Centre Name:	Centre for Cancer Research
Chairperson:	Professor Dr. Lim Yang Mooi
Description of Centre:	Cancer research can cover a wide spectrum of research areas. Pathogenesis of cancer has long been accepted as a multi-factorial and multi-step process. In fundamental cancer research, studies on elucidating the mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression and metastasis remain the major emphasis in basic cancer research. Genetic and, more recently, epigenetic factors of cancer are being investigated, which may lead to the development of biomarkers for early cancer detection. Meanwhile, translational cancer research studies put emphasis on clinical applications of basic research findings. Development of therapeutic strategies leading to clinical protocols for cancer treatment is a major thrust of translational cancer research. In this respect, development of viable cellular or in vitro working models for systematic drug or natural product screening is also an important research direction. The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, aims to provide state-of-the-art facilities and develop integrated research programmes for fundamental and translational cancer research in Malaysia. The key areas of research will encompass early cancer detection, prognostic monitoring and development of therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. With the availability of the latest research instrumentation, facilities, cutting-edge technical platforms and concepts, the Centre for Cancer Research will strive to become a prominent cancer research hub in Malaysia.
Research area:	Creation and applications of cancer models Development of molecular strategies for early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers Molecular and cellular biology of cancer cells Identification and application of anti-cancerphytochemicals from herbal plants Cancer immunotherapy

 

Activities in 2013

Summary of activities

List of all events organized from January till December 2013 (in chronological order).

No.	Date	Event
1	2 Feb 2013	Guest Lecture: Immunology: Principal & Application
2	4 Feb 2013	CCR Seminar Series – World Cancer Awareness Day
3	1 Mac 2013	IMU Research collaboration discussion
4	6 Mac 2013	CCR Monthly Seminar – Dr Thaw Zin
5	13 Mac 2013	Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore, Research collaboration discussion
6	18 Mac 2013	School talk on health: Say no to drugs and smoking
7	9 April 2013	School talk on health: Say no to drugs and smoking
8	14 May 2013	School talk on cancer awareness: Breast cancer awareness
9	6 Jun 2013	Visit to National Cancer Society Malaysia
10	11 Jun 2013	CCR Monthly Seminar – Dr Thaw Zin
11	26 Jun 2013	CCR Monthly Seminar – Dr Leong Chee Onn
12	16 Aug 2013	Second visit to National Cancer Society Malaysia
13	24 Aug 2013	Relay For Life by National Cancer Society Malaysia
14	31 Oct 2013	Writing and Publishing Scientific Papers Workshop

World cancer day was observed on 4 February 2013 in order to raise awareness about this illness as well as to promote the measures, early detection, prevention and treatment of the disease. The theme for World Cancer Day, 2013 was on “Cancer - Did you know?”  The theme focused on dispelling the misconceptions associated with the disease.

Various events were organised by Centre for Cancer Research (CRC) to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconceptions about the disease.  There was a poster exhibition on Anti-smoking by the Unit Promosi of Pejabat Kesihatan Ulu Langat, while the National Cancer Society Malaysia had cancer education and fundraising activities at South Lobby, Sg. Long campus. 

We had three speakers who gave talks pertaining to cancer. Dr. Dalilah Kamaruddin, the Head/Medical Officer of Women’s Detection Centre at National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) spoke about general cancer awareness, while our very own lecturer from the Nursing Department, Ms. Jayanthi Marimuthu, spoke about healthy lifestyle to prevent cancer. The third speaker, Dr. Yang Zhao, lecturer from the Chinese Medicine Department, shared with us on how to prevent cancer through Chinese Medicine. We learned a lot from these talks, and dispelled our myths and misconceptions about the disease.

Meeting with delegates from Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore for potential research collaborations

On 13 March 2013, Prof. Dr. Patrick Loh, Adjunct Professor and member of Life Sciences Advisory Committee of Nanyang Polytechnic's School of Chemical and Life Sciences Singapore as well as the ICP for CCR-UTAR, accompanied the school Director Dr. Joel Lee; research project leaders and lecturers Dr. Subramaniam Gurusamy and Vicky Wong; Biotech Applied Research Group assistant manager, Dr. Mark Richards; and Bioinformatics Group assistant manager, Dr. Kong Wai Ming for a reciprocal visit to UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The team was here to explore potential research collaborations with UTAR. Among the staff from UTAR that attended the meeting were Emeritus Prof. Dr. Cheong SK, Prof. Dr. Yap SF, Prof. Dr. Choo KB, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lim YM, Asst. Prof. Dr. Tang PY and Asst. Prof. Dr. Te KK. In brief, the identified research projects include:

1) Natural product & drug discovery for stem cell and cancer research

2) Bioinformatics for cancer grading and diagnosis

3) PKC-structural modeling and docking system

4) Healthcare aspects: fish, wheelchair and telemedicine

5) Red rice wine for cholesterol

Visit to National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM)

On 6 June 2013, Associate Professor Dr. Lim Yang Mooi (Chairperson of CCR), Ms Chew Wai Fong (Secretary of CCR) and Ms Woo Li Fong (Treasurer of CCR) visited National Cancer Society Malaysia to seek for research collaboration between two institutions. Dr Dalilah Kamaruddin (Head / Medical Officer) and Ms Ng Kim Foong (Manager, Resource & Wellness Centre from NCSM welcomed the team members from Centre for Cancer Research, UTAR. Both parties have agreed to explore research collaboration and also to co-organized activities related to cancer.
 
Potential research collaboration between UTAR & NCSM:

1. Lymphedema in breast cancer treatment - what causes lymphedema?
2. Comparison of 2D and 3D mammogram – what are the benefits of 3D mammogram
3. Diet before and after treatment for cancer patients
4. Breast cancer and exercise: Lifestyle / exercise that can help in improving quality of life/ survivor

Potential collaboration in co-organizing activity:

1. Seminar on Cervical Cancer (October 2013)  – create awareness among the young adults in UTAR campus and public
2. Relay for life – i) celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer; ii) remember loved ones who lost their life to the disease; iii) Fight back
3. Invite UTAR speaker in the event that is organised by NCSM
4. Interlink NCSM website at CCR website

What a valuable way to spend your Saturday night!

Thirty students of Sungai Long campus together with their lecturers participated in the Relay for Life event which was organized by National Cancer Society Malaysia from 6:00pm Saturday 24 August to 10:00am Sunday 25 August 2013 at Dataran Petaling Jaya.

Relay for Life is a 16 hour overnight event, starting from dusk to dawn. Individuals, survivors and people from all walks of life came to together to take turns to walk the track continuously. This is a yearly event with objectives to Celebrate, Remember and Fight back. Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease and make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight. There were games, performances and fundraising events in support of our cancer awareness cause.

Our students had a memorable time and saw how they could make a difference in someone’s life that is battling with cancer. For the cancer survivors, it is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a battle for which they need all the support they can get from us.

Let’s make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight!

Writing and Publishing Scientific Papers Workshop

On 31^st October 2013, Centre for Cancer Research (CCR) organized a workshop on “Writing and Publishing Scientific Papers” for the postgraduate students from Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). The purpose of this workshop was to guide the postgraduate students in writing their research findings in clear, comprehensive and cohesive manner. The workshop was hosted by Associate Professor Dr Lim Yang Mooi. The invited speakers were Associate Professor Dr Kalaivani Nadarajah and Professor Dr. Mahani Binti Mansor from University Kebangsaan Malaysia.

A total of 16 postgraduate students participated in this workshop. In the first session, Dr Kalaivani briefed the students on writing various subheadings in manuscript. Besides that, she had given some examples on the common mistakes that were frequently made by the researchers. Furthermore, guidance on how to choose the appropriate journal for publication, and effective scientific communication were given. In the second session, a QA section was conducted for students to further discuss on how to improve their manuscript write up.

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