EDITORIAL CONTACT:
PRCA11084
Sui-Ching Low, Agilent Technologies, Asia
+65 6215 8975
sui-ching_low@agilent.com
Shamini Darshni, Monash University Sunway campus
+60 3 5514 4956
shamini.darshni@monash.edu
Agilent Technologies and Monash University Sunway campus
Boost Talent and Skills for Genomics Research in Malaysia
Center of Excellence Equipped with Latest Technologies to Strengthen
University’s Investigations into Diabetes, Cancer, Neurobiology and Infectious
Diseases
SELANGOR, Malaysia, Dec. 8, 2011 – Agilent Technologies Inc.
(NYSE: A) and Monash University Sunway campus today announced a
collaboration to promote talent and skills development for genomics research in
Malaysia.
This partnership, the first of its kind for Agilent with a university in
Malaysia, will help Malaysia assert itself as a leading center for life sciences
research and development in Southeast Asia. Under the agreement, a center of
excellence known as the Monash-Agilent Authorized Microarray Service Center
will be established at Monash University Sunway campus. This center will be
equipped with the latest microarray instruments and will provide competency
training for the center’s lab professionals undertaking molecular-genetic studies
of human disease.
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“The establishment of the AMSC will be a timely boost in the
collaboration between Agilent and Monash University Sunway campus through
the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, providing the
opportunity to access advanced technologies to strengthen our current genomics
research in diabetes, cancer, neurobiology and infectious diseases,” said
Professor Dato’ Dr Anuar Zaini Md Zain, head of the school.
He added that the school has forged strong collaborations with local and
international academic institutions, as well as leading industry players in
expanding its expertise in research.
The collaboration between Agilent and Monash University Sunway
campus will see knowledge-sharing between both organizations, including realtime communication of new developments in the field of microarray
applications as well as networking with Agilent’s global customers who are
shaping the future of genomics.
Genomics is the study of all genes of an organism, and DNA microarrays
enable the measurement of multiple molecular changes to genes. These changes
can reveal the molecular basis of diseases, enabling scientists to discover and
develop new methods of treatment for these diseases.
“The Monash-Agilent Authorized Microarray Service Center, together
with existing platform technologies at the school, such as liquid
chromatography/mass spectrometry and proteomics, will encourage integrative
and multidisciplinary research. The center will become the platform to train
next-generation scientists in genomics research and potentially spearhead new
niche areas in biomedical research through support and networking with
Agilent’s global customers/collaborators,” said Prof Anuar.
“We are excited about this collaboration with Monash University
Sunway campus,” said Rod Minett, general manager, Agilent Life Sciences
Group, South Asia Pacific and Korea. “The knowledge gleaned from the
collaboration will not only contribute toward further understanding and
preventing diseases, but also cement Malaysia as a center for life sciences
research and development.”
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At the heart of this collaboration are highly sensitive and flexible DNA
microarrays and the instruments and software to interpret them. DNA
microarrays are manufactured by Agilent using the same cutting-edge
technology used in ink-jet printer nozzles to literally synthesize new DNA
strands directly on a glass surface. Then these strands (or probes) are used in
experiments to detect changes in the DNA such as gene copy number variations,
or to monitor gene expression levels under various conditions. Agilent’s
SureScan microarray scanner provides the means to read information from these
microarrays, enabling scientists and laboratory professionals in the new center
to leverage the latest tools for understanding the molecular-genetic basis of
disease.
About Monash University Sunway Campus
Monash University Sunway campus was established in Malaysia in 1998.
As a full-fledged campus, the Sunway campus offers scholars a rich and
international learning experience, supported by collegial processes and
comprehensive first-class infrastructure, as the university aspires to intellectual
achievement of the highest order. The Sunway campus offers degrees in arts and
social sciences, science, business, engineering, information technology, and
medicine and health sciences. More information is available at
www.monash.edu.my
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier
measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics,
life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 18,700 employees serve
customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $6.6 billion
in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.
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