GEL ELECTROPHORESIS TIMES

Have you watched forensic dramas like CSI, Hawaiian Five O and NCIS?? If your answer is “Yes”, then you might have wondered how they managed to find the culprit behind all those cases, right?

DNA TECHNOLOGY has the answer for it! It allows us to study the sequence, expression, and function of a gene. Genomics is a term that is used in DNA technology, which involves the study of whole sets of genes and their interactions. Meanwhile, GEL ELECTROPHORESIS is a lab technique that is used to separate primarily DNA and macromolecules such as proteins, on the basis of their size and charge with the use of an electric current.

Figure 1: Gel electrophoresis diagram

Gel is used as a medium for DNA’s movement. The gel allows smaller molecules to move easily, compared to larger fragments of DNA, thus the fragments are separated by size. That is why shorter molecules travel faster and thus farther. When the current is turned off, the DNA molecules are arrayed in “bands” along a “lane” according to their size.

Okay, now let’s relate this with the crime scene investigation cases. Imagine there was a murder case. The victim is found dead inside the house and there are blood stains on the victim’s clothes and also on the wall. Police have a list of suspects but they can’t nab the culprit.

The blood stains will then be sent to the lab for testing. Gel electrophoresis is implemented to find the culprit. How are the results revealed? The bands of blood stains from clothes and wall samples will be used as references while the suspect’s blood (DNA) sample will be compared. The higher similarity between the reference and DNA samples show who the murderer is. Case solved!

Figure 2: Gel electrophoresis bands.

Result indicate that suspect #2 was probably involved in the crime scene 

So.. we learned all this, and more in class. We had a very able lecturer, Prof Mokhrish from UPM School of Veterinary Sciences, who thought us all we needed to know about this lab technique and much more side knowledge which was a privilege to obtain. 

                                             Written by: Siti Kauthar
                                                  Edited by: Mel Ann

Birthday Surprises :)

Suddenly, there were two lil cupcakes sitting on the table in front of the class. Then, two individuals were called up to stand in front for all to see. Who were they? 

Mr Tan Ja Houng and Ms Tan Chern Huay!

On the 31st October, the both of them made it past another year of life.. all grown up now.. :P

The class made a fuss out of it, and it was a sweet gesture of them to get the pretty cakes with candles lit and singing the Birthday song to the both of them. 

May the bond of togetherness and friendship last among this class of friends as time goes by! And to the both of you, a very Blessed Birthday and Best Wishes for the years to come.. :D

The Birthday girl and guy being well wished! ^_^





                                                                                                                                        Written by : Mel Ann

Friendships that Last 

How long has it been since we first started out as a class of BIDP trainees.. ?

It’s been almost two years now, since then. And Yes, we still do keep in touch! The feeling is really warm when we meet for a simple lunch / work in the lab together / share stories of projects and difficulties at work places.. or even to recall memories of our class and trainers ~

The friendships made, are truly cherished! Moving forward, may we continue to stay close and united!

Having a Mexican lunch together! :D

Having a yummy dinner @ Pen Mutiara ~ 

Steamboat dinner to show off our cooking skills! :P 

Cheers to the many more meet-ups we will have! All the very best to every one of you in your projects and work places.. Remember, we are always there for each other! 

                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                 Written by: Mel Ann

Dear friends and colleagues who are celebrating, we at HAT would like to wish you all a very 

Selamat Hari Raya Haji! 

Views of BIDP... 4 Oct 2013

When Dr Leong made contact to ask if I was happy to come back to deliver the Downstream course again this year, I quickly jumped at the opportunity to participate yet again in this BIDP programme together with HAT and Talentcorp Malaysia. 

I was looking forward to this trip all summer for some proper warm weather (note the grey skies…), the yummy food and especially as my family was coming back to Malaysia too! But most importantly, the course…

This year, I decided to pack a bit more Mathematics (apologies Mar) into the course. This, I felt was necessary, so that one is able to describe and understand Downstream Bioprocessing unit operations from fundamental principles to include an appreciation for the assumptions and limits of given models.  So, my “itchy fingers” set off to work to update the slides. So, Day 1 – I arrived at IPharm and this was going to be my “home” for the next 3-days. 

IPharm, Penang!

Right from the onset, I immediately felt a warm welcome and connection with this cohort – not only because of my namesake. The diverse background (biotechnology, biochemistry, engineering, microbiology, plant biology, etc) and industrial participants made up an interesting cohort. Over the next three days, we went on a journey from an overview (insulin as a case study), some basic chemical engineering principles (fluid mechanics and heat & mass transfers) to downstream bioprocessing (cell disruption, filtration, centrifugation, chromatography, crystallisation, drying) and wrapped up with discussions about sustainability! I personally enjoyed the derivations but I guess I am only speaking for a select few (hopefully more). So, I am very appreciative (a big thank you!) to all of you for bearing with me and following step-by-step along the way - hopefully the key concept is registered and cemented in your mind now.  

Honestly for me, the most important aspect of this whole programme is you, the participants! 

BIDP II Batch 1 - Pharma track 

In the short space of the 3 days we interacted, I quickly appreciated TalentCorp and HAT’s initiative – to train our next generation of scientists and engineers who would be leading our bio-industry in Malaysia. You have the talent and ability plus the opportunity.  As they say, the world is your oyster! 

In summary, you all made my role as instructor an easy one and very enjoyable (and also a great family holiday). So, thank you very much!

Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end… and I am now back in London – early signs of the autumn now.

Do keep in touch and very best wishes in all your undertakings.

Written by:  Jerry Heng