MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

 Molecular biology is a scientific study of the molecular basis of life processes, including cellular respiration, excretion and reproduction. The area of molecular biology research involves many other fields of biology such as  biochemistryand genetics, principally at the molecular level including the structure, function and regulation of biologically important molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. The field of molecular biology has grown with the increasing sophistication of available techniques such as gene cloning, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genetic engineering etc. and has quickly built upon its own increases in the understanding of biological processes.

Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics Laboratory is one of the first two laboratories that were set up as interim laboratories of Melaka Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at K-Incubator Complex, MITC City, Ayer Keroh in July 2003. A year later in July 2004, MIB was officially moved to the new MIB building that is located at Lot 7, MITC City, Ayer Keroh. Together with Tissue Culture lab, these two labs have begin its’ research operations the following month. The Molecular Biology lab is located at the ground floor of the MIB building consisting four sections which are:

i. Genetic Transformation Lab

ii. Molecular Biology Lab

iii. General Lab

iv. Instrument Room

The main focus of Molecular Biology lab is to conduct research and development (R&D) mainly in plant biotechnology field and also providing molecular biology based and analytical services. Besides that, we do offer skill upgrades, industrial and school training programs and also equipment hiring. On the other hand, the bioinformatics platform hosted at the Melaka Biotechnology Corporations (MBC), aims at development of database covering on laboratory information management system (LIMS), development of new bioinformatics tools, analyzing, storing, retrieving and organizing scientific data coming from internal projects and research partners.

These are the latest activities in Molecular Biology Lab (2011)

1. Applied Research and Development (R&D)

•  Molecular Biology Lab provides facilities and support for applied and market driven R&D in the areas of molecular genetics and bioinformatics technologies mainly in plant biotechnology, molecular microbiology and marine biotechnology.

2. DNA fingerprinting services and equipment hiring

•  Based on plant database available, Molecular Biology Lab is capable to conduct DNA fingerprinting services for plant genotype identification, quality control for herbal tea and essential oil industry, DNA genetic profiling for new plant cultivar, herbs validation and development of DNA marker for plant of interest.

• Thermal cycler (MJ Research) has been rented on an hourly basis to interested costumer.

3. Molecular Biology Training Program for KUIM students. 

• MBC together with Melaka International Islamic College Technology (KUIM) have developed two course curriculums for Diploma in Biotechnology and Diploma in Biotechnology Management to be offered to student interested in Biotechnology business.

• Currently, Molecular Lab has provided lab practical for Basic Molecular Biology (BIO 2033) subject (Semester 3, Year 2) and both lecture and lab practical for Recombinant DNA Technology (DNA 3013) subject (Semester 4, Year 2).

• The students were exposed to basic and latest technique in molecular biology field such as DNA and RNA isolation, basic cell culture method, polymerase DNA reaction, restriction enzyme analysis, DNA fingerprinting, bacterial cloning, Southern blotting, DNA sequencing analysis and its application as well.

4. Industrial Training Program in the area of Molecular Biology 

• A student from UNiSEL has successfully completed his industrial training program at Molecular Lab. He was assigned to assist in proposal writing and conducting his own mini project on DNA fingerprinting of Andrographis paniculata (Hempedu Bumi).

  Some of the steps involved in genomic DNA isolation carried out by practical student for his mini project. 

5. School Laboratory Training 

• To create awareness of tissue culture technology among secondary students, Life Science at School Seminar was conducted in collaborations of Malaysian Agri Hitech, MTDC, FMBiosis and MBC on 25th June 2011 where Molecular Biology Lab personnel had involved in one of the segment which is media preparation for plant tissue culture.

• To increase biotechnology awareness among primary students, Molecular Biology Lab has involved in training, consulting and lending some laboratory equipments to SKJ(C) Ayer Keroh representatives who participate in Karnival Kerjaya Peringkat Sekolah Rendah at SK Tanjung Minyak on 30th April 2011. They chose to participate as Biotechnologist in Career Contest and won first place in that competition. 

Molecular Biology Laboratory has been equipped by world class equipment and we do offer more than 30 pieces of lab equipment for rent, on an hourly, monthly or indefinite basis. 

These are the list of the equipments available at Molecular Lab:

These are the research projects conducted in Molecular Lab (2004-2010). 

Research activities are currently at the stage of data mining, proposal writing & submission to MOSTI, MOA and Department of Fisheries.

These are the proposed research projects in Molecular Biology Lab:

1. Hawksbill turtle project

2. Recombinant protein expression of targeted bioactive compound from medicinal plants

3. Effective microbial identification via molecular approaches

4. Banana disease management project

PROTOCOL 

1. DNA Marker Technology (Application of DNA Marker Technology in Precise Identification of Plants) 

Some of the future plans for Molecular Biology Lab are: 

1. Expanding research focus area in molecular microbiology and marine biotechnology

2. Expanding molecular biology based laboratory testing services capacity such as Halal and GMO food testing, and also Genetic Identity and forensics testing.

3. Towards ISO 17025, laboratory equipment and its environment will be monitored closely to ensure these equipments are in good condition and the lab is conducive, suitable and well prepared to conduct research and providing molecular biology services. SOP documentation for laboratory equipments, calibration records, sampling, services and any related documents will be updated for that purpose. 

Some of the activities in Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics Laboratory that might contribute in developing knowledgeable, skilled and competence human capitals and adding extra values to industrial end products are: 

1. Providing skill upgrades training programs 

• • Some of the programs conducted by Molecular Biology Lab including: 

• • • Molecular Biology Training Program (Basic, Intermediate or Advanced). 

• • • Authentication of Herbs using PCR Techniques.

    • Training of DNA Fingerprinting Techniques. 

• • • Any custom workshop related to molecular biology. 

• • • The programs are intended for university students/personnel with some scientific background who are seeking basic to advanced level of related molecular biology training and for those who wish to become conversant within the discipline. 

    • This informative course is attractive to personnel involved with, or participating in, molecular biology-related and biotechnological research, supervision, scale-up or manufacturing, other technical operations, or basic/applied research. 

2. Training Provider in Biotechnology for Higher Learning Institutions 

• • Development of Biotechnology Curriculum 

• • • MBC together with Melaka International Islamic College Technology (KUIM) have developed two course curriculums for Diploma in Biotechnology and Diploma in Biotechnology Management to be offered to student interested in Biotechnology business. 

• • Providing industrial training programs 

• • • As part of the university requirements where students are exposed to the real world of working in an organization

    • To assist the students for employability and ensuring that they meet the industries’ requirements for employment opportunities. 

3. School Laboratory Training 

• • Some of the trainings that have been successfully organized are: 

• • Life Science @ School organize by Malaysia Agri Hitech, MTDC, FMBiosis, and MBC (Melaka, 2011)

  • Biotechnology Workshop for Teachers organize by MBC (Melaka, 2010) 

4. Providing scientific services to industry including: 

• • Genotype Identification of Plants and Authentication of Herbs. There is growing need in modern agriculture to ensure the plants genotype for quality control.

  • Quality Control in Herbal Tea and Essential Oil industry. This service can differentiate whether herbal tea in market is pure or adulterated with other herbs and thus ensuring no cultivars mix-ups occurred during herbal tea preparation. It is also can determine the purities of cultivars/varieties used in processing essential oils extracts.

  • Genetic (DNA) Profiling of new plant cultivars.

  • Development of DNA Markers/Barcode for your plants of interests. We are providing custom DNA Marker and research services to clients locally and worldwide. Our genetic marker technology can be applied to any genus, species, cultivars, varieties and accessions in application of modern plant breeding.

  • General molecular biology and analytical laboratory services such as nucleic acid purification and quantification, PCR/RT-PCR/qPCR amplification, genomic cloning, cDNA synthesis and library construction, expression vector construction etc. 

5. Facilities and equipment hiring 

SAMPLING & QUOTATIONS FOR PLANT FINGERPRINTING 

It is recommended that you contact us before sampling is undertaken. This ensures the best sample is provided for testing.  Sampling is important, as not every plant species has its DNA extracted in the same way. Generally, the best results are given when fresh and young leaves are provided. Shoots and young leaves make a good sample. The cost of DNA fingerprinting varies depending on the plant species, but generally relates to the amount of work needed to generate a DNA profile.