Prof Dr. Norazmi Bin Mohd Nor
Professor
School of Health Sciences
Universiti Sains Malaysia
norazmimn@usm.my

1

Prof Dr. Norazmi Bin Mohd Nor

Mechanisms and principles of control via putative prophylactics, therapeutics and diagnostics against latent & MDR-TB infection

Applied Science (Biotechnology)

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Prof Dato’ Dr. Mohd Zaki Bin Salleh

Mutation Analyses of MDR-TB Strains Isolated In Malaysia

Clinical and Health Sciences (Basic Medical Sciences)

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Assoc. Prof Dr. Khairiah @ Salwa Binti Mokhtar

Public Health Intervention For Tuberculosis Control: Evaluation, Monitoring And Outcome Translation

Social Sciences (Political Sciences)

NO	NAME	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCH DOMAIN (SUB DOMAIN)

4 years 9 months (01 July 2016 – 31 March 2021)

The development of new diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylactics against tuberculosis (TB) are urgently needed. Based on our previous LRGS, we have now built the expertise and basic knowledge to move forward with the current proposal. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of clinical, multidrug resistant (MDR)-TB and latent TB infection (LTBI) is at the core of international strategy for the control of TB. Detection of active TB is problematic with low sensitivity and specificity but the use of nucleic acid detection methods needs to be affordable. We will develop an isothermal amplification method using a specific gene previously reported by USM. The development of a Real Time PCR for the detection of MDR strains circulating in the region will also be attempted to improve detection of relevant strains and to reduce cost. The existing tests for LTBI are either non-specific (tuberculin skin test [TST]) or too costly (Interferon gamma release assays or [IGRA]). In this regard, the use of polyester beads displaying Mtb antigens provides the possibility to develop a novel, low cost, point-of-care (POC) diagnosis for LTBI. We will also attempt to develop a novel therapeutic for TB based on our previous work on antibody clones against the CD1b-lipid complex of Mtb. We will identify the best binder and study the mechanism of binding activity aimed at developing a novel therapy for TB, including MDR-TB. With regard to prophylactics, we developed a potential mucosal vaccine consisting of a chimeric construct of IgA and TB epitopes to determine their potential to prevent TB infection in a progressive disease mouse model. We have also isolated a local non-pathogenic mycobacterium to investigate its potential as a prevention of TB reactivation. These approaches are timely since WHO has just released the “Stop TB” initiative which fits in very well with our proposed project.

1. To develop control strategies via novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and prophylactics against active, latent and MDR-TB infection.
2. To determine mutations in antibiotic-resistance genes in local isolates.
3. To enhance specific interventional policies for effective control of LTBI as well as through advocacy and education among the public and health practitioners.

1. Talent:
   • 1 PHD
     1. Zulaikah Binti Mohamed (Graduated)
     2. Nur Ayuni Binti Kadir (Graduated)
     3. Cheah Hong Leong (Graduated)
     4. Zarina Binti Zulkifli (Graduated)
     5. Nur Hairani Binti Abd Rahman (Graduated)
   • 1 Master
     1. Nur Ellene Binti Mat Luwi (Graduated)
     2. Mohd Zakuan Bin Ismail (Graduated)
     3. Noreafifah Binti Semail (Graduated)
     4. Nur Farhana Binti Mohamed Noor (Graduated)
     5. Teh Hui Wen (Graduated)
2. Publication:
   
   • 36 Article in Indexed Journals
   • 1 Conference Proceedings
   • 1 Book Chapter
3. Intellectual Property :
   • Copyright : LY2019006854
   • Patent : PI2021000909

• International E-Conference on Biotechnology, Bioinformatics & Biomedicine (2020) - Bronze Medal
• Virtual Conference Precision Health in Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0: The Technologies and Health Transformation (2021) - Gold Medal (Research Poster Competition)
• Virtual Conference Precision Health in Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0: The Technologies and Health Transformation (2021) - Silver Medal (Research Oral Competition)
• iPROMISE International Seminar (iPROMISe) 2017 - Special Awards

The technical tools developed in this program are expected to have a direct impact on the TB control strategies in the country as well as the region. It is expected that we will have better containment of TB in healthcare settings and better assessment of TB treatment efficacy and clinical response. Awareness of the public and health practitioners on TB control would be enhanced and guidelines for the formulation of a more refined National Health Policy will be proposed