RESEARCH

RESEARCH WORK:

My research work revolves around finding the shortest route in producing fine chemicals (of chiral structures) using microbial organisms. These chemicals are important as chiral precursors and synthons to flavour compounds as well as drug productions. In the field of biocatalysis, microorganisms are genetically modified such that only target proteins are expressed for a specific biotransformation. However, in carrying out biotransformation, a number of techniques (designs of bioreactors) were used in order to get the optimum formation of the required products. The following list shows a number of research grants provided by the university as well as by the government bodies to carry out the particular research works.

ResearcherID: E-3626-2012

ORCiD: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8743-616X

ScopusID: 26536950000

Publons: https://publons.com/researcher/1374101/mohamad-uzir

RESEARCH GRANTS:

  1. Incentive Grant 2006

  2. Short Term Grant I (Completed): Production of Citronellol as an Artificial Flavour Using the Whole-Cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Design of a Continuous-Closed-Gas-Loop Bioreactor for Biotransformation (CCGLBB). Co-researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah Mat Don.

  3. Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) I (Completed): On the Microbial Membrane Diffusion during a Whole-Cell Biotransformation: Cellular Investigation of the Reaction-Diffusion Phenomena and Simulation of the Cell-Substrate Interaction in a Bioreactor System. Co-researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah Mat Don, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Zailani Abu Bakar and Assoc. Prof. W. J. N. Fernando.

  4. ScienceFund (MOSTI) I (Completed): A Coupled Enzyme-Catalysed Asymmetric Synthesis of Drug Precursors using a Novel Membrane Bioreactor for Biotransformation. Co-researcher: Prof. Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah Mat Don

  5. Short Term Grant II (Completed): A Stereospecific Biotransformation of Geraniol Forming Citronellol with the Whole-Cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Dynamic Modelling and Optimisation of the Reaction System. Co-researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mashitah Mat Don.

  6. Research University Grant (Completed): Enhancing the Biocatalytic Performance of Stereospecific Biotransformation of Geraniol into Citronellol using Genetically Engineered Baker’s Yeast Type-II, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Co-researcher: Dr. Rashidah Abd Rahim and Prof. Mohd Nazalan Mohd Najmuddin.

  7. Short Term Grant III (Completed): Development of a Novel Pervaporation Bioreactor for Yeast-Mediated Stereospecific Reduction of cis/trans-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-ol Racemic Mixture. Co-researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslee Othman and Prof. Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin.

  8. MTDC Project Team Member (Completed): S-Ibuprofen Production Pilot Plant. Main investigator: Prof. Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin, Co-researcher: Dr. Mohamad Hekarl Uzir and Prof. Subhash Bhatia.

  9. Long Term Research Grant Scheme, (LRGS-KPT) (Completed): Biofuel Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide Using Anaerobic Bacteria. Programme Head: Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Main investigator: Prof Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin, Co-researcher: Dr. Mohamad Hekarl Uzir

  10. Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, (FRGS-KPM) II (Completed): Quantification of the Reaction Mechanism Governing the Bi-Enzymatic Biotransformation of Baker’s Yeast-Mediated Asymmetric Reduction of Chiral Compounds. Main investigator: Dr. Mohamad Hekarl Uzir, Co-researcher: Professor Dr. Mohd Nazalan Mohd Najimuddin

  11. ScienceFund (MOSTI) II (Completed): Baker’s Yeast Mediated Reduction of Regio-Isomeric Chloro-Aldehyde Forming a Precursor for the Synthesis of (1R,2R)-Tapentadol (3-(1R,2R)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl phenol). Main investigator: Dr. Mohamad Hekarl Uzir, Co-researcher: Professor Dr. Azlina Harun@Kamaruddin

  12. Research University Grant (RUi): Biocatalytic Enhancement of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-mediated Bi-Enzymatic Biotransformation of Chiral Precursor for the Production of (1R,2R)-Tapentadol. Main investigator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Hekarl Uzir, Co-researchers: Professor Dr. Mohd Nazalan Mohd Najimudin and Professor Dato' Dr. Hasnah Osman