Scholars, experts and students came together for the “Hematology Seminar in conjunction with Hematology Exhibition” event, stirring up a plethora of scientific marvels and medical information related to human blood among the inquisitive visitors on 26 April 2024 at the Faculty of Science (FSc).

The event was jointly organised by UTAR FSc Department of Allied Health Sciences and UTAR Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research, in collaboration with Utas Maju Sdn Bhd and Bio-Rad Laboratories Sdn Bhd. It aimed to inform as well as educate the UTAR community about the fundamentals of blood cells and the various blood disorders recorded in human history.

The Haematology corner was surrounded by a collection of exhibition booths, which were set up by UTAR students and experts from the Utas Maju Sdn Bhd and Bio-Rad Laboratories Sdn Bhd. Among the exhibition booths, myriad sub-topics of blood cells were covered, including types and groups of blood, components of blood cells, and types of blood disorders in diverse medical contexts.

Besides the Haematology Exhibition, the visitors were also given the opportunity to further expand their knowledge base on haematology at the Haematology Seminar. The seminar offered a more in-depth exploration into thalassemias, the blood disorders inherited by individuals from their parents via genes. On this aspect, three experts from the field of haematology were invited to share their knowledge on the topic from varying perspectives.

The first speaker, Chiang Mai University of Thailand Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences Dean Prof Dr Sakorn Pornprasert, is a researcher who is academically recognised for his vast research and contribution in areas such as anaemia, thalassemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and immunology. Giving his talk via Microsoft Teams, Prof Sakorn enlightened the participants about the types of thalassemias found in Thailand and Malaysia. He went into detail about their symptoms, methods of detection and types of therapies, and even shared some rare case studies of thalassemias with the participants.

The second speaker was Bio-Rad Laboratories Sdn Bhd Product Manager Mr Chan Yi Chun. As an individual with 15 years of work experience in the lab field, Mr Chan possessed a strong background in laboratory techniques, medical techniques, and quality control in various fields such as diabetes, haemoglobinopathies, and autoimmune products. He shared insights on both haemoglobinopathies and thalassemia, especially on the structure of haemoglobin, providing another layer of understanding to the causes of both groups of blood disorders. Not to mention, he also elucidated the methods of laboratory testing employed by lab specialists to detect and identify haemoglobinopathies and thalassemias.

The last speaker of the seminar was Utas Maju Sdn Bhd Sales Executive En Muhammad Azim Izzuddeen bin Bahrul Azmi. As an individual who possesses a broad knowledge of Sebia products relating to haemoglobin analysis, HbA1c and protein analysis, En Muhammad Azim Izzuddeen enlightened the participants about agarose gel electrophoresis and capillary electrophoresis, which are laboratory techniques employed in haemoglobin analysis to separate protein molecules. He also explained the results of the electrophoreses and diverse variants of haemoglobinopathies and thalassemias to the participants.

UTAR FSc Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng said, “It is good to see the passion of all parties in advancing research, sharing of knowledge, and experiences, which will drive towards the knowledge base of society. The effort by the parties, including the organising committee, students, and speakers is important in nurturing a lifetime learning habit. Let us acknowledge the dedication of our guest speakers, organisers and participants for their commitment to bringing this event to fruition.”

The insightful exchanges between the learners and experts of haematology concluded with a presentation of tokens of appreciation to the speakers.

Also present at the haematology event were UTAR FSc Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Sit Nam Weng, Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research Chairperson Dr Eddy Cheah Seong Guan, Organising Chairperson Dr Teh Lai Kuan, and organising committee members Dr Annaletchumy Loganathan, Dr Ho Lai Yee, Dr Michelle Ng Yeen Tan, Dr Ng Wen Jie, Dr Sinouvassane Djearamane, delegates from Utas Maju Sdn Bhd and Bio-Rad Laboratories Sdn Bhd; and UTAR students.