MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COOPERATIVE CENTRE
Overview Mission Statement Priority Areas Research Projects Who's Who Links
Research Projects
NBD Top Down Projects
Molecular Techniques and Determination of Biomarkers for Diseases and Disease Susceptibility and Development of Appropriate Techniques for Diagnosis.
Project Number: 06-05-01-T001
Introduction:
In order to maximize the benefits of the state of the art developments in diagnostics for use in tropical countries there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers of diseases, procedure relevant biological, and develop appropriate rapid assays for use at the various levels of health care. These could most efficiently be addressed through the applications of molecular tools, biosensor, technology, and synthetic peptide and nucleotide technology.
Objectives:
To use molecular techniques and related tools to determine biomarkers for diseases and disease susceptibility for infectious and non-infectious diseases.
To use the knowledge acquired to design diagnostic tools and vaccine for improved management, control and surveillance of important diseases in Malaysia
Targets of the Project:
Cloning of some genes for the production of antigens which will be useful in rapid diagnosis or as vaccine candidates.
- Determination of important epitopes for vaccine design.
Determination of parameters of DNA vaccine application and administration in an animal model.
Studies on molecular markers in selected non-infectious diseases and cancers
Production of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant fusion proteins for use in the development of new diagnostic tests for selected parasitic diseases.
A new target was added to study the etiological agent of a new disease syndrome in Sarawak: encephalitis and cardiac dysfunction leading to death.
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Integration of Tumor, Host and Virus Factors in Growth and Progression of Malignant Lymphoma
Project Number: 26-02-03-0586
Introduction
Many viruses, in particular Human Herpes virus (HHV) are known to be associated with a large numbers of human diseases, including malignancies. In addition to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) being closely related to NPC, various subtypes of Malignant lymphomas, carcinomas of the stomach and salivary glands are also known to be associated
Objectives
Main objective: To determine the important factors controlling tumuor growth, progression and aggressiveness of the disease
To determine the frequency of EBV and variants in EBV associated lymphomas when compared to the control groups.
To study the tumour suppressor gene profile e.g. p53 and other oncogenes regulating cell profeliration and apoptosis: e.g. bcl-2, bcl-x, c-myc in the presence and absence of viral factors
To determine the cytokine expression e.g. IL 10 (CTL inhibiting cytokines), TGFb , cytotoxic T-cell profile and their interactions in the presence and absence of viral factors.
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MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH ON NIPAH VIRUS
(Research Proposal Submitted)
1. Sequencing and Analysis of the Nipah Genome
2. Proteomics of Nipah Virus
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Collaborating Institutions:
Universiti Putra Malaysia Institut Penyelidikan Haiwan Institute for Medical Research
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Introduction
Nipah virus was first discovered in the country during the outbreak of fatal encephalitis in Peninsular Malaysia, in 1998/1999. It has been identified as a member of the family Paramyxoviridae.
Since the development of effective methods for diagnosis, control and prevention require an accurate understanding of the molecular properties of the virus, there is an urgent need to obtain the genomic sequence and antigenic properties of the virus.
Objectives:
- To determine and characterize the antigenic proteins and virulence factors of Nipah virus
- To amplify, analyse and sequence the Nipah virus genes
- To clone the Nipah virus genes
- To establish the kinetic of Nipah virus protein expression
To establish and maintain a database for the antigen profiles of the Nipah virus proteins
To establish and maintain a database for the peptide mass fingerprint of the Nipah virus protein.