Aurelie Sarah Mok Tsze Chung( Award Conferred 2 April 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Isolation, purification and characterisation of an antimicrobial compound produced by Burkholderia sp. from Batu Timbang, Sabah, Malaysia.’
The effective use of antibiotics is being compromised by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance( AMR). The search for new antibiotics remains thus an indispensable strategy to overcome AMR. A novel Burkholderia species was isolated from a pristine forest( Imbak Canyon Conservation Area) in Batu Timbang, Sabah( Malaysia). This strain demonstrated promising antibacterial activity against many bacterial pathogens, particularly against MDR gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii. This novel species possesses a high number of biosynthetic gene clusters including a supergene cluster. The antibacterial compound was purified and identified through various spectroscopic methods, and partially characterised. This novel isolated Burkholderia sp. strain seems to be a promising resource for therapeutic applications in the combat against AMR.
Tiffany Mei Quan Tan( Award Conferred 5 March 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Analysing Proteome Changes and Interactome Network to Elucidate the Cytotoxic Pathways of Cobra Venom Cytotoxin Exposure through Systems Biology Approach.’
This thesis is looking at the protein changes in human skin cells and breast cancer cells when they are exposed to cobra snake venom. Cobra snake venom is very dangerous and yet there is no effective antivenom specifically for it. By studying how this venom affects the cell, it adds to the understanding of its mechanisms and future endeavours of creating better antivenoms. Cells are treated with the venom before the proteins are extracted and sent for identification and quantification through Liquid chromatographymass spectrometry( LCMS) and subsequent proteomic analysis.
Supervisor: Dr Khai Khun Michelle Yap Associate Supervisor: Professor Iekhsan Othman Associate Supervisor: Dr Tan Ji Wei
Supervisor: Associate Professor Tan Ban Lee Joash Associate Supervisor: Dr Adzzie Shazleen Azman
Allimalar Sathiaseelan( Award Conferred 2 April 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Antibiofilm properties of anthocyanin fraction from blue pea flower( Clitoria ternatea) and betacyanin fraction from red dragon fruit( Hylocerus polyrhizus) against dental plaque formations.’
This study demonstrated that anthocyanins from butterfly pea flowers and betacyanins from red dragon fruit can effectively inhibit the formation and disrupt existing dental plaque caused by three harmful oral bacteria( Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans). For Streptococcus mutans, these natural compounds do this by targeting the way bacteria produce energy and build their protective walls, preventing them from sticking to teeth and creating the acidic environment that causes cavities. These natural compounds were also found to be safe for gum tissues, making them promising candidates for developing new, natural oral care products.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Choo Wee Sim Associate Supervisor: Dr Tan Hock Siew Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Keang Peng Song
64 GRA DUA TION C EREM ONY