Postgraduates

doctor of philosophy (PhD) students

ahmad asnawi mus

Thesis title, 2018

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

Phalaenopsis bellina, or commonly known as “Lundu orchid” or “Norma orchid” is an orchid endemic to Borneo, whereby the word Bellina is derived from a latin word Bella which means of beauty of lovely . It emit strong-sweet fragrance with a hint of lemony and citrousy odours. Major volatile compounds in flowers that are responsible for floral scents are divided into three different groups, which are terpenoid, phenylpropanoid and fatty acids derivatives. Among the floral volatile classes, terpenoid is the largest class of floral volatiles. Terpene synthase plays a major role in synthesis of diverse groups of terpenoids. This is achieved by using geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) from MEP pathway or farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) in MVA pathway as precursors. Terpene synthase functions as catalyst by tranforming GPP into monoterpenes in plastids (membrane-bound organelles in cells) and FPP into sesquiterpenes in cytosol. Due to the importance of terpene synthase in terpenoid biosynthesis, terpene synthase isolation and characterisation has been conducted from orchid and other plant species such as Vanda mimi palmer, cotton and thyme. To our knowledge, no isolation of terpene synthase gene has been conducted from P. bellina flower. Therefore, this study will focus on profiling the volatile organic compound exists with GC-MS. The new terpene synthase gene responsible for the aroma profiled with GC-MS/O will also be isolated from P. bellina. The resulting gene will be inserted into suitable cloning and expression vector, and transformed fitting E. coli strain for expression of terpene synthase protein. The expressed protein could provide potential for commercialisation in nutraceuticals or perfumery. This brings to the research objective:
1) To determine the aromatic compounds from P. bellina flower using GC-MS/Olfactometry.2) To isolate and clone the cDNAs of terpene synthase aroma-related gene.3) To study the functional characterisation of terpene synthase candidate gene in E. coli.

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jualang, Dr. Nor Azizun Rusdi & PM Dr. Vijay Kumar

Illy azzedine

Thesis title, 2020

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

Master of Science (msc.) students

nurul najwa

Thesis title, 2017

Status: Thesis writing

Research Summary

This study aim to cover the endemic orchid conservation in Sabah through plant tissue culture technique including flower development, seed germination, proliferation and development of plantlet, callus induction and also histology study by using different types of explant, plant growth regulator, complex additive and also basal media. The focus species of this study is Renanthera bella J. J. Wood which one of endemic orchid in Sabah that currently listed in Appendix I in Convention of International Trade of Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Supervisor: Dr. Nor Azizun Rusdi

Chang zi yuan

Thesis title, 2017

Status: Awaiting graduation, post-viva

Research Summary

My study is to investigate the phylgeoraphy of the land snail Geotrochus and Trochomorpha in Sabah. First it is aimed to confirm their taxonomy status. Second, it is to estimate and explain their distribution pattern in Sabah in order to seek how the future climate change will influence them.

Supervisor: Dr. Liew Thor Seng

ibrahem wasti

Thesis title, 2017

Status: Awaiting graduation, post-viva

Research Summary

Caves are unique ecosystems that are underexplored in Borneo with regard to its microorganisms, especially the role of fungi. Distinct from the external environment, caves are dark, relatively cool, humid, and nutrient-limited by nature. Fungi are some of the most dominant organisms in caves due to the high rate of spore dissemination, colonization capability in various substrates, and tolerance to a wide range of pH values. It is estimated that only 3-8% of all fungi have been identified and described and that an overwhelming majority of extant fungi are yet to be discovered. Mycoses are rapidly becoming one of the leading threats to wildlife as numerous epidemics have been reported all over the world, including in tropical regions due to its warm and humid climates, e.g. Histoplasmosis, White-Nose Syndrome, Chytridiomycosis, and Snake-Fungal Disease. While there are no recorded cases of these deleterious fungi in Sabah, research on microfungi in this region is extremely scant. Cave fungi have been isolated from many substrates and reservoirs, including sediment, wall, speleothem, guano, water, air, and various fauna. For our study, we took a look at how fungal diversity and abundance varies between different substrates within caves, e.g. speleothem, bat guano, cavern water, and dead arthropods. We also compared the differences in the mycoflora of anthropogenically active caves and non-active caves. Finally, we analyzed whether distance from the cave entrances and various light zones within the caves affected fungal composition of the various substrates. A combination of morphological characterization and single-gene (ITS) molecular analysis were utilized for identification and phylogenetic relationship determination.

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

Muhamad hafiz syukri

Diversity and Molecular Phylogeny of Entomopathogenic Fungi of Sabah, 2018

Status: Awaiting graduation, post-viva

Research Summary

Entomopathogenic fungi are referred to as disease-causing fungi associated with insect and known has an obligate pathogenic relationship to the insects. We know that many different fungal-insect associations do exist but this subject remains the most understudied fields in fungal biodiversity especially in Malaysia. This study was fuelled by the efforts in conservation and documentation of the diversity of flora and fauna in Malaysia and Sabah. Besides, the high insect diversity in Sabah and the improvement of fungi identification technology using molecular techniques have also contributed to the urge of this study. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the diversity of various species of entomopathogenic fungi, to isolate, characterize and curate the entomopathogenic fungi in insects groups using morphological and phylogenetical method and to infer the evolutionary relationship and phylogeny classification of entomopathogenic fungi within known fungal lineages in Sabah. This study will be done in various primary and secondary forests and caves area in Sabah in order to collect an insect samples with the present of the entomopathogenic fungi. The samples will be brought back to the lab for identification using both classical methods and molecular methods. All the data samples will be collected and documented for the effort of documenting and recording this unique association between insects and fungi especially in Malaysia. At the end of this study, diverse diversity of various species and various phylogenetic and morphology data of entomopathogenic fungi will be collected with the evolutionary relationship and phylogeny classification within the known fungal lineages.

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

surdensteeve peter

The Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp and Giardia spp infection in long-tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, Malaysia, 2018

Status: Awaiting graduation, post-viva

Research Summary

Wildlife parasitism could trigger drastic population decline. In order to better manage wildlife, studying and reporting the occurrence of parasites are crucial in conservation biology. In collaboration with the Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, the current study was aimed in determining the occurrence of these parasitic protozoans in two of the largest populations of nonhuman primates in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) which are the long- tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys. The objectives of the current study were to 1) determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection in long-tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys and 2) To determine the factors that were influencing the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia that were infecting both long-tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys in the LKWS. Fecal samples were collected noninvasively and the infection of both parasites was detected by using immunochromatographic test strips (CoproStrip™, Savyon Diagnostics, Ltd, Israel). PCR was used in order to clearly distinguish the donor of the samples.The current study managed to achieve the study aim and is successful in documenting the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in nonhuman primates, and is the first to report in Sabah. For future studies, researchers need to focus on the zoonotic potential of these parasites.

Supervisor: Dr. Noor Haliza Hasan

nurul hasanah

The Phylogenetic Study of Schismatoglottis (Araceae) in Sabah, 2019

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

Schismatoglottis is one of the genus from family Araceae where the most diverse species occurs in Borneo. This study will be conducted within Sabah which focuses on the phylogenetic investigation of Schismatoglottis (Araceae) which will contribute to a well-supported profile-based from molecular approach.

Supervisor: Dr. Kartini Saibeh, Dr. Nor Azizun Rusdi

Tivya aingari ganesan

Molecular phylogeny of wild Ophiocordyceps fungi on Camponotus spp. and their potential antifungal activities in Sabah, 2019

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

My research is on the Ophiocordyceps species infecting ants or also known as zombie-ant fungi which represents one of the most intricate and fascinating relationships between microbes and animals. They are mostly found in tropical rainforests around the world with very few findings from temperate ecosystem. These fungi are well-known for its ability to manipulate the host body for its own benefit and reproduction. Ophiocordyceps genus are hypothesised to have active metabolites that can help in many medical treatments. Numerous studies have been emphasized on the brain-manipulation theory of the zombie ants whereas wild Ophiocordyceps spp. of Malaysia is not well studied in terms of their ecology, traditional uses, species level relationship and host specificity of old world ants. The study will be a major contribution to identify the wild and indigenous Ophiocordyceps spp. from Sabah for potential biological activities against natural pathogens from either plants or animal. Thus, this study aims to explore their distribution with the synergy of morphological and phylogenetic approaches using multigene approach for species level relationship and to screen for antifungal properties from wild Ophiocordyceps spp. in Sabah.

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

nalina subramaniam

Diversity and Molecular Phylogeny of Cookiena ( Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota ) In Sabah, Malaysia, 2019

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

1. To asses the diversity of Cookiena in Sabah.2. To infer the phylogenetic relationships of Cookiena sensu stricto in Sabah.

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

tang pui ling

Thesis title, 2019

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

In recent years, the edible mushroom has gain attention from the Malaysian due to their potential value in economic, nutrients and medicines. In this research, Pleurotus giganteus and Pleurotus tuber-regium are selected to be cultivated by using different type of agriculture waste and the physiology test will be conducted based on the type of agar, pH, temperature, C:N ratio and light intensity. The two mushroom are selected due to their high potential in the nutrient and medicinal properties as well as their market value.

Supervisor: Dr. Jaya Seelan

lok yen chi

The phylogeny of the Roundleaf bats (Genus: Hipposideros) in Sabah, Borneo, 2020

Status: On-going research

Research Summary

Hipposideros is a genus belonging to one of the most widespread and ecologically diverse Hipposideridae family of insectivorous bats in the World. In Borneo, 12 species of Hipposideros has been recorded. However, the phylogeny of this genus in Sabah has been severely understudied and current available studies have concluded that the root of this genus is polytomy and that the phylogenetic status is yet to be resolved. Furthermore, Hipposiderids are plague with homoplasy, so another plausible supplementary information of the phylogeny of this family is its echolocation data. Plus there has been multiple suggestions that there are undetected cryptic species within this genus. Hence, this studies will revolve around two objectives, (1) to determine the phylogenetic relationships between several species of roundleaf bats in Sabah and (2) To develop baseline data for Hipposideros spp. echolocation call sampled in Sabah. Field sampling of bats will conducted in 4 sites within Sabah using harp traps and mist nets. The individual captured will then be identified and the necessary measurements will be taken. Wing punch will be used to extract tissue samples for molecular analysis. Next, the acoustic data of the individuals will be taken before they are released back at the trapping point. In addition to the samples obtained from the field, genes will also be taken from the Hipposideros voucher specimens in BORNEENSIS to support the finding of this study. Three genes regions (2 mitochondrial genes and 1 nuclear gene) will be extracted, amplified and sequenced. Three phylogenetic trees, namely, Bayesian inference, Maximum likelihood and Maximum parsimony will be generated to identify the phylogenetic relationships of the sample. Besides, a simple database for the echolocation calls of the Hipposideros with the relevant information such as species, sampling locality and range of echolocation call will be constructed.

Supervisor: Dr. Noor Haliza Hasan

Google Sites

Report abuse