饾悇饾惐饾惄饾惀饾惃饾惈饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悅饾悺饾悮饾惀饾惀饾悶饾惂饾悹饾悶饾惉 饾悮饾惂饾悵 饾悎饾惂饾惌饾悶饾悹饾惈饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惎饾悶 饾悞饾惃饾惀饾惍饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾惉 饾悽饾惂 饾悞饾悽饾惂饾悹饾惀饾悶-饾悅饾悶饾惀饾惀 饾悎饾惁饾惁饾惍饾惂饾惃饾惀饾惃饾悹饾惒

UMBI is pleased to share a recent review article by our researchers, led by Dr. Nor Adzimah Johdi, published in 饾懓饾拵饾拵饾挅饾拸饾拹饾拲饾拹饾拡饾拪饾拕 饾懝饾拞饾挃饾拞饾拏饾挀饾拕饾拤, examining current challenges and emerging approaches in immune cell annotation within single-cell studies.

饾悞饾悽饾惂饾悹饾惀饾悶-饾悳饾悶饾惀饾惀 饾悜饾悕饾悁 饾惉饾悶饾惇饾惍饾悶饾惂饾悳饾悽饾惂饾悹 (饾惉饾悳饾悜饾悕饾悁-饾惉饾悶饾惇) has significantly advanced immunology research by enabling high-resolution profiling of individual immune cells. However, accurately identifying immune cell populations remains complex, particularly when transcriptomic signals do not always correspond directly with protein expression. This review discusses how these biological and technical challenges can influence 饾悵饾悮饾惌饾悮 饾悽饾惂饾惌饾悶饾惈饾惄饾惈饾悶饾惌饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂 in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders.

The article provides an 饾惃饾惎饾悶饾惈饾惎饾悽饾悶饾惏 饾惃饾悷 饾悶饾惁饾悶饾惈饾悹饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾惁饾惍饾惀饾惌饾悽饾惁饾惃饾悵饾悮饾惀 饾惌饾悶饾悳饾悺饾惂饾惃饾惀饾惃饾悹饾悽饾悶饾惉, including CITE-seq and spatial transcriptomics, which combine transcriptomic, proteomic, and spatial information to support more reliable immune cell characterization. It also highlights 饾惈饾悶饾悳饾悶饾惂饾惌 饾悵饾悶饾惎饾悶饾惀饾惃饾惄饾惁饾悶饾惂饾惌饾惉 饾悽饾惂 饾悳饾惃饾惁饾惄饾惍饾惌饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾悮饾惀 饾悮饾惂饾悵 饾悰饾悽饾惃饾悽饾惂饾悷饾惃饾惈饾惁饾悮饾惌饾悽饾悳饾惉 饾悷饾惈饾悮饾惁饾悶饾惏饾惃饾惈饾悿饾惉 designed to improve the integration and interpretation of multi-omics datasets.

Why these matters?

Improving the accuracy of immune cell annotation is increasingly important for advancing precision medicine and translational research. More robust analytical approaches may contribute to better understanding of disease mechanisms, improved therapeutic stratification, and the identification of potential treatment targets.

This publication also reflects UMBI鈥檚 continued efforts to contribute to the broader scientific community through interdisciplinary research spanning immunology, genomics, and computational biology.

We invite colleagues and collaborators to explore the full review:

George, S., Johdi, N.A. Immune cell annotation in the single-cell studies: technologies, challenges, and integrative solutions. 饾懓饾拵饾拵饾挅饾拸饾拹饾拲 饾懝饾拞饾挃 饾煏饾煉, 46 (2026)

As single-cell and multi-omics technologies continue to evolve, integrative approaches such as these may help strengthen future research in immunology and precision health.

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#Research #SingleCell #Immunology #Multiomics #PrecisionMedicine #BiomedicalResearch #Bioinformatics #UMBI #集美麻豆 #Innovation

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 – Health/Wellbeing, Education, Quality of life

15 May 2026 | 饾悢饾悓饾悂饾悎 饾悜饾闷饾惉饾闷饾悮饾惈饾悳饾悺 饾悢饾惄饾悵饾悮饾惌饾悶 饾悞饾悶饾惈饾悽饾悶饾惉 饾悽饾惂 饾悓饾惃饾惀饾悶饾悳饾惍饾惀饾悮饾惈 饾悓饾悶饾悵饾悽饾悳饾悽饾惂饾悶 饾悕饾惃. 饾煆饾煇/饾煇饾煄饾煇饾煍, held earlier this morning, featured two dedicated UMBI postgraduate students who reached pivotal points in their academic journeys. Colleagues and supervisors came together to witness the 饾悷饾悽饾惂饾悮饾惀 饾惄饾惈饾悶饾惉饾悶饾惂饾惌饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾惉 of Muhammad Nafiz Haidi Adrus and Lim Chai Ling, both of whom have dedicated years to uncovering the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases.

饾悓饾惍饾悺饾悮饾惁饾惁饾悮饾悵 饾悕饾悮饾悷饾悽饾惓 饾悋饾悮饾悽饾悵饾悽 饾悁饾悵饾惈饾惍饾惉 (饾悓饾悞饾悳), under the supervision of Dr. Siti Aishah Sulaiman, presented his findings on “Elucidating the Roles of Long Non-Coding RNAs (LncRNAs) From Lipotoxic Hepatocyte-Extracellular Vesicles (Hep-EVs) in The Liver Fibrosis Formation.” His work sheds light on how cellular messengers contribute to liver scarring, offering potential new pathways for therapeutic intervention.

Following this, 饾悑饾悽饾惁 饾悅饾悺饾悮饾悽 饾悑饾悽饾惂饾悹 (饾悘饾悺饾悆) shared her doctoral research titled, “Delineating the Immunogenic Roles of FOLFOX-induced Extracellular Vesicles Via the Toll-like Receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) Pathway in Colorectal Cancer.” Supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadiah Abu, her study explores how cancer treatments influence immune signaling through extracellular vesicles, a crucial area for improving colorectal cancer outcomes.

We wish to acknowledge the immense dedication, late nights, and scientific rigor both Nafiz and Chai Ling have demonstrated. As they move forward, we wish them the very best of luck with their final thesis preparation and their upcoming viva voce. Congratulations on this impressive achievement!

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SDG 4 – Quality Education

饾悇饾惄饾悦饾悁饾悓: 饾悡饾悺饾闷 饾悊饾闷饾惂饾闷饾惌饾悽饾悳 饾悇饾惂饾悹饾悽饾惂饾闷 饾悆饾惈饾悽饾惎饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悇饾惉饾惃饾惄饾悺饾悮饾悹饾闷饾悮饾惀 饾悦饾悮饾惂饾悳饾闷饾惈 饾悁饾悹饾悹饾惈饾闷饾惉饾悽饾惃饾惂

UMBI is pleased to share a peer-reviewed publication led by Ts. Dr. Mohamad Aimanuddin Mohtar in PeerJ. The team explored the potential role of EpCAM in the development and progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESCA).

Key highlights from the study include:

• 饾悞饾惌饾惍饾悵饾惒 饾悈饾惃饾悳饾惍饾惉

Researchers investigated the role of the Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in esophageal adenocarcinoma by using a unique EpCAM-null cell line (FLO-1) to observe the direct effects of the protein without background interference.

• 饾悇饾惂饾悺饾悮饾惂饾悳饾闷饾悵 饾悁饾悹饾悹饾惈饾闷饾惉饾惉饾悽饾惎饾闷饾惂饾闷饾惉饾惉

The reintroduction of EpCAM into these cells significantly increased their pro-tumorigenic behaviors, including enhanced cell migration, adhesion, invasive capacity, and overall survival.

• 饾悡饾惈饾悮饾惂饾惉饾悳饾惈饾悽饾惄饾惌饾惃饾惁饾悽饾悳 饾悜饾闷饾惄饾惈饾惃饾悹饾惈饾悮饾惁饾惁饾悽饾惂饾悹

RNA sequencing revealed that EpCAM acts as a major genetic regulator, significantly altering the expression of 797 genes primarily linked to cell motility, adhesion, and transmembrane activity.

• 饾悓饾悽饾悳饾惈饾惃饾闷饾惂饾惎饾悽饾惈饾惃饾惂饾惁饾闷饾惂饾惌 饾悜饾闷饾惁饾惃饾悵饾闷饾惀饾悽饾惂饾悹

The study identified specific “hub genes,” notably COL1A1 and PXDN, which are upregulated by EpCAM to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM), effectively creating a supportive environment for the cancer to spread.

• 饾悦饾惀饾悽饾惂饾悽饾悳饾悮饾惀 饾悎饾惁饾惄饾惀饾悽饾悳饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾惉

By mapping this EpCAM signaling axis, the research positions EpCAM and its downstream ECM-remodeling effectors as critical therapeutic vulnerabilities and promising biomarkers for future targeted ESCA treatments.

At UMBI, we continue to support research efforts that contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer biology and its translation into meaningful clinical insights.

We invite colleagues and collaborators to explore the full study:

Mohtar MA et al., PeerJ (2026)

We hope this work contributes to ongoing efforts in understanding esophageal cancer and supports future studies aimed at improving patient outcomes.

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#Research #CancerBiology #CancerGenomics #TranslationalResearch #PrecisionMedicine #UMBI #集美麻豆 #BiomedicalScience

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 – Health/Wellbeing, Education, Quality of life

By: Dr. Lee Pey Yee & Ahmad Termidzi Mohd Azhar

Have you ever wondered what makes you unique? The answer lies in your DNA鈥攖he extraordinary blueprint made up of three billion letters that define how you grow, how you look, and how your body works.

DNA Day commemorates two landmark scientific achievements: the 饾悵饾悽饾惉饾悳饾惃饾惎饾悶饾惈饾惒 饾惃饾悷 饾惌饾悺饾悶 饾悆饾悕饾悁 饾悵饾惃饾惍饾悰饾惀饾悶 饾悺饾悶饾惀饾悽饾惐 饾惉饾惌饾惈饾惍饾悳饾惌饾惍饾惈饾悶 饾悰饾惒 饾悏饾悮饾惁饾悶饾惉 饾悥饾悮饾惌饾惉饾惃饾惂 饾悮饾惂饾悵 饾悈饾惈饾悮饾惂饾悳饾悽饾惉 饾悅饾惈饾悽饾悳饾悿 饾悽饾惂 饾煆饾煑饾煋饾煈, and the completion of the 饾悋饾惍饾惁饾悮饾惂 饾悊饾悶饾惂饾惃饾惁饾悶 饾悘饾惈饾惃饾悾饾悶饾悳饾惌 饾悽饾惂 饾煇饾煄饾煄饾煈. These breakthroughs have revolutionised our understanding of genes and opened new frontiers in biomedical research. The interesting part is that 饾悺饾惍饾惁饾悮饾惂饾惉 饾惉饾悺饾悮饾惈饾悶 饾惁饾惃饾惈饾悶 饾惌饾悺饾悮饾惂 饾煑饾煑% 饾惃饾悷 饾惌饾悺饾悶饾悽饾惈 饾悆饾悕饾悁, yet these minor variations within our genetic code that make each of us unique, be it in the way we look, or how we respond to the world around us.

Today, DNA plays a crucial role in modern medicine. It helps doctors make more precise decisions, enables scientists to better understand diseases, and allows individuals to explore their ancestry. Though small in size, this molecule has a profound impact on our lives.

饾悜饾闷饾惉饾闷饾悮饾惈饾悳饾悺 饾悋饾悽饾悹饾悺饾惀饾悽饾悹饾悺饾惌饾惉 饾悷饾惈饾惃饾惁 饾悢饾悓饾悂饾悎

UMBI continues to lead high-impact DNA research, translating genomic discoveries into practical healthcare solutions aligned with precision medicine and national priorities.

饾悦饾悮饾惂饾悳饾闷饾惈 饾悊饾悶饾惂饾惃饾惁饾悽饾悳饾惉

• UMBI leverages next-generation sequencing (NGS) and advanced bioinformatics to identify genetic drivers of cancer and treatment response. Current focus areas include biomarker discovery and druggable mutations to enable early detection and targeted therapies.

饾悕饾惃饾惂-饾悅饾惃饾惁饾惁饾惍饾惂饾悽饾悳饾悮饾悰饾惀饾悶 饾悆饾悽饾惉饾悶饾悮饾惉饾悶饾惉 (饾悕饾悅饾悆饾惉)

• Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenetic profiling, UMBI investigates genetic and environmental factors underlying chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with emphasis on population-specific risks.

饾悓饾悽饾悳饾惈饾惃饾悰饾悽饾惃饾惁饾悶 饾悜饾闷饾惉饾闷饾悮饾惈饾悳饾悺

• Research on the human microbiome is uncovering how microbial communities influence diseases, including cancer and metabolic conditions. These insights are driving the development of microbiome-based biomarkers and preventive strategies.

饾悘饾惃饾惄饾惍饾惀饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂-饾悂饾悮饾惉饾悶饾悵 饾悜饾闷饾惉饾闷饾悮饾惈饾悳饾悺

• The Malaysian Cohort Project is a large-scale population study involving over 100,000 participants, contributing to the development of a national-scale biobank and big data resource. This initiative integrates genomic, lifestyle, and environmental data to better understand disease patterns among Malaysians. Insights from this cohort support risk prediction, early detection, and the advancement of precision public health strategies tailored to Malaysia鈥檚 diverse population. [More on The Malaysian Cohort Project]

饾悡饾悺饾闷 饾悓饾悮饾惀饾悮饾惒饾惉饾悽饾悮饾惂 饾悘饾悮饾惂饾悹饾悶饾惂饾惃饾惁饾悶

• Building on whole-genome sequencing of 4,000 individuals from 56 Malaysian sub-ethnic groups, UMBI has developed and launched the Malaysian Pangenome to better capture the country鈥檚 genetic diversity. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy of genetic studies, enhance disease risk prediction, and ensure that precision medicine approaches are more inclusive and relevant to local populations.

This DNA Day, take a moment to appreciate the science within you鈥攕imple, powerful, and uniquely yours.

Happy DNA Day!

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 8 | SDG 16 | SDG 17 – Health/Wellbeing, Education, Quality of life, Global partnership.

24 April 2026 | Heartiest congratulations to Ms. Chia Yuh Chai as she successfully delivered her 饾悘饾悺饾悆 饾悈饾悽饾惂饾悮饾惀 饾悘饾惈饾悶饾惉饾悶饾惂饾惌饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂 at the 饾悢饾悓饾悂饾悎 饾悜饾闷饾惉饾闷饾悮饾惈饾悳饾悺 饾悢饾惄饾悵饾悮饾惌饾悶 饾悞饾悶饾惈饾悽饾悶饾惉 饾悽饾惂 饾悓饾惃饾惀饾悶饾悳饾惍饾惀饾悮饾惈 饾悓饾悶饾悵饾悽饾悳饾悽饾惂饾悶 饾悕饾惃.饾煆饾煆/饾煇饾煄饾煇饾煍 this morning.

Under the expert guidance of her supervisors, Ts. Dr. Mohamad Aimanuddin Mohtar, Ts. Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin and Dr. Muhammad Redha Abdullah Zawawi, Ms. Yuh Chai presented her sophisticated research titled, “饾悅饾悜饾悎饾悞饾悘饾悜-饾悂饾悮饾惉饾悶饾悵 饾悡饾悶饾悳饾悺饾惂饾惃饾惀饾惃饾悹饾悽饾悶饾惉 饾悷饾惃饾惈 饾惌饾悺饾悶 饾悎饾悵饾悶饾惂饾惌饾悽饾悷饾悽饾悳饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂 饾惃饾悷 饾悡饾惈饾悮饾惂饾惉饾悳饾惈饾悽饾惄饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾悮饾惀 饾悜饾悶饾悹饾惍饾惀饾悮饾惌饾惃饾惈饾惒 饾悇饾惀饾悶饾惁饾悶饾惂饾惌饾惉 饾悽饾惂 饾悆饾惈饾悽饾惎饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悁饾悊饾悜饾煇 饾悊饾悶饾惂饾悶 饾悗饾惎饾悶饾惈饾悶饾惐饾惄饾惈饾悶饾惉饾惉饾悽饾惃饾惂 饾悽饾惂 饾悂饾惈饾悶饾悮饾惉饾惌 饾悦饾悮饾惂饾悳饾闷饾惈.” Her work leverages cutting-edge gene-editing tools to unravel the complexities of breast cancer progression, offering vital insights into how specific genetic drivers can be identified and potentially targeted.

The session was enriched by the presence of esteemed industry experts who provided invaluable external perspectives and commentary. We were honored to host Dr. Ewa Choy (Head of Division – Genetic Engineering, Cryocord Sdn. Bhd.) and Dr. Chin Xiao-Teng (Technical Services Director, Impaco LTD). Their participation highlights the importance of bridging the gap between academic discovery and industrial application, ensuring that high-level research like Ms. Yuh Chai鈥檚 remains grounded in real-world clinical and biotechnological needs.

Ms. Yuh Chai鈥檚 journey toward this final presentation has been defined by international recognition and academic excellence. Recipient of the prestigious King’s Scholarship (Biasiswa Yang di-Pertuan Agong), her dedication to her field has earned her esteemed travel grants to South Korea, New Zealand, and France, where she represented UMBI-UKM and shared her findings on a global stage. These accolades are a testament to the caliber of her work and her commitment to advancing cancer research.

We would like to formally acknowledge Ms. Yuh Chai for her unwavering perseverance and the high standard of scholarship she has maintained throughout her candidature. As she moves into the final stages of her journey, we wish her the very best of luck with her final thesis preparation and her upcoming viva voce. We have no doubt she will continue to excel and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community.

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SDG 4 – Quality Education

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SDG 4 – Quality Education

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SDG 4 – Quality Education

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SDG 4 – Quality Education

11 Mac 2026 – Tahniah buat Khoo Tze Sean, Pelajar PhD di Institut Biologi Molekul Perubatan 集美麻豆 (UMBI) yang telah lulus Peperiksaan Lisan Tesis pada 11 Mac 2026听 dengan tajuk tesis 鈥�饾悇饾惀饾惍饾悳饾悽饾悵饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾惌饾悺饾悶 饾悓饾悶饾惌饾悺饾惒饾惀饾悮饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂 饾悮饾惂饾悵 饾悈饾惍饾惂饾悳饾惌饾悽饾惃饾惂饾悮饾惀 饾悅饾悺饾悮饾惂饾悹饾悶饾惉 饾悜饾悶饾惉饾惍饾惀饾惌饾悽饾惂饾悹 饾悷饾惈饾惃饾惁 饾悋饾惒饾惄饾悶饾惈饾悹饾惀饾惒饾悳饾悮饾悶饾惁饾悽饾悳-饾悎饾惂饾悵饾惍饾悳饾悶饾悵 饾悘饾惀饾惍饾惈饾悽饾惄饾惃饾惌饾悶饾惂饾惌 饾悞饾惌饾悶饾惁 饾悅饾悶饾惀饾惀饾惉 (饾悎饾悘饾悞饾悅) 饾悜饾闷饾惄饾惈饾惃饾悹饾惈饾悮饾惁饾惁饾悽饾惂饾悹鈥�.

Tahniah juga kepada barisan penyelia iaitu Profesor Madya Dr. Nor Azian Abd Murad, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penyeliaan dan Jawatankuasa Penyeliaan yang lain iaitu Profesor Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal.

(Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pemeriksa Siswazah dan Peperiksaan Lisan Kertas Bil.1/2026)

#perubatanjitu #precisionmedicine #siswazahUMBI

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SDG 4

SDG Keywords: Education | Innovation | Scientific Research