SURGICAL RESEARCH Laboratory
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

FACULTY OF MEDICINE
University of Malaya

WHO WE ARE

The Surgical Research Laboratory serves as an interface between clinical surgery and basic research, bridging the gap from bench to bedside. It provides research facilities for  molecular biology, cell culture, histological staining and sample storage. The Surgical Research Laboratory has 3 full-time staff members dedicated to training, maintaining the equipment, and providing services. We are committed to our role in driving and supporting clinical and molecular research under the Department of Surgery.  

Organization Chart

Current Research 2022

Adipokines as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

Determination certain adipokines could play a significant role in RCC development and progression. The potential findings will help understand the link between obesity,adipolaries and RCC. In addition the molecular behavior of RCC in term of drug resistance, proliferation, apoptosis and evasiveness and may hold promise and potential diagnostic or prognostic markers to patients management and monitoring for this disease

UM Breast Lymphoma Project (Pink Lily): Biobanking, Registry Biomarkers for Multiracial population

The most common type of breast cancer that arises from epithelial elements are categorized as carcinomas with the most common type such as invasive carcinoma. The need of starting primary breast lymphoma tissue banking and registry is a novel move for this group of disease that is still not well studied in the East Region. This study aims to set biobanking of lymphoma tumour tissues and blood (plasma) under UM Biobank unit. Also, the study aims to investigate differentially expressed IncRNAs in incidence of breast lymphoma to enhance our understanding of the gene regulation mechanism of this disease based on the transcriptome data of PBL biopsy samples. Besides that, this study is to identify suitable IncRNAs as biomarkers for breast lymphoma for a more rapid diagnosis and delivery of therapy.

Prostate Cancer Biobanking

Prostate cancer is the 4th most common male cancer accounting for 5.7% of cancer cases among men in Malaysia with approximately 60% of prostate cancer being diagnosed at Stage III and IV. Therefore, it is essential to establish a prostate cancer biobanking cohort to support epidemiology, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in Malaysia. The urology unit has started the prostate cancer biobanking since 2013, including blood, urine and associated clinical data from prostate cancer patients. We have been actively involved in national and international prostate cancer consortium studies to improve the management of prostate cancer.

Investigation on the role of oxidative imbalance and molecular alterations in the transformation of benign to malignant thyroid tumors

Numerous studies comparing the molecular alterations and oxidative stress biomarkers between papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and benign thyroid goitre (BTG) were performed to unravel the potential underlying mechanisms of PTC progression.Objective of study is to identify the different ,olecular alterations the benign lesion and PTC lesion

Characterisation of genomic and immune profiles breast cancers arising in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carries

The objective this study is to evaluate the associations between molecular and immunogenic featues in tumors from BRCA1 or BRCA2 carries and therapeutic response and survival. Perform immune-histochemical staining of the tumor microarrays (TMAs) for immune and cell type markers including CD3, CD8, CD20, CD45, CD68, FoxP3, PRF1 and PDL1.

An investigation on the effects of hypoxia-mimicking agents in the cancer progression and oxidayive stress of hepatocellular carcinoma

Adaptive response of tumor cell to low oxygen conditions is primarily driven by thehypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors. The effect of HIF acivation vary between tumor types, leading to either positive or negative outcomes. It remains unclear whether high levels of HIF favours or hinder hepatocellular caarcinoma tumour progression. With the use of hypoxia-mimicking agents HMAs) of different selectivity, we investigate the effects of target HIF pathway activation in liver cancer cells, by looking into the aspects of cell proliferation, cell migration and oxidative stress.

Investigation of the mechanism of action of a selected quinazoline compound againts lung cancer cell lines

To identify the most potent and selected compound from a series of quinazoline compounds agains NSCL cell lines. Determine the apoptotic events and cell cycle status of the selected quinazoline compound in both mutated and wild type EGFR NSCLC cell lines. Focusing on the PI3K-AKT pathways.

Screening of Novel Small Molecules for Parkinson's Disease-Associated Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) and its Variant

Parkinson's disease (PD) is aneurodegenerative disease that not only affects the system, but also the non0-motor symptoms. The G2019S mutation in the leecine-rich repata kinase 2(LRRK2) gene is one of the most common mutated genes linked to PD. This mutation leads to an increase in LRRK2 kinase activity. The increase LRRK2 activity results in phosphorylation ofmitsnsubstrate Rab10 at Thr73. Targeting inhibiyion of phosphorylated LRRK2 and Rab10 makes a great therapeutic strategy in treating PD as the current therapy available can only control the symptoms of the sisease.

Immunohistochemical staining to identify predictive biomarker among breast cancer patients

Performing IHC staining using autostainer Dako, Agilent

Current Research 2021

Molecular Profiling and Pathway Analysis of Clinically Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Determination of the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive behaviour of high-grade and sarcomatoid RCC compared to low-grade RCC. It is also to investigate the protein expression of related genes that lead to poor prognosis of patients with RCC.

Glycocalyx Level in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy with Human Albumin 5% vs Gelofusine

The research is to determine association of glycocalyx by measuring level syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate with type colloid given human albumin 5% vs gelofusine in pancreatectomy.

A Multi-national Cohort Study on Impact of Intra-tumoral Genomic Heterogeneity & the Immune Micro-environment on the Clinical Trajectory of resected hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer in the cancer but 2nd most important cause of cancer death. Because of its highly heterogeneous nature, the current approach is to identify druggable targets that have not delivered efficacious systemic therapy in HCC is a main reason for the high case fatalities. This study aims to investigate the genomic heterogeneity immunological profile of surgically resected HCC, and relate them to subsequent clinical trajectory.

Prostate Cancer Biobanking

Prostate cancer is the 4th most common male cancer accounting for 5.7% of cancer cases among men in Malaysia with approximately 60% of prostate cancer being diagnosed at Stage III and IV. Therefore, it is essential to establish a prostate cancer biobanking cohort to support epidemiology, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in Malaysia. The urology unit has started the prostate cancer biobanking since 2013, including blood, urine and associated clinical data from prostate cancer patients. We have been actively involved in national and international prostate cancer consortium studies to improve the management of prostate cancer.

Unravelling the Secret behind the Links between Obesity, Sarcopaenia and Falls in Older Person

Developing and identifying the methods to define obesity to improve the detection of older adults who are obese by body composition. This study aims to identify methods of evaluating adiposity and sarcopenia in older adults. Also this study is to establish the mechanism by which obesity may be linked to sarcopenia and to determine the underlying factors that may influence the risk of falls in older people with excessive body fat.

UM Breast Lymphoma Project (Pink Lily): Biobanking, Registry Biomarkers for Multiracial population

The most common type of breast cancer that arises from epithelial elements are categorized as carcinomas with the most common type such as invasive carcinoma. The need of starting primary breast lymphoma tissue banking and registry is a novel move for this group of disease that is still not well studied in the East Region. This study aims to set biobanking of lymphoma tumour tissues and blood (plasma) under UM Biobank unit. Also, the study aims to investigate differentially expressed IncRNAs in incidence of breast lymphoma to enhance our understanding of the gene regulation mechanism of this disease based on the transcriptome data of PBL biopsy samples. Besides that, this study is to identify suitable IncRNAs as biomarkers for breast lymphoma for a more rapid diagnosis and delivery of therapy.

peri-operative optimization of tumor-related epilepsy

To identify the molecular genetic changes associated with seizure occurrence among those with brain tumor and determine associated with favourable post operativeseizure control.

Current Research 2020

Molecular Profiling and Pathway Analysis of Clinically Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Determination of the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive behaviour of high-grade and sarcomatoid RCC compared to low-grade RCC. It is also to investigate the protein expression of related genes that lead to poor prognosis of patients with RCC.

Glycocalyx Level in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy with Human Albumin 5% vs Gelofusine

The research is to determine association of glycocalyx by measuring level syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate with type colloid given human albumin 5% vs gelofusine in pancreatectomy.

A Multi-national Cohort Study on Impact of Intra-tumoral Genomic Heterogeneity & the Immune Micro-environment on the Clinical Trajectory of resected hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer in the cancer but 2nd most important cause of cancer death. Because of its highly heterogeneous nature, the current approach is to identify druggable targets that have not delivered efficacious systemic therapy in HCC is a main reason for the high case fatalities. This study aims to investigate the genomic heterogeneity immunological profile of surgically resected HCC, and relate them to subsequent clinical trajectory.

Prostate Cancer Biobanking

Prostate cancer is the 4th most common male cancer accounting for 5.7% of cancer cases among men in Malaysia with approximately 60% of prostate cancer being diagnosed at Stage III and IV. Therefore, it is essential to establish a prostate cancer biobanking cohort to support epidemiology, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in Malaysia. The urology unit has started the prostate cancer biobanking since 2013, including blood, urine and associated clinical data from prostate cancer patients. We have been actively involved in national and international prostate cancer consortium studies to improve the management of prostate cancer.

Unravelling the Secret behind the Links between Obesity, Sarcopaenia and Falls in Older Person

Developing and identifying the methods to define obesity to improve the detection of older adults who are obese by body composition. This study aims to identify methods of evaluating adiposity and sarcopenia in older adults. Also this study is to establish the mechanism by which obesity may be linked to sarcopenia and to determine the underlying factors that may influence the risk of falls in older people with excessive body fat.

UM Breast Lymphoma Project (Pink Lily): Biobanking, Registry Biomarkers for Multiracial population

The most common type of breast cancer that arises from epithelial elements are categorized as carcinomas with the most common type such as invasive carcinoma. The need of starting primary breast lymphoma tissue banking and registry is a novel move for this group of disease that is still not well studied in the East Region. This study aims to set biobanking of lymphoma tumour tissues and blood (plasma) under UM Biobank unit. Also, the study aims to investigate differentially expressed IncRNAs in incidence of breast lymphoma to enhance our understanding of the gene regulation mechanism of this disease based on the transcriptome data of PBL biopsy samples. Besides that, this study is to identify suitable IncRNAs as biomarkers for breast lymphoma for a more rapid diagnosis and delivery of therapy.

Current Research 2021

Molecular Profiling and Pathway Analysis of Clinically Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Determination of the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive behaviour of high-grade and sarcomatoid RCC compared to low-grade RCC. It is also to investigate the protein expression of related genes that lead to poor prognosis of patients with RCC.

Glycocalyx Level in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy with Human Albumin 5% vs Gelofusine

The research is to determine association of glycocalyx by measuring level syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate with type colloid given human albumin 5% vs gelofusine in pancreatectomy.

A Multi-national Cohort Study on Impact of Intra-tumoral Genomic Heterogeneity & the Immune Micro-environment on the Clinical Trajectory of resected hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer in the cancer but 2nd most important cause of cancer death. Because of its highly heterogeneous nature, the current approach is to identify druggable targets that have not delivered efficacious systemic therapy in HCC is a main reason for the high case fatalities. This study aims to investigate the genomic heterogeneity immunological profile of surgically resected HCC, and relate them to subsequent clinical trajectory.

Prostate Cancer Biobanking

Prostate cancer is the 4th most common male cancer accounting for 5.7% of cancer cases among men in Malaysia with approximately 60% of prostate cancer being diagnosed at Stage III and IV. Therefore, it is essential to establish a prostate cancer biobanking cohort to support epidemiology, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in Malaysia. The urology unit has started the prostate cancer biobanking since 2013, including blood, urine and associated clinical data from prostate cancer patients. We have been actively involved in national and international prostate cancer consortium studies to improve the management of prostate cancer.

Unravelling the Secret behind the Links between Obesity, Sarcopaenia and Falls in Older Person

Developing and identifying the methods to define obesity to improve the detection of older adults who are obese by body composition. This study aims to identify methods of evaluating adiposity and sarcopenia in older adults. Also this study is to establish the mechanism by which obesity may be linked to sarcopenia and to determine the underlying factors that may influence the risk of falls in older people with excessive body fat.

UM Breast Lymphoma Project (Pink Lily): Biobanking, Registry Biomarkers for Multiracial population

The most common type of breast cancer that arises from epithelial elements are categorized as carcinomas with the most common type such as invasive carcinoma. The need of starting primary breast lymphoma tissue banking and registry is a novel move for this group of disease that is still not well studied in the East Region. This study aims to set biobanking of lymphoma tumour tissues and blood (plasma) under UM Biobank unit. Also, the study aims to investigate differentially expressed IncRNAs in incidence of breast lymphoma to enhance our understanding of the gene regulation mechanism of this disease based on the transcriptome data of PBL biopsy samples. Besides that, this study is to identify suitable IncRNAs as biomarkers for breast lymphoma for a more rapid diagnosis and delivery of therapy.

peri-operative optimization of tumor-related epilepsy

To identify the molecular genetic changes associated with seizure occurrence among those with brain tumor and determine associated with favourable post operativeseizure control.

Current Research 2020

Molecular Profiling and Pathway Analysis of Clinically Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Determination of the genes and pathways involved in the aggressive behaviour of high-grade and sarcomatoid RCC compared to low-grade RCC. It is also to investigate the protein expression of related genes that lead to poor prognosis of patients with RCC.

Glycocalyx Level in Patients Undergoing Pancreatectomy with Human Albumin 5% vs Gelofusine

The research is to determine association of glycocalyx by measuring level syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate with type colloid given human albumin 5% vs gelofusine in pancreatectomy.

A Multi-national Cohort Study on Impact of Intra-tumoral Genomic Heterogeneity & the Immune Micro-environment on the Clinical Trajectory of resected hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th most common cancer in the cancer but 2nd most important cause of cancer death. Because of its highly heterogeneous nature, the current approach is to identify druggable targets that have not delivered efficacious systemic therapy in HCC is a main reason for the high case fatalities. This study aims to investigate the genomic heterogeneity immunological profile of surgically resected HCC, and relate them to subsequent clinical trajectory.

Prostate Cancer Biobanking

Prostate cancer is the 4th most common male cancer accounting for 5.7% of cancer cases among men in Malaysia with approximately 60% of prostate cancer being diagnosed at Stage III and IV. Therefore, it is essential to establish a prostate cancer biobanking cohort to support epidemiology, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in Malaysia. The urology unit has started the prostate cancer biobanking since 2013, including blood, urine and associated clinical data from prostate cancer patients. We have been actively involved in national and international prostate cancer consortium studies to improve the management of prostate cancer.

Unravelling the Secret behind the Links between Obesity, Sarcopaenia and Falls in Older Person

Developing and identifying the methods to define obesity to improve the detection of older adults who are obese by body composition. This study aims to identify methods of evaluating adiposity and sarcopenia in older adults. Also this study is to establish the mechanism by which obesity may be linked to sarcopenia and to determine the underlying factors that may influence the risk of falls in older people with excessive body fat.

UM Breast Lymphoma Project (Pink Lily): Biobanking, Registry Biomarkers for Multiracial population

The most common type of breast cancer that arises from epithelial elements are categorized as carcinomas with the most common type such as invasive carcinoma. The need of starting primary breast lymphoma tissue banking and registry is a novel move for this group of disease that is still not well studied in the East Region. This study aims to set biobanking of lymphoma tumour tissues and blood (plasma) under UM Biobank unit. Also, the study aims to investigate differentially expressed IncRNAs in incidence of breast lymphoma to enhance our understanding of the gene regulation mechanism of this disease based on the transcriptome data of PBL biopsy samples. Besides that, this study is to identify suitable IncRNAs as biomarkers for breast lymphoma for a more rapid diagnosis and delivery of therapy.

Semi-quantitative kidney stone analysis

Method: 
Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum analysis for stone composition.
Useful for : 
Managing patients with recurrent kidney stone.

Available to all government and private hospitals nationwide.

UNIT ACTIVITIES

Surgical Research Lab Team

Research coordinator

ASSOC. PROFESSOR
DR VAIRAVAN NARAYANAN​

Surgical Lab
Manager

DR JASMINE LIM

MEDICAL LAB TECHNOLOGIST

Nor Fazida Rasidi

MEDICAL LAB TECHNOLOGIST

Nur Naquiah Kamarrudin

Asst. Science
Officer

Nur Najihah Zulkifeli