OUR PROJECTS | mysite

Crop Improvement Towards Biotic and Abiotic Stress

We use endophytes and other beneficial microbes to improve tolerance of major crops (oil palm, banana) as well as minor crops (vegetables) towards biotic stress (infection by Ganoderma, Fusarium) and abiotic stress (metal stress). We also explored methods such as seed biopriming as well as integrating novel approaches to illustrate behaviour of biocontrol agents in host plants. Key projects include:

- YY Chow-Colonization studies of endophytic biocontrol agents in non-native host plants

- CSF Sim-Evaluating the use of metal-tolerant endophytes as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents in metal-laden acidic soils

- RSL Chong-Endophytic biocontrol agents from non-native host plants for the control of Ganoderma in oil palm

- JM Chin-Biopriming vegetable crops with metal-tolerant endophytes to improve tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress

- YK Goh-Investigating biotic and abiotic components in Blenheim soil series in suppressing Basal Stem Rot incidence of oil palm

- KAA Santiago-Metabolomics profiling from the interaction of oil-palm and Ganoderma

Microbes for Bioremediation

We source for microbes from various environments to remove pollutants such as triphenylmethane dyes and metals. We test on their removal efficacy in single and multimetal systems. We establish their mechanisms and improve their removal efficacy via pre-treatment and immobilisation. Key research topics include:

-SH Chen-Metalophilic fungi for removal of dyes and metals: investigations on efficacy and mechanisms

-NH Adenan-Actinobacteria for removal of triphenylmethane dyes

-P Singh-Microplastic degrading microbes for soil and crop improvement

-RSY Khai – Marine microbiome communities from Malaysia for plastic degradation

-MG Galinato – Endophytic mycobiome of the mangrove halophytes: Diversity and hydrocarbon remediation

-CHP Goh– Landfill isolates for plastic biodegradation and their bioconversions

Green Chemistry

We use biological approaches to manage the environment. This new focus area is interwoven with other research areas as we aim to minimise the use of chemicals, by substituting with biologically-derived compounds. Green Chemistry is used in agriculture and bioremediation. Our goal is to achieve sustainable and environmentally-friendly approaches. Key projects include:

- C Cheah-Exopolymeric substances from bacteria as biomolecules for metal removal

- KH Tiew-Continuous sorption of metal ions using immobilised exopolymeric substances from bacteria

- BZ Butt-Biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles from fungal extracts and applications

- R Amirthalingam-Biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles from Kaffir lime leaf extracts for applications

- K Sairebieli - Exopolymeric-producing microbes as bioenhancers for microbial bioinoculants: biocompatibility, bioactivity and shelf-life studies

- CY Tan- Thermophiles for biohydrogen production: isolation and optimization studies

Bioactive Compounds from Microbes

We also investigate the different bioactive compounds produced by microbes. They include enzymes that are for biodegradation and bioremediation, enzymes that are anticancer in nature, antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds, as well as growth-promoting attributes. Key projects include:

- JJY Loh-Bioencapsulation and disease suppression studies on beneficial bacteria against Edwardsiella tarda infection in climbing perch larvae (Anabas testudineus, Bloch)

- M Akinsanya-Genetic survey and characterisation of endophytic bacteria with medicinal properties

- SWS Tan-Diversity and bioactive compounds of endophytic fungi from medicinal plants

- KAA Santiago-Bioactive compounds from endolichenic fungi

- LS Yap-L-asparaginase produced from endophyte: production, optimisation and anticancer activities

- PT Gan-Influence of light mediation on the production of bioactive compounds by fungi

- RW Chua-Endophytes from orchids and their bio activities

- ICH Lim-Microbes from mangrove and their bioactive compounds

On-going projects

Completed projects