ON-GOING RESEARCH
| NO. | PROJECT TITLE | DURATION |
| 1. | Establishment of the experimental procedures for detecting and isolating antimicrobial peptide(s) from the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus | 2020 – on going |
| 2. | Development of a self-stable point-of-care duplex LAMP assay for detection of Lyme disease and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses pathogens in local ticks | 2019 – on going |
| 3. | Development of a multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of clinically recognized tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Malaysia | 2018 – on going |
COMPLETED RESEARCH (2010-2018)
| NO. | PROJECT TITLE | DURATION |
| 1. |
Characterization of a tick, Dermacentor compactus by morphological characters and molecular data of 16S rDNA |
2017 |
| 2. |
Molecular screening of Leptospira DNA in ticks collected from recreational forests in Selangor |
2017 |
| 3. |
Detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in environment samples (water & soil), small mammals and ticks obtained from selected recreational areas in Hulu Langat, Selangor
Collecting environment samples and animals from the study site |
2016 – 2018 |
| 4. | Precise identification of different stages of a tick, Ixodes granulatus Supino, 1897 using morphological characters and molecular data of COI gene | 2015 – 2017 |
| 5. |
Laboratory evaluation of topical, contact and residual activity of sodium hypochlorite formulated disinfectant on house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae
|
2014 – 2016 |
| 6. |
Evaluation of the effectiveness of Chloroxylenol formulated disinfectant in reducing house dust mite population in bedrooms Bedsheets impregnated with Chloroxylenol disinfectant were dried under the sun
|
2014-2016 |
| 7. | Molecular identification of blood meal sources of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and its phylogeny based on cytochrome b gene |
2013 – 2015 |
| 8. | Sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene of local animals in preparation for blood meal identification |
2012 – 2015 |
| 9. |
Detection and identification of acari found on animal carcasses
|
2012 – 2015 |
| 10. | The effect of essential oil of two common medicinal and culinary gingers as repellent against house dust mite, D. pteronyssinus | 2012 – 2013 |
| 11. | Detection and identification of pathogens in ticks | 2011 – 2013 |
| 12. | A checklist of acarine ectoparasites in Lata Belatan, Terengganu | 2010 – 2012 |
| 13. | Evaluation of the rapid-STRIPE test system for detection of Rickettsia spp. in free living ticks |
2010 – 2012 |
| 14. | Acarine ectoparasites of pet Burmese python, Python bivittatus in Malaysia | 2010 |
D. pteronyssinus 
Topical assay technique
OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
| NO. | TITLE OF ACTIVITIES |
| 1. |
Laboratory evaluation of acaricidal effect of commercial anti-bacterial spray on two species of house dust mites |
| 2. |
Molecular identification of Sancassania sp. infested on onion stock |
| 3. |
Molecular identification of medically important storage mite Carpoglyphus lactis in an important package of dried dates sold in local market |
| 4. | Integrative taxonomy: molecular and conventional approaches for identification of a storage mite, Aleuroglyphus ovatus in Malaysia |
| 5. | Identification of Tyrophagus putrescentiae using COI sequence |
| 6. | The occurrence of mites (Acarina) in dried food grains purchased from local commercial outlets in Klang Valley |
| 7. |
Re-establishment of new chigger colonies in the laboratory |
| 8. | Horizontal spatial distribution of dust mites in mattresses |
| 9. |
Establishment of pure colony of Suidasia pontifica in laboratory |
| 10. | Effects of UV-C lamp (250nm) on egg and house dust mites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae |
TRAINING
Diploma of Applied Parasitology & Entomology (DAP&E) Course – Acarology Module
The DAP&E course is a 5-months course held in the Institute for Medical Research. The Acarology module is conducted for about 2 weeks and it includes lectures, practical classes and fieldwork activities. The lectures cover basic taxonomy, biology, ecology, and distribution of acari of public health importance. In the practical sessions, participants are taught to identify common local acari, and on basic laboratory and field techniques of Acarology. Participants are also able to participate in fieldwork activities to learn various techniques of collecting acari from the environment and animal hosts. Interested individuals may also apply to attend only the Acarology module. Please contact SEAMEO TROPMED Network Malaysia Secretariat (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for further information.
Ad hoc training
The Unit regularly conducts ad hoc short-term training in various aspects of Acarology as requested by individual/s, agencies or institutions. The duration normally depends on the objective/s and the training needs. Such training will be conducted less than a month. The training programme may also be tailor-made to suit the needs of client. Clients can opt to enrol in the Acarology module of the Diploma of Applied Parasitology and Entomology (DAP&E) course mentioned above. Clients will be charged a fee to cover training costs. Please contact the Head of Acarology Unit for more information.
Postgraduate Supervision or Consultancy
Senior researchers in the Unit regularly serve as co-supervisors or consultants in the postgraduate research projects that involves various aspects of Acarology. We provide training in laboratory and field techniques, advice on study design, mentoring, research guidance, data analysis, thesis writing and publication of findings. Please contact the Head of Acarology Unit or our research officers for further discussions.
