NEURONews - Universiti Sains Malaysiamedic.usm.my/neurosciences/images/files/NEWSLETTER...2001, he had joined USM as a trainee lecturer, full-time and more impor-tantly, in neurosurgery.there

Dr. Abdul Aziz Mohamed Yusoff has at-

tended a Mitochondrial Molecular Biology

and Pathology Workshop which was held at

National Institutes of Health (NIH), Be-

thesda US, from May 5-7, 2009. This

"Hands On" biotechnology training courses

(Bio-trac) was organized by the Foundation

for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES). The purpose of this three-day workshop was

to provide a foundation of knowledge for those who are new to the field of mitochondrial re-

search and its biogenesis or for those who are interested in further understanding mitochondrial

molecular biology and pathology. The workshop included a combination of lectures and hands

-on laboratory experiments to exposed the participants with the skills necessary to work with

these organelles.

RIKEN BSI is

located in RIKEN main

campus in Wakoshi, Sai-

tama. The summer program

took place between July 13

to July 24, 2009. Partici-

pants were accommodated

in a nearby hotel, which

was 20 minutes walking

distance from RIKEN.

The summer pro-

gram consisted of series of

lectures on neuroscience

and opportunity for partici-

pants to present research

poster. The theme this year

was “Interacting Brain” :

promoting the interactions

between participants and

guest speakers in sharing and

fostering science of the brain.

Special guest speakers were

invited from renown world

universities such as Univer-

sity Pierre & Marie Curie,

France, Emory University

School of Medicine, USA and

Oxford University, UK.

Speakers also included emi-

nent staff from RIKEN BSI.

The poster presenta-

tion gave participants the op-

portunity to engage with the

public on the scientific merits

of research in neuroscience . I

presented a research of ethno-

pharmacology and its use in

the studies of epileptic rat.

The basis of my re-

search involved the

use of Mitragyna spe-

ciosa (ketum or kra-

tom) extract, whereby

we are interested in

the chronic effects

upon exposure to Ketum in both normal

and epileptic rats. From this exercise, I

received comments and thoughts which

are constructive for my current research. I

also develop particular interest on an

imaging technique known as Two Pho-

tons

Imaging

Tech-

nique.

This

exciting

technol-

ogy al-

lows

scien-

tists to observe the electrical potential in

the brain more clearly.

Mitochondrial Molecular Biology and Pathology Workshop

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Dr Abd Aziz in Be-

thesda,US.

1

Ulul survive in RIKEN 1

Spotlight: Dr Saufi 2

Animal Behaviour

Course

2

Visitor from Toku-

shima University

3

Elekta– Neuromag 3

RLKA Meeting 4

RIKEN Brain Science Institute Summer Program

2009

U N I V E R S I T I S A I N S

M A L A Y S I A D E P A R T M E N T

O F N E U R O S C I E N C E S NEURONews

J U L — D E C 2 0 0 9 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2

Page 1

Neuroscience Micro-

Injection

Exchange of Staff 4

4

2001, he had joined USM

as a trainee lecturer, full-

time and more impor-

tantly, in neurosurgery.

He knew that this

was the beginning of his

dream ambition to be-

come a skillful surgeon. As

part of his training, he ac-

quired exciting exposures

in neuromedical for 1 year

with Prof Tharakan, 4

months at internal medi-

cine, 4 months at O&G

and 4 months for neuro-

surgery.

In 2003, he offi-

cially joined the Masters

program for neurosur-

gery. He has a fond mem-

ory whilst conducting his

thesis on robotics when he

spend 6 months at KB gen-

eral surgery, 3 months at

UKM and another 3 months

each at HKL for neurosur-

gery and neurology at USM.

During this time, he missed

his daughter terribly who

had to stay with his in-laws.

In addition, he also had to

endure the greatest chal-

lenge in his life so far when

he had to take his exams

while his wife had to be in

the UK to complete her

PhD. Although as a family

they were emotionally chal-

lenged, together they made

it in the end.

Professionally, he

desired to become an ac-

complished spine surgeon in

the next 5 years.

Kuantan is home

for Dr Saufi, who was born

there as “anak merdeka”

on 31/8/1972. The journey

of this charming neurosur-

geon for his career began

with the award a scholar-

ship to pursue MBBS at

University of Adelaide in

1999. Upon graduation, he

took up housemanship

post in March 2000 at

HUSM. He completed his

internship after one year in

2001 successfully.

He continued his

career journey in the De-

partment of Orthopedics,

HUSM for two months as

M.O followed by April-July

at USM and HKB in 2001

under MOH. After July

N E U R O N E W S

Spotlight: Dr Mohamed Saufi b. Awang

Page 2

Animal Behaviour Intensive Course 2009

Dr Goh showing the applica-

tion of Morris Water Maze

during the practical session

On December 17, 2009 we had the pleas-

ure of Dr.Goh Yong Meng who delivered

the Animal Behaviour Intensive Course,

held at the Department of Neurosciences.

Dr. Goh is currently a lecturer in UPM at

the School of Pre-Clinical Veterinary Sci-

ences. His areas of expertise include nutri-

tional physiology and PUFA metabolism

and their use in medicine. At present, he is

focusing on research related to trans and

conjugated Linolenic acid.

The objectives of this course :

1. To expose students with the neuro-

science related behaviour study in rodents

and selection of behaviour study tools for

specific purpose.

2. To provide students with intensive

practical experience to conduct the behav-

iour study and data acquisition in rodents.

3. To expose student with analysis of

behaviour study data and statistical

evaluation.

The course was targeted for the

postgraduates students ( MSc & PhD )

who are currently involved with animal

research. The course was well attended

with 25 student participants, and was

completed successfully in one day.

Prof Jafri thanking Dr Goh

during the closing ceremony

Doctor of Philosophy (2002) - Universiti Putra Malaysia Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

(1998) - Universiti Putra Malaysia

V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2

Visiting from University of Tokushima

Page 3 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2

9 Dec 09, the Department of Neu-

rosciences had received Japanese

visitors from Universiti of Toku-

shima. They were here to renew

the memorandum of understanding

(MoU) between USM and Univer-

sity of Tokushima.

Prof Jafri Malin as the

head of Department of Neurosci-

ences was accompanied by Prof Nik

Abdullah, Dr Muzaimi and Dr

Helmy while University of Toku-

shima was represented by its presi-

dent, Prof Tashihira Aono, vice-

president Yoshiaki Igarashi, Presi-

dential Aid for International Affairs

Prof Kazuo Hosoi, Assistant Dean

Faculty of Medicine Prof Hiroshi

Maezawa, International Planner Dr

Mitsue Uchida and Dean, Faculty of

Oral Sciences Prof Yosio Hayashi.

During the visit, Prof Jafri

Malin had introduced them to the

main Neuroscience Laboratory, the

MEG & ERP Laboratory that played

leading roles in brain science re-

search in Malaysia.

Prof Tashihira said that

the Tokushima University, which

was established in 1949, accepted

about 260 international students

annually, and currently promoting

international education.

He said the university made it into

the Japan National University Cor-

poration owing to its excellent

achievements, especially in health

science and engineering.

suppression method, in particular

with the complex calculation in-

volved to give a mathematical com-

pensation.

Hazim added, “During the

course we had a chance to visit the

MEG assembly facilities at Innokas

Medical Oy. We were pleasantly

surprised with the fact that with

only about 30 employees, the com-

pany still able to build the MEG

system and then marketed it around

the world. With the heavily priced

goods and delivering customer

wants, the company has made lucra-

tive returns. Most of the staff were

young and energetic, except for the

experts who seemed graying. Unfor-

tunately, whilst at the assembly

facilities, we were not allowed to

take pictures to share with the rest

of you.”

On the last day, we held

one-to-one session with the expert

like Ritva Paetau, Riitta Salmelin and

others. The discussion was particu-

larly useful on data acquisitions and

analysis for epilepsy.

The next day we took the

opportunity to fly to Kuopio to visit

Prof Jafri’s student, Madam Farizan

with her son, Mikael and

husband, Faiz. They, as fam-

ily, seemed to be full of life,

based on the experiences

that they had shared with us.

The opportunity was also

taken by Farizan to get in-

puts on her PhD works from

Prof Wan Ahmad Kamil and

Prof Jafri while visiting her

laboratory. We wish to have

stayed a little longer, but we

only had two precious days

with them. Finally, we thank

you Helsinki, thank you Ku-

opio and thank you the trio:

Farizan, Mikael & Faiz. Thank

you ALL.

November 16-20, 2009 Prof Jafri Malin Abdullah, Prof Wan

Ahmad Kamil and Hazim Omar had

attended the Introductory Program

on the Elekta Neuromag Magne-

toencephalography (MEG) that

explore its clinical and research use.

It was held during a winter season

in BRU Brain Research Unit, LTL

Low Temperature Laboratory,

Puumiehenkuja 2, Helsinki Univer-

sity of Technology, Espoo. Two

delegates had attended the course,

our Malaysian delegate and another

from Holland (6 researchers).

According to Hazim, the

program content consisted of series

of lectures from the leading experts

in MEG, workflow observation and

hands-on session for spontaneous

and various evoked responses.

Since we considered ourselves

beginner in the field of MEG, the

program was also tailored to match

our interests with MEG. In the

lecture we learned about the sys-

tem hardware, liquid helium refill,

data acquisition and also the analy-

sis part. Although we were very

familiar with these parts but we

were puzzled with the interference

Elekta Neuromag : Introductory Program

GOOD LUCK NABILA…..

Neuroscience associate meeting of USM Academic Staff Training Scheme

(ASTS) was held in the Department of Neurosciences, aimed at getting to

know each other and to plan the future expertise or field, critical for neu-

roscience development in Malaysia and USM.

All ASTS candidates had proposed and discussed with the team all the

areas of expertise that they would consider for their PhD studies.

RLKA MEETING

Prof Jafri presented the opportunity and

branches of neurosciences. His presentation

was followed by Dr.Muzaimi who presented

the current and future research themes that

will be of interest to the ASTS candidates.

Current neuroscientists (not in picture: Dr.Aziz)

and ASTS at the end of the meeting

Neuroscience Microinjection Practical Session 2009

Dr Zulkifli demonstrated the

surgical technique on the rat

brain

Meeting objective: To expose students to the appli-

cation of stereotatic in brain microinjection.

The participant also had hands-on opportunities on

the method shown. Participants were also taught

about cardiac perfusion technique for the spinal cord

and brain preservation.

Mr Azim Patar demonstrated the use of the stereotac-

tic frame for atlas guided microinjection into the rat

brain

V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2 Page 4

Nur Nabila Abu Bakar held a

post as technologist in Neuro-

science Department over a pe-

riod of 6 months when she had

to depart from the Department

to further her study in Degree

of Medical Lab Technologist at

UiTM. She had shown exem-

plary work attitudes and skills,

and well liked by staff and stu-

dents alike.

WELCOME FOR NEW STAFF…..

Raja Siti Nazihah bt Raja Mohd Ghani was appointed

temporarily to replace Pn Mazira Ghazali. She had

graduated from UPM in May 2009 with a degree in

Science Biology (Honours).

She had commenced duty for a period of one year

from Dec 1, 09, with a view for renewed contract on a

yearly basis subject to her satisfactory progress. To

date, she is fitting well into the Department.

Kee Sui Mei was appointed as a new technologist in

place of Nabila. She is a mixed blood of Chinese and

Siamese, given her an exotic look, despite her Chinese

name. Graduated from UDM in July 09, she had landed

into the job after following the footstep of her friend

who also worked as a technologist at USM.

Her most memorable and significant contributions her

active involvement as a project manager in the “Bengkel

Pengenalan Sains Neuro 2009”, especially popular among

student participants for her undivided attention for their

needs at the Bengkel.