Soil – the neglected gold
Reading Time: 4 minutes“IT takes close to 200 years to form one cm of soil in the tropics and the process is even slower in the temperate regions,” says Dr Jeyanny Vijayanathan, a soil scientist at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Jeyanny who advocates environmental awareness says: “We cannot reverse soil erosion that is happening for centuries now, […]
Biogenes trailblazes digitalisation of biotechnology
Reading Time: 3 minutesPCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction is one major innovation that has transformed the field of molecular biology and now its impact spans other biology disciplines. At the heart of this PCR, which is known as the DNA photocopier are the primers. Primers are short single-stranded DNA fragments that bind to the DNA template that is […]
Microbiologist: Viral mutation keeps Covid-19 in circulation
Reading Time: 4 minutesTHE key point which is the most important factor determining whether COVID-19 is here to stay or whether we can eradicate this “virus”, is a mutation, says Dr Vinod Balasubramaniam from Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia. “The virus continues to evolve through mutation, evading the immunity built by existing vaccines,” […]
Want to be in STEM? Follow the trail set by these three women
Reading Time: 6 minutesTHREE women in Sunway University tell the stories of their postgraduate and postdoctoral journey in renowned institutions that led them to teach, research, and inspire young people. The Petri Dish spoke to these women in STEM; Associate Professor Dr Jactty Chew, Associate Professor Dr Felicia Chung, and Associate Professor Dr Kavita Reginald. They shared what inspired them to pursue […]
What’s with that ‘Save the Soil’ campaign of Sadhguru?
Reading Time: 3 minutesA LONE MAN is riding a motorbike from London to India on a mission to save one of the natural resources that are tightly knit with climate mitigation – soil. He is not an environmentalist nor an activist. He is probably the coolest spiritual leader in the current age. Fondly known as Sadhguru, Jaggi Vasudev embarked […]
Flash floods, temperature spike indicators of climate change in M’sia
Reading Time: 4 minutesFor answers to these questions, The Petri Dish editor-in-chief DR MAHALETCHUMY ARUJANAN spoke to Dr Noorashikin Md Noor – a research fellow at Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Flash floods have become a common phenomenon, there is no distinct rain season and temperatures are higher than what it was 40 years ago […]
All natural goodness in an orange pulp
Reading Time: 4 minutesMalaysian Oil Scientists and Technologists Association (MOSTA) launched their campaign, “Palm oil – Nature’s Gift to Humankind” under the leadership of Tan Sri Dr Augustine Ong at the Royal Lake Club on 8 Dec. The launch was graced by YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister for Plantation Industries and Commodities. It is a timely campaign […]
JSC leads the way in sustainable development
Reading Time: 4 minutesSUSTAINABILITY is a buzzword for many but for one organization in Malaysia, it is their vision and passion. This organisation is involved in solutions-driven projects through research, education and training to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is no surprise that it is ideally located at Sunway University, and is the brainchild of Tan […]
Dean: Attitude triumphs over aptitude in producing ‘global’ students
Reading Time: 5 minutesPROF DR ABHI VEERAKUMARASIVAM who was the first Asian to win the FameLab International Award in 2015, a Cambridge graduate and an active cancer researcher plays multiple national and international leadership and strategic roles related to life sciences. He shares his thoughts with The Petri Dish Editor-in-chief, DR MAHALETCHUMY ARUJANAN, on producing globally competent students […]
Made-in Malaysia vaccine? An urgent sigh of anticipation
Reading Time: 2 minutesDEMANDS for Covid-19 vaccines are outweighing supply with biotech companies struggling to increase production and more affluent countries stocking up their stock. It is against this scenario that Asian countries are scrambling to secure vaccines. Looks like it is time to shift our focus temporarily from food security to vaccine security. However, many Asian countries are waking up to this […]