Understanding the use of advanced molecular tools in infectious disease research

The Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research (CBNR) in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Communicable Diseases (CRCD) organised a webinar titled, “Use of Advanced Molecular Tools in Infectious Disease Research” on 14 December 2021 via Zoom. The webinar attracted a total of 117 participants in attendance. The webinar was moderated by Faculty of Science academics Dr Ho Lai Yee and Dr Choo Quok Cheong. 

The talk was delivered by Universiti Malaya Faculty of Science Assoc Prof Dr Chan Kok Gan and Pirbright Institute Postdoctoral Research Scientist-cum-UTAR alumni Dr Joshua Ang Xin De.

The webinar aimed to disseminate knowledge and latest developments in the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in microbiology research and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) application as a precise tool in the genetic control of mosquito vectors.

The webinar started with Dr Chan introducing his topic, “Next Generation Sequencing: Enabler of Next Generation Microbiology”. He shared “From the beginning of 1632 until 1723, Anton van Leeuwenhoek perfected a simple microscope for research purposes and started to explore microbial life with his microscope. Besides, he was also the first to observe and experiment with microbes. He was a Dutch microscopist who was the first to observe bacteria and protozoa.”

Explaining his team’s research, Dr Chan said, “To collect the first data, we practised the functional genomics or transcriptome approach. Besides, we used Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 grown at both the human body temperature and elevated temperatures for our research. This functional genomics research gives us valuable insights into bacterial gene function. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) can generate information on transcript abundance in bacteria following the stress treatments.”

Highlighting the molecular analysis of Escherichia coli strain VR50 responsible for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), Dr Chan stated, “Contrast to prototypical ABU E. coli strain 83972 that evolved through mutation and gene loss from a virulent UPEC strain, VR50 acquired fitness factor via gene acquisition. Apart from that, for bacterial methylome, the chemical structures are shown for the most common forms of DNA methylation in bacteria, including N4-methylcytosine (4mC), 5- methylcytosine (5mC), and N6-methyladenine (6mA). In each instance, a methyltransferase (MTase) transfers a methyl group (CH3) from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the unmodified nucleotide, producing a methylated nucleotide and S-adenosyl-homocysteine.”

The webinar continued with the second speaker, Dr Joshua Ang with his topic titled “Cas9-based Gene Drive for the Genetic Control of Mosquito Vectors”. He said, “According to The Malaria Atlas Project 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the malaria endemicity in 2019 has almost 229 million cases worldwide which caused 409,000 deaths. Sixty-seven per cent of the deaths are in children below five years old. Other popular mosquito-borne diseases include dengue, and Zika disease.”

Dr Ang further highlighted, “The genetic control of mosquitoes is categorised into two, namely population suppression approach and population modification approach. The former involves reducing or eliminating the mosquito populations, while the latter maintains the mosquito populations in the wild.”  Furthermore, he also enlightened the participants by presenting the homing endonuclease genes, Cas9-based genome editing, Cas9-based HEG drive, and many more.

Chairperson of CBNR Dr Eddy Cheah Seong Guan shared his opinion, “This webinar was able to provide insights for the latest updates on the use of advanced molecular tools in infectious disease research, emphasising on the applications of NGS in this area and the value of CRISPR technology in the genetic control of mosquito vectors for diseases like dengue, Zika and malaria. In addition, both of these technologies have revolutionised the biological sciences, particularly those in the medical field, and are testaments to the limitless boundary of genomic advances.

The webinar sharing ended with Q&A and group photography sessions. This webinar is associated with SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, and SDG 4 – Quality Education, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.