Aw Yong Poi Yi (middle) with her supervisors, A/Prof Ts Dr Kok Yih Yih (right) and A/Prof Ts Dr Wong Chiew Yen (left). The International Meeting – 48th Annual Conference of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB48) was held on 14 and 15 August 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton Puchong, Selangor. The annual conference was organised by the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB), with the theme “Research Frontiers for Future Discoveries and Applications”. The event provided a platform for researchers from different disciplines to share new research findings and exchange ideas, fostering new collaborations and partnerships.
A group of IMU University researchers and students including A/Prof Ts Dr Kok Yih Yih, A/Prof Ts Dr Wong Chiew Yen, Ts Dr Yeannie Yap, Dr Tsen Min Tze, Gan Wen Cong, Aw Yong Poi Yi and Tam Kah Wey participated in the event. The team was actively involved in discussions and presentations to share their latest research findings.
Aw Yong Poi Yi Won the Best Poster Award
An IMU Medical Biotechnology alumna and current PhD candidate, Aw Yong Poi Yi under the supervision of A/Prof Ts Dr Kok and A/Prof Ts Dr Wong, won the Best Poster Award. Poi Yi presented her work with the title “Effect of Polyethylene Microplastics on Combined Toxicity of Copper in Antarctic Microalgae”, focusing on the toxic effect exerted by common environmental pollutants on microalgae.
“Microalgae form the bedrock of ecosystems, so any significant disruption to their growth can have far-reaching and potentially catastrophic effects,” she emphasised, underscoring the critical need to study the ecotoxicological impacts of environmental pollutants on microalgae. Her research revealed that microalgae are highly sensitive to the combined presence of heavy metals and plastics, making them excellent bioindicators in environmental monitoring.
Presentation of Research Findings
Meanwhile, another PhD candidate, Gan Wen Cong (extreme right in the photo below), supervised by A/Prof Ts Dr Wong and A/Prof Ts Dr Kok, presented his research via a rapid oral presentation. His findings demonstrated that microalgae also serve as a valuable model for studying the harmful effects of atrazine, a widely used herbicide in agriculture, especially when combined with nano-sized polystyrene plastics.
In addition to the use of microalgae as bioindicators, IMU Medical Biotechnology Year 3 student, Tam Kah Wey (extreme left) presented her research on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons using Antarctic microalga Chlorella sp. under varying temperatures. “Elevated temperatures enhanced both the growth and photosynthetic pigment production of Chlorella sp. in the presence of diesel,” she concluded.
Under the guidance of A/Prof Ts Dr. Wong, her study highlighted that this psychotolerant microalga shows promising potential as a sustainable method for diesel removal in Antarctica’s unique environment.
A/Prof Ts Dr Wong highlighted that the award and recognition earned by the IMU algae team underscore their dedication to impactful research, particularly in the field of microalgae studies, which holds great potential for environmental sustainability.
A/Prof Dr Wong added, “the conference not only allowed us to share our research findings but also facilitated valuable networking and collaboration opportunities with fellow scientists, ensuring our research continues to contribute to global scientific progress”.
