rs28997576,

rs3518855, rs144848) were identified as cancer driver variants that were associated with the

breast cancer. Interestingly, all of the variants are located on SDHB, BARD1, FGFR4 and

BRCA2 genes which are involved in the breast cancer pathway. All of the SNPs are believed to

play important roles in activating the oncogenic genes in breast cancer. We had successfully

developed bioinformatics pipelines useful for prediction of functional impacts of SNPs which

are cancer driver variants that increase breast cancer risks. These markers would need to be

validated before being used as diagnostic tools in detecting breast cancer risk in the population.



26


29thNOV

1000

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in

Identification of Multidrug Resistance Genes

S. Suhaimi1,2, F. Z. Yusuf1,2, S. S. Noor3, L. K. Teh1,2, M. Z. Salleh1,2

1Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

Puncak Alam, Selangor 2Faculty Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor

3School of Medical Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Kelantan

The current global challenge in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is the emergence of

multidrug resistant MTB (MDR-MTB) especially in most of the developing countries across the

world. Known causes for the emergence of MDR-TB include improper treatment, inadequate

drug use, and poor patient supervision. However, it is interesting to determine the genome

structure of the MTB and the existing resistance genes that they harbour. In this study, we

examined the complete genome dataset of 138 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from five

continents that were deposited at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Despite great diversity with respect to geographical point of isolation, genetic background and

drug resistance, the patterns of emergence of drug resistance were conserved globally. A

comprehensive bioinformatics pipeline was developed and systematic review from previous

studies were conducted to identify and quantify the frequency of the mutations associated with

resistance of isoniazid (INZ), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (ETB), pyrazinamide (PZA),

fluoroquinolone (FLQ), and streptomycin (ST). We have identified harbinger mutations that

often precede MDR and XDR (extensive drug resistance) in katG, inhA, rpoB, embB, pncA,

gyrA, gyrB and rpsL genes. It was observed that no mutations were found in 40% of the strains

studied and only 5% were MDR and 27% were pre-XDR and XDR. The harbinger mutations

identified may serve as an early warning signal that MDR may soon develop. Previous studies

showed that an overwhelming majority of MDR and XDR-TB had become cases of isoniazid

resistance prior to rifampicin resistance. Furthermore, targeting earliest-occurring mutations

could improve diagnosis of the patients and help implementation of precision medicine.



27


29thNOV

1015

Significant Modulation of Immune Response and Oxidative Stress during

Infection of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Profiled Using Metabolomics Analysis

Mohd Izwan Mohamad Yusof a, Mohd Salleh Rofiee a, Teh Lay Kek a,b, Mohd Zaki Salleha,b.

a Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute, Level 3, FF3, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM),

Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia. b Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi

MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam, 42300, Selangor, Malaysia

To better understand metabolic response in the host towards pathogenic infection, a Klebsiella

pneumoniae infected rat model was developed and investigated using metabolomics

approaches. K. pneumoniae was injected (i.v) into rats and the serum samples were collected at

three different time points (0 hours (pre-infection), 2 hours after infection (early infection) and

192 hours after infection (post-infection)). Thirteen (13) metabolites were characterized as

potential biomarkers related to K. pneumoniae infection. The potential biomarkers were derived

from nine (9) pathways which were found significantly perturbed in the host during K.

pneumoniae infection. According to the metabolic pathway analysis (MetPA), Tryptophan

metabolism was the most prominently influenced in K. pneumoniae-induced bacteremia

suggesting that significant modulation of the immune system activity had occurred during early

infection of K. pneumoniae. In addition, several metabolites indicate that the hosts were in

oxidative stress, inflammation and high energy demand state during early infection of K.

pneumoniae. Our findings provide perspective on the metabolites signatures together with

perturbated pathways related to the pathogenesis of bacteremia.



28

Acknowledgement

The organizing committee would like to express our gratitude towards the support,

commitment and cooperation rendered to ensure the success of iPROMISE International

Seminar (iPROMISe) 2017 for various individuals and entities within Universiti Teknologi

MARA as well as industrial partners as following:

Keynote Speaker & invited speakers

iPROMISE Research Fellows

iPROMISe 2017 organizing committee members



29

Sponsor

Neoscience Sdn. Bhd.

Documents

iPROMISE · PDF fileiPROMISE International Seminar 2017 28-29th November 2017, UiTM Puncak Alam iv Message from the Director of iPROMISE First and foremost, I