Introduction

       This group includes researchers from the Plant biotechnology and Plant Molecular Genetics laboratory, University of Malaya and associated laboratories. The focus of the group is on the utilization of molecular approaches for plant improvement or enhancement. Focus projects of the group are in Plant virus nanobioparticle research, molecular pharming, marker assisted breeding and selection of selected crops, metabolic engineering for crops enhancement and molecular;plant –microbe interactions. The group has numerous national and international collaborative links.

Members

Principle researchers:           

• Professor Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman

• Professor Dr. Norzulaani Khalid

• Assoc Prof Dr Jennifer Ann Harikrishna

Associated Researchers:          

• Prof Dr Halijah Ibrahim

• Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohamed

• Prof Dr Shamala Devi

• Prof Dr Phang Siew Moi

• Prof Dr Vikineswary S

• Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar

• Prof Dr Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman

• Assoc Prof Dr Zulqarnain Mohamed

• Assoc Prof Dr Noorlidah Abdullah,

• Dr Siti Nursheena Mohd Zain

• Dr Chandran Somasundram

• Dr Adawiyah Shuib

• Dr Haniza Aminuddin

• Dr Sufian Anuar

Research Program

The research programs of the plant biotechnology and molecular biology group are based on the latest biotechnological approaches including the application of transgenic technologies for the creation of elite, novel or high value plants. The thrust areas of the research group is in research on molecular diversity of tropical plants and the fast growing area of molecular farming in particular for the production of pharmaceuticals .

Projects within this program include:

1. Research on micropropagation , polyploidization and genetic diversity of Ginger and Tumeric plants of medicinal importance.

2. Development of transformation systems for local banana cultivars (Mas dan Berangan)   for resistance to Panama disease

    and for early flowering.

3. Manipulation and characterization of plant viruses as novel epitope expression vectors

4. The production of heterologous proteins in transgenic plants focusing on the production of antibodies and novel peptides

5. Multi-approach Banana gene discovery program  using Microarray, differential display and related technologies

6. Biosafety and Risk Assessment Research for Transgenic Tropical crops.

7. Development of molecular markers for diversity analysis of tropical plants : Bananas, Gingers and Papaya

National & International Linkages

• Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) , Malaysia (National)

• Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (ABI), Malaysia (National)

• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia (National)

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia (National)

• Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology. (MINT), Malaysia (National)

• Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute (MARDI), Malaysia (National)

• Institute of Medical Research (IMR), Malaysia (National)

• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia (National)

• Sime Darby Technology Centre,  Malaysia (National)

• Malaysian Bio-industry Organization (M-BIO), Malaysia (National)

• Malaysian Tobacco Board, Malaysia (National)

• Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysia (National)

• Univeriti Teknologi MARA (Uitm), Malaysia (National)

• Ministry of Natural Resource and the Environment, (NRE), Malaysia (National)

• UNESCO Regional Network for Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology in Southeast Asia(International)

• University of Sydney, Australia (International)

• Unido South South Biosafety Network, UNIDO, 2006, (International)

• The Asian Biosafety Education Network (ABEN) (International)

• Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Development Programme (International)

• Chinese academy of Agricultural Sciences, (CAAS), Beijing (International)

• Oxford University, U.K (International)

• Bioversity International

• University of Tsukuba, Japan (International)

• Queensland University of Technology , Australia (International)

• The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego , USA (International)

• John Innes Institute of Plant Science Research U.K. (International)

• Leicester University , U.K. (International)

• University of Darby , U.K. (International)

• INIBAP, Montpelier (International)

• Scottish Crop Research Institute, Scotland (International)

Research

• Issues concerning bioethics, biosafety and women in science., 2008

• Novel Plant Virus epitope expression systems, 2008

• Molecular epidemiology of tropical plant viruses., 2008

• Plant genomics for novel gene discovery., 2008

• Transgenic plants for the production of novel biopharmaceuticals and proteins and for plant improvement., 2008

• Molecular markers for early idenfication of PRSV resistance, Principal Investigator(PI), 2008, IRPA

• Functional Genomic Studies on Chalcone Biosynthetic Pathways, Principal Investigator(PI), 2007-2009, MOSTI(Strategic grant MGI)

• xploitation of Genetic Diversity in the Geminivirus Naturally infecting Crops and Weeds for the Formulation of Novel Disease Management strategies, Principal Investigator(PI), 2008

• The study of chromosomal and genomic organization of Ty1-copia like retrotransposon sequences in Bananas and other tropical crops (Project Head), Principal Investigator(PI), 2008

• Use of in vitro technologies for banana improvement, Principal Investigator(PI), 2008

• Utilization of ESTs and Microarray Technology for Production of Fusarium-tolerant Banana Cultivars (Project Head), Principal Investigator(PI), 2008

• Development of Ornamental Banana Musa becarri and Musa coccinea Through Embryo Rescue Technique, Co-Investigator, 2007-2008, PJP

• Microalgal biodiversity of Antarctica & their response and adaptation to global climate Change., Co-Investigator, 2006-present

• Molecular Marker systems in plants and comparative plant genetics., Co-Investigator, 2008

• Expression of an anti-toxoplasmosis ScFv Antibody in Plant Cells for Veterinary and therapeutic use, Principal Investigator(PI), 2007-2009, MOSTI(E-science)

• Application of Novel Plant virus Vector Systems for the Production of Biopharmaceuticals and for vaccine delivery (Project Head), Principal Investigator(PI), 2003-2007, MOSTI top down (Pharmaceutical)

• Genetic improvement in chilli using transformation and hyrbridisation.(Top-Down Priority Research Grant IRPA) Co-Researchers:Prof  Dr Norzulaani Khalid, Dr Kamaludin Rashid, Dr Tan Chong Seng (MARDI)

•  Banana susceptibility and resistance to nematodes and Fusarium: Molecular characterization and Proteomic studies.Co-Investigator

• Analysis of Chloroplast expression of  EPO and NCDV in plant Cells.Principal Investigator(PI)

• Sime Darby Research Grants on Oil Palm. Principal Investigator(PI)

• Micro RNA  and Rice. Co-Investigator

• Purification and characterization of recombinant chalcone synthase.Co-Investigator

• Comparative proteomic analysis of genes expressed in banana roots in response to plant-parasitic nematode infestation.Co-Investigator

• Enhancement of karpain, an anti hypertension compound,  production as themain structural compound in Carica papaya via biotechnological approaches. (YAYASAN FELDA RESEARCH GRANT).Co Researchers: Dr Norzulaani Khalid, Prof Madya Dr Noorsaadah Abd Rahman, Prof Madya Rohana Yusof, Prof Madya Dr Rais Mustapha

• The study of chromosomal and genomic organization of Ty1-copia like retrotransposon sequences in Malaysian Banana (IRPA). Co-Researchers: Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman , Dr Tan Siang Hee (UPM)

• Production of antibodies from transgenic plants for disease resistance and pathogen diagnosis  (IRPA).Co-Researchers: Prof.  Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Prof Madya Dr Norzulaani Khalid Dr. Jenni  Harikrishna (UPM), Dr Tan Chong Seng (MARDI)

• Development and Application of Novel Plant Virus Vector Systems for Production of Biopharmaceuticals and for Vaccine Delivery. Top Down Grant NBD/MOSTI. Co-Researchers: Prof. Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Dr Noorsaadah Abdul Rahman, DrTan Siang Hee (UPM), Dr Tan Weng Siang (UPM)

• IAEA technical cooperation Grant on the improvement of Banana. Co-researchers : Prof. Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman,Prof Madya Dr Norzulaani Khalid,Dr Rusli Ibrahim (MINT)

• IPGRI  grant on Diversity analysis on the genus Zingiber and related genus Alpina in Malaysia using IRAP.Co researchers: Prof Halijah Ibrahim, Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman

Expert/Technical/Society Contributions

• Jawatankuasa pengimpotan Bahan organik, Jabatan Pertanian Malaysia , Expert Advisor, 2003-2005, (National)

• Science and Technology Management Training Course for Researchers in OIC, OIC/Academy Sciences Malaysia , Resource Person, 2005-present, (International)

• National Genetic Modification Advisory Council(GMAC), Ministry of Natural Resource and The Environment Malaysia , Expert Advisor, 2006-present, (National)

• National steering committee for Biotechnology), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia MOHE, Committee Member, 2006-present, (National)

• National commitee SME focal point under the 3rd Industrial Master plan) , SMIDEC, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia(MITI) , Committee Member, 2006-present, (National)

•  The second international meeting of academic institutions and organizations involved in biosafety education and training 16-18 April 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Secretariat of the Convention for Biological Diversity, Montreal Cananda, Resource Person, 2007-2007, (International)

• Biotechnology Agriciuture Expert Review Panel, Brain Gain Malaysia, Academy of Sciences Malaysia/MOSTI, Expert Advisor, 2008-present, (National)

• Academy of Sciences Malaysia Agricuture Biotechnology Task Force, Academy of Science Malaysia , Committee Member, 2006-present, (National)

• Working Group on Biosafety Risk Assessment and Management, Ministry of Natural Resource and the Environment, Chairman, 2008-present, (National)

• Facilitator in creative teaching workshop for Upper Secondary School Biology Teachers , Kuala Lumpur 2004 , (Country), 17-Jun-04 until 17-Jun-04

Intellectual Property

• Recombinant plant virus epitope expression construct and its use in the detection of Hepatitis B antibodies, Patent, PI200551172, 2005, (National)

• Recombinant Single Chain Fv Antibody and its use in the detection of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)., Patent, PI20051184, 2005, (National)

• A process for producing transgenic seaweeds by particle bombardment. , Patent, PI20050267;, 2005, (National)

• A process for producing transgenic seaweeds via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Patent Application No.; 25 January 2005. , Patent, PI20050268, 2005, (National)

• A banana streak virus (BSV) binding peptide , Patent, 2007, (National)

Awards

• ITEX GOLD Award. Product: OrchidShield viral protection solution. Dr. Jennifer Ann Harikrishna & Profesor Dr. Rofina Yasmin Binti Othman , Malaysian Invention and Design Society, 2008, (National)

• Gold Winner Award :OrchidShield Viral Protection Solution, Jennifer Ann Harikrishna, Rofina Yasmin Othman, Hee Teng Wei & Adriya Dzulkurnian, BioMalaysia 2008

• Gold Medal for Invention: A Process for Producing Transgenic seaweeds via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation. Phang Siew Moi,Gan Sook Yee Yeong Hui Yin, Rofina Yasmin Othman, Norzulaani Khalid, Asia Biotechnology Exhibition 2006 , (International)

• Silver Medal for Invention, Seoul International Invention Exhibition 2006, University Malaya Service excellence, University of Malaya, 2006.  (International)

• Silver Medal, A Safe, Efficient Method for Producing Vaccine Candidates Using Viruses fram Plant.  International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products 2005, (Geneva) 6 – 10 April 2005, Geneva, Switzerland (International)

• Chevening Award, British High Commision, 1990, (International)

Photo Gallery

Contact

Professor . Dr Rofina Yasmin Bt. Dato' Othman

Genetics and Molecular Division,

Institute of Biological Sciences (Genetics),

Faculty of Science,  University of Malaya,

50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: 603-79675837/6990/6993

Fax: 603-7967 5908/6991

Email:yasmin@um.edu.my

Webpage : yasminlab.um.edu.my