Antiviral Immunity

Viral infection is a common cause of disease. Outbreak of zoonotic viral diseases such as SARS and Ebola have high mortality rate, as there is a lack of effective prevention and therapeutic measures. Instead, recovery from viral infections often depend on the immune system, which can be divided into adaptive and innate immunity.The innate antiviral immunity in mammalian cells is mediated by interferons, whereby interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) are upregulated to establish an antiviral state. We are interested in interferon-based antiviral response in host cells, particularly in the detection of viral nucleic acids, the modulation of Janus kinase-Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway, and the role of stress granules in antiviral activity.

Our current research is on interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9), which is involved in signaling that results in upregulation of ISGs during type I interferon response. We want to elucidate the mechanism by which IRF9 is regulated during type I interferon response.

*Interested postgraduate candidates are welcomed to apply.

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Invited speaker from AIMST University - Dr. Choy Ker Woon

January 7, 2019 – We kicked start the year with an insightful talk given by Dr Choy Ker Woon from AIMST University. Dr Woon’s lecture is titled “Pharmacological effects of paeonol against endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction”. Dr Woon recently completed her PhD at the University of Malaya and is currently a senior lecturer at AIMST University.

Visit to Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Research Centre

In August 2016, Dr. Ng visited the research centre of Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Co. Ltd in JiaDing, Shanghai on his own expenses. The purpose of this visit is to establish contact with the research team in Shanghai, China that is one of the leaders in the research area about the therapeutic potential of molecular hydrogen (H2). Dr. Ng wanted to strengthen mutual understanding on molecular hydrogen research and further explore collaborative opportunities with the wider research network in China. Shanghai HongQiao Railway Station Due to the molecular size and chemical nature of H2, specialized equipments are required for research purposes. This visit allowed Dr. Ng to explore in-person, the modifications that may be adapted to existing equipments currently available for cell culture- and rodent-based hydrogen research.

Professorial Public Lecture - Prof. Dr. Tang Thean Hock

We are pleased to announce The Professorial Public Lecture of Prof. Dr. Tang Thean Hock Non protein-coding RNA (sRNA): identification, function and applications The lecture is open to the public and held at the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) , Kepala Batas (Penang) on Friday (29 July 2016) beginning at 9.00 am .

RNA-Bio Research Group

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