Researchers from the International Medical University (IMU) secured a total of RM 1,041,530 in grants under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). The grants are for 8 proposals submitted by researchers which have been approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). With the award of the grants, the University is confident that its researchers will contribute to fulfilling the nation’s aspirations to excel in fundamental research. The FRGS aims to support fundamental research that generates new theory, concept, and idea for knowledge enhancement. It involves the exploration of new ideas, concepts or theories which will be the backbone to new discoveries, expansion of knowledge and sophisticated and state of the art inventions. In this respect, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), the Ministry of Education (MOE) has allocated RM200 million to fund fundamental research projects in Higher Education Institutions. The fundamental research project is generally classified into six areas, namely Pure Science, Applied Science, Social Sciences and Literature, Medical Science, Technology and Engineering, and Natural Science and National Heritage. Congratulations to all the Principal Investigators and their team members. Approved projects:
| Project Title |
Amount Approved (RM) |
Investigators |
| Identification of chemical probes with pancreatic β-cell-selective replication promoting activity: The new paradigm in anti-diabetic drug discovery. |
154,000 |
Dr Venkata Rao Kaki (Principal Investigator); Prof Ahmad Sazali Bin Hamzah (Universiti Teknologi MARA), A/Prof Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika, Dr Deb Pran Kishore, Dr Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy, Dr Chin Swee Yee & A/Prof Slavko Komarnytsky (Northwest University). |
| The role of phase behaviour in the stability of lyophilised biomacromolecules. |
98,800 |
Dr Norman Chieng Heng Liang (Principal Investigator); A/Prof Wong Tin Wui (Universiti Teknologi MARA) & Dr Cheong Kok Whye. |
| Functional roles of DNA-methyltransferase and histone-deacetylases on the regulation of genes encoding virulence-associated proteins in Acanthamoeba species. |
114,920 |
Dr Chan Li Li (Principal Investigator); A/Prof Leong Chee Onn, Dr Arine Fadzlun Binti Ahmad (Universiti Malaya), Dr Priyadarshi Soumyaranjan Sahu, Prof Mak Joon Wah & Prof Stephen Periathamby Ambu. |
| Does sun exposure affect PTH response to serum Vitamin D in Malaysian adults? |
121,120 |
Dr Chong Hueh Zan (Principal Investigator); Dr Tan Seok Shin, Assoc Prof Loke Seng Cheong (Universiti Putra Malaysia), Dr Snigdha Misra, Dr Amalraj Fabian Davamani, Dr Maznorila Binti Mohamad, Prof Khor Geok Lin, Dr Lucy Green (University of Southampton) & Dr Jane Cleal (University of Southampton). |
| Swietenine, a natural wonder drug, potentiates the antidiabetic activity of metformin: Identification of molecular mechanisms involved. |
90,200 |
A/Prof Dr Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika (Principal Investigator); Prof Srijit Das (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Dr Sreenivasa Rao Sagineedu, A/Prof Balijepalli Madhu Katyayani (Kolej Universiti MAHSA), Dr Thirumurugan Rathinasabapathy & Dr Ng Sook Han. |
| Evaluation of the mechanism of action of lactoferricin B peptide in the inhibition of breast cancer. |
165,440 |
Dr Ebenezer Chitra Fabian (Principal Investigator); Prof Stephen PeriathambyAmbu, Dr Amalraj Fabian Davamani, Dr Ramkumar Rajendran & Dr Alan Khoo Soo Beng (Institute for Medical Research). |
| Effect of co-aggregation to the pathogenicity of Vibrio cholerae. |
145,400 |
Dr Chong Chun Wie (Principal Investigator); Dr Ivan Yap Kok Seng, Dr Cindy Teh Shuan Ju (Universiti Malaya), A/Prof Leong Chee Onn & Prof Thong Kwai Lin (University of Malaya). |
| Post-translational regulation of glutamine metabolism by acetylases and deacetylases in cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. |
151,650 |
Dr Ramkumar Rajendran (Principal Investigator); A/Prof Leong Chee Onn, Prof Stephen Periathamby Ambu, Dr Ebenezer Chitra Fabian, Dr Amalraj Fabian Davamani & Dr Constantinos Demonacos (University of Manchester). |
