1 August 2025 | IMU Main Campus in Bukit Jalil

The Institute for Research, Development, and Innovation (IRDI) at IMU University reinforced its commitment to genomics innovation and precision medicine by hosting a high-impact session titled “Advancing Genomic Research with PacBio: Insights into Long-Read Sequencing and Vega System” on 1 August 2025.

Organised in collaboration with DKSH Technology Sdn Bhd, Pacific Biosciences of California Inc. (PacBio), Xcelom Limited (Hong Kong), and AGTC Genomics Sdn Bhd, the event brought together over 40 participants from IMU, local universities, and national research institutes. This strategic collaboration reflects IRDI’s growing role in fostering science-industry partnerships to drive translational genomics forward in Malaysia.

Held at the ICE Training Centre, the half-day session showcased the rising relevance of long-read sequencing technologies in decoding complex genomes, improving clinical diagnostics, and accelerating discovery in genetic diseases. The programme began with opening remarks by Mr Seth Teo, Technical Sales Manager at DKSH Technology.

This was followed by insightful presentations including:

Dr Clerance Cheong (DKSH Technology) conducted a live demonstration of the PacBio Vega System.

The session concluded with closing remarks by Prof Leong Chee-Onn, CEO and Founder of AGTC Genomics, who called for stronger academia-industry collaboration to accelerate innovations in healthcare through genomics.

This event aligns with IRDI’s strategic direction to position IMU as a hub for translational genomics research. By leveraging cutting-edge platforms like long-read sequencing and building strong partnerships with leading industry players, IRDI is committed to enabling high-impact, data-driven solutions for Malaysia’s biomedical and clinical research ecosystem.