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SABAH BIODIVERSITY CENTRE OFFICIAL WEBSITE "Sabah Maju Jaya"

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SABAH BIODIVERSITY CENTRE OFFICIAL WEBSITE "Sabah Maju Jaya"

Biotechnology

Referring to Section 3A of the Sabah Biodiversity Enactment 2000, the functions and powers of the Sabah Biodiversity Council on biotechnology is to monitor the State policy with regards to biotechnology and application of biotechnology.

In Section 9 (b) the SaBC is to maintain and sustain the utilisation of biodiversity in the State, including determining policies and guidelines for scietntific research or experiment related to the access to and use of biological resources or associated relevant knowledge related to biological resources in the State for pharmaceutical, medicinal and other specific purposes.

SaBC also promoting biotechnology R&D to support the creation of biotechnology industry in Sabah. 

List of projects on biotechnology, implemented and funded under SaBC: 

PROJEK 8: Kajian Halatuju Bioteknologi Negeri Sabah
Duration  2022 - 2024 (ongoing ) 
Consultant Ipsos Strategy3
Output  Sabah Biotechnology Action Blueprint (2024 - 2034)
Term of Project 

1. Determine the instutional structure and specialised functions within the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) and other related organisations in Sabah in the execution of the Sabah Biotechnology Blueprint vision and mission; 

2. Review and list all the relevant strategies, enactments and policies at global, regional and state levels, that could potentially affect or needed to be crossed referenced during the implementation of Biotechnology Blueprint within the State; 

3. Review the previous Sabah Biotechnology Blueprint (2006 - 2015) in terms of its effectiveness, success stories, missed opportunities and implementation challenges; 

4. Assess the status of biotechnology research, development, programme and applications in various private and public sectors (e.g. institutions, companies, and communities) in Sabah; 

5. Assess the current status of biotechnology research, development, programme and applications in Sabah-based Federal Institutions such as MARDI, IADA, ILP, INFRA, IPG, I-LEAD, Politeknik, Kolej Komuniti, UMS, UiTM, Lembaga Koko, LKIM and other relevant organisations; 

6. Assess the current funding availability, opportunties and incentives that are available within the National and State level for private sectors, NGOs, and government agencies 

7. Assess and evaluate industries that the State can potentially be involved in (e.g. pharmaceutical, agriculture or forestry, marine, food, jewellery, horticulture, and cosmetic); 

8. Assess the available Research & Development (R&D) facilities, equipment, human resource, employment opportunities, training capability at all institutions in Sabah, in line with the latest technology; 

9. Assess the human resource development, skills, and experience in the biotechnology sector in Sabah, such as scientists, lecturers and community industries and identify disparaties and opportunities to increase capacity. 

 

PROJECT 7: Establishing a Culture Collection of Bacteria from Marine and Conservation Sites of Sabah for Compounds with Industrial and Medical Applications.

Duration

2020 - 2022

Consultant

Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Term of project  

  • To help the Sabah State  produce an inventory of microbes and whole genome DNA sequences (of selected strains) of the seas of Kapalai and Mataking Islands (Sipadan and Mabul Islands optional)  and the Danum Valley and Maliau Basin Conservation Areas,
  • To conserve the microbes in designated approved repository centres at the SaBC and UMS,
  • To train personnel from SaBC to handle and conserve microorganisms.

 

Sample Collecting at Danum Valley
First sample of Bacteria  collection at Danum Valley
Sample Collecting at Danum Valley
Collecting Sample of Bacteria 
Bacteria Samples From Danum Valley
The processes of transfer the samples to agar

 

PROJECT 6: Phase 3 - Cell-Based Screening of SaBC Natural Products with Proven Biological Activity

Duration

6 September 2017 – 9 Februari 2018

Consultant

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Term of project  

Analyse 5 samples :

  • 3 pure compounds (for anti cancer – breast) lead samples P041, P094, P100
  • lead apoptotic pure compound : mechanism of action    
  • 2 extracts and oils anti-diabetes lead samples (O031, C063)
  • Basis of samples effects : glucokinase activation analyses
  • Potential candidate : mechanism of action
  • This is to address SaBC’s intention to have insight into whether the sample activity may be considered mechanistically novel, or, alternatively, whether the therapeutic candidates act via a know therapeutic mechanism

 

Results

The results constitute a successful outcome to the series of three studies (3 phases):

  • Identified samples in a natural product library with therapeutic potential and low toxicity;
  • Has confirmed bioactivity and studied concentration dependence and potency
  • And identified a prospective mechanism of action by which the samples’ effects are exerted  

 

PROJECT 5: Phase 2 - Selected Cell based Screening of Natural Products

Duration

12 Ogos 2016 – 20 April 2017

Consultant

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Term of project  

To analyse 55 samples

  • 35 samples  pure compounds
  • 20 samples oils/extracts
  • The two sample types shall be subjected to different combination of analysis
  • Anti-diabetes adding value (10 extracts/oils)
  • Anti-diabetes new target (10 extracts/oils)
  • Anti-breast cancer adding value (10 pure compounds)
  • Anti-hypertension adding value (10 pure compounds)
  • Anti-cancer new targets (10 pure compounds) – lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer
  • Anti-inflammatory adding value (5 pure compounds)   

 

PROJECT 4: Phase 1 - The Research Project on Cell Based Screening of Natural Products from Sabah

Duration

24 November 2014 – 23 Ogos 2016

Consultant

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Term of project  

  • A total of 400 samples were analysed  (100 pure compounds and 300 extracts)
  • Disease target :
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Cancer  (breast cancer)
    • Inflammation
    • Hypertension
    • Type 2 diabetes
PROJECT 3: Discovery of the Next Generation of Fluorescent Proteins

Duration

16 January 2014 - 2 November 2017

Consultant

Protein Technologies Limited  

Provisional Technical Services

Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Term of Project 

  • Bioimaging lab setup + samples
  • Taxonomy of corals + image library
  • DNA extraction and sequencing
  • cDNA library construction
  • Screening for cDNA libraries
  • Sequencing + storage of DNA
  • Analysis of DNA sequences and FP genes
  • Expression and purification of FPs
  • Biophysical characterisation of FPs
  • Intellectual Property management system  

 

Results

  • 100 specimens collected (17 specimens identified with green and red fluorescence)
  • 4 candidates identified and selected for genome sequencing
  • The results indicate the presence of novel fluorescent proteins.

Pictures 

 

Dr. Farid Khan During signing
Dr. Farid Khan the Project Director (group leader)  During signing ceremony on 16 January 2014
coral exhibition
Exhibition of coral during IGEM 2017 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre  Exhibition during IGEM 2017 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre 

 

PROJECT 2: The Baseline Study on the Population Size and Foraging Areas of the Horseshoes Crabs of Sabah

Duration

October 2013 - December 2015

Consultant

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Objective 

To determine HSC population size

 

Results

  • From 10 sites throughout the coasts of Sabah, T. Tridentatus could be found with the highest capture rate at Pulau Jambongan, followed by InderaSabah.
  • InderaSabah shows the highest population estimated at 16,482

Pictures 

talkit

 

Dr. Noraznawati
T. Tridentatus showed during IGEM 2017 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre  Dr. Noraznawati Ismail and Dr. Faridah Mohamad as the project team from Universiti MalaysiaTrengganu
T. Tridentatus T. Tridentatus

 

T. Tridentatus  T. Tridentatus catched 

 

PROJECT 1: The Project Bearing the title Unlocking Sabah’s Marine and Terrestrial Biotechnological Potential

Duration

2012 - 2017

Consultant

Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Objectives

  • To create checklist and inventory of marine (150) and terrestrial (150) natural resources
  • To create baseline data for potential biotechnological development of resources

 

Research activities

  • Collection and identification of potential natural resources
  • Create checklist and database of potential natural resources
  • Repository of crude extracts and essential oils
  • Isolation and identification of Major Secondary Metabolites
  • Isolation of bioactive compounds
  • Screening of crude extracts and isolated compounds for bioactivity
  • Mechanism of action and toxicity study

 

Results

  • Collection and identification of potential natural resources (10 samples)
  • Create checklist and database of potential natural resources (in pdf file)  
  • Repository of crude extracts and essential oils (286 samples)
  • Isolation and identification of Major Secondary Metabolites (99 samples)
  • Isolation of bioactive compounds (99 samples)
  • Screening of crude extracts and isolated compounds for bioactivity (done)
  • Mechanism of action and toxicity study (Anti-microbial, Anti-inflammatory , Anti cancer , ROS)