AWARDS & EVENTS
Researchers receive MTSF grant
Researchers Dr Tee Shiau Foon from the Department of
Chemical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
(LKC FES) and Dr Tan Ji from the Department of Agriculture and Food
Science, Faculty of Science (FSc) each received a Year 2016 Malaysia
Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) Science & Technology Research Grant at
the InterContinental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 6 December 2016.
Funded by the Toray Science Foundation, Japan, Dr Tee and Dr Tan
received the grants that carry RM20,000 and RM25,000 respectively. They
will fund Dr Tee and Dr Tan's research projects respectively titled
"Association between DNA methylation of HTR24 gene and cognitive
function in schizophrenia demonstrated using multiplex families" and
"Molecular taxonomy of spiny-backed orb-weavers (Araneae; Araneidae) and
related genera in Peninsular Malaysia".
Dr Tee's research aimed to determine the role DNA methylation of the
HTR2A gene plays in schizophrenia susceptibility. It has been reported
to be upregulated in the brain or platelets of schizophrenic patients
and has a central role in the circuitry of cognition and emotions, where
the psychobiological domains are usually altered by schizophrenia.