Lab Upgrades to Attract More Science Students

PUTRAJAYA, March 1 — Science laboratories in schools nationwide need urgent upgrades to narrow the gap between Science and Arts students in Form Six, said the Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

This year, there are 37,033 students in the Arts or Social Science stream and 6,202 in the Science stream, he said.

“This is a problem we are facing, that Science stream students are very much lacking in schools,” added Mahdzir when announcing the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) 2016 results at a press conference yesterday.

“Under equipped Science labs are the cause for this imbalance. In addressing this issue, we hope 2017 will be the year all schools will have proper labs, so that our students’ potential can be fully harnessed.”

Mahdzir said the ministry would be buying apparatus for the labs and reinforcing practical Science classes from Form 4 onwards.

He said the divide between Science and Arts students was beyond schools.

The lack of Science stream students would cause a strain on talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) if not addressed quickly.

“STEM is very important, and we cannot allow the imbalance to continue,” he said.

“We lack students in these areas based on statistical research carried out in 22 public universities.”

Mahdzir said the lack of Science stream students stemmed mainly from local day-to-day schools.

“Most of our boarding and high-performance schools are fully equipped for what is needed,” he said.

In September last year, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said Malaysia was facing a shortage of talent in areas related to STEM.

He said the government needed to study why students were not interested in STEM-related careers.

Madius also said it was Malaysia’s hope to reach a 60:40 ratio of Science to non-Science graduates by 2020.

The target, introduced in 1967, was to see 270,000 students take up Science and Technology in their tertiary studies.

G25, a group of  high-ranking retired civil servants, had also predicted in 2015 Malaysia may fall behind other Asian countries if a policy for STEM was not introduced.

Source: The Malay Mail Online

Read the original article here

Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2016

(Solna, Sweden) The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet announced in a press release on 3rd October 2016, that the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi, for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.

Summary

This year’s Nobel Laureate discovered and elucidated mechanisms underlying autophagy, a fundamental process for degrading and recycling cellular components.

The word autophagy originates from the Greek words auto-, meaning “self”, and phagein, meaning “to eat”. Thus,autophagy denotes “self-eating”. This concept emerged during the 1960’s, when researchers first observed that the cell could destroy its own contents by enclosing it in membranes, forming sack-like vesicles that were transported to a recycling compartment, called the lysosome, for degradation. Difficulties in studying the phenomenon meant that little was known until, in a series of brilliant experiments in the early 1990’s, Yoshinori Ohsumi used baker’s yeast to identify genes essential for autophagy. He then went on to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for autophagy in yeast and showed that similar sophisticated machinery is used in our cells.

Ohsumi’s discoveries led to a new paradigm in our understanding of how the cell recycles its content. His discoveries opened the path to understanding the fundamental importance of autophagy in many physiological processes, such as in the adaptation to starvation or response to infection. Mutations in autophagy genes can cause disease, and the autophagic process is involved in several conditions including cancer and neurological disease.

Degradation – a central function in all living cells

In the mid 1950’s scientists observed a new specialized cellular compartment, called an organelle, containing enzymes that digest proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. This specialized compartment is referred to as a “lysosome” and functions as a workstation for degradation of cellular constituents. The Belgian scientist Christian de Duve was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1974 for the discovery of the lysosome. New observations during the 1960’s showed that large amounts of cellular content, and even whole organelles, could sometimes be found inside lysosomes. The cell therefore appeared to have a strategy for delivering large cargo to the lysosome. Further biochemical and microscopic analysis revealed a new type of vesicle transporting cellular cargo to the lysosome for degradation (Figure 1). Christian de Duve, the scientist behind the discovery of the lysosome, coined the term autophagy, “self-eating”, to describe this process. The new vesicles were named autophagosomes.

Figure 1: Our cells have different specialized compartments. Lysosomes constitute one such compartment and contain enzymes for digestion of cellular contents. A new type of vesicle called autophagosome was observed within the cell. As the autophagosome forms, it engulfs cellular contents, such as damaged proteins and organelles. Finally, it fuses with the lysosome, where the contents are degraded into smaller constituents. This process provides the cell with nutrients and building blocks for renewal.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s researchers focused on elucidating another system used to degrade proteins, namely the “proteasome”. Within this research field Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko and Irwin Rose were awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for “the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation”. The proteasome efficiently degrades proteins one-by-one, but this mechanism did not explain how the cell got rid of larger protein complexes and worn-out organelles. Could the process of autophagy be the answer and, if so, what were the mechanisms?

A groundbreaking experiment

Yoshinori Ohsumi had been active in various research areas, but upon starting his own lab in 1988, he focused his efforts on protein degradation in the vacuole, an organelle that corresponds to the lysosome in human cells. Yeast cells are relatively easy to study and consequently they are often used as a model for human cells. They are particularly useful for the identification of genes that are important in complex cellular pathways. But Ohsumi faced a major challenge; yeast cells are small and their inner structures are not easily distinguished under the microscope and thus he was uncertain whether autophagy even existed in this organism. Ohsumi reasoned that if he could disrupt the degradation process in the vacuole while the process of autophagy was active, then autophagosomes should accumulate within the vacuole and become visible under the microscope. He therefore cultured mutated yeast lacking vacuolar degradation enzymes and simultaneously stimulated autophagy by starving the cells. The results were striking! Within hours, the vacuoles were filled with small vesicles that had not been degraded (Figure 2). The vesicles were autophagosomes and Ohsumi’s experiment proved that authophagy exists in yeast cells. But even more importantly, he now had a method to identify and characterize key genes involved this process. This was a major break-through and Ohsumi published the results in 1992.

Figure 2: In yeast (left panel) a large compartment called the vacuole corresponds to the lysosome in mammalian cells. Ohsumi generated yeast lacking vacuolar degradation enzymes. When these yeast cells were starved, autophagosomes rapidly accumulated in the vacuole (middle panel). His experiment demonstrated that autophagy exists in yeast. As a next step, Ohsumi studied thousands of yeast mutants (right panel) and identified 15 genes that are essential for autophagy.

Autophagy genes are discovered

Ohsumi now took advantage of his engineered yeast strains in which autophagosomes accumulated during starvation. This accumulation should not occur if genes important for autophagy were inactivated. Ohsumi exposed the yeast cells to a chemical that randomly introduced mutations in many genes, and then he induced autophagy. His strategy worked! Within a year of his discovery of autophagy in yeast, Ohsumi had identified the first genes essential for autophagy. In his subsequent series of elegant studies, the proteins encoded by these genes were functionally characterized. The results showed that autophagy is controlled by a cascade of proteins and protein complexes, each regulating a distinct stage of autophagosome initiation and formation (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Ohsumi studied the function of the proteins encoded by key autophagy genes. He delineated how stress signals initiate autophagy and the mechanism by which proteins and protein complexes promote distinct stages of autophagosome formation.

Autophagy – an essential mechanism in our cells

After the identification of the machinery for autophagy in yeast, a key question remained. Was there a corresponding mechanism to control this process in other organisms? Soon it became clear that virtually identical mechanisms operate in our own cells. The research tools required to investigate the importance of autophagy in humans were now available.

Thanks to Ohsumi and others following in his footsteps, we now know that autophagy controls important physiological functions where cellular components need to be degraded and recycled. Autophagy can rapidly provide fuel for energy and building blocks for renewal of cellular components, and is therefore essential for the cellular response to starvation and other types of stress. After infection, autophagy can eliminate invading intracellular bacteria and viruses. Autophagy contributes to embryo development and cell differentiation. Cells also use autophagy to eliminate damaged proteins and organelles, a quality control mechanism that is critical for counteracting the negative consequences of aging.

Disrupted autophagy has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and other disorders that appear in the elderly. Mutations in autophagy genes can cause genetic disease. Disturbances in the autophagic machinery have also been linked to cancer. Intense research is now ongoing to develop drugs that can target autophagy in various diseases.

Autophagy has been known for over 50 years but its fundamental importance in physiology and medicine was only recognized after Yoshinori Ohsumi’s paradigm-shifting research in the 1990’s. For his discoveries, he is awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine.

Key publications

Takeshige, K., Baba, M., Tsuboi, S., Noda, T. and Ohsumi, Y. (1992). Autophagy in yeast demonstrated with proteinase-deficient mutants and conditions for its induction. Journal of Cell Biology 119, 301-311

Tsukada, M. and Ohsumi, Y. (1993). Isolation and characterization of autophagy-defective mutants of Saccharomyces cervisiae. FEBS Letters 333, 169-174

Mizushima, N., Noda, T., Yoshimori, T., Tanaka, Y., Ishii, T., George, M.D., Klionsky, D.J., Ohsumi, M. and Ohsumi, Y. (1998). A protein conjugation system essential for autophagy. Nature 395, 395-398

Ichimura, Y., Kirisako T., Takao, T., Satomi, Y., Shimonishi, Y., Ishihara, N., Mizushima, N., Tanida, I., Kominami, E., Ohsumi, M., Noda, T. and Ohsumi, Y. (2000). A ubiquitin-like system mediates protein lipidation. Nature, 408, 488-492

Yoshinori Ohsumi was born 1945 in Fukuoka, Japan. He received a Ph.D. from University of Tokyo in 1974. After spending three years at Rockefeller University, New York, USA, he returned to the University of Tokyo where he established his research group in 1988. He is since 2009 a professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

The Nobel Assembly, consisting of 50 professors at Karolinska Institutet, awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Its Nobel Committee evaluates the nominations. Since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded to scientists who have made the most important discoveries for the benefit of mankind.

Source: Nobel Prize Press Release

Booth Spaces for LabAsia 2019 Now Open For Booking!

We are pleased to announce that booth spaces for ASEAN’s Leading Lab Exhibition is now open for booking!

Response has been very encouraging, as 60% of exhibitors from the previous edition of LabAsia have already confirmed or reserved their presence in LabAsia 2019.

Exhibitors interested in participating are encouraged to book their spaces early, as early bookings allow you more choices on your preferred booth location.

For more information about LabAsia 2019, you may download our brochure here and read our LabAsia 2017 Post Show Report here.

6,000 Visit Exhibition On Lab Equipment

Tangau (left) being briefed on one of the exhibits at Lab Asia 2017. Second from left is Dr Ong.

THE 6th Malaysia Scientific and Laboratory Equipment Exhibition and conference (LabAsia 2017) was held in conjunction with the 25th World Forum on Advance Materials (Polychar 2017) and the 8th Biennial Regional symposium on Total Laboratory management (QSEL 2017).

The biennial international trade exhibition for laboratory equipment and services serving the Asean scientific community was jointly organised by ECMI ITE Asia Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM).

ECMI ITE Asia Sdn Bhd, one of the world’s leading organisers of international trade exhibitions and conferences, holds more than 250 exhibitions and conferences annually in 15 countries.

More than 6,000 visitors attended the three-day exhibition.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau officially launched all three events simultaneously at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present at the opening ceremony were IKM president Datuk Dr Ong Eng Long and founder of Labasia exhibitions C.P. Saw.

LabAsia 2017 featured 154 exhibitors and principals from 10 countries, including China, Germany, France, Britain and the United States, showcasing new products and services.

Besides the exhibition, it also staged 36 technical seminars, presented by industry experts from around the globe with topics ranging from laboratory safety and management to quality and accreditation systems.

To reward visitors, LabAsia held several contests whereby three winners were selected for a two-day all-expense-paid trip to Jakarta to visit LabIndonesia next year, followed by a three-day stay in Bandung.

Source: The Star Online

Thank You for Being A Part of Us!

Thank you to all who visited the LabAsia 2017 Malaysia 6th International Scientific Instrument and Laboratory Equipment Exhibition and Conference

LabAsia is proud to announce this exhibition has concluded with huge success!
We would like to thank you with all the support given towards this exhibition and making LabAsia as the ASEAN’s Leading Lab Exhibition internationally.

This year, LabAsia 2017 has welcomed visitors from 40 countries, and more than 150 leading company showcased their products in this exhibition.

We promise to strive further as an effort to bring LabAsia exhibition closer to scientific communities across Malaysia, as well as improving the value and standards of the Lab exhibition series.

LabAsia has facilitated massive numbers of new business opportunities and successful deals between brands and potential partners for years. Now LabAsia will proceed to its 7th Edition on the 15 – 17 October 2019, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with even more special features and highlights!

To secure a space, please visit https://www.lab-asia.com/ or call +603 5022 1999 / Email : enquiry@ecmi.com.my

Review the Overall Exhibition and Impression on this Year’s Exhibition