Embark on an enriching journey of research within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, where a world of opportunities awaits in the fields of pharmacy, medicine, and biosciences. Discover groundbreaking studies and collaborative projects that push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.
In Malaysia the percentage of the population above 60 years of age is currently around 9% and this is expected to rise to 15% by the year 2030.
The elderly have unique needs and problems and often these not well studied, identified or are left unattended. This research group will use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodology to look at the demographics of the ageing population, the issues and problems faced by the elderly and the consequences on the elderly, their families and society in general. Three subgroups that have been identified and some of the focus areas are:
Our research programmes are directed towards evidence-based, safe and effective use of medicines, steering to enhancements in health outcomes of patients. Among some research undertaken by our research members are in the areas of assessing the knowledge and use of medicines for women’s health, gastrointestinal diseases and amongst the indigenous people of Malaysia. This research group also focuses on unused medicines, medicines disposal and medication safety.
Members of the IDMR research group are committed to microbiological and multi-disciplinary research for improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The expertise and area of specialisation of the group members encompass bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology and host immunity. Collectively, infectious diseases due to harmful microbes that cause diseases (pathogens) are the third leading cause of death worldwide. Antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR) has become a leading global health issue, with >700,000 people dying each year due to drug-resistant infectious diseases.
Members of the group engage in studies that analyse the genetic relationships of these drug-resistant bacteria and fungi (using molecular typing techniques) in order to understand the mechanisms that underly the drug resistance and how they are spread. Concurrently, we also investigate the use of different nanoparticles to improve the delivery of antibiotics and natural antimicrobial compounds in an effort to combat drug resistant microbial biofilms.
The outcomes of host-pathogen interaction depend on the balance between the ability of the host to detect and eliminate a potentially harmful agent and the ability of the pathogen to utilize host cell signalling in survival and evading elimination. Using transcriptomics and proteomics approaches, we aim to elucidate how these pathogens can breach the host barriers and cause disease. Many viral and bacterial diseases can be prevented by vaccines that aim to boost the host cell immunity, yet there are still infectious diseases which lack of effective vaccines. Our group is focused on using molecular biology techniques to develop new generation vaccines. Future areas of interest include nanosensors for diagnostics and commercialisation of research.
A prevailing nutritional problem in Malaysia is under-nutrition that is still affecting certain segments of the population. At the same time over-nutrition has contributed to the high prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The causes of these challenges are multiple and complex, involving biological, economic, social, cultural and policy issues. There is a huge research gap in this area to examine these issues. The Food and Nutrition Research Cluster in Taylor’s University aims to investigate these areas deeply whilst complementing the objectives of The National Plan of Action for Nutrition of Malaysia (NPANM) III.
The research group will focus on designing and evaluating nutrition interventions including nutrition education and nutrition-related research in response to the national nutritional challenges. In addition, strengthening of food and nutrition security is also one of the focus areas which will include food sustainability and exploitation of underutilized food resources in the country to provide adequate, affordable, nutritious, functional and safe food to achieve global food security.
The cluster also consists of expertise in gut microbiome investigating the human digestive tract responses to certain diseases and revealing the interactions of gut microflora with new functional foods, medical foods and nutraceuticals, to facilitate the development of novel consumer products to enhance host well-being.
The sustainable management of our natural resources is vital for ensuring human wellbeing, now and in the future. Applied Biodiversity generates and contributes scientific knowledge towards better understanding of contemporary issues relating to the use and conservation of biological resources.
Improved understanding leads to stronger appreciation, better management, and thus better conservation and more sustainable utilization and protection of our biological resources. Group members are from multidisciplinary field, and our research encompasses areas including Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Bioprocess, Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology.
Research conducted in Agricultural Science and Environmental Science focuses on plant genetics and genomics, biotechnology, bioremediation, taxonomic identification of microalgae, algae adaptation to environmental stresses and potential bioactive compounds from plants and algae for application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. In addition, researchers in this area also provide consultation on plant genomics and micro-propagation of crops.
Research conducted in Bioprocess, Applied Chemistry and Nanotechnology focuses on bioprocessing (fermentation), biocatalysts and polymer chemistry and nanomaterials. This field includes fundamental biomolecular research and combines biotechnology and engineering for the manufacturing of recombinant proteins. The members focus on inorganic molecular interactions in natural and industrial systems to develop fundamental knowledge and create new efficient processes. Besides, the members also work towards getting solutions for stronger, lighter, more durable, more recyclable material which can be produced with less energy and less waste. Green synthesis of nanomaterials (e.g. silver, gold nanoparticles) using biological substances for various application is being explored.
As such, there are great potentials for collaborative research that spans across disciplines, for instance, in regeneration medicine, health sciences as well as sustainable environment.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a significant public health challenge across the globe with the potential to undermine socioeconomic development throughout the world. NCDs are the leading cause of death in many countries, the majority of these being due to cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. NCDs management can be strengthened by systematically identifying implementation challenges and translating them into questions that can be answered through appropriate research. Multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary researches are necessary to better elucidate the influence of socioeconomic factors on NCDs prevention and control, to enhance availability and accessibility of cost-effective interventions, and to increase the uptake of evidence-based research for policy development.
This research cluster encompasses multi and transdisciplinary research on diverse disciplines in the field of non-communicable diseases. The integration of the various disciplines will enhance understanding on basic science, experimental evidence, development of clinical trials, diagnosis, personalized treatments as well as prevention of non-communicable diseases through innovative research. This will eventually be translated into better health quality for the population and nation.
There are currently 11 research programmes developed under this cluster:
The pace of innovation in the health and medical sciences requires that educators in the field continuously update and upgrade curricula and delivery methods and challenge the existing paradigms in which knowledge is disseminated and acquired. This group will research innovative learning approaches such as simulations, silent mentor programmes, and technology integration and integrate values such as ethics, compassion, empathy and even anthropology in the new curricula of health and medical sciences. There will also be emphasis on inter-professional education given the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare where expertise in medicine, pharmacy and basic sciences converge.
Medical Education Research Subgroups:
This research cluster encompasses multi and transdisciplinary research on diverse disciplines in the field of public health medicine in the Malaysian and global context. The integration of the various disciplines will enhance the understanding of the epidemiology of diseases, preventive and rehabilitative medicine, health promotion, occupational and environmental health and human behavior together with the application of technology in diagnostics, treatment, prevention and health promotion through innovative and novel approaches. This will eventually be translated into better health for the population and nation.
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Project Code: FRGS/1/2017/STG05/TAYLOR/02/2
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