Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine

•
(lNFORMM) is a Higher Institution Centre of
Excellence (HiCoE) in "Diagnostics platform".
•
This mobility programme is supported by
experienced PhD qualified lecturers, skilled technical
support staff and friendly energetic student buddies INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE

(1 host buddy: 2 participants).

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The mobility@INFORMM programme focuses on
current topics in in-vitro diagnostics, advanced
MOBILITY
research technologies and cancer research.
Participants can choose to follow the educational
activities under 'Diagnostics & Advanced Research
Technologies' or 'Cancer Research' groups. Medium
@INFORMM
of communication is in English.
• PENANG
PROGRAMME
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This is an intensive, residential two week
programme. Students can choose ONE of the
following groups and TWO elective lectures* :
1) Diagnostic & Advanced Research Technology
• In-vitro Diagnostic Technologies
• Biological Marker Discovery
• Bioinformatics
• Antibody Engineering
• Immunotherapy
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Lectures will be informal and interactive. These will
be complemented by fun indoor or outdoor
hands-on activities. Sharing sessions on science
and culture provide a holistic experience.
This programme is suitable for undergraduates,
A-level international school students and science
enthusiasts interested in the biomedical-related
field .
Minimum number of participants :
15 persons per group
Malaysian per pax RM4,OOO.OO+
International per pax USD1,OOO.OO+
*Estimated fee shown includes hostel accommodation
and outdoor activities but does not include arrival
and departure travel costs.

Upon completion, a certificate will be awarded.

Participants will gain an overview of molecular
medicine, a range of laboratory skills and a unique
Malaysian cultural experience .

2) Cancer Research • Explore flora and fauna of tropical rainforest of

Malaysia such as Penang National Park, Entopia,
• Molecular Basis of Cancer
Royal Belum Forest etc.
• Cancer Diagnosis
• Cancer Therapy
• Translational Research
• Cancer Awareness and Prevention

* Please refer to INFORMM website for details of the

lecture topics, synopsis and elective courses.
Speaker Topic/ Code Synopsis
Dr. Oon Chern Ein B02: Blood vessels and The growth of new blood vessels is know n as
tumour networking angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is central to tumour
growth. Cells in the core of a tumour with a vo lume
greater than 2mm3 can trigger angiogenesis due to
lack of oxygen & nutrients. Ultimately. this
increases the supply of nutrients and 02 to the
tumour. thereby supporting tumour growth &
progression. Angiogenesis can also promote the
spread of tumour, a process known as metastasis.
The new blood vessels act as a passage for cancer
cells to travel to distant sites where the cancer cells
lodge to form a new secondary tumour. When the
blood supplies are disrupted, tumours may starve &
eventually die. This lecture will elaborate on how
blood vessels can be manipulated as a strategy to
shrink tumours.
Prof. Dr. Gurjeet 803: How is cancer Understand the role of a pathologist who examines
Kaur Chatar Singh diagnosed? biopsies & tissues that are removed surgically. This
talk wi ll enlighten you on the steps involved when
the tissue is received at the pathology laboratory
and how the pathologist arrives at a diagnosis.
Dr. Ong Ming Thong B04: Translational This lecture will examine the steps from benchside
Cancer Research - An (research) to bedside (clinical) in cancer research.
Introduction The general process of translating cancer research
findings into clinical treatment options, drug
development and diagnostic tools, as wel l as
bringing clinical difficulties back to the research
bench for further development will be introduced.
Dr. Lai Ngit Shin B05: Chemical biology Target validation is a crucial element of drug
ofc;mcer discovery. Chemical biology strategies are essential
for robust target validation by using chemical tools
& other chemical biology approaches to target
validation in ca ncer.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. B06: Green therapy for Medicinal plants have been used for thera peutics
Sasidharan cancer treatment purposes since the beginning of human history &
are the blueprint of most modern medicine. Most
chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment are
molecules identified and isolated from plants or
their synthetic derivatives. Thi s lecture will focuson
the importance of ancient herbal remedies towards
the development of green therapy.
Dr. Chew Ai Lan B07: Diet and Cancer A healthy diet is an important preventive action
Prevention that may safegua rd one's health & reduce the risk of
cancer. Many dietary choices have long been
studied to find out if they increase cancer risk or can
help prevent cancer. These include dietary
constituents (including 'energy & related factors·,
notably physical activity), foods & drinks, food
processing (production, preservation, processing,
Assoc. Prof. Dr.
Khoo Boon Yin
B08: Cancer science
education
and preparation) and micronutrients.
Cancer science education is a professional
development course to encourage innovation and
promote creative approaches in cancer science
learning. The tal k will cover the history of cancer
science education, describe the process of creative
science learning and introduce the learning
resources.
Dr. Daruliza Kernain B09: The Danger of We are exposed to the chemicals from personal
MohdAzman Cancer Causing care products when we breathe them in via sprays
Agents in Personal & powders, when we swallow them by getting them
Care Products on our lips & when we absorb them through our skin
and mucous membranes. Many of the chemicals
used in personal care products are cancer-causing
& endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors, such
as BPA, pesticides & phthalates, mimic oestrogen &
interfere with the body's hormone & cell signalling
system. This can cause adverse developmental,
reproductive, neurological & immune effects. This
lecture covers on how chemicals present in the
daily care products could interfere wi th the normal
physiological function in the body thus lead to the
cancer deve lopment.
Speaker Topic/Code Synopsis
Dr. Lai Ngit Shin EOl: Safety in The laboratory environment can be a
Laboratory place to work. Laboratory usersare exposed
numerous potential hazards including chemical.
biological, physical and radioactive hazards, as well
as musculoskeletal stresses.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. E02: Biosafety and Biosafety is complementary to biosecurity, and
Venugopal Biosecurity refers to the implementation of laboratory
Balakrishna n practices and procedures, specific construction
features of laboratory facilities, safety equipment,
and appropriate occupational health programs
when worki ng with potentially infectious
microorganisms and other biological hazards.
These measures are designed to reduce the
exposure of laboratory personnel, the public,
agriculture, and the environment to potentially
infectious agents and other biological hazards.
Dr. Leow Chiuan E03: How to boost What can improve your mood, boost your ability to
Herng your immune system fend off infection, and lower your risk for heart
disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon
cancer? I wi ll share with you all the secret tips to
boost you r immune system.
, IBM UNIV8ISI11
SAllIS
MAlAYSIA
Dr Japareng Lalung E04: Antarctic In 2015-2016, Dr. Japareng Lalung went to Signy
(School of Industrial research : experience, Island, a British Antarctic Territory with the British
Technology) expectations, and Antarctic Survey team to evaluate the impact of
opportunities! climate change towards algal diversity at the Island.
This talk is about his journey to the south. He will
also reveal the opportunities to go to Antarctica
and the possibility to apply for a research grant and
fellowship to conduct an Antarctic research.
MOBILITY
Dr Yeoh Kah Kheng E05: i-Hour EQ Mindfulness means paying attention to what's
(School of Mindfulness happening in the present moment in the mind, body
Chemical Science) Workshop and external environment, with an attitude of
curiosity and kindness. An ancient wisdom practice
supported by modern neuroscience. Mindfulness
@INFORMM
has been considered as a new 'Superpower' to
equip everyone to adapt to high degree of
complexity in today workplace. Elite business
schools such as Harvard. Stanford, and MIT have
turned to Mindfulness to achieve excellence for
developing the next generation of leaders. Industry
PENANG
giants including Google, SAP and Intel are among
the many companies that offer structured
programs of Mindfulness to promote work
performance and wellbeing. Google has its own
in-house Mindfulness Based Emotional Intelligence
training program namely, Search Inside Yourself
(S lY) that has been highly appraised by its
employees.
PROGRAMME
 Speaker Topic/Code Synopsis
Dr. Lim Thea m Soon A06: Antibody phage Antibodies are useful proteins for biomedical
INFORMM started as a multi-disciplinary cluster-based research Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday display applications. There are several methods to produce
program spearheaded by eleven main re sea rchers from the Schools of monoclonal antibodies. However, phage disp lay
Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Health Sciences and MITD (Medical Arrival provides an easy alternative in compa rison to the
Innova tion and Technology Development Unit) located atthe USM Health conventional hybridoma method. Antibody phage
Orientation - Lecture 1 Hand-on - Lecture 4 - Lecture 6 Homestayor Homestay or display allows the gene ration of recombinant
Campus in Kelantan. - Ice breaking - Lecture 2 - Lecture S - Lecture 7 Team Bui lding Team Building
- Campus tour - Lecture 3 - Elective 1 - Culture2
antibody formats which can be easily manipulated
Programme Programme
- Culture 1 and engineered. The application of phage display
After a rigorous process, the Institute f or Research in Molecular Medicine derivedantibodies has successfully been reported
(lNFORMM ) was established in 2003 follow ing a f orma lized recognition for various biomedical applicat ions.
accorded by the Univers ity and the Ministry of Higher Education. This - LectureS Final Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Depart home
- Ledure 9 Presentation
was also the first time in the history of USM that an institute was formed Dr Leow Chiuan AD?: Exploration of Single domain antibodies (sdAb) are recognized as
- Elective 2 -Heritage tour
"bottom -up" through the efforts of a group of resea rchers. As a fully Hern g natural single domain the smallest natura l antigen-binding units of
antibodies antibodies, consisting either only of one va ri able
fledged re search institute, INFORMM moved into its building in Kelantan
domain or one engineered constant domain that
in 2003, and at this time, the Penang branch was set up at the Eureka solely facilitates target binding. Because of their
Complex, USM. PROGRAMME LECTURERS 6 SYNOPSIS high affinity and specificity as w ell asstability. small
size and benefi t of multiple re-formatting
In December 2007, the Penang team moved to its own new building. From opportunities, these molecules have become
the initial members of the loose research clu ster, INFORMM now boasts promising candidates for biomedical
applications,as some of these entities have already
of full-time lecturers w ith PhD qualifications. Currently, the main
been proven to be successful in cl inical trails.
research clusters at INFORMM are 'Diagnostics for Infectiou s Diseases',
Speaker Topic/Code Synopsis
'Adva nced Research Technol ogies' and 'Cancer Research'. Dr. Choong Yee Siew ADS: Molecular Powerful techniques in molecular biology, X-ray
Dr. Eu gene Ong A01: Gene cloning and Th is int roductory lecture will cover the basics of modelling in biological crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance
The multidi sciplin ary character of the institution has been maintained Boon Beng recombinant protein gene cloning techniques, types of plasm ids and research spectroscopy have led to high resolution of
and is reflected through the staff development plan of its younger expression fusion tags for the expression of the protein of biomolecules' three-dimensional structures.
interest. and the selection of appropriate hosts for However, due to the limitation of the experimental
members, who have been trained in the latest techniques in
the expression of recombinant proteins. Protein meth ods, molecular modelling approaches have
biotechnology and molecular biology, ranging from recombinant antibody been applied to elucidate structures of
purification methods will also be briefly covered.
development, protein expression and characterization, in-silico biomolecules. In addition, advances made in
modelling, biomarker discovery, proteomics and nano-biotechnology. Dr. Mervyn Liew A02: An Introduction Recombinant proteins are currently utilised for a compu tational resources have also enabled the
Wing On to Recombinant myriad of biomedical and biotechnological dynamics and the interactions of biomolecules to
Protein Exp ression and applicat ions. However, researchers newto thi s area be modelled. The structural analysis could provide
Purification might find themselves confounded by the vast array insight into a structure-fu nction relationship, the
of choices available for protein expression and design of new in hibitors/ binders, as well as the
purification. Therefo re, the aim of this session is to modelling of a biological system. Th is lecture will
provide a brief introduct ion to advantages and provide the overview of the concept of molecula r
disadvantages associated with protein expression modelling approaches and the challenges in
hosts and unit operations involved in protein molecular modelling.
isolation.
Dr. Tye Gee Jun A09: I ntroduction to Immunotherapy is the use of substances to induce
The Mobility@INFORMM Penang programme focu ses on the current
Dr. Norsyahida A03: Tran slation of Parasitic diseases accou nt for roughly 90% of global Immunotherapy the patient's own immunological system to combat
topics of the ce llular and molecular basis of diseases, latest advanced Arifin human strongyloidiasis disease burden, many of which affect the poorest in diseases. CUrrent advances in Immunothe rapy has
resea rch technologies and in-vitro diagnostic test development. This diagnostic bioma rkers developing and third wo rld countries. led to the capability of generating speci fi cally
programme seeks to empower participants by providing a basic towards product Strongyloidiasis, in particular~ is considered the targeted responses towards a ce rta in disease and
understanding of the fi eld of molecular med icine through lei sure and development most neglected of the neglected parasitic diseases has garnered a lot of traction on the international
flexible type of lectures and hands-on experience in research in the due to the major challenges presented in detecting medical research society. In t hi s talk, we will
the infection and the complex diagnostic methods. introduce the basis of Immunotherapy and discuss
biomedical field.
Th is lecture w ill highligh t t he diagnostic biomarker the types of immunotherapies in used in the clinic.
discovery of huma n strongyloidiasis and its
Participants can choose to foll ow the educational activities under translation towards product development for
'Diagnostics and Advanced Research Technologies' or 'Cancer research' improved diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis.
groups. Medium of communication is in English. Upon completion, a
certificate of participation will be awarded by INFORMM, Universiti Sains Prof. Dr. Rahmah A04: In-vitro Th is lecture will describe the journey taken from
Noordin diagnostic test: from the initial research ideas, the discovery process,
Malaysia.
the bench to t he test development & evaluation/validation and
people com mercializat ion of a lateral fl ow rapid test for Speaker Topic/Code Synopsis
Programme Objectives lymphatic fi lariasis. Brugia Rapid, that is recogn ised
Upon completion of this programme, participants will be introduced to : by the World Health Organization (WHO). Assoc. Prof. Dr. B01: Molecular Molecular oncology is the identification of genes
Ven ugopal oncology that are involved in the development of cancer. The
• The vari ous fi elds of molecu lar medicine including biomarker discovery, Dr. Nurulhasanah ADS: Proteomics Proteomics technologies are powerfu l tools to Balakrishnan scientist combi nes diverse techniques ranging from
Othman technologies for discover biological markers that can be further genomics, computational biology. tumourimaging,
development of in-vitro diagnostics, cancer biology and advanced
biological marker used for disease diagnosis as well as vaccine and in vitro and in vivo functional models to study
resea rch platforms. discovery drug development. The mainstream technology biological and clinical phenotypes. The proteins
utilises mass spectrometry. At INFORMM the produced by these genes may serve as targets for
• Basic laboratory techniques in molecular medicine using state-of-the-art non-gel based proteomics wo rkfl ow is established novel chemothe rapy drugs and other cancer
fa cilities at INFORMM for protein identifi cation and quantitation using treatments, or imaging scans. A range of techniques
LC-MA LDI-TOFfTO F. are used to validate the role of the novel candidate
genes in the development of cancer. The ultimate
• Malaysian cultural and outdoor experiences
aim is to translate these fi ndings into improved
treatment options for cancer patients.