A researcher from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) (www.ump.edu.my) who carried out a genome sequencing study, “Whole Genome Sequencing of Circulating Covid-19 Strains in Malaysia”, discovered a different lineage of the clade of Covid-19. The team led by a researcher from the Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology (FIST), Dr. Hajar Fauzan Ahmad, 35 who has expertise in high-throughput sequencing, microbiome and metabolome sequencing, now carries out research involving the sequencing of the Covid-19 virus that spread in the country. At this moment, the UMP COVID-19 team is actively studying a variety of clades, immune responses towards this specific clade and eventually building a diagnostic method that is sensitive and specific for this pandemic. Though it is still in its early stages, the clade that they sequenced has been evaluated by Gael Millot, a scientist from the Pasteur Institute, France, before being certified by the GISAID that functions to collect data on various types of coronavirus sequences that cause the spread of Covid-19 worldwide. It provides the database and clinical epidemiological study for this SARS-CoV-2 virus. Besides that, this type of information is vital to bring public awareness about the dangers of the virus. The discovery of the unique clade of the virus among the Pahang populace will be published academically soon. Dr. Hajar hopes that the efforts to sequence this virus will continue to expand to produce the best diagnostic method together with an effective vaccine to protect the public.

Credit to Pekan Review

UMP Produces Safe Aureiz Brand Personal Care and Hygiene Products

A lecturer from the Faculty of Chemical & Process Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)(www.ump.edu.my), Ts. Dr. Norashikin Mohd Zain, who has more than ten years of research experience at the university, has successfully produced three personal care and hygiene products from safe ingredients, namely antimicrobial hand wash, antimicrobial body cleanser and antimicrobial space cleaning spray. Under the brand of Aureiz, these products of Medieva Sdn. Bhd. are funded by the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme (SUPERB), under the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU). According to Ts. Dr. Norashikin, the hand wash is produced using safe antimicrobial substances, and it can clean hands from dirt, bacteria or viruses that cause diseases. She further explained that natural surfactant is used to produce foam. It is safe for users and the materials used are also environmentally friendly.

By Puan Mimi Rabita Abd Wahit, Public Relations Unit, Office Of The Vice-Chancellor