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.

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…

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.

Ms Melanocyte's Biggest Day!

17th August 2008 was marked down in Rozilawati's history (our research associate) since on that fateful day,she was blissfully wedded to her beau...Abg Boy. It was a beautiful ceremony and Dr Adibah had the opportunity to attend the kenduri..Don't worry K.Rozi,all of us will crash your kenduri at Abg Boy's side. Warmest and heartiest greetings from all of us in TCERG team. We are so happy for you k.Rozi! Doa dari kami, cepat2 dapat anak.

ICBWI

On the 5-6 August 2008, CEPP has successfully organized the 1st International Conference on Biotechnology for the Wellness Industry 2008. ICBWI was held in PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.

6 research associates from TCERG participated in the conference and concurrently competed in the poster competition: Rozi, Husna, Rohana, Atul, Madihah and Azura. This is our first trial ever and eventhough we didn't manage to grab any award, the experience itself was enriching enough. Our head of research team, Dr Adibah was also invited as a speaker.Her topic was 'The Return of Fermented Food'. Kudos to CEPP. Hoping to join this conference again in years to come.

2nd Malaysia Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine Scientific Meeting (2nd MTERMS)

On the 22nd to 23rd July 2008, the five of us attended the 2nd MTERMS.
Kudos to CEPP for sponsoring husna, ana, azura and madihah.

It was successfully organized by TESMA and HUKM,

held in Auditorium HUKM, Kuala Lumpur.

Participants and speakers from all over the world attended the conference.
For few of us, it was the first conference ever attended where the topics discussed were so related to our research background.
Among the topics discussed were stem cells therapies, bioreactors and biomaterials and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. A new division for regenerative medicine was introduced: herbal therapy in regenerative medicine.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Tissue Engineering Lab in HUKM.

Thanks to Mohd Adha who gladly briefed us throughout the tour.