Nik Yusnoraini Yusof

Name

Nik Yusnoraini Yusof

Current Position

Senior Lecturer

Email

nikyus@usm.my

Office Telephone

+609-7672412

Qualifications

BSc (Hons), Universiti Malaya, 2005

MRes, University of Glasgow, 2008

PhD, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 2018

Affiliations

Malaysian Society of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (MaSBiC)

Research Interests

Bioinformatics, microbial genome analysis and protein crystallization

Research Overview 1

Bacterial genome analysis

The increased burden of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infection is observed worldwide including Malaysia. The emergence of this bacteria has risen a concern since carbapenem is one of the last-line antibiotic used for infection treatment. The diversity of genetic mechanisms harboured by these bacteria is the factor that facilitates its spread and complicates its identification. Thus, by analysing the genome sequence of pathogenic bacteria we will able to initiate the identification of high-risk clones of public health importance and ultimately management through the implementation of control strategies for the disease. Currently, this research involves extended spectrum beta lactamase (esbl) Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from our hospital setting for whole genome sequence study. Before achieving the future development of detection kit and vaccine, the comprehensive understanding of the genome of this pathogen is critically important.

Research Overview 2

Protein crystallization

The translation of genome sequence to real protein structure requires cloning, expression, purification and crystallization processes. The project aim to determine the protein structure of interested genes such as antimicrobial and virulence genes in order to better understand the pathogenic bacteria infection that can be valuable for diagnostics, drug and vaccines development.

Selected Publications

1. Yusof NY, Muhammad Yusoff F, Muhammad Harish S, Ahmad MN & Khalid MF, Mohd Nor F, Ismail N, Aziah I. Complete senome Sequence of Leptospira kmetyi LS 001/16, isolated from a soil sample associated with a leptospirosis patient in Kelantan, Malaysia. Microbiology Resource Announcements 2019 8. 10.1128/MRA.00015-19.
2. Samsulrizal NH, Yusof, NY. In silico prediction of cell wall remodeling genes in tomato, banana, melon and grape. International Journal of Life Sciences and Biotechnology 2019 2(2): 108-121.
3. Yusof NY, Mohd Raih MF, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Abu Bakar FD, Abd. Murad AM. In silico analysis and 3D structure prediction of a chitinase from psychrophilic yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12. Malaysian Applied Biology 2017 46(1): 117-123.
4. Yusof NY, Abu Bakar FD, Mahadi NM, Mohd Raih MF, Abdul Murad AM. Structure prediction of Fe(II) 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenase from a psychrophilic yeast Glaciozyma antarctica PI12. AIP Conference Proceedings 2015 1678(1): 030014(1-5).