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Associate Professor Dr. M.Ravichandran

Malaysia

English; Malay; Tamil

Molecular Diagnostics , Genetic engineering and Vaccinology

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

1992-1997 Ph.D in Biotechnology: Cytokine gene expression studies in Human Lymphatic Filariasis, Anna University, Madras,TN, India.
1988-1991 M.Sc.-Medical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, TN, India.
1985-1988 B.Sc. Botany with Zoology and Chemistry as ancillary subjects, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, TN, India.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
October 2004 to Present

Lecturer
Universiti Sains Malaysia. March 1999 to September 2004

Postdoctoral fellow
“T-cell epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum”, Universiti Sains Malaysia. October 1997 to February 1999

Scientist
Employed as a Scientist in Govt. of India project on "Molecular Forensics: DNA finger printing techniques ". September 1996 - September 1997

AWARDS

1. YOUNG SCIENTIST TRAVEL AWARD received to attend the "XIV International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria", at Nagasaki, Japan. 17-22 November '96.

2. BEST PRESENTATION AWARD at 34th Annual scientific seminar on Impact of development of tropical diseases, Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, 20-21 March 1998, Selangor, Malaysia.

3. WPSC YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD at the 6th Western Pacific Congress of Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases, 29 November- 3 December, 1998 at Kuala Lumpur

4. BEST PRESENTATION AWARD
Kirnpal-Kaur B.S, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Ravichandran M., Asma Ismail. Identification of specific primers for Shigella flexneri. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

5. BEST PRESENTATION AWARD
Atif Ali, S, Nur Haslindawaty, A.R , Lai, C.T, Afifi, S.A.B., Lalitha, P, Zainuddin, Z.F and Ravichandran M. Evaluation of a live oral attenuated cholerae vaccine for Vibrio cholerae 0139 Bengal. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

6. Gold Medal: Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Aziah Ismail and Foong Sui Yun, “TYPHIRAPID M: Rapid 15 minute IgM test for the acute diagnosis of typhoid fever”” Expo Science & Technology 2002, 2-4 November 2002, Putra World Trade Centre, Malaysia

7. Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Science and Technology Award, Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Ong Kohk Hai, Zainoodin Sa Kadher, Mohd Zaki Salleh 2003, In recognition of outstanding achievements in Medical Microbiology, Medical Biotechnology, Rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases on typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, Development of new technology platforms for rapid diagnosis of diseases

8. Best Lecturer award, 2003, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

9. Excellent Service Award, 2003, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

10. Gold Medal: Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Aziah Ismail and Foong Sui Yun , TYPHI RAPID, 14th International invention, Innovation, Industrial design and Technology Exhibition, 15-18th May 2003, Sunway Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11. Silver Medal: P. Lalitha, M. Ravichandran , Teoh Pick Har, Lee Su Yin, Lim Kun Lee, NurHaslindawaty A R, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z F, Cholera DNA Rapid, 14th International invention, Innovation, Industrial design and Technology Exhibition, 15-18th May 2003, Sunway Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

12. Best Presentation for Scientific & Clinical Papers
Zunaina E, Wan Hazabbah WH, Raja Azmi MN, Asokumaran T , Hasnan M, Zainul FZ, Ravichandran M. Evaluation of PCR Method To Detect Fungal Pathogens In Microbial Keratitis. at 21st M'sia-S'pore Opthalmic Congress at The Andaman, Datai Bay, Langkawi on 20th to 22nd June 2003.

13. Silver Medal: M. Ravichandran, P. Lalitha, Lee Su Yin, Lim Kun Lee, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Syed Atif Ali, Kurunathan S. , Nor Hayati Ismail. EZDNA Amp: Thermostabilized reagents for in vitro amplification of DNA, EXPO Science and Technology 2003, Organised by Ministry of Science, Technology & the Environment of Malaysia (MOSTE), Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7-9 August 2003.

14. ANUGERAH MERIT: Ravichandran, M., Atif Ali, S., Nur Haslindawaty A.R., Lai C.T., Chan Y Y, Lalitha, P., Zainuddin, Z.F. 2003. A Genetically Engineered, Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Vaccine Strain (Vcusm1) for Cholera. Pameran Penyelidikan, Kategori Genetik Mikrob, Pameran Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan IPTA 2003.

15. GOLD MEDAL: Gold Medal: Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Aziah Ismail and Foong Sui Yun, “TYPHIRAPID M: Rapid 15 minute IgM test for the acute diagnosis of typhoid fever”” International Exhibition "Ideas - Inventions - New Products" (IENA), October 30 to November 2, 2003, Nuremberg – Germany

16. Best poster award, Atif Ali S, Kurunathan S, Nur Haslindawaty A R, Chan Y Y, Lalitha P, Zainuddin Z F and Ravichandran M ‘Safety And Immunogenicity of Oral Auxotrophic Cholera Vaccine Candidates’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003

17. OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD, Second prize , Development of a Genetically Engineered, Orally Administrable, Live Cholera Vaccine against Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal, Given by Universiti Sains Malaysia, 18 December 2003.

18. PENSYARAH CONTOH, Academic year 2003/4, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 10 December 2003.

19. Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung 2003, Product category: National, Inventor,16th Jan 2003

20. Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung 2003, Product category: International Co-Inventor, 16th Jan 2003

21. Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung 2003, Product category: National Co-Inventor, 16th Jan 2003

22. Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung 2003, Product category: National Co-Inventor, 16th Jan 2003

23. Silver Medal: Ravichandran, M, Atif Ali, S, Nur Haslindawaty A.R., Kurunathan, S, Lalitha, P, Zainuddin, Z.F VCUSM1/2 vaccine candidates. Genetically attenuated, protective and ecologically safe vaccines for 0139 cholera, I•TEX 2004 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 20 -22 May 2004, Kuala Lumpur.

24. Gold Medal. P. Lalitha, M. Ravichandran, Lim Kun Lee, Lee Su Yin, Chan Yean Yean, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Zainul F Zainuddin. EZ CHOLERA OCTA-RAPID. I•TEX 2004 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 20 -22 May 2004, Kuala Lumpur.

25. Silver Medal: Tang TH, Musa M, Ravichandran M, Suwaibah S, Abdah Karimah CMN, Owi BT, Lee Su Yin, NIk Norliza, Wan Adibah WA, NH and Zainul ZF. EZTB AMP PCR Detection Kit.I•TEX 2004 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 20 -22 May 2004, Kuala Lumpur.

26. Gold Medal, WIPO Gold Medal, KASS Award
Yap Yoke Yeow, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Lee Su Yin, M. Ravichandran, Shahid Hassan. EZEBV Amp: A DNA based diagnostic kit for detection of Epstein-Barr virus in Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). I•TEX 2004 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 20 -22 May 2004, Kuala Lumpur.

27. Excellent Service Award, 2004, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

28. Silver Medal, M. Ravichandran,Nur Haslindawaty A.R, Atif Ali,S, Goh Lai Kuan, Kurunathan, S, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Atif Amin Baig, P. Lalitha and Zainul F Zainuddin. Innovative oral cholera vaccine prototype developed by genomic technology. Invention & Innovation Competition 2004, Organised by Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation , Malaysia (MOSTI), Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 27 – 29 August 2004.

29. Gold Medal:Lalitha P, Ravichandran. M, Lim Kun Lee, Lee Su Yin, Chan Yean Yean, Melissa Chan Li Ann and Zainul F. Zainuddin. EZAmp Octaplex Cholera: A Thermostabilized and Rapid DNA-based Diagnostic Kit for the Simultaneous Detection of Serogroups, Biotypes, Virulent Genes and Tetracycline Resistant Gene of Vibrio cholerae, 33rd International Exhibition of Inventions: New Technologies and Products, Geneva, 6-10 April 2005

30. Gold Medal: Dr. Yap Yoke Yeow, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Lee Su Yin, Shahid Hassan and Ravichandran M. EZEBV Amp: A DNA-based Diagnostic Kit for the Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, 33rd International Exhibition of Inventions: New Technologies and Products, Geneva, 6-10 April 2005

31. Gold Medal Ravichandran. M, Lalitha p, , Chan Yean Yean, Lim Kun Lee,Lee Su Yin, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Mohd Radzi Johari, Habsah bt Hasan, Azian bt Harun, EZVRE Amp- A DNA-based kit for the detection of Enterococcus species and its gentamicin and vancomycin resistant genotypes. ITEX 2005 International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 19-21 May 2005, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

32. Gold Medal. Asma Ismail Ravichandran. M and Aziah Ismail,. EZTyphi Carrier DNA, ITEX 2005 16th International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 19-21 May 2005, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

33. Silver Medal Asma Ismail, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Ravichandran. M, Kirnpaul Kaur A/P Banga Singh, Nik Noorul Shakira Mohd Shakrinand EZDysentry DNA ITEX 2005 16th International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design & Technology Exhibition, 19-21 May 2005, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

34. Young Investigator Award (2nd runner up) Thiruchelvan N, Azni A.M, Zurayani Z, Shafiqul Islam, Haslizai H, Nurainey A, Che Nor Anini, Ravichandran M & Asma I. Characterization and evaluation of an antigenically specific 36kDa surface associated protein of Acinetobacter baumannii; a causative agent of hospital acquired infection, Regional conference on Molecular Medicine, UKM, Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 9-11 September 2005.

35. Saintis Cemerlang 2005, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi

36. Gold Medal Ravichandran. M, Lalitha p, , Chan Yean Yean, Lim Kun Lee,Lee Su Yin, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Mohd Radzi Johari, Habsah bt Hasan, Azian bt Harun, EZVRE Amp- A DNA-based kit for the detection of Enterococcus species and its gentamicin and vancomycin resistant genotypes. 34th International Exhibition of Inventions: New Technologies and Products, Geneva, 5-9 April 2006

PATENT APPLICATION

1. Asma Ismail, Ong Kok Hai, Ravichandran M, Zainoodin S. A. Kader. DNA sequence encoding the specific antigen of Salmonella typhi. 28.2.2000, Malaysian Patent application number: PI 2000765 (filed in 23 countries) , (Australian patent 783201, 10 August 2005)

2. Lalitha P, Ravichandran M, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z F. Oligonucleotides used for detecting Vibrio chlolerae and method of detecting therewith. Malaysian patent application number PI 20024511

3. Manickam Ravichandran , Syed Atif Ali , Nur Haslindawaty Abdul Rashid, Lalitha Pattabiraman, Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin. Vibrio cholerae strains VCUSM1 and VCUSM4 method of making same, and vaccine derivatives thereof. Malaysian patent filed on 8.10.2003 with the number PI20033828

4. Manickam Ravichandran , Syed Atif Ali , Nur Haslindawaty Abdul Rashid, Lalitha Pattabiraman, Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin. Vibrio cholerae strains VCUSM1 and VCUSM4 method of making same, and vaccine derivatives thereof. Euorpean patent filed on 25.10.2004 with the number 04025319.7

5. Manickam Ravichandran , Syed Atif Ali , Nur Haslindawaty Abdul Rashid, Lalitha Pattabiraman, Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin. Vibrio cholerae strains VCUSM1 and VCUSM4 method of making same, and vaccine derivatives thereof. USA patent filed on 5.11.2004 with the number 10/981,760.

6. Manickam Ravichandran, Lalitha Pattabiraman, Lee Su Yin and Lim Kun Lee. Method and formulation of ambient temperature stable for nucleic acid amplification reagents. Malaysian patent filed on 31.03.2005 with the number PI20051471

Journals

1. Sosroseno W, Musa M, Ravichandran M, Fikri Ibrahim M, Bird PS, Seymour GJ. Arginase activity in a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2006 Jun;21(3):145-50.

2. Francis, A, Aiyar, S , Chan, Y. Y , Lin, N and Ravichandran, M. 2005 An improved selective and differential medium for the isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from clinical specimens Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease (Accepted , Ref. No.: DMID-05-303R1)

3. Ravichandran M , Atif Ali S , Nur Haslindawaty AR, Kurunathan S, Chan Y Y , Lai C T , Afifi Sheikh A B , Lalitha P , and Zainuddin Z F. Construction and Evaluation of O139 Vibrio cholerae Vaccine Candidate Based on hemA Gene Mutation. Vaccine. 2005 (PMID - 16102875)

4. Kangueane P, Sakharkar MK, Rajaseger G, Bolisetty S,Sivasekari B, Zhao B, Ravichandran M, Shapshak P, Subbiah S. 2005. A Framework To Sub-Type HLA Supertypes. Frontiers In Bioscience 10, 879-886, January 1, 2005

5. YAP YY, Shahid H, Ravichandran M, Pua KC. 2004 Diagnosis of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma by DNA Amplification of EBV Genomes in Nasopharyngeal Biopsy and Fine-Needle aspiration of Neck Nodes. 10 Asia-Oceania ORL Head and Neck congress, 22 - 26 February 2004, The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 9: Suppliment A, 160-1

6. Low Jen Hou, Raju S. Sivachandra, Abdullah M. Shukri, Norazmi M. Nor and Ravichandran M., Rifampicin Antagonizes the Effectiveness of Chloroquine on Chloroquine Resistant Plasmodium berghei in mice, Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2004 Oct;57(5):198-202.

7. Gopinath V.K., Karima Akool M. A. S., Chan Y. Y., Melissa Chan L. A., Ravichandran M. 2004 Amelogenesis Imperfecta : Enamel Ultra Structure And Molecular Studies. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry 28 (4): 319-22

8. Paneerchelvam S., Nur Haslindawaty, Ravichandran M., Norazmi M N and Zainuddin Z.F.2003. Allele frequency distribution for 10 STR loci in the Malay population of Malaysia. Journal of Forensic Sciences : 48(2): 1-2

9. Suba S., Ravichandran. M., Lalitha P., Narayanan R.B., Jayaraman K., Boothby J.T and Kaliraj P. 2000 Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) therapy and modulation of immune response in microfilaraemics with Wuchereria bancrofti infection. Biomedical Research 11(3) 321-325

10. Ravichandran, M., Doolan D. L., Janet Cox-Singh., Hoffman S. L., Singh B.HLA Degenerate T-cell epitopes from Plasmodium falciparum liver stage-specifc antigen 1 (LSA-1) are highly conserved in isolates from Geographically distinct areas. Parasite Immunology, 2000: 22: 469-473

Book

1. RAVICHANDRAN M, JAYARANI R, KALIRAJ P AND KUNTHALA JAYARAMAN. Studies on the role of cytokines in the differential immune and cellular responses of peripheral lymphocytes in Bancroftian filariasis and their application in the development of Immunoprophylaxis, published in the book "Vaccines 96: Molecular approaches to the control of Infectious diseases" Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory ISBN 0-87969-479-3.

Web site

1. Dr. M. Ravichandran and Dr. Zainul F Zainuddin, 2002, CD Cloning Simulation Group Project. National Centre for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD, USA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/Malaria/Class/

SEQUENCES PUBLISHED IN GENBANK – 51 SEQUENCES

Scientific meetings

1. Ravichandran M , Ali SA, Nurhaslindawaty AR , Kurunathan S , Amin A , Chan YY, Lalitha P and Zainuddin ZF Construction of cholera vaccine candidates based on hemA and rtxC mutation. 40th US-Japan Cholera and Other Bacterial Enteric Infections Panel, George Sherman Student Union, Boston University, November 30-December 2, 2005

2. Lalitha P, Lim KL , Lee Su Yin, Chan Y Y, Melissa Chan Li Ann, Zainuddin Z F and Ravichandran M. Development and evaluation of an Octaplex PCR assay for the Detection of Serogroups, Biotypes, Virulent Genes and Tetracycline Resistant Gene of Vibrio cholerae. 40th US-Japan Cholera and Other Bacterial Enteric Infections Panel, George Sherman Student Union, Boston University, November 30-December 2, 2005

3. J. H. Low, M. F. M. Khairul, T. H. Min, C. H. Nasriyyah, N. A. A’shikin, M. N. Norazmi, M. Ravichandran, S. S. Raju; Rifampicin Antagonizes The Effect Of Chloroquine On Chloroquine Sensitive And Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum In Vitro, 45th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Washington, DC, December 16-19, 2005.

4. Amy Amilda Anthony, Manikam Ravichandran, and Asma Ismail. Development of a simple dipstick assay for the detection of specific IgM to Salmonella typhi for the rapid diagnosis of acute typhoid fever. 6th International Conference on Thyphoid Fever and Other Salmonelloses. From Research to Policy-Towards more Effective Control of Typhoid Fever. Guilin, China. November 12 – 14, 2005.

5. Aziah Ismail, Manikam Ravichandran and Asma Ismail. Development of a thermostabilised PCR assay using gene encoding for the 50 kDa outer membrane protein of Salmonella typhi for the rapid detection of typhoid fever. 6th International Conference on Thyphoid Fever and Other Salmonelloses. From Research to Policy-Towards more Effective Control of Typhoid Fever Guilin, China. November 12 – 14, 2005.

6. Zaidah A.R , Chan.Y.Y , Shukri Abdullah , Siti Asma' H , Nur Haslindawaty A.R , Mustafa Salleh, Zeehaida M , Lalitha P , Mahiran Mustafa and Ravichandran M. Detection of Cyyptosporidium parvum in HIV Patients: An Evaluation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Microscopy method. First National Conference on Infectious Diseases, 28-29 September 2005. Health Campus, USM.

7. Siti Asma' H, Chan.Y.Y , Shukri Abdullah , Zaidah A.R ,Nur Haslindawaty A.R, Mustafa Salleh , Tang T.T, Mahiran Mustafa and Ravichandran M. Detection of Pneumocystis carinii in HIV Patients: An Evaluation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Microscopy method. First National Conference on Infectious Diseases, 28-29 September 2005. Health Campus, USM.

8. Francis A.L, Ravichandran M, and Aiyar S. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Burkholderia pseudomallei: - A comparison of the disk diffusion test with the E-test. First National Conference on Infectious Diseases, 28-29 September 2005. Health Campus, USM.

9. Noor A’shikin Azahri, Che Nasriyyah Che Husin, Khairul Mohd Fadzli, Tan Hooi Min, Low Jen Hou, Norazmi Mohd Nor, S. Sivachandra Raju and Manickam Ravichandran. Expression of Human MDR1 in an outer membrane permeability mutant of Escherichia coli. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005.. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005.

5. Liew Lee Kuan, Lim Kun Lee, Jaime Jacqueline, Zainuddin Z.F, Ravichandran M and Lalitha P. Detection of tetracycline resistant determinants in Gram negative bacteria by Multiplex PCR. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005


6. Baig A.A, Ali S.A, Hasnan J, Kurunathan S, Lee KL, Lalitha P, Zainuddin Z.F and Ravichandran M. Histopathological studies of Vibrio cholerae O139 and O1 El Tor: Towards understanding the mechanism of enteropathogenesis. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005


7. Ali SA, Kurunathan S, Amin A, Nurhaslindawaty AR, Chan YY, Lalitha P, Zainuddin ZF, and Ravichandran M. Construction and characterization of genetically engineered live oral cholera vaccine strains VCUSM-7 and VCUSM-8. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

8. Robaiza Z, Ravichandran M, Raju SS, Tang TH. An Experimental RNomics Approach Towards the Identification and Characterization of small-non-coding RNAs in a Pathogenic Agent, Salmonella typh. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

9. Aziah I, Nik Noorul Shakira M. S, Norzie Azlin P, Foong S. Y, Norazlina D, Zurinariah H, Nyi Nyi N, Ravichandran M and Asma I. Molecular approach to identify possible typhoid carrier among food handlers in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

10. Khairul MFM, Tan HM, Low JH, Che Nasriyyah CH, Noor A’shikin A, Norazmi MN, Ravichandran M and Sivachandra S. Effect of Fluoxetine on reversing Chloroquine and Mefloquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

11. Low JH, Khairul MFM, Tan HM, Che Nasriyyah CH, Noor A’shikin A, Norazmi MN, Ravichandran M and Sivachandra S. Effect of Omeprazole - Chloroquine combinations on Chloroquine resistant Plasmodia. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

12. Shahid Hassan, Yap Y Y, Ravichandran M. Diagnosis of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma by DNA amplification of EBV genomes in nasopharyngeal biopsy and fine needle aspirations of neck nodes. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

13. Ahareef BT, Azian H, Roziawati Y, Zakuan ZD, Ravichandran M, Saiful BT. Oral fungal infection: A case report. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

14. Tan HM, Khairul MFM, Low JH, Che Nasriyyah CH, Noor A’shikin A, Norazmi MN, Ravichandran M and S S Raju.. Effect of Roxithromycin on Mefloquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

15. Wan Adibah WA, Zainul Fadziruddin Z and Ravichandran M. The use of the dnaJ and hsp65 genes for detection of Mycobacterium spp. in a multiplex PCR-ELISA format. 10th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 21-22 May 2005. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 12, Suppl 1, 2005

16. S. Atif Ali, Nur Haslindawathy, Y.Y. Chan, L.K. Lalitha, and Z.F. Zainuddin, and M. Ravichandran Construction and evaluation of Vibrio cholerae O139 (Bengal) vaccine candidates based on hemA gene mutation. KOSEF-JSPS Asian Science Seminar” Development of Mucosal Vaccines: From Basic research to clinical applications”, International vaccine institute, Seoul, Korea, 24-27 October 2004.

17. Lee Su Yin, Lim Kun Lee, Chan Yean Yean, Lalitha P, Ravichandran M, Zainuddin ZF Development of a novel non-PCR based diagnostic test for cholera. National Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.

18. Aziah Ismail, M. Ravichandran and Asma Ismail. Optimization of enrichment procedures for PCR-based detection of Salmonella typhi in stool specimens. National Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.

19. Nik Noorul Shakira M. S, Kirnpal-Kaur B. S, Ravichandran M, Che Nur Anini A, Haslizai Hassan, Asma I and Mohd Zaki S. Development of a DNA amplification-based assay for the detection of Shigella sonnei. National Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.

20. Norzie Azlin P, Asma I, Ridhwan A. W, Azni A. M, Ravichandran M, Lalitha P, Zainul F. Z, Haslizai H and Mohd Zaki S. Detection of Campylobacter jejuni by a two-step amplification method. National Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.

21. Kirnpal-Kaur B. S, Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M and Mohd Zaki Salleh. Application of recombinant ompA protein in the development of a rapid immunodiagnosis of Shigella flexneri infection. Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.

22. Chan Yean Yean, Radzi Johari, Lalitha P, Lim Kun Lee, Lee Su Yin, Melissa Chan L. A and Ravichandran M. Development of a multiplex assay for rapid detection of Enterococci spp. and its antibiotic resistant. Diagnostic Workshop and Conference, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 4-7 October 2004.
23. Alwi AA, Hussein E, Gopalakrishnan V, Ravichandran M.. Detection of Herpes Simples infection in viral conjunctivitis using polymerase chain reaction – A pilot study. 9th National Conference on Medical Sciences Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, 22 May 2004. Proceedings published in The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol 11, Suppl 1, 2004

24. Ravichandran M, S. Atif Ali, S. Kurunathan, A.R. Nur Haslindawaty, Y.Y. Chan, P. Lalitha, Z.F. Zainuddin. The Construction and evaluation of O1 and O139 Vibrio cholerae vaccine candidates based on hemA gene mutation’ 3rd International Conference on Vaccines for Enteric Diseases, 28-30 April 2004, Half Moon Club, Montego Bay, Jamaica

25. Kirnpal-Kaur B.S, Asma Ismail*, Ravichandran M, Mohd Zaki Salleh. Expression and purification of ompA protein of Shigella flexneri in Escherichia coli, 1st National Colloquium and workshop on Pharmacogenetics, Health Campus, USM, 1-4 April 2004

26. Azian H, Zakuan Zainy D and Ravichandran M. Recurrent Trichosporon asahii glossitis: A case report.1st Asean Congress on Parasitology and Tropical Medicine & 40th Annual Scientific Seminar of MSPTM.Grand Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23-25 March 2004.
27. Lim Kun Lee, Lalitha P, NurHaslindawaty A R, Zainuddin Z F, Ravichandran M ‘Development of An Octaplex PCR Assay for Rapid Simultaneous Detection of Biotypes, Serotypes, Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistant Genotypes of Vibrio cholerae’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003

28. Ravichandran M, Lalitha P, Teoh Pick Har, Lee Su Yin, Lim Kun Lee, NurHaslindawaty A R, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Asma Ismail Zainuddin Z F ‘CHOLERA DNA RAPID : A Cold Chain Free DNA Based Diagnostic Test For Cholera’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003

29. Nur Haslindawaty A.R, Lai C.T, Ali. S A, Chan Y. Y, Lalitha P, Zainuddin Z F, and Ravichandran M ‘Mutational Analysis of Glutamyl tRNA reductase Gene in V. cholerae: Towards the Development of Auxotrophic Vaccine Strains’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003

30. Kurunathan S, Ali S. A , Nur Haslindawaty A R, Lim K L, Lalitha P, Zainuddin Z F and Ravichandran M ‘Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of V.cholerae O139 Bengal: In search of a natural non-toxigenic Strain for the Development of Safer Cholera Vaccine’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003

31. Atif Ali S, Kurunathan S, Nur Haslindawaty A R, Chan Y Y, Lalitha P, Zainuddin Z F and Ravichandran M ‘Safety And Immunogenicity of Oral Auxotrophic Cholera Vaccine Candidates’. 14th National Biotechnology Seminar Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang Dec 10-13th 2003
32. Zunaina E, W. Hazabbah WH, Raja Azmi MN, Asokumaran T, Hasnan M, Zainul FZ, Ravichandran M. Detection of fungal keratitis by PCR. Universiti Sains Malaysia, Medical Alumni Society (PADU) National Scientific Meeting, 4th October 2003

33. Kirnpal-Kaur B.S, Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Mohd Zaki Salleh. .Application of bioinformatic tools for identification of gene encoding for a specific membrane protein (ompA) of Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei. 2nd International conference on Bioinformatics 2003 (INCOB2003), 8-10 September, Pulau Pinang.

34. Kirnpal-Kaur B.S, Asma Ismail, Ravichandran M, Mohd Zaki Salleh. Characterization, cloning and expression of a specific membrane protein of Shigella flexneri. 3rd Federation of Asia-Pacific Microbiology Societies Conference, Kuala Lumpur 15-18th October 2003.

35. Ravichandran, M., Atif Ali, S., Nur Haslindawaty A.R., Lai C.T., Chan Y Y, Lalitha, P., Zainuddin, Z.F. 2003. A Genetically Engineered, Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Vaccine Strain (Vcusm1) for Cholera. In Investing in Innovation 2003 (IPTA2003) proceedings, Vol 3: Bioscience and Biotechnology, ed. Mohd. Ali Hassan et al., pp 149 – 154. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

36. Asma Ismail, Ravichandran, M, Lalitha, P, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Aziah Ismail , Foong Sui Yun, Teoh Pick Har, Lee Su Yin, Lim Kun Lee, Nurhaslindawaty A R, and Zainuddin Z F. Molecular advances in the rapid diagnosis of typhoid and cholera. 7th Family Medicine specialist scientific conference, Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur 24 – 27th August 2003.

37. Wan Adibah Wan Adnan, Zainul Fadziruddin Zainuddin and M. Ravichandran Development and evaluation of Molecular Beacon technique for identification of Mycobacterium genus and species. 8th National Conference on Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian , Kelantan, 8-9th May 2003.

38. Ravichandran M , Lalitha P, Siti Suraiya M N, Kun Lee Lim , NurHaslindawaty A R, Mukarramah C A, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z F. Analysis of hemM gene sequence and its use in the development of a PCR assay for the detection of V.cholerae . 8th Western Pacific Congress of Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases, 1-5 December 2002, Perth, Australia.

39. Lalitha P, Kun Lee Lim, Jaime J, NurHaslindawaty A R, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z F , Ravichandran M. Multiplex PCR for the detection of tetracycline resistant determinant in Malaysian Vibrio cholerae strains. 8th Western Pacific Congress of Chemotherapy and Infectious Diseases, 1-5 December 2002, Perth, Australia.

40. Kirnpal-Kaur B.S, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Ravichandran M., Asma Ismail. Identification of specific primers for Shigella flexneri. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

41. Lalitha P, Rojshana B, NurHslindawaty A.R, Lim Kim Lee, Mohd Zaki Salleh, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z.F., Ravichandran M. Development of a Multiplex PCR for the Detection of Vibrio cholerae biotypes, 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

42. Atif Ali, S, Nur Haslindawaty, A.R , Lai, C.T, Afifi, S.A.B., Lalitha, P, Zainuddin, Z.F and Ravichandran M. Evaluation of a live oral attenuated cholerae vaccine for Vibrio cholerae 0139 Bengal. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

43. Asma, I, Ravichandran M, Chan Y.Y, Aziah, I and Foong, S.Y. Development of a rapid test for the diagnosis of acute typhoid. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

44. Raju, S.S., Nor, N.M., Low, J.H., Abdullah, M.S. and Ravichandran M. Rifampicin antagonizes the effectiveness of chloroquine on Plasmodium berghei in mice. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

45. Asma, I., Ravichandran, M, Aziah, I. and Foong, S.Y.Development of a DNA diagnostic test for typhoid carriers. 25th Malaysian Microbiology Society Symposium and 5th UNESCO National Workshop for the Promotion of Microbiology in Malaysia, 8-11 September 2002. Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

46. Lalitha P , Jaime J, NurHaslindawaty A R, Chan Y Y,Mohd Zaki Salleh, Asma Ismail, Zainuddin Z F, Ravichandran M. Development of a PCR assay for the detection of tetracycline resistant gene in Vibrio cholerae. 7th National Conference on Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian , Kelantan, 17-18th May 2002.

47. Zunaina E, W. Hazabbah WH, Hasnan M, Nur Haslindawaty AR, Chan YY, Sabariah O, Zainul FZ, Ravichandran M. Evaluation of PCR method to detect fungal aetiology in microbial keratitis. 7th National Conference on Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian , Kelantan, 17-18th May 2002.

48. Singh, B., Tan, G.H., Wong, P.L., Ravichandran, M., Doolan, D.L., Cox-Singh, J., & Hoffman, S.L. T-Cell Epitopes From Plasmodium falciparum exported protein-1 (exp-1) are completely conserved In field isolates from Malaysia. Presented at American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 50th Annual Meeting, November 11 – November 15, 2001, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

49. Siti Suraiya M N, NurHaslindawaty A R, Chan Y Y, Kim V B, Mukarramah C A, Lalitha P, Asma Ismail, Nishibuchi M, Zainuddin Z F , Ravichandran M. A PCR Method Targeted to a Novel Non-Virulent Gene for Identification of Vibrio cholerae. 1st Asean conference on Medical Sciences, 18-21 May 2001, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

50. ELAMIN MOHAMED E. H., MOHD. ZAKI SALLEH, RAVICHANDRAN M, AND ASMA ISMAIL. Demonstration of specific heat shock proteins in the outermembrane of Salmonella paratyphi A. 1st Asean conference on Medical Sciences, 18-21 May 2001, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

51. J. Abdullah, S. Che Kadir, R. Ghani, A. Alias, Ravichandran M, G.S. Visvesvara, N. Norfaraheen, M. Mohamad, H. Jafaar and N. H. Othman. Amoebic brain abscess and metastatic brain carcinoma: A diagnostic challenge. 1st Asean conference on Medical Sciences, 18-21 May 2001, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

52. ASMA ISMAIL, RAVICHANDRAN M, WAN NURHANUNI WAN GHAZALI, TUAN AFFIFAH TUAN IBRAHIM, CHAN YEAN YEAN AND EL AMIN MOHAMED. Advancement in the rapid diagnosis of enteric fever, presented at Third Asia-Pacific conference on travel health and Sixth national congress of tropical and infectious diseases, 21-23, July 2000, Bali, Indonesia

RESEARCH GRANTS

1. Mutation of hemA and M gene of Vibrio cholerae: Towards the development of attenuated V. cholerae vaccine strain"
2. Development Of Diagnostic Tests For Enteric Pathogens: Genomic Approach – Vibrio cholerae
3. Incorporation of Mutation In Virulence and recA Genes of Vibrio cholerae (Bengal) Vaccine Strain (USM-VCB1): Towards The Development of an Oral Live Attenuated Cholera Vaccine
4. Effect of pesticides on surfactant system of lung
5. The role of nitric oxide on the induction of immune response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomittans in a mouse model
6. Development and Evaluation of Multiplex-Multicolour Molecular Beacons and DNA dipstick Assay Techniques for Genus and Species Detection of Mycobacteria
7. Development of a novel immunochromatography test system for the detection of biotype, virulence and antibiotic resistance genotype of Vibrio cholerae for the early diagnosis of cholera.
8. Antimicrobial resistance in Malaysia: A PCR based rapid test for the early detection of antibiotic-resistance in Enterococcus spp. from clinical samples
9. Effect of P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors on Chloroquine/Mefloquine resistant Malaria model system in vitro and in vivo: Towards identifying chemosensitizers for Malaria

B. Short term research grants

1. Arginase activity in murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in vitro
2. Effect of rifampicin and chloroquine combination on chloroquine resistant Plasmodium berghei in mice
3. Evaluation of Multiplex PCR method to detect fungal aetiology in microbial keratitis
4. Gene frequencies of CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1, FESFEPS, F13A01 and vWA STRs allele in random Malay population
5. Pilot study to determinate the prevalence of Herpes simplex infection in cases of viral conjunctivitis in HUSM using polymerase chain reaction
6. Effect of omeprazole and chloroquine combination on chloroquine resistant plasmodia in-vitro and in-vivo
7. Comparison of Microscopy, PCR and Rapid Immunoassay Test in detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in Fecal Specimens of HIV infected patients
8. Comparison of Microscopy and PCR in the detection of Pneumocystis carinii in HIV infected patients admitted at General Hospital Kota Bharu
9. Does Vibrio cholerae invade gut mucosa? Exploring the genes involved in enteropathogenesis
10. Identification and characterization of novel small non-messenger RNAs in Plasmodium falciparum towards their role in the mechanism of disease in malaria.

CONSULTANCY

Company: Malaysian Bio-Diagnostics Research Sdn Bhd.
Project: Strategies for cloning and purification of specific protein for S typhi.
Duration: March - August 1999 to February 2000


MEMBER OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

1. Member, Since 2002, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
2. Member, Since 2003, American Association for the advancement of sciences (AAAS)
3. Member of Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Since 1998
4. Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Since 2002
5. Member of Malaysian Microbiology Society, Since 2003