Malaysia aspires to be a vaccine-producing nation by 2030
Reading Time: 2 minutesBANGI: A collaboration was sealed to kickstart the development of human vaccines in Malaysia to pave the way toward health security. Malaysian Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals (MPV) Healthcare, Pfizer Malaysia, and the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIBM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Jan 30 at Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI). These three parties […]
UKM launches climate database to encourage citizen science
Reading Time: 2 minutesUNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA (UKM) recently launched the MyIKLIM Database, a one-stop data curation portal for climate change research in Malaysia. The portal was launched during the Climate Action Festival hosted by UKM-Yayasan Sime Darby – for Sustainability, the institute’s chair for initiatives on sustainable development. Speaking to The Petri Dish, Dr Maggie Ooi Chel Gee, […]
UNESCO appoints local expert to lead in genetic research on thalassaemia
Reading Time: 2 minutesA LOCAL medical genetics expert has been appointed as UNESCO’s first chair in human genetics research on Thalassaemia. Prof Dr Zilfalil Alwi, a senior consultant paediatrician and clinical geneticist from the Human Genome Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), is the appointed expert. The objective of this project is to promote capacity building in human genetics […]
Biogenes inks funding agreement with MTDC, PESB
Reading Time: 2 minutesKUALA LUMPUR: Biogenes Technologies Sdn Bhd (Biogenes) is gearing up to hit its next milestone after receiving RM5.5 million in funding. The funding was rolled out from the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox 3 (NTIS 3). RM3.3 million from the funding is from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC). Additionally, the aptamer-based diagnostics kits developer […]
Ecotourism can give local communities a leg up
Reading Time: 3 minutesKUALA LIPIS: Ecotourism can help boost the socio-economic status of rural communities. To highlight this, Project IC-CFS hosted 10 media people for an immersion experience in Kuala Lipis recently. IC-CFS is the acronym for “Improving Connectivity in the Central Forest Spine” – a project established in 2014 with support from the United Nations Development Programme […]
Building a professional network for women in STEM
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT) is in full swing to boost women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) since launching their Women Technologist Chapter (WTC) last June. WTC marked its first effort to nurture and empower women involved in STEM by hosting the “Red LIPS Hi- Tea Session” recently. “Despite having a […]
EDF celebrates first-year milestone in Malaysia
Reading Time: 3 minutesKUALA LUMPUR: After building the very first methane coalition in Malaysia, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) hosted a first-year anniversary gathering with its local partners – the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (CETDEM), the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC), CERAH, Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia and Universiti Technology Petronas (UTP). The gathering was held […]
Using mathematical models to achieve energy security
Reading Time: 2 minutesTHE Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a red flag in a recent report that there will be a serious impact if we reach another 1.5 0C in surface temperature. Commenting on the report Dr Viknesh Andiappan, an energy planning specialist told The Petri Dish that mathematical skills are necessary to tackle climate change-related issues. […]
Locally made sepsis detection test kit to hit the market soon
Reading Time: 2 minutesA HOMEGROWN aptamer-based biosensor kit to detect sepsis will soon be locally available, after a decade of research. The kit, “SepsiDot” detects sepsis at an early stage and monitors its severity level if the patient requires hospital care. Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning is a common condition that can be fatal. Any common infection has […]
Slashing methane: Panelists Push for a Cooperative Global Effort
Reading Time: 3 minutesMETHANE is in the news currently after 120 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge during COP 26, last year to reduce methane emissions. However, most countries are still gaining an understanding of the dynamics of methane mitigation as they have little scientific knowledge, technology, and data measurement to develop a comprehensive methane mitigation framework. On the […]