Update (18 October 2016): This position has now been filled.

MSc and PhD positions are now available on characterisations of marine microalgae associated with harmful algal bloom (HAB) in Malaysia. Applications are invited from candidates with good BSc (for MSc study), and MSc degree (for PhD study) in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Marine Biology, and related disciplines. Monthly allowance are provided (Malaysian only). Interested candidate may email me at firdausw@utm.my. Project details are provided below.

Title: Characterisation of Marine Microalgae Associated with Algal Bloom Events in Malaysian Waters

Researchers: Assoc. Prof. Datin Dr. Zaharah Ibrahim, Dr. Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir, Dr. Haryati Jamaluddin, FBME, UTM Skudai.

Dr. Shaza Eva Mohamad, MJIIT, UTM Kuala Lumpur.

Collaborators:

Prof. Dr. Mazlan Hashim (and his remote sensing team), Geoscience and Digital Earth Centre (INSTeG), UTM.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Maan (and her mathematics team), Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, UTM.

Dr. Batiah Mahadi (and her social science team), Faculty of Management, UTM.

Dr. Amin Pour (and his geology team), Geoscience and Digital Earth Centre (INSTeG), UTM.

Project Summary:

This study is an important sub-project of TRGS programme focusing on the verification of mathematical modelling developed by sub-project 4 (mathematics team) related to algal bloom events and the impacts of climate change on marine microalgae in Malaysian waters.

The physiology and chemical responses of marine microalgae changes according to the environmental impacts. The change in climate affects the ocean parameters, leading to more frequent algal blooms. Evidently, harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Malaysian waters were found to occur more frequently, with significant economic impacts on coastal aquaculture industries. Space-based satellite detection provides a platform for early warning system. However, models constructed based on the satellite data will have to be correlated with in situ measurements and laboratory experiments on the marine microalgae.

Thus, seawater samples will be collected and ocean parameters will be measured at the algal bloom locations. The samples will be brought back to the laboratory to further characterise the species present. Toxins levels in the microalgae will be identified and quantified. Mathematical models will be developed, based on satellite data and historical in situ data on algal bloom events in Malaysia. The models will be used to predict the location and time of next algal bloom events. At the predicted location and time, seawater samples will be collected together with measurements of parameters described above.

This research is expected to provide laboratory data to determine the accuracy of the developed mathematical model and to bridge the gap between observations and predictive understanding of algal blooms. Real data such as algal cell concentration, species and toxin levels and types will be utilised to validate the model to predict and forecast algal growth dynamics and HAB formation. Accurate forecasting of algal bloom events by specifically addressing algal dynamics as predictive tool will mitigate the impacts on human populations and ecosystems.

Specific Project Objectives:

1. To collect seawater samples at the marine microalgal bloom locations and measure the physical and chemical parameter.
2. To enumerate marine microalgal and identify algae species associated with the bloom event using molecular approach.
3. To determine the type and quantity of toxin present in the algal cells associated with the bloom.
4. To verify model equations of harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Update (18 October 2016): This position has now been filled.

One (1) MSc by full research position is currently available in my lab, on the biochemistry of heat shock protein 47. Application is welcomed from Malaysian candidate, with suitable background (good BSc degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or related). Monthly allowance will be provided. Please email me at firdausw@utm.my if interested.

PROJECT DETAILS

Project title: Binding Strength and pH-release Behaviour of Human Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47).

Main supervisor: Dr. Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, UTM.

Congratulations Nadia Hanis Hashim and Attahiru Abubakar on passing their MSc (mixed mode) viva examinations! Nadia was investigating anaerobic azo dye decolourisation, and its potential biohydrogen production ability, and Attahiru was working on biohydrogen producing bacteria from starch-containing industrial wastes. Well done!

A message from BiotechCorp to all students (UG and PG). Please join to know more about Bio-xcell and BiotechCorp. FBME students can refer to T02 Academic Office for more information and registration.

“Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) together with Industry Centre of Excellence (ICoE) Biotechnology Cluster and BioXcell Malaysia Sdn Bhd will jointly organize an event called PURPLE FIESTA @ BIOXCELL MALAYSIA 2015.

PURPLE FIESTA is another career campaign to promote and educate the stakeholders on bioeconomy careers in Malaysia. There are various colour codes exist in biotechnology industry which reflects the fields in the industry; such as white for industrial biotechnology, blue for marine biotechnology, green for agricultural biotechnology and red for biomedical. Shades of purple inspires intellectual thought and achievement, therefore we would like to feature purple as the colour for talent and education in the bioeconomy industry. This fiesta is to enlighten the people particularly the students, graduates and lecturers with the career prospects in the bioeconomy industry. It will be held on 12 & 13 December 2015 at Bio-Xcell Malaysia in Nusajaya, Johor. Bio-Xcell is Malaysia’s premier dedicated custom-built biotechnology park, a joint venture between BiotechCorp and UEM Sunrise Berhad.

At the PURPLE FIESTA, we will organize several workshops under the brand of Studio 777 (Studio Train The Trainers) focusing the educators, lecturers and career counselors. The workshop will feature session on Technology of Engagement to attract Gen-Y in the teaching delivery, Biotechnology Industry Updates by Senior Management of BiotechCorp, Bio-Xcell Tour and also Personal Grooming session.”

Our new paper on silver nanoparticle toxicity on environmental bacteria is now available online. It is published in the Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection (Elsevier). Read the article here.

Abstract

Background/Purposes

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are currently important in various industrial applications. However, the impact upon their release into the environment on the microorganisms remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-capped AgNPs synthesized in this lab on two bacterial strains isolated from the environment; Gram-negative Citrobacter sp. A1 and Gram-positive Enterococcus sp. C1.

Methods

PVP-capped AgNPs were synthesized by ultrasound-assisted chemical reduction. Characterization of the AgNPs involved UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Citrobacter sp. A1 and Enterococcus sp. C1 were exposed to varying concentrations of AgNPs and cell viability determined. Scanning electron microscopy was done to evaluate the morphological alteration on both species upon exposure to AgNPs at 1000 mg/L.

Results

AgNPs synthesized were spherical in shape with an average particle size of 15 nm. The AgNPs had different but prominent effects on either Citrobacter sp. A1 or Enterococcussp. C1. At 1000 mg/L AgNPs, Citrobacter sp. A1 retained viability for 6 h while Enterococcus sp. C1 only 3 h. Citrobacter sp. A1 appeared to be more resistant to AgNPs than Enterococcus sp. C1. The cell wall of both strains was found to be morphologically altered at that concentration.

Conclusions

Minute and spherical AgNPs significantly affected the viability of the two bacterial strains selected from the environment. Enterococcus sp. C1 was more vulnerable to AgNPs, probably due to its cell wall architecture and the absence of silver resistance-related genes.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Malaysia is inviting all undergraduate students in South East Asian region to submit their ideas to the ACS SEAGIC on water sustainability issues. There is not entry fee, and selected entries will be invited to attend the final round at UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia (with sponsored accommodation), for a chance to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges. Cash prizes, trophies and certificates await the best ideas!

Congratulations to all my 2014/2015 FYUP students on successfully defending their Final Year projects during the Biosciences and Medical Engineering Symposium 2015. They are Chan Xin Yi, Catherine Wong, Tan Sheng Hao and Naziha Abd Ghani. Well done guys!

Our paper on bioelectricity generation using POME in an MFC has been published in Bioresource Technology. Read the article here.

ABSTRACT

Congratulations to Naglea A. E. Lagehr on passing her Master of Science (Biotechnology) viva! She was working on detection and amplification of putative hydrogenase 3 operon in Citrobacter sp. L17. Well done!