This program was held at T02 just now, with the hope to encourage students as early as in their 1st year to be involved and experience research at departmental level. There was a pitching slot for lecturers a.k.a researchers who wanted to offer UGRP projects suitable for the students. It was fun to pitch in along with the other colleagues, also as a refresher of what everyone’s research is currently about.

My apologies for exiting the program earlier yesterday as I was meeting a supplier. Any student interested in my slide or the projects I’m offering, please have a look at the slide below & further information on the projects (I’m offering 2 projects). Some information I didn’t give yesterday (as I thought we really only have 5 minutes!) is; my field is Plant Molecular Biology & Proteomics, you could have a look at my biography on the left side under Profile. I was previously working as a research officer at MPOB so to some of my students, when I teach it was different because I always relate it to my research experience. As I was from the industry, the culture in my lab is that “you give back” or “pay it forward”; I was trained to help others in research and the culture is the practice in my lab with my PG students always helping the juniors (PhD to Masters or PhD&Masters to FYP or interns). We have monthly meeting to update on everyone’s progress and also to catch up socially. If you would like to join my lab, email me 🙂

UGRP2019_ZR

Research Mentor Name: Dr Zaidah Rahmat

Availability: (Start date – End date)  May 2019 – April 2021

Research area (please select one):  * Cells and Molecular Biology

Project Title: Functional Gene and Protein Activities

Project Description: We are focusing on gene transcript and protein to find out the regulation of gene expression up to protein level. Numerous proteins with potential in various industries were uncovered from previous protein profiling of several medicinal plants. Hence, we adopt a backward approach to isolate the gene of the identified protein to enable our study and to ensure abundance of protein of interests via construction of fusion protein. The target proteins and genes are those of medicinal as well as industrial value.

Role: Isolation of gene via PCR, cloning of gene into intermediate vector, construction of fusion protein, protein purification and in vitro assays for analysis of bioactivities

Benefits: Hands on experience on molecular biology, protein work and basic bioinformatics beneficial for student’s FYP and future endeavor in research

Prerequisites (if any): None but should be willing to work with plant

Relevant URL (if applicable): https://people.utm.my/zaidahrahmat/

Contact: zaidahrahmat@utm.my