INFORMM (USM) Hosts Taiwan–Malaysia Biomedical Forum 2026
14 April 2026, USM Minden, Penang – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) in collaboration with the Collaborative Microelectronic Design Excellence Centre (CEDEC), successfully hosted the Taiwan–Malaysia Biomedical Forum 2026, reinforcing strategic collaboration between Malaysia and Taiwan in next-generation biomedical innovation. The forum uniquely positioned INFORMM as the driver of biomedical applications and translational diagnostics, complemented by CEDEC’s expertise in microelectronic sensing tools and system design, forming a powerful integration of biology and engineering. This convergence reflects an emerging paradigm where advanced sensing technologies enable precision diagnostics, real-time monitoring, and scalable healthcare solutions. The programme began with a high-level engagement between the Taiwan delegation and USM’s top management, followed by keynote addresses by Prof. Dr. Dar-Bin Shieh, Senior Vice President of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), and Prof. Dr. Habibah A. Wahab, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), USM. Scientific sessions featured leading contributions from NSRRC Taiwan, INFORMM, and CEDEC, covering areas such as synchrotron-enabled biomedical analysis, electrochemical biosensors, and digital microfluidics platforms.
Prof. Dr. Habibah A. Wahab highlighted the importance of this integration, stating, “INFORMM’s strength in biomedical research, when synergised with CEDEC’s capabilities in sensing technologies and microelectronics, creates a robust ecosystem for translational diagnostics and digital health innovation.” Echoing this, Prof. Dr. Dar-Bin Shieh remarked, “The future of healthcare lies in the seamless integration of nano-technology, AI, and sensing platforms. Collaborative efforts like this will accelerate the development of high-impact, deployable biomedical solutions.” A key highlight of the forum was the demonstration of how CEDEC’s microelectronic and sensor design capabilities can be translated into high-performance biosensing platforms, supporting INFORMM’s work in molecular diagnostics, biomarker detection, and disease monitoring. The forum concluded with a multidisciplinary panel discussion on next-generation biomedical challenges, followed by strategic industry visits to Silterra Malaysia, SIRIM Berhad, and the Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPharm), reinforcing the pathway from research to industry adoption. This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening Taiwan–Malaysia partnerships, positioning USM, INFORMM, and CEDEC at the forefront of integrated biomedical and sensing technology innovation, with strong potential for collaborative research, talent exchange, and global impact.
