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. 

2020 - 2022

Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

• 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.

6 September 2017 – 9 Februari 2018

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

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

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  

12 Ogos 2016 – 20 April 2017

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

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)   

24 November 2014 – 23 Ogos 2016

AvantiCell Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

• A total of 400 samples were analysed  (100 pure compounds and 300 extracts)
• Disease target :
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Cancer  (breast cancer)
  • Inflammation
  • Hypertension
  • Type 2 diabetes

16 January 2014 - 2 November 2017

Protein Technologies Limited  

Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

• 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  

• 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.

October 2013 - December 2015

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

To determine HSC population size

• 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

2012 - 2017

Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

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

• 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

• 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)