Areas of Expertise

• Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Stem cells and exosome research
• Medical And Health Sciences, Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology

Research Interest

• Dr Foo's primary research interest is in the drug discovery for the treatment of cancer. His research focus in cancer is primarily focusing on inhibiting cancer growth via glycosylation pathway, particularly when the cancer cells are under hypoxic conditions. He is collaborating with chemists to investigate the anti-cancer properties of synthetic compounds which can be further formulated with nano-materials to enhance the drug delivery into the system (targeted therapy). The second area that Dr Foo's research interest is the stem cell research. His research group has developed the protocol to isolate and characterize mesenchymal stem cell exosome or small extracellular vesicles (MSCs-sEVs). The team is currently exploring the potential therapeutics properties of MSCs-sEVs for treatment of diseases such as inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Publications

Research

• Metadynamics-directed modelling, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of high affinity quercetin analogues targeting calcineurin,  Co-researcher, 2023 to 2025, National
• Elucidating anti-inflammatory potency and mechanism of miRNA-146a-enriched-exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells on microglial cells,  Co-researcher, 2023 to 2026, National
• Establishment of Non-DMSO Alternative Cryoprotective Agents for Intracellular Protection of NK Cells and Cytotoxic Exosome Derived from NK-92 Cells,  Project Leader, 2023 to 2025, Private
• Metadynamics simulation-guided design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of highly selective swainsonine analogues targeting Golgi alpha-mannosidase II as potential anticancer agents in breast, lung, and ovarian cancer.,  Co-researcher, 2021 to 2024, National
• Elucidation of miRNA profile in exosomes of different cell sources and its relationship with cartilage regeneration,  Co-researcher, 2020 to 2022, National
• Targeting Alpha-Mannosidase II with Novel Swainsonine Analogues: Potential Anticancer Candidates Acting On Glycosylation Pathways,  Project Leader, 2019 to 2022, National
• Interferon gamma in regulating Programmed Death-1 Ligand-1 (PD-L1): A prognostic marker in Malaysian non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC),  Co-researcher, 2019 to 2023, National
• Bioprospecting of Oil Palm-Derived Exosome for Nanotherapeutic Delivery: A Study on Exosome Stability and Uptake Mechanism,  Co-researcher, 2019 to 2022, National
• Development of human umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUCB-MSC) and exosomes for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus type 2,  Project Leader, 2019 to 2022, Private
• Investigating the Role of Autophagy in Breast Cancer Cells Treated with Doxorubicin and Proteasome Inhibitor: Proof of Concept with Autophagy Inhibitor ,  Project Leader, 2018 to 2020, Taylor's University

Awards and Stewardship

• 2023 President's Award (Research & Innovation), Special, Taylor's University, Research & Innovation , 2023
• Rising Star Award, Conference, Malaysian Association for Cancer Research (MACR), Excellence in Cancer Research , 2019
• Best poster presentation, Conference, Mahsa University, Best Poster Award , 2017
• 1st prize in Oral Presentation, Conference, Mahsa University, Best Oral , 2015
• Silver Medal, Sports, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Internal Badminton Competition , 2012
• Silver Medal, Exhibition/Invention, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Health Product , 2011
• Silver Medal, Exhibition/Invention, Malaysian Association of Research Scientists (MARS), Health Product , 2011
• UPM Best Student Award 2008, Special, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Vice Chancellor Award 2008 , 2008

Paper Presented

• Small Wonders: MSC-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Therapeutic Players in Diabetes and Lung Inflammation , MSC-EV Research in ASEAN: Bridging the Gap for Clinical Applications (Symposium), INVITED SPEAKER , 07/03/2024 to 08/03/2024
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells-derived Small Extracellular Vesicles for Glucose Regulation and Diabetes Management- Preclinical Study, 8th Malaysian Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Scientific Meeting (MTERMS) 2022 (CONFERENCE), INVITED SPEAKER , 30/03/2022 to 31/03/2022
• Isolation and characterization of small extracellular vesicles from MSC, MOA Orthopaedic Research SIG and TESMA Seminar Series (SEMINAR), INVITED SPEAKER , 11/11/2019 to 11/11/2019
• Ternary copper (II) complex as Targeted Cancer Agent for Human Breast Cancer Cells. , 1st Malaysian Association for Cancer Research Scientific Conference (CONFERENCE), ORAL PRESENTER , 03/12/2019 to 04/12/2019
• Targeted Therapy for Cancer, Lecture series in Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Nottingham, Malaysia (Course), INVITED SPEAKER , 27/02/2018 to 27/02/2018
• Ternary copper (II) complex induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast (MDA-MB-231) and colon (HT-29) cancer cells, International Conference on Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine 2018 (ICDDTM '18) (CONFERENCE), POSTER PRESENTER , 03/12/2018 to 05/12/2018
• Kenaf seed supercritical fluid oil inhibits the proliferation of WEHI-3B leukaemia cells in vivo, The Kenaf Colloquium 2010 (SEMINAR), POSTER PRESENTER , 30/11/2010 to 02/12/2010
• Induction of apoptosis and G2/M arrest in human breast cancer cell lines by active fraction of Dillenia Suffruticosa extract, The Fourth International Conference on Natural Products for Health and Beauty (NATPRO4) (CONFERENCE), POSTER PRESENTER , 28/11/2012 to 30/11/2012
• Kenaf seed oil from supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction was cytotoxic towards human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and leukemic (MOLT-4) cell lines, The International Conference on Kenaf and Allied Fibres 2009 (ICKAF 2009) (CONFERENCE), ORAL PRESENTER , 01/12/2009 to 03/12/2009
• Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in caspase-3 deficient MCF-7 cells by Dillenia suffruticosa root extract via multiple signalling pathways, The MAHSA Inaugural Research Conference Cancer: Emperor of All Meladies (CONFERENCE), ORAL PRESENTER , 04/10/2015 to 04/10/2015