OUR SPECIAL PROJECT/RESEARCH

The Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) was involved in special testing & research. Details are as follows:

SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Surveillance

BRI is one of the consortium laboratories involved in Malaysia’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Project under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia to identify and monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants in the country, particularly in Sabah and Labuan
These are our numbers

08

A total of eight researchers were in this team, all with unique expertise.
  • Prof. Dr. Lee Ping Chin (Leader) – Microbiology
  • Dr. Yew Chee Wei – Bioinformatics
  • Dr. Eric Chong Tzyy Jiann – Medical Biotechnology
  • Dr. Nurul Elyani Mohamad – Molecular Biology
  • Dr. Sylvia Jerome Daim – Pathology
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kenneth F. Rodrigues – Molecular Genetics
  • Dr. Cahyo Budiman – Protein Science
  • Prof. Dr. Vijay Kumar - Genetics

03

Full-time commitment from our postdoctoral and medical laboratory technicians (MLTs)
  • Dr. Krishnan Nair A/L Balakrishnan– Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Ivy Natalia Rasayung – Trained MLT
  • Jacyka Binti Jaibi – Trained MLT

666

We have isolated 666 SARS-CoV-2 RNAs from VTM samples that were received from the main health facilities in Sabah and Labuan
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu
  • Tawau Hospital, Tawau
  • Labuan Hospital, Labuan
  • Gleneagles Hospital, Kota Kinabalu
  • Tambunan Hospital, Tambunan
  • Duchess of Kent Hospital, Sandakan
  • Lahad Datu Hospital, Lahad Datu
  • Sabah Women and Children Hospital, Kota Kinabalu
  • Keningau Hospital, Keningau
  • Kota Kinabalu Health Department, Kota Kinabalu
  • Inanam Health Clinic, Kota Kinabalu
  • Sandakan Health Clinic, Sandakan

583

We have successfully sequenced 583 SARS-CoV-2 whole genomes from May to Dec 2022
  • 583 SARS-CoV-2 whole genomes were sequenced and uploaded into the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) database

Covid 19 Testing & Research

Our team of researchers and specialists are involved in testing and research on COVID 19:
These are our numbers

07

A total of seven researchers were in this team, all with unique expertise.
  • Dr. Zarina Amin - Human pathogens
  • Prof. Dr. Vijay Kumar - Genetics
  • Prof. Dr. Lee Ping Chin - Microbiology
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kenneth F. R - Molecular Biology
  • Dr. Christopher V.L.Y - Bioinformatics
  • Dr. Cahyo Budiman - Protein Science
  • Dr. Noor Hydayaty M.Y - Genetic Engineering
  • Dr. Nur Athirah Yusof - Protein Science

03

Full time commitment from our Biosafety officers and lab personnel. The heart of this team, who were there day and night.
  • Salmi Afidah S. - Trained Biosafety officer
  • Mony Mian - Trained personnel for BSL3
  • Vidarita Maikin - Trained personnel on Genomics

04

We have tested thousand of samples received from four main hospitals in Kota Kinabalu including:
  • Makmal Kesihatan Awam (MKAKK)
  • Hosp. Angkatan Tentera Wil. Kota Kinabalu (HATKK)
  • Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu
  • KPJ Specialist Hospital Kota Kinabalu

3305

We have conducted RT-PCR analyses on thousands of samples receive, mostly in VTM.
  • 3305 samples tested with RT-PCR

03

Team was established on 1st of April 2020 and the last samples tested was on 24th of June 2020.
  • 1 April - 24 June 2020 (3 months)