Thursday, September 25, 2008

its me...


Rozilawati binti Abdul Gaffar
26 years old
Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Bioprocess, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2005.
Job Title: Research Associate
Employer: Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Has been with this company for 2 years
What drives me in my work/research: I love knowledge; hence within my research capacity I can explore new things and excite the industry with my invention.
3 things I can’t live without: my mobile phone, my grayish car and fruits
Postgraduate study: I want to go further with my research, make it as high end cosmetic products with empirical scientific proven.

PART B: My background, my postgraduate study and current job

Choosing this area of research/postgraduate study:
I believe in power of knowledge. Choosing postgraduate is one part of knowledge exploration in deeply and doing cosmetic science engineering is to make people look beautiful in nature ways. I have considered my own interest to further in bioprocess engineering and strongly attracted by the facilities provided here. In future, I would like to have my own brand on the shelves and published my work for others benefit. I am hoping that I can change the justification of cosmetic especially from the local market to make it as high end products with guaranteed quality base on research and gives my consultation to peoples who need it.


My research/postgraduate study:
My research study is “Study of Anti-tyrosinase Activity on Cashew Leaves using Melanocytes”. This study is about to explore the potential of cashew leaves which is proved by other researcher contains highly antioxidant and maybe act as good anti-tyrosinase. The challenge of this study is to conduct the analysis using in vitro analysis which is using melanocytes. At the end of the study, the percentage of tyrosinase inhibition will be determined. I am eager to polish my research skills, interpreting and analysis data and the most to expand my knowledge and skills in tissue culture. Hopefully, my research work will be a bench mark or standard to identify the quality of lightening products.

The best bits:
The opportunity to meet people, to deal with different level of people, working under stress condition but not most of the time, developing my own network, gain new knowledge and the most learn every single skill in doing research.
Looking ahead/Life after postgraduate study:
I am planning to pursue doctorate after completed my master. I love research and management work, so that I am not planning to switch my job to another field. I want to build my reputation and being an established consultant in this area.

My advice:
Pursuing postgraduate studies is such good opportunities to learn new research skills. For who is doing master by research, this is the pathway to conquer the knowledge in our research area. Don’t be afraid for the challenge, just believe in your skills and capability.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Hi!


PART A: About me

Name: Rohana Binti Abu
Age: 25 years old
Qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Job Title: Research Associates
Employer: Department of Chemical Engineering (Bioprocess), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
What drives me in my work/research: My mom
3 things I can’t live without: My specs, my only car, my meow meow
Postgraduate study: Master of Engineering (Bioprocess)


PART B: My background, my postgraduate study and current job

Starting postgraduate studies:
My research project entitled ‘The effects of free fatty acids on insulin receptor sensitivity and glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes`. Well it was quite tricky when I first read about my project. Coz, frankly speaking, I have no biological knowledge and this project is based on that knowledge. Erm… quite scary, isn’t it? But yeah nothing is impossible as long as you know exactly what you want to do. So, I take this challenge. So here’s the beginning of my stories….

My research/postgraduate study:
High level of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) is known to induce insulin resistance and that insulin resistance is linked to type 2 diabetes. The increased level of these free fatty acids is due to the increased consumption of fats which consequently reduced the sensitivity of insulin receptor and thus affected the glucose regulation in cells. Is this really happening? or it’s just propaganda behind the claims… nah! This is what I want to prove…like detective ah ha!

The best bits:
Handling the cell is the best thing I have ever done. Thanks a lot to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Mohamad Roji Sarmidi (who first introduced me the project) and our head of research team, PM Dr. Fadzilah Adibah Abd. Majid for their kind supervision and continuous guidance and help. Thanks also to Ting Lee Yu, my senior, who taught me everything and my lab mates for their love and friendship (when I once nearly lost my ring!)

My work:
In vitro study is carried out to investigate the effects of free fatty acids on insulin receptor sensitivity and glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.


Looking ahead/Life after postgraduate study:

The animal cell culture certainly suited my interest. So, I want to explore more cell-based work. Besides, I’m looking for great efforts to cure all diseases that killing people especially breast cancer as far as I concerned and as far as I could. With that in mind, I would like to pursue a PhD in the related field. After that I want to move on to do an academic postdoctoral position and continue within the academic community with the idea of my own research.

My advice:
When you do something, do it with genuine heart. Then you’ll be happy.






Monday, September 22, 2008

Human Skin Fibroblast 1184- husna




Picture (R)- HSF 1184 after 1 day revival
Picture (L)- HSF 1184 at 100% confluent
I use human skin fibroblast 1184 in order to achieve my research objective to determine the
cytotoxicity of papain-based wound cleanser to the healthy cells around the wounded area. HSF 1184 will also be used in order to investigate the cleanser’s effectiveness in promoting wound regeneration based on in vitro wound assay.

Human skin fibroblast 1184 was purchased from European Collection of Cell Culture (ECACC). It was derived from human skin by none other than Dr C. Arlett from the MRC Cell Mutation Unit, University of Sussex.

I’ve handled HSF 1184 since 21st August 2008. Picture attached here shows the cells after 1 day revival. For the first revival, it took about 7 to 8 days for the cells to become 70-80% confluent. It was tricky at first since I wasn’t sure about the cells’ pattern. It took me a while to get used to the cells thus the experience was indeed priceless.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Getting to know me: husna(the-mom-to-be)


Part A : About me

Sh.Husna Ajlia bt Sayid Abdullah
24 years old
Bachelor in Chemical Engineering-Bioprocess
Research Associate
CEPP, UTM

What drives me in my research:

As the saying goes, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Strong curiosity has motivated me to carry out experimental procedure in order to explore, investigate, experience and learn the basic science of skin cells with which I hope will bring some good cause to mankind.

3 things I can’t live without:

my pink handbag, CCA 4837 and prenavit.

Postgraduate study:

I would love to have the opportunity to commercialize my product: papain-based wound cleanser but of course, extensive studies have to be performed first before any claim can be made.

Part B: My background, my research study, current job.

Choosing this area of research study:

It is an undeniable fact that women are obsessed about skin. A far cry from being vain about looks, I’m much more preoccupied with the basic study of skin cells, their needs and necessities, how to expand their growth, what is the inhibition factor and so forth, nevertheless the most important thing is how to exploit the cells for my research analysis!

My research.

Papain-based wound cleanser has been formulated using papain as the active ingredient during my undergraduate year. In vivo studies were carried out previously to determine the efficacy of the cleanser in aiding wound closure but only the preliminary part was done. Hence, extensive in vivo and in vitro studies are being and will be performed for my current research.

The best bits

The best part about my experiment is when I got the satisfying results accordingly to the designated research scopes. But all hopes are gone when my cells dies. Ha.Ha.

My work

In vitro proliferation assay
In vitro cytotoxicity study
In vitro wound assay

Looking ahead/ Life after postgraduate study

Of course, it will be all about my career and my beloved family. Not to be forgotten, the commercialization of papain-based wound cleanser.

My advice

This is the surah I turn to whenever I'm facing any difficulty with my life :

So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard. And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention. -- al-Insyirah 5-8

Story Telling...

Opening Ceremony..

Name: Mohd Iqram bin Fauzi

Age: 23 years young

Qualification: Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Bioprocess), University Teknologi Malaysia

Job Title: Research Associates

Employer: Department of Chemical Engineering (Bioprocess)


What drives me in my work/ research?

Dealing with bioreactor is still new in the industry these days. Frankly speaking, we still lack of Malaysian that hold a specialize title in bioreactor. Well, let me be the one that contribute to the development of bioreactor industry…hahahaha

To start with, the spirit to pursue my study came from my sister and lovely family… reaching the magnificent land of UTM….again…came the second booster when the rumors of handling cell culture is hard and fussy struck my ears….naah…now, with the experience I gain in 2 months time, I’m proud to say that it is not that difficult to handle cell culture with the success of productive cell growth and NO CONTAMINATION..!!! hahahaha..

Growing cells just like holding a long lasting relationship.. All u need is just good communication, patient, and crystal clear understanding about your partner (cell..i mean) .. hihihihi…

3 things I can’t live without: ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, FRIENDS

Post graduate study

I want to make use of my research to the world.. One World One Dream..!!


PART B

Choosing this area of research study

I love doing technical things...looking at the bioreactor with all the wire remind me of playing LEGO during my childhood..muahaha.... the best thing is…never think complicated until you try it..

My research

‘Production of Immunoglubulin G Antibody in Jacketed Stirr Tank Bioreactor’. The cell used to produce this antibody is PAP-7, a kind of hybridoma cells. We are trying to scale up the production of this antibody in stir tank type bioreactor. :) Thanks to Dr. Adibah for selecting the topic that suite with me..

The best bits

Actually, I don’t know yet...hihihi :)
As far as I know, the new discovery that I did with my friend, selecting the best healthy PAP-7 cell is to get it from the left-over inside the base of the flask.. the good one is attached to the flask, the bad one suspended all over the medium.

My work

In the early stage, I’ve been provided with the basic knowledge of cell culture, including handling cells with aseptic technique, cell counting, cryo-preserve cells, subculture and medium preparation. The best achievement so far is having my own PAP-7 growth curve…huhuhu..I’m looking forward to work with Stirr Tank Bioreactor in the next semester.

Looking ahead/ life after postgraduate study

I hope to continue my work at the doctoral level…if the fortune is not there, I’d love to work in the research and development area somewhere in this world where I can share the knowledge together..

My advice

'you are not born to be alone in this world'…thanks to all the senior sisters (since we have no senior brothers in TCERG)...for all the food especially, the knowledge, the laugh, the emotional moment that we shared together…seek knowledge from others, although if you are not destine to be together, they surely can give some inspiration to you…

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

New Member: Hassan the 2nd Suspect

PART A: About Me

Full Name: Hassan Fahmi Ismail

Age: 23 yo ( 14 February 1985)

Qualification: Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (Bioprocess)

Job Title: Research Associate

Employer: Bioprocess Engineering Department

What drives me in my research: My family, supervisor, & friends

3 things that I can’t live w/o: water, food, music

Postgraduate study: Production of Monoclonal Antibody using Wave Bioreactor


PART B: My background, My research study & My current job

Choosing this area of research study

Downstream process is the most crucial process in developing bioproduct such as monoclonal antibody. Its included treatment process, production and purification. Among these three, production part is the most important. By developing the optimum condition in this part, we can achieve high yield with minimum cost. So I’m trying to seek of this knowledge and apply it in my research.

My research all about

My research title is ‘Production of Monoclonal Antibody using Wave Bioreactor’. Basically It is a study on wave agitation effect in producing immunoglobulin antibody
(IgG) by hybridoma cells (PAP7). This research required many techniques and knowledge about tissue culture and bioreactor handling.

The best bits

This research means a lot to me. It tells me the need of patient, time sacrifice & scheduling and the important of knowledge. So I’m ready.

Looking ahead

I hope that I can contribute in developing biotechnology industry in Malaysia. Share my skills & knowledge with others. I’m also very excited to involve myself in doing research.

My advices

Doing anything that u want with everything u has. Learned it and share it. Then u will be someone.