Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Plastik Selamat Untuk Manusia? Kebenarannya di 'Plastic Forum@USM'
Tan Sri Ani Arope, Pengerusi Lembaga Pengarah, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) akan melancarkan forum perbincangan isu keselamatan plastik kepada manusia‚’Plastic Forum@USM’ pada hari Sabtu, 1 November 2008, jam 9.30 pagi di Dewan Persidangan Universiti, USM, Pulau Pinang.Forum ini akan menampilkan pakar-pakar terkenal seperti Jan Stevens, Pengarah (Global) Pengurusan Kualiti dan Penyelidikan serta David Kusuma, Naib Presiden Pembangunan Produk (Global), Tupperware Brands Corporation dan Prof. Jamil Ismail, pakar penyelidik polimer, Pusat Pengajian Sains Kimia USM.’Plastic Forum@USM’ adalah usaha bersama Bahagian Pembangunan Lestari dan Korporat USM dan syarikat pengeluar produk bekas penyimpanan, Tuppeware Brands Malaysia untuk melihat kepada isu-isu berhubung keselamatan penggunaan plastik dalam budaya kehidupan manusia masa kini.Forum ini adalah sumbangan CSR (corporate social responsibility) Universiti selaras dengan matlamat Universiti APEX untuk mencapai kelestarian.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Novel Antibiotic Candidates from Myxobacteria
German researchers have identified a group of new natural antibiotics against tuberculosis. The compounds have been isolated from Myxobacteria, and works by inhibiting the pathogen's RNA polymerase, thus preventing the translation of the bacteria's DNA.
"In our fundus we have three substances - myxopyronin, corallopyronin and ripostatin - which were isolated and characterised chemically and biologically. Already many years ago we recognized their unusual antibiotic effect. It was directed in an unknown manner against the bacterial RNA polymerase, i.e. the enzyme that reads the DNA of the pathogen. In eukaryontic cells, which human cells are also belonging to, the substances do not attack the RNA polymerase."The results supported the indication that the natural substances block the bacterial RNA polymerase in a new manner: the natural substances append to another location within the RNA polymerase than the antibiotics previously investigated.They attach to the enzyme - which looks like an open crab claw - directly at its joint position. Subsequently the enzyme is no longer able to open the claw. By this mechanism of action the active substances prevent the RNA polymerase from adhering to the DNA - reading of the genetic materials is suppressed completely. This new mechanism also operates in bacteria that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Source
"In our fundus we have three substances - myxopyronin, corallopyronin and ripostatin - which were isolated and characterised chemically and biologically. Already many years ago we recognized their unusual antibiotic effect. It was directed in an unknown manner against the bacterial RNA polymerase, i.e. the enzyme that reads the DNA of the pathogen. In eukaryontic cells, which human cells are also belonging to, the substances do not attack the RNA polymerase."The results supported the indication that the natural substances block the bacterial RNA polymerase in a new manner: the natural substances append to another location within the RNA polymerase than the antibiotics previously investigated.They attach to the enzyme - which looks like an open crab claw - directly at its joint position. Subsequently the enzyme is no longer able to open the claw. By this mechanism of action the active substances prevent the RNA polymerase from adhering to the DNA - reading of the genetic materials is suppressed completely. This new mechanism also operates in bacteria that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Source
Genetically Modified Anthocyanin-Rich Tomatoes
A European group of researchers have successfully expressed genes from the Snapdragon flower in tomatoes, resulting to deep-purple colored tomatoes with unprecedentedly high anthocyanin content at concentrations comparable to the anthocyanin levels found in blackberries and blueberries. The expression of the two transgenes increased the hydrophilic antioxidant capacity of tomato fruit threefold and a pilot animal study demonstrated that cancer-susceptible Trp53-/- mice fed a diet supplemented with the high-anthocyanin tomatoes showed a significant extension of life span.See news release from the John Innes Center and the study published in Nature Biotechnology, doi:10.1038/nbt.1506.Note: Two years ago, I reported on the work of a group of scientists from Oregon State University also working on purple tomatoes.
Refference:
http://www.biotech-weblog.com/50226711/genetically_modified_anthocyaninrich_tomatoes.php
Refference:
http://www.biotech-weblog.com/50226711/genetically_modified_anthocyaninrich_tomatoes.php
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Penyelidik USM Temui Ekstrak Tumbuhan Tempatan Untuk Atasi Obesiti
Penyelidik USM Temui Ekstrak Tumbuhan Tempatan Untuk Atasi Obesiti
Sidang media khas akan diadakan esok, 23 Oktober 2008, jam 11.00 pagi di Bilik Persidangan Canselori, USM bagi membentangkan penemuan terbaru Prof. Zhari Ismail dari Pusat Pengajian Sains Farmasi USM yang mendapatkan ekstrak dari pokok kaduk (pipersarmentosum) serta tumbuhan herba lain yang dapat membantu mengatasi masalah obesiti.Penemuan beliau yang diproses menjadi pil dikatakan telah menunjukkan hasil yang positif dan telah pun dilakukan ujian pra-kilinikal.Obesiti kini menjadi masalah sejagat. Gejala ini menjadi ancaman kesihatan utama kepada masyarakat. Di samping mengamalkan gaya hidup sihat penemuan oleh penyelidik USM ini mampu untuk membantu mereka yang berhasrat mengurangkan berat badan dengan menggunakan NOBESITI. "NOBESITI: Piperamide based antiobesity nutraceutical from local sources.Prof. Dr. Zhari bin IsmailSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Univesiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, PenangCollaborators : Khalid Hussain, Hayder Bahasaab, Amirin Sadikum, Pazilah Ibrahim and Amin Malik.Obesity is due to the excessive deposition of fat and this condition is currently on the rise worldwide. Current common mode of treatment available includes appetite suppressants and laxatives and side effects and complications are often associated with it.Nobesiti is an antiobesity nutraceutical product prepared from local sources and possess novel mechanism of treatment. It inhibits vascularisation of blood vessels to fast growing adepocytes which are involved in adepogenesis.Nobesiti has been evaluated for safety as per OECD guidelines and found to be safe at 2000ng/kg body weight using animal models.Nobesiti has been tested for hepatotoxicity and a range of cell lines and found to be non cytotoxic.Nobesiti has been evaluated for pharmacokinetic parameters (absorption, delivery, metabolism and excretion).Nobesiti has been well characterised and standardised using modern analytical techniques.Nobesiti is easily scaled up for manufacture and has a tremendous market potential worldwide."
Sidang media khas akan diadakan esok, 23 Oktober 2008, jam 11.00 pagi di Bilik Persidangan Canselori, USM bagi membentangkan penemuan terbaru Prof. Zhari Ismail dari Pusat Pengajian Sains Farmasi USM yang mendapatkan ekstrak dari pokok kaduk (pipersarmentosum) serta tumbuhan herba lain yang dapat membantu mengatasi masalah obesiti.Penemuan beliau yang diproses menjadi pil dikatakan telah menunjukkan hasil yang positif dan telah pun dilakukan ujian pra-kilinikal.Obesiti kini menjadi masalah sejagat. Gejala ini menjadi ancaman kesihatan utama kepada masyarakat. Di samping mengamalkan gaya hidup sihat penemuan oleh penyelidik USM ini mampu untuk membantu mereka yang berhasrat mengurangkan berat badan dengan menggunakan NOBESITI. "NOBESITI: Piperamide based antiobesity nutraceutical from local sources.Prof. Dr. Zhari bin IsmailSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Univesiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, PenangCollaborators : Khalid Hussain, Hayder Bahasaab, Amirin Sadikum, Pazilah Ibrahim and Amin Malik.Obesity is due to the excessive deposition of fat and this condition is currently on the rise worldwide. Current common mode of treatment available includes appetite suppressants and laxatives and side effects and complications are often associated with it.Nobesiti is an antiobesity nutraceutical product prepared from local sources and possess novel mechanism of treatment. It inhibits vascularisation of blood vessels to fast growing adepocytes which are involved in adepogenesis.Nobesiti has been evaluated for safety as per OECD guidelines and found to be safe at 2000ng/kg body weight using animal models.Nobesiti has been tested for hepatotoxicity and a range of cell lines and found to be non cytotoxic.Nobesiti has been evaluated for pharmacokinetic parameters (absorption, delivery, metabolism and excretion).Nobesiti has been well characterised and standardised using modern analytical techniques.Nobesiti is easily scaled up for manufacture and has a tremendous market potential worldwide."
Saintis Marin USM Dedah Penemuan di Perairan Negara
Saintis Marin USM Dedah Penemuan di Perairan Negara
Saintis marin Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof. Zulfigar Hj. Yassin akan berkongsi beberapa penemuan beliau di perairan negara menerusi syarahan beliau bertajuk ‘The Malaysian Seas: An Ecological and Enviromental Perspective’ pada hari Khamis, 23 Oktober 2008, jam 10.30 pagi di Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.D.Y.T.M. Raja Muda Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail akan turut berangkat ke sesi syarahan berkenaan.Prof. Zulfigar Hj. Yassin mula berkhidmat di USM sejak tahun 1988 dan adalah antara saintis utama dalam penyelidikan marin di negara ini. Selain menerima pelbagai anugerah penyelidikan, beliau turut bertanggungjawab di dalam memimpin pasukan penyelidik negara dalam ekspedisi penyelidikan di Antartika bersama-sama ‘Australian Antartic Division’pada tahun 2003. Beliau juga bertanggungjawab memulakan dan seterusnya mengetuai ekspedisi saintifik terbesar di perairan Malaysia [dikenali sebagai Research on the Seas and Island of Malaysia – ROSES] selain membantu Kerajaan merangka program menghadapi kemungkinan bencana tsunami pada masa akan datang menerusi kajian khas beliau di perairan sekitar Banda Acheh, Phuket dan utara semenanjung Malaysia.
Saintis marin Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof. Zulfigar Hj. Yassin akan berkongsi beberapa penemuan beliau di perairan negara menerusi syarahan beliau bertajuk ‘The Malaysian Seas: An Ecological and Enviromental Perspective’ pada hari Khamis, 23 Oktober 2008, jam 10.30 pagi di Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang.D.Y.T.M. Raja Muda Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail akan turut berangkat ke sesi syarahan berkenaan.Prof. Zulfigar Hj. Yassin mula berkhidmat di USM sejak tahun 1988 dan adalah antara saintis utama dalam penyelidikan marin di negara ini. Selain menerima pelbagai anugerah penyelidikan, beliau turut bertanggungjawab di dalam memimpin pasukan penyelidik negara dalam ekspedisi penyelidikan di Antartika bersama-sama ‘Australian Antartic Division’pada tahun 2003. Beliau juga bertanggungjawab memulakan dan seterusnya mengetuai ekspedisi saintifik terbesar di perairan Malaysia [dikenali sebagai Research on the Seas and Island of Malaysia – ROSES] selain membantu Kerajaan merangka program menghadapi kemungkinan bencana tsunami pada masa akan datang menerusi kajian khas beliau di perairan sekitar Banda Acheh, Phuket dan utara semenanjung Malaysia.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
PRAGMA 15?
PRAGMA 15?
PRAGMA 15, the second PRAGMA meeting to be held in 2008, will once again bring together application and middleware researchers from the participating institutions of the Pacific Rim Applications and Grid Middleware Assembly (PRAGMA). Established in 2002, PRAGMA, via its multifaceted framework for collaboration catalyzes and enables new activities through a culture of openness and sharing. The PRAGMA 15 workshop is among these activities which will not only provide a platform to report on the progress from very focused working groups but also a venue to involve new collaborators in PRAGMA activities.In PRAGMA, applications are the key, hence the integration of grid technologies into these applications are only effectively realized via the creation of very focus research team to address specific research challenges. Participants are thus encouraged to join the existing application working groups (for the moment there are four: Biosciences, Tele-Science, Resource & Data and Geo-Science). The workshop is also a unique melting pot between culture (local) and the science, a metronome that has stitched the PRAGMA members together for a sustainable six-year period. Without exception, PRAGMA 15 promises a mixture of cultural delights highlighting the uniqueness of Malaysia Truly Asia brand. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), as one of the premier research universities in Malaysia and the pioneer in the grid technologies (and the first member of PRAGMA from Malaysia) is a deserving host and extends its warm welcome to PRAGMA members to the workshop.
21-24 OCTOBER 2008
USM PENANG
http://pragma15.usm.my/
PRAGMA 15, the second PRAGMA meeting to be held in 2008, will once again bring together application and middleware researchers from the participating institutions of the Pacific Rim Applications and Grid Middleware Assembly (PRAGMA). Established in 2002, PRAGMA, via its multifaceted framework for collaboration catalyzes and enables new activities through a culture of openness and sharing. The PRAGMA 15 workshop is among these activities which will not only provide a platform to report on the progress from very focused working groups but also a venue to involve new collaborators in PRAGMA activities.In PRAGMA, applications are the key, hence the integration of grid technologies into these applications are only effectively realized via the creation of very focus research team to address specific research challenges. Participants are thus encouraged to join the existing application working groups (for the moment there are four: Biosciences, Tele-Science, Resource & Data and Geo-Science). The workshop is also a unique melting pot between culture (local) and the science, a metronome that has stitched the PRAGMA members together for a sustainable six-year period. Without exception, PRAGMA 15 promises a mixture of cultural delights highlighting the uniqueness of Malaysia Truly Asia brand. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), as one of the premier research universities in Malaysia and the pioneer in the grid technologies (and the first member of PRAGMA from Malaysia) is a deserving host and extends its warm welcome to PRAGMA members to the workshop.
21-24 OCTOBER 2008
USM PENANG
http://pragma15.usm.my/
Naib Canselor Rasmi PRAGMA 15
Naib Canselor Rasmi PRAGMA 15
Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak, Naib Canselor, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) akan merasmikan 15th Pacific Rim Applications and Grid Middleware Assembly (PRAGMA) Workshop pada hari Rabu, 22 Oktober 2008, jam 8.00 malam di Hotel City Bayview, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.Bengkel ini ini adalah sebahagian daripada pengisian utama sempena Minggu Grid di USM yang akan mengumpulkan saintis serta penyelidik sains komputer bagi membincangkan isu-isu berkaitan pengkomputeran grid yang kini menjadi sumber penting di dalam perkongsian sumber penyelidik id seluruh dunia.Pengkomputeran grid adalah teknologi termoden di dalam mempercepatkan pelbagai proses perkongsian data untuk tujuan penyelidikan dan perniagaan merentasi bidang selain dapat memaksimumkan penggunaan komputer.
Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak, Naib Canselor, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) akan merasmikan 15th Pacific Rim Applications and Grid Middleware Assembly (PRAGMA) Workshop pada hari Rabu, 22 Oktober 2008, jam 8.00 malam di Hotel City Bayview, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.Bengkel ini ini adalah sebahagian daripada pengisian utama sempena Minggu Grid di USM yang akan mengumpulkan saintis serta penyelidik sains komputer bagi membincangkan isu-isu berkaitan pengkomputeran grid yang kini menjadi sumber penting di dalam perkongsian sumber penyelidik id seluruh dunia.Pengkomputeran grid adalah teknologi termoden di dalam mempercepatkan pelbagai proses perkongsian data untuk tujuan penyelidikan dan perniagaan merentasi bidang selain dapat memaksimumkan penggunaan komputer.
International Conference on Environment 2008 (ICENV 2008)
International Conference on Environment 2008 (ICENV 2008)
December 15-17 (Monday - Wednesday) 2008
G Hotel in Penang, Malaysia
organized by the School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Further Info, click on the link below:
http://chemical.eng.usm.my/ICENV2008/
December 15-17 (Monday - Wednesday) 2008
G Hotel in Penang, Malaysia
organized by the School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Further Info, click on the link below:
http://chemical.eng.usm.my/ICENV2008/
Personal Genome Project releasing genetic data today
The first 10 participants of the ground-breaking Personal Genome Project (PGP) will be receiving a hefty chunk of data today, generated from their own genomes: the sequence of the protein-coding regions from many of their genes (collectively known as the "exome"). And if all goes according to plan, they'll soon be dumping all of that data on the web for anyone to access.
The PGP is an audacious endeavour led by Harvard's George Church (recently profiled in Wired). The ultimate goal of the Project is to sequence the entire genomes of 100,000 volunteers, and release both genetic and medical data from those volunteers to the research community - and indeed to anyone else who wants to view them. The Project has drawn both acclaim and criticism from the genetics community, with much of the criticism being directed at its unusual concept of genetic privacy - essentially, the Project's leaders argue that the reality of modern genomics means that the concept of patient anonymity no longer applies.
As a first step the PGP has been releasing information from its first 10 volunteers. When it comes to the understanding of genetic information they're an impressively well-informed group, including Church himself, entrepreneur Esther Dyson, linguist Steven Pinker, and academic and blogger Misha Angrist. Public profiles for the PGP 10 - including some fairly sensitive medical information - have been up on the PGP website for some time, but thus far there have been no genetic data attached to the profiles. That's set to change soon, so long as the participants don't suffer a last-minute case of cold feet and decide to keep their information out of the public domain.
Apparently the information being released to the PGP 10 today consists of around 20% of each volunteer's exome, a total of less than 1% of a complete genome sequence - but with the promise of much more to come. Ultimately, the PGP aims to provide complete genome sequences for all of its volunteers, which will become more and more feasible as the cost of DNA sequencing continues to plummet.
For genetic voyeurs, the identities associated with each of the public profiles (which are currently indicated by number alone) have been worked out via some internet sleuthing by Blaine Bettinger. Presumably the genetic data - when it's finally released - will be accessible via the same profiles.
Both MIT Technology Review and the NY Times have articles on the data release that are well worth a read.
There won't be any major medical breakthroughs from analysis of the PGP10 data, but this is a tremendous first step in the direction of personalised medicine. It's also an important experiment to see whether the noble open-access model of the PGP can survive contact with reality. As Church notes in the NY Times article: "We don't yet know the consequences of having one's genome out in the open. But it's worth exploring."
Anyone who's interested in getting their genome sequenced by the PGP - and sharing the resulting information with the world - should consider registering for inclusion in the next phase of the Project.
Reference:
http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2008/10/personal_genome_project_releas.php
The PGP is an audacious endeavour led by Harvard's George Church (recently profiled in Wired). The ultimate goal of the Project is to sequence the entire genomes of 100,000 volunteers, and release both genetic and medical data from those volunteers to the research community - and indeed to anyone else who wants to view them. The Project has drawn both acclaim and criticism from the genetics community, with much of the criticism being directed at its unusual concept of genetic privacy - essentially, the Project's leaders argue that the reality of modern genomics means that the concept of patient anonymity no longer applies.
As a first step the PGP has been releasing information from its first 10 volunteers. When it comes to the understanding of genetic information they're an impressively well-informed group, including Church himself, entrepreneur Esther Dyson, linguist Steven Pinker, and academic and blogger Misha Angrist. Public profiles for the PGP 10 - including some fairly sensitive medical information - have been up on the PGP website for some time, but thus far there have been no genetic data attached to the profiles. That's set to change soon, so long as the participants don't suffer a last-minute case of cold feet and decide to keep their information out of the public domain.
Apparently the information being released to the PGP 10 today consists of around 20% of each volunteer's exome, a total of less than 1% of a complete genome sequence - but with the promise of much more to come. Ultimately, the PGP aims to provide complete genome sequences for all of its volunteers, which will become more and more feasible as the cost of DNA sequencing continues to plummet.
For genetic voyeurs, the identities associated with each of the public profiles (which are currently indicated by number alone) have been worked out via some internet sleuthing by Blaine Bettinger. Presumably the genetic data - when it's finally released - will be accessible via the same profiles.
Both MIT Technology Review and the NY Times have articles on the data release that are well worth a read.
There won't be any major medical breakthroughs from analysis of the PGP10 data, but this is a tremendous first step in the direction of personalised medicine. It's also an important experiment to see whether the noble open-access model of the PGP can survive contact with reality. As Church notes in the NY Times article: "We don't yet know the consequences of having one's genome out in the open. But it's worth exploring."
Anyone who's interested in getting their genome sequenced by the PGP - and sharing the resulting information with the world - should consider registering for inclusion in the next phase of the Project.
Reference:
http://scienceblogs.com/geneticfuture/2008/10/personal_genome_project_releas.php
Journal of Commercial Biotechnology — October 2008
Journal of Commercial Biotechnology — October 2008
The July 2008 issue of the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology is now available. The links below will take you to the abstract for each paper:
Volume 14, Issue 4
Continuing education in biotechnologyYali Friedman
Open content textbooks: Educating the next generation of bioentrepreneurs in developing economiesArlen D Meyers, Donald J McCubbrey and Richard T Watson
Can compliance help marketing and business development?John Avellanet
Money for nothing? Risks in biopharmaceutical companies from the perspective of public financiersLaura Heinonen and Birgitta Sandberg
Got value? Determine it. Demonstrate it. Communicate it. Realise itMitch DeKoven, Elisabeth H Hazard, Erica Goldberg and Shibani Pokras
Value-driven project and portfolio management in the pharmaceutical industry: Drug discovery versus drug development – Commonalities and differences in portfolio management practiceKerstin M Bode-Greuel and Klaus J Nickisch
Legal and Regulatory Update
Intellectual Property and Biotechnology: Biological InventionsStefan M Miller
Commercializing Successful Biomedical TechnologiesArlen D Meyers
Enterprise for Life Scientists: Developing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the BiosciencesArlen D Meyers
Biotechnology and the LawEdward L Korwek
Welcome to Biotech NationJames Rogers
The Regulatory Challenge of BiotechnologyJohn Avellanet
Best Practices in Biotechnology Business DevelopmentHans-Erik Hamid Lydecker
Genetic Glass Ceilings: Transgenics for Crop BiodiversityDrew L Kershen
The July 2008 issue of the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology is now available. The links below will take you to the abstract for each paper:
Volume 14, Issue 4
Continuing education in biotechnologyYali Friedman
Open content textbooks: Educating the next generation of bioentrepreneurs in developing economiesArlen D Meyers, Donald J McCubbrey and Richard T Watson
Can compliance help marketing and business development?John Avellanet
Money for nothing? Risks in biopharmaceutical companies from the perspective of public financiersLaura Heinonen and Birgitta Sandberg
Got value? Determine it. Demonstrate it. Communicate it. Realise itMitch DeKoven, Elisabeth H Hazard, Erica Goldberg and Shibani Pokras
Value-driven project and portfolio management in the pharmaceutical industry: Drug discovery versus drug development – Commonalities and differences in portfolio management practiceKerstin M Bode-Greuel and Klaus J Nickisch
Legal and Regulatory Update
Intellectual Property and Biotechnology: Biological InventionsStefan M Miller
Commercializing Successful Biomedical TechnologiesArlen D Meyers
Enterprise for Life Scientists: Developing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the BiosciencesArlen D Meyers
Biotechnology and the LawEdward L Korwek
Welcome to Biotech NationJames Rogers
The Regulatory Challenge of BiotechnologyJohn Avellanet
Best Practices in Biotechnology Business DevelopmentHans-Erik Hamid Lydecker
Genetic Glass Ceilings: Transgenics for Crop BiodiversityDrew L Kershen
Gpr41 Receptor Molecule in Intestines, Target for Anti-Obesity Drugs?
Gpr41 Receptor Molecule in Intestines, Target for Anti-Obesity Drugs?
Scientists have identified a receptor molecule present in the intestinal wall called Gpr4, that, when activated by wastes of gut bacteria, controls the movement of food through the intestine, thus regulating nutrient absorption and subsequently, gain weight.
The researchers disrupted communication between the bacteria and the hosts in two ways: raising normal mice under germ-free conditions so they lacked the bacteria, and genetically engineering other mice to lack Gpr41 so they were unable to respond to the bacteria.In both cases, the mice weighed less and had a leaner build than their normal counterparts even though they all ate the same amount.The researchers also found that in mice without Gpr41, the intestines passed food more quickly. They hypothesized that one action of Gpr41 is to slow down the motion that propels food forward, so that more nutrients can be absorbed. Thus, if the receptor cannot be activated, food is expelled more quickly, and the animal gets less energy from it.The researchers suggest that the Gpr41 receptor may be a likely target for drugs that can fight a certain kind of obesity by slowing down the absorption of energy from the gut.
Scientists have identified a receptor molecule present in the intestinal wall called Gpr4, that, when activated by wastes of gut bacteria, controls the movement of food through the intestine, thus regulating nutrient absorption and subsequently, gain weight.
The researchers disrupted communication between the bacteria and the hosts in two ways: raising normal mice under germ-free conditions so they lacked the bacteria, and genetically engineering other mice to lack Gpr41 so they were unable to respond to the bacteria.In both cases, the mice weighed less and had a leaner build than their normal counterparts even though they all ate the same amount.The researchers also found that in mice without Gpr41, the intestines passed food more quickly. They hypothesized that one action of Gpr41 is to slow down the motion that propels food forward, so that more nutrients can be absorbed. Thus, if the receptor cannot be activated, food is expelled more quickly, and the animal gets less energy from it.The researchers suggest that the Gpr41 receptor may be a likely target for drugs that can fight a certain kind of obesity by slowing down the absorption of energy from the gut.
Monday, October 20, 2008
National Student Development Conference 2008
National Student Development Conference 2008 (NASDEC)
22 - 23 October 2008
Dewan Sultan Iskandar
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Skudai, Johor.
Follow the Link for more details.
http://seminar.spaceutm.edu.my/nasdec2008/
22 - 23 October 2008
Dewan Sultan Iskandar
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Skudai, Johor.
Follow the Link for more details.
http://seminar.spaceutm.edu.my/nasdec2008/
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2008
12-13 December 2008
Dewan Seminar Utama
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Further Information follow the link below
http://www.icstie.com/index.html
12-13 December 2008
Dewan Seminar Utama
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Further Information follow the link below
http://www.icstie.com/index.html
Engineered Cyanobacteria: New Source for Biofuels
Scientists have engineered a cyanobacteria to produce sugars which may be used as raw material for ethanol and designer fuels production.
Nobles made the new cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) by giving them a set of cellulose-making genes from a non-photosynthetic "vinegar" bacterium, Acetobacter xylinum, well known as a prolific cellulose producer.The new cyanobacteria produce a relatively pure, gel-like form of cellulose that can be broken down easily into glucose.Considering that the bacteria can be grown in production facilities on non-agricultural lands using salty water unsuitable for human consumption or crops, and that the sugars produced are more readily convertible to ethanol, the authors suggest that the bacteria may be a feasible alternative to using plant crops for biofuel production
Nobles made the new cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) by giving them a set of cellulose-making genes from a non-photosynthetic "vinegar" bacterium, Acetobacter xylinum, well known as a prolific cellulose producer.The new cyanobacteria produce a relatively pure, gel-like form of cellulose that can be broken down easily into glucose.Considering that the bacteria can be grown in production facilities on non-agricultural lands using salty water unsuitable for human consumption or crops, and that the sugars produced are more readily convertible to ethanol, the authors suggest that the bacteria may be a feasible alternative to using plant crops for biofuel production
BioASIA 2008
BioASIA 2008
25-27 November 2008
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
Bangkok, Thailand
Further Information click on this link
http://www.bioasiabangkok.com/ex-list.html
25-27 November 2008
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
Bangkok, Thailand
Further Information click on this link
http://www.bioasiabangkok.com/ex-list.html
Sunday, October 19, 2008
USM research park pulls in RM20m investments
New Straits Times, June 21, 2008
USM research park pulls in RM20m investments
By Marina Emmanuel
UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) has attracted RM20 million in capital investments from local companies which will operate at its new research park at Bukit Jambul on Penang Island.USM is set to ink memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with several companies tomorrow, which will include the government's investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) and Biotropics Malaysian Bhd.The sains@usm Bukit Jambul park will boast, among others, incubator laboratories, government-linked company research centres and those operated by multinational corporations, USM research and innovation division director Professor Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin said."The MOU with Biotropics (a company which is developing natural products) is for the setting up of a laboratory for standardisation of natural products for clinical trials, while BiotechCorp will be using the park to disperse nanotechnology to other universities in the country," he told Business Times.Zainul added that USM has also secured RM23 million worth of research commercialisation grants from the Malaysian Development Technology Corp, which will be used in part for start-up operations and pilot plants at the new park.In March this year, USM had purchased a 12.4ha plot at Bukit Jambul for RM59 million from IJM Properties Sdn Bhd.Zainul, who is set to head the development of the park, said that USM will set up a company to manage the research park, which will also boast a boutique hotel, convention and exhibition centre, performing arts centre and arts colony, along with retail space and apartments."We want to create an environment for local and international academia and businesses to interact and synergise," he said, adding that among the economic potentials of the park would be to foster innovation, technology transfer, commercialisation of technology, while serving as a springboard for new intellectual property creations.Zainul said while USM will seek public funding for some of the projects at the park, which will be carried out in three phases, other projects will be done via joint ventures.
USM research park pulls in RM20m investments
By Marina Emmanuel
UNIVERSITI Sains Malaysia (USM) has attracted RM20 million in capital investments from local companies which will operate at its new research park at Bukit Jambul on Penang Island.USM is set to ink memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with several companies tomorrow, which will include the government's investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) and Biotropics Malaysian Bhd.The sains@usm Bukit Jambul park will boast, among others, incubator laboratories, government-linked company research centres and those operated by multinational corporations, USM research and innovation division director Professor Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin said."The MOU with Biotropics (a company which is developing natural products) is for the setting up of a laboratory for standardisation of natural products for clinical trials, while BiotechCorp will be using the park to disperse nanotechnology to other universities in the country," he told Business Times.Zainul added that USM has also secured RM23 million worth of research commercialisation grants from the Malaysian Development Technology Corp, which will be used in part for start-up operations and pilot plants at the new park.In March this year, USM had purchased a 12.4ha plot at Bukit Jambul for RM59 million from IJM Properties Sdn Bhd.Zainul, who is set to head the development of the park, said that USM will set up a company to manage the research park, which will also boast a boutique hotel, convention and exhibition centre, performing arts centre and arts colony, along with retail space and apartments."We want to create an environment for local and international academia and businesses to interact and synergise," he said, adding that among the economic potentials of the park would be to foster innovation, technology transfer, commercialisation of technology, while serving as a springboard for new intellectual property creations.Zainul said while USM will seek public funding for some of the projects at the park, which will be carried out in three phases, other projects will be done via joint ventures.
USM Tandatangani Perjanjian Perkongsian Dengan BiotechCorp
Bernama, Julai 28, 2008
USM Tandatangani Perjanjian Perkongsian Dengan BiotechCorp
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Julai (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) menandatangani satu perjanjian perkongsian baru-baru ini dengan Perbadanan Bioteknologi Malaysia (BiotechCorp) ke arah penyelidikan dan pembangunan nanoteknologi tinggi. Mengikut perjanjian itu, seramai tiga penyelidik USM akan menjalani latihan selama 12 bulan di Peranchis untuk menggiatkan lagi R&D untuk industri bioteknologi Malaysia, demikian menurut BiotechCorp dalam satu kenyataan."USM telah dipilih sebagai rakan kongsi kami di dalam inisiatif ini sejajar dengan rekod prestasinya yang mantap dalam kerja penyelidikan secara bersama," kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif BiotechCorp, Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood."Kami gembira dapat memberikan komitmen kepada perjanjian ini memandangkan program pemindahan teknologi akan merangkumi maklumat teknikal, pengetahuan, teknik pengeluaran, data kejuruteraan, spesifikasi bahan dan maklumat proprietari utama secara komersil yang lain kepunyaan Nanobiotix S.A(NBTX) dari Peranchis," kata Naib Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.Pada 2007, BiotechCorp menandatangani perjanjian pemindahan teknologi dan pelesenan dengan NBTX, di mana mereka menguasai lesen eksklusif di seluruh dunia bagi platform nanoteknologi."Kerjasama dalam hal sebegini tidak dijalankan atas asas jangka pendek. Menyedari hakikat ini, USM akan memastikan dalam tempoh tidak lebih daripada 12 bulan selepas para penyelidik pulang, satu program yang sama akan dikendalikan bagi membolehkan penyelidik lain menguasai kemahiran dan pengetahuan yang dipindahkan lebih awal," kata Dzulkifli.Hasil latihan adalah bagi USM membangunkan dua aplikasi produk yang mempunyai nilai komersil yang tinggi minimum setahun bagi tempoh empat tahun menjadikan jumlahnya lapan aplikasi produk yang bernilai komersil tinggi dalam empat tahun.Sebagai pulangannya, kesemua hak harta intelek terhadap penambahbaikan, peningkatan dan inovasi yang dibangunkan sendiri oleh USM seharusnya akan menjadi hak milik USM.Pada Bio San Diego 2008 yang diadakan awal bulan ini, rakan kongsi antarabangsa BiotechCorp menekankan tentang beberapa tindakan utama yang penting yang perlu diambil bagi menyokong cita-cita Malaysia untuk menjadi hab bioteknologi global.Satu daripada tindakan utama yang dicadangkan ialah keperluan yang mendesak untuk mewujudkan satu program inovatif untuk mengembangkan dan memperoleh semula dengan cepat bakat dari Malaysia dalam sains hayat dan bioteknologi dan untuk meningkatkan inisiatif sektor pendidikan dan swasta.
USM Tandatangani Perjanjian Perkongsian Dengan BiotechCorp
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Julai (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) menandatangani satu perjanjian perkongsian baru-baru ini dengan Perbadanan Bioteknologi Malaysia (BiotechCorp) ke arah penyelidikan dan pembangunan nanoteknologi tinggi. Mengikut perjanjian itu, seramai tiga penyelidik USM akan menjalani latihan selama 12 bulan di Peranchis untuk menggiatkan lagi R&D untuk industri bioteknologi Malaysia, demikian menurut BiotechCorp dalam satu kenyataan."USM telah dipilih sebagai rakan kongsi kami di dalam inisiatif ini sejajar dengan rekod prestasinya yang mantap dalam kerja penyelidikan secara bersama," kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif BiotechCorp, Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood."Kami gembira dapat memberikan komitmen kepada perjanjian ini memandangkan program pemindahan teknologi akan merangkumi maklumat teknikal, pengetahuan, teknik pengeluaran, data kejuruteraan, spesifikasi bahan dan maklumat proprietari utama secara komersil yang lain kepunyaan Nanobiotix S.A(NBTX) dari Peranchis," kata Naib Canselor Universiti Sains Malaysia, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.Pada 2007, BiotechCorp menandatangani perjanjian pemindahan teknologi dan pelesenan dengan NBTX, di mana mereka menguasai lesen eksklusif di seluruh dunia bagi platform nanoteknologi."Kerjasama dalam hal sebegini tidak dijalankan atas asas jangka pendek. Menyedari hakikat ini, USM akan memastikan dalam tempoh tidak lebih daripada 12 bulan selepas para penyelidik pulang, satu program yang sama akan dikendalikan bagi membolehkan penyelidik lain menguasai kemahiran dan pengetahuan yang dipindahkan lebih awal," kata Dzulkifli.Hasil latihan adalah bagi USM membangunkan dua aplikasi produk yang mempunyai nilai komersil yang tinggi minimum setahun bagi tempoh empat tahun menjadikan jumlahnya lapan aplikasi produk yang bernilai komersil tinggi dalam empat tahun.Sebagai pulangannya, kesemua hak harta intelek terhadap penambahbaikan, peningkatan dan inovasi yang dibangunkan sendiri oleh USM seharusnya akan menjadi hak milik USM.Pada Bio San Diego 2008 yang diadakan awal bulan ini, rakan kongsi antarabangsa BiotechCorp menekankan tentang beberapa tindakan utama yang penting yang perlu diambil bagi menyokong cita-cita Malaysia untuk menjadi hab bioteknologi global.Satu daripada tindakan utama yang dicadangkan ialah keperluan yang mendesak untuk mewujudkan satu program inovatif untuk mengembangkan dan memperoleh semula dengan cepat bakat dari Malaysia dalam sains hayat dan bioteknologi dan untuk meningkatkan inisiatif sektor pendidikan dan swasta.
USM raih sepuluh pingat dalam Bio Malaysia 2008
PULAU PINANG, 13 Okt – Para penyelidik Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) meraih supuluh pingat termasuk satu emas dalam pertandingan penyelidikan Bio Malaysia 2008 yang berlangsung di Pusat Konvensyen Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.USM yang menghantar 10 produk dalam pertandiangan tersebut berjaya mencatatkan pencapaian seratus peratus memperoleh pingat dengan pungutan satu emas, lima perak dan empat gangsa.Produk emas USM yang dikategorikan dalam kelompok waste to wealth itu diberi nama Dimensi Baru dalam Teknologi Kitar Semula: Bioenzymatic Dienking , dibangunkan oleh pensyarah dari Pusat Pengajian (PP) Sains Biologi, Profesor Darah Ibrahim.Dua daripada lima perak diraih oleh penyelidik dari PP Sains Farmasi, Prof. Zhari Ismail (PP Sains Farmasi) dengan produk beliau iaitu NOBESITI: Piperamide Based Anty-Obesity Nutraceutical from Local Sources dan Prof Chan Kit Lam dengan produk Eurycomafeon for Potential Improvement of Male and Female Infertility.Selian itu, Prof. Madya Fauziah Ahmad (PP Kejuruteraan Sivil-Bio-Geomat for Erosion Control and Slope Protection), Prof. Abdul Latif Ahmad (PP Kejuruteraan Kimia- Nutrient from Mill Effluent via Innovative Technology) dan Shamsu Mohamad (PP Seni-Bio-Cera: An Innovative Ceramics Product) turut menyumbang perak.Empat pingat gangsa pula disumbang oleh Dr. Alexander Chong Shu-Chen (PP Sains Biologi), Prof. Madya Ishak Mat (Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju), Dr. Zainul Ahmad Rajiun (PP Sains Pergigian) dan Prof. Madya Noor Aziah Abdul Aziz (PP Teknologi Industri). Terahulu, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dalam ucapan perasmiannya berkata, Bio Malaysia yang masuk tahun ketiga dianjurkan sejak 2006 menjadi batu loncatan untuk Malaysia terus membangunkan industri bioteknologinya.Katanya, melalui program seumpama itu kita dapat mengukur tahap pencapaian yang berjaya dilaksanakan dalam membangunkan bidang bioteknologi negara termasuk dari aspek kejayaan awal, tahap-tahap peningkatan dan menetapkan strategi masa depan.``Tahap kualiti pembangunan dan penyelidikan serta kapasiti pengkormesialan di universiti-universiti perlu dipertingkatkan bagi membolehkan kita menarik pelaburan yang bukan hanya dari dalam negara, sebaliknya di peringkat global,’’ katanya. Perdana Menteri turut berharap, lebih banyak kejayaan dan penyelidikan bermutu dapat dibangunkan oleh cendekian universiti ke arah membangunkan bidang bioteknologi yang diyakini mampu menjana lebih pendapatan kepada negara.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
PERHATIAN DAN TINDAKAN
PERHATIAN DAN TINDAKAN !!!
KEPADA SELURUH PELAJAR PUSAT PENGAJIAN SAINS KAJIHAYAT
SEKIRANYA ANDA MEMERLUKAN BANTUAN ATAUPUN INGIN MENGEMUKAKAN SEBARANG CADANGAN, IDEA ATAU PENAMBAHBAIKAN UNTUK PUSAT PENGAJIAN SAINS KAJIHAYAT ANDA BOLEH MENGHUBUNGI NO. TEL. YANG BERIKUT :
BIO (NO. RASMI PERSATUAN) 019-4503925
Sdr. Allim (YDP BIO) 017-5032571
ANDA JUGA BOLEH MENGHUBUNGI AHLI JAWATANKUASA KEBAJIKAN SISWA MPPUSM
· JAWATANKUASA INI BERTUJUAN BAGI MEMBUAT BANCIAN MENGENAI KEMUDAHAN DI PUSAT PENGAJIAN KITA SERTA KEBAJIKAN PELAJAR YANG MASIH TIDAK TERBELA.
JIKA ADA SEBARANG MAKLUMAT DAN INGINKAN BANTUAN HUBUNGI KAMI PADA BILA-BILA MASA:
Sdr. Zabri (Ketua Biro Akademik) 016-4054024
Sdr. Syafiq (Ketua Biro Kerohanian) 017-2537992
Sdr. Saiful (MPPUSM- PPSKH) 017-9154290
PERSATUAN SAINS KAJIHAYAT DALAM USAHA UNTUK MEWUJUDKAN ALUMNI BIO
BAGI SESIAPA YANG MEMPUNYAI APA-APA MAKLUMAT MENGENAI ALUMNI BIO SILA HUBUNGI:
Sdr. Zabri (Ketua Biro Akademik) 016-4054024
ANDA BOLEH JUGA LAYARI LAMAN WEB www.biousm.webnode.com UNTUK SEBARANG KETERANGAN LANJUT ATAU E-MELKAN PADA usm_bio@yahoo.com
KAMI DI BARISAN PERSATUAN SAINS KAJIHAYAT MENGAMBIL KESEMPATAN INI UNTUK MENGUCAPKAN JUTAAN TAHNIAH KEPADA PARA PENYELIDIK USM YANG BERJAYA MERAIH PINGAT SEMASA BIOMALAYSIA 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
WELCOME
Welcome
This is the official blogsite for USM Biological Sciences Society
If you have any comments,suggestion or any enquiry you can make through this Blogsite or by e-mailing to us at usm_bio@yahoo.com . You can even SMS us at 019-4503925 (Official Number) .
Our society also have an official website at www.biousm.webnode.com
We always welcome any comment and suggestion to improve our society.
Thank You and a warm welcome to all the visitors of this blogsite.
Please leave a trail for us to track you back.
Thank you again and have a wonderful day.
This is the official blogsite for USM Biological Sciences Society
If you have any comments,suggestion or any enquiry you can make through this Blogsite or by e-mailing to us at usm_bio@yahoo.com . You can even SMS us at 019-4503925 (Official Number) .
Our society also have an official website at www.biousm.webnode.com
We always welcome any comment and suggestion to improve our society.
Thank You and a warm welcome to all the visitors of this blogsite.
Please leave a trail for us to track you back.
Thank you again and have a wonderful day.
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