Malaysia Zebrafish Disease Models Workshop
Date: 11 - 12 November 2015
Time: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm
Venue: Cancer Research Malaysia, USJ Laboratory
Organizers:
Sponsors:
Overview:
Zebrafish is gaining prominence as an important vertebrate model for investigating various human diseases such as
neurodegenerative disease, cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Zebrafish provides unique advantages, for
example optical clarity of embryos, high fecundity rate, and low cost of maintenance, making it a perfect complement to the
murine model in biomedical research. Recent advances, which includes the generation of novel transgenic lines that
enable real time imaging of neuronal activities, the use of cancer cell line or tissue xenotransplantation techniques, and the
development of efficient knock-out/knock-in technologies, now allow the detailed investigation of human disease in
zebrafish. The objective of this meeting is to provide a platform for Malaysian investigators, postdocs and students working
or planning to work in the zebrafish field to learn the latest developments in zebrafish as a model for human disease, to
present data and share their techniques, and to have the opportunity to interact with international and local experts in the
field of biomedical research using zebrafish
Scheduled talks:
Drug discovery in Zebrafish
Models of inflammation and lymphatic development in zebrafish
Professor Dr. Philip Stanley Crosier, The University of Auckland
Earning your stripes. Zebrafish research in Malaysia
Professor Dr. Alexander Chong Shu Chien, Universiti Sains Malaysia
The use of zebrafish models in anxiety and related mood disorders
Dr. Satoshi Ogawa, Monash University Malaysia Campus
Human cancer models in zebrafish
Dr. Vyomesh Patel, Cancer Research Malaysia
Targeted natural product drug discovery by zebrafish phenotypic assay
Dr. Pei Jean Tan, Cancer Research Malaysia
Zebrafish cancer xenotransplantation models
Dr. Kazuhide Shaun Okuda, Cancer Research Malaysia
Husbandry and management of zebrafish for biomedical research
Dr. Suzita Binti Mohd Noor, University of Malaya
Neurodegenerative disease in zebrafish
Dr. Anwar Bin Norazit, University of Malaya
Institutional Ethics – Fishy Business
Dr. Syahar Amir A. Gani, University of Malaya
Scheduled practical sessions:
Zebrafish injection
(Sponsored and coordinated by Eppendorf)
Zebrafish imaging
(Sponsored and coordinated by Matrix Optics)
Workshop Speakers:
Professor Dr. Philip Stanley Crosier (The University of Auckland)
Prof. Crosier is Professor of Molecular Medicine in the School of Medical Sciences, at
University of Auckland, New Zealand. His laboratory uses the zebrafish model to study
several human disease processes in the area of innate immunity, hematopoietic stem cell
development, cancer, and lymphangiogenesis. For this research, his laboratory has
generated several transgenic zebrafish lines that mark cellular compartments such as
neutrophils and haematopoietic stem cells. Prof Crosier is also an international expert in
the field of drug discovery and has published in high impact journals such as Nature, Cell
Metabolism, and Cell Stem Cell.
Professor Dr. Alexander Chong Shu Chien (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Prof. Chong is Professor in the School of Biological Sciences, at Universiti Sains
Malaysia. He is also the Director of Center of Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains
Malaysia. His research focus is in the field of aquaculture, developmental biology and
stem cell research, all using zebrafish as a model. Prof Chong has also established a
novel method of generating embryonic stem cell-like cells from zebrafish. His work is
published in renowned journals such as PloS ONE, Zebrafish, and Developmental
Biology
Dr. Satoshi Ogawa (Monash University Malaysia Campus)
Dr. Ogawa is senior research fellow in the Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School
of Medicine and Health Sciences, at Monash University Malaysia. His current research
interest is to understand the neural mechanism linking emotion and addiction utilizing
molecular morphology, behavioural, optogenetics and neuroimaging approaches. Dr
Ogawa has published in internationally renowned journals such as Endocrinology, Journal
of Neurochemistry, and PNAS. He has received the Jimmie Dodd Memorial Prize for
Comparative Endocrinology
Dr. Vyomesh Patel (Cancer Research Malaysia)
Dr. Patel is the group leader of the drug discovery and the nasopharyngeal cancer
groups, at Cancer Research Malaysia. He has ~30 years experience in cancer research
and has contributed in elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in head and neck
cancer metastasis. His current research interests are identifying relevant molecules that
provide clues to cancer development and progression. Also, to use this information to
identify molecular markers that may have value as targets for developing novel anticancer
therapies in animal models including zebrafish. Dr Patel has published in high impact
journals such as Clinical Cancer Research, Developmental Cell, and Cancer Research.
Dr. Tan Pei Jean (Cancer Research Malaysia)
Dr. Tan is a postdoctoral scientist in the drug discovery group, at Cancer Research
Malaysia. She has developed a hyphenated platform utilizing the analytical and mass
spectrometer coupled with bioassays for the rapid identification of bioactive small
molecules, from natural product extracts. Her current research interests include
identification and characterization of target specific natural products using zebrafish as a
model. Dr Tan has published in notable journals such as Analytical Chemistry, Current
Cancer Drug Targets, and Phytochemical Analysis.
Dr. Kazuhide Shaun Okuda (Cancer Research Malaysia)
Dr. Okuda is a postdoctoral scientist in the drug discovery group, in Cancer Research
Malaysia. He has contributed to the generation of novel transgenic zebrafish lines that
mark the lymphatic vessels in zebrafish. His current interests are on identifying and
characterizing potential anti-cancer compounds from natural product screens using
transgenic zebrafish lines that fluorescently mark the vasculature system. In addition, he is
interested in establishing novel cancer models in zebrafish. Dr Okuda has published in
international journals such as Development, Developmental Dynamics, and Nature.
Dr. Suzita Binti Mohd Noor (University of Malaya)
Dr. Suzita is senior lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Malaya, Malaysia. She has contributed in elucidating the mechanisms
involved in embryonic hematopoiesis and identified novel anti-angiogenic inhibitors using
the zebrafish model. Her current interest includes investigating the role of neurotrophic
factors in embryonic development and neuroprotection. Dr. Suzita has published in
international journals such as the Journal of Immunology, PLoS One, and Drug Design,
Development and Therapy.
Dr. Anwar Bin Norazit (University of Malaya)
Dr. Anwar is senior lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Malaya, Malaysia. He has contributed in elucidating the mechanisms involved
in various neurological disorders such as glial protein aggregate diseases and brain injury.
His current interest includes identifying novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative
disease using zebrafish as a model. Dr Anwar has published in notable journals such as
Neuroscience, Brain Research, and Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience.
Dr. Syahar Amir A. Gani (University of Malaya)
Dr. Syahar is a Veterinary Officer in the Animal Experimental Unit (AEU), Faculty of
Medicine, University of Malaya and member of Faculty of Medicine Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee (FOM-IACUC). Prior to joining University of Malaya, Dr. Syahar
was an Aquarium Veterinarian at the Underwater World Langkawi, Malaysia. Currently, Dr.
Syahar is responsible for animal laboratory husbandry and assists researchers in
designing animal research protocols as well as in bio risk management. His primary
responsibility is to ensure the AEU maintains their accreditation by the Association for
Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International.
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Registration and payment:
Please provide your information in the registration form above and after email to zebrafish@cancerresearch.my.
To provide a suitable a platform for facilitating exchange of scientific ideas and research collaborations, we encourage
all participants to submit an abstract for selection for either oral or poster presentation. Interested participants are
required to include an abstract (no more than 500 characters excluding title, author list, and author affiliation) together
with the registration form.
Registration and payment closing date: 30th September 2015
Fees: Full registration: RM 690, Student registration (with proof of student ID): RM 480 (all inclusive of GST)
[Fees include workshop material, refreshments and lunch]
Please note, space is limited for this workshop and prior payment is required in order to secure a place.
Bank cheque payment
Bank/Telegraphic transfer
Please make cheques payable to:
Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation
Maybank account: 514299123613
Branch Address: Wisma, Sime Darby, KL.
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
Payee Name: CANCER RESEARCH INITIATIVES
FOUNDATION
Mail to:
Cancer Research Malaysia
USJ Laboratory
12A, Jalan TP 5,
Taman Perindustrian UEP,
47600 Subang Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Attn to: Dr. Peijean Tan
Include name of attendee and reference to zebrafish
workshop
It is important to notify us by email immediately after
bank/telegraphic transfer is made via email for GST
purposes.