December 3, 2014, by tvu

Faculty of Science – FRGS grant capture

We continue to register successes in external grant submissions. Congratulations to the following individuals on their FRGS grant capture:

Dr Suresh Kumar

Title: Distinct modulation of PPARs by conjugated linoleic acid isomers as safe substitute for conventional insulin sensitizers

Amount: RM 147,000.00

The proposed research will unleash the molecular dynamics of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a naturally occurring n-7 fatty acid in dairy and ruminant meat products on metabolic signalling cascades. A better understanding of molecular mechanisms of dietary fats (CLA) will certainly provide potential clues to overcome the current limitations of conventional therapeutics.

 

Dr New Siu Yee

Title: Novel Colorimetric & Fluorogenic Nanobiosensors for Telomerase Activity Detection

Amount: RM 143,200.00

The research would look into the use of telomerase on the addition of repetitive TTAGGG nucleotides onto the 3’-end of telomeres. While this enzyme is usually repressed or absent in normal cells, it is found to be over-expressed in >85% of human tumors. Hence, telomerase would serve as a valuable cancer biomarker. In this project, we are keen to develop novel, cheap and simple nano-sensors for telomerase activity detection. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) will be used as colorimetric and fluorogenic probes respectively.

 

Dr Chin Chiew Foan

Title: An investigation on the mechanism of somaclonal variation in micropropagated Vanilla planifolia Andrews using de novo transcriptome sequencing technology

Amount: RM142 000

The project will focus on the effects of stresses on somaclonal variation. This variation often causes off-type plantlets to be produced, which is not desirable in the mass production of stock plants for a commercial crop. We aim to use de novo transcriptomic sequencing technology to investigate the mechanisms of somaclonal variation at the cellular and molecular levels. Dr Jason Satel Title: Using state of the art behavioural and brain imaging techniques to develop novel methods of English language training for Malaysians Amount: RM 93,200 Description: Using event-related potentials – signals derived from brain activity using electrodes mounted on the scalp – we will neurally investigate the capabilities of multilingual adults to pay attention to different languages while they perform behavioural tasks of selective attention. We will present stimuli in both English and first languages to determine whether attention is equally distributed across different languages.

 

Dr Jason Satel

Title: Using state of the art behavioural and brain imaging techniques to develop novel methods of English language training for Malaysians

Amount: RM 93,200

Using event-related potentials – signals derived from brain activity using electrodes mounted on the scalp – we will neurally investigate the capabilities of multilingual adults to pay attention to different languages while they perform behavioural tasks of selective attention. We will present stimuli in both English and first languages to determine whether attention is equally distributed across different languages.

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