Innovation in biotech
THE development of medical biotechnology is one of the major success stories of the last 20 years and it continues to revolutionise the world of medicine.
Exciting new developments have paved the way for new treatments to combat previously life- threatening diseases and improve the quality of life.
The BSc ( Hons) Medical Biotechnology programme under the Department of Biological Sciences at Sunway University is designed to lead students and help them understand some of the most important developments in biotechnology – opening up a future to the world of innovation and discovery.
As society grapples with complex issues in the rapidly changing world of medical biotechnology, graduates of the BSc ( Hons) Medical Biotechnology will find rewarding careers in the pharmaceutical industry as well as health and public policy sectors.
During the course of their study, students are encouraged to collaborate with academic and research teams to further enhance their learning experience.
This year, five teams from Sunway University took part in the International Invention and Innovation Exhibition ( ITEX) 2016 and were presented a silver award each.
Deemed as the marketplace for invention and innovation, the event is a platform for all to put their inventions in the spotlight and explore various opportunities for commercialisation.
Two of the teams from the Department of Biological Sciences took home the silver award in the biotechnology, health and fitness category.
The first team, which comprised Assoc Prof Dr Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Prof Naveed Ahmed Khan and Yousuf Aqeel, invented a photochemotherapy treatment against eye infections.
Their research focused on a novel method to selectively target eye parasites. The technology has the potential to replace existing treatment regimens that are non- selective and exhibit side effects.
The second team, consisting of Assoc Prof Siddiqui, Salwa Mansur Ali ( MSc in Life Science student) and Prof Khan, innovated antibiotics from cockroaches.
As cockroaches live in unhygienic conditions, the team hypothesised that cockroaches possess antibiotics to counter infections. Their research showed that cockroaches possess antibacterial agents that are effective against superbugs.
Focusing on developing research skills, the BSc ( Hons) Medical Biotechnology programme leads students to future studies at the master’s and PhD levels and to careers that are at the cutting edge of medical biotechnology discovery.
As Sunway University places enormous emphasis on the development of its research profile, the academic team is made up of individuals with strong research profiles and proven track records of publication in leading journals.
One of the prominent researchers is Prof Khan, who has 16 years of research and teaching experience.
Prof Khan emphasises that new answers to age- old problems or even emerging issues require one to go back to the basics.
According to him, Sunway University aims to equip students with the ability to understand how to solve problems. By putting in the time, students’ research sensitivities will mature and keep them coming back to the laboratory throughout their degree.
Prof Khan adds, “Research is not a job but a lifestyle. Apply these skills to the routine in your lives. This will serve as a building capacity for the nation and yourself.”
Sunway University campus facilities include state- of- the- art laboratories to support research work.
For more information, call 03- 7491 8622, e- mail info@ sunway. edu. my or visit