Dr Ser Hooi Leng

Dr Ser Hooi Leng

  • Senior Lecturer
  • Programme Leader of BSc (Hons) Biomedicine
Department of Biological Sciences

Biography

Dr Ser Hooi Leng is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology & Biomedical Science) and Bachelor of Forensics (Forensic Biology) degrees at Murdoch University, Australia in 2012. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she successfully secured a Summer Research Scholarship at the same university and had her first “taste” of research life, which piqued her interest in pursuing a career in biomedical science research. After returning to Malaysia, she began her postgraduate studies at Monash University. Her PhD project involves identifying novel Streptomyces species from mangrove forests and bioactivity screening of their secondary metabolites. Her research on the novel strain “Streptomyces malaysiense” with potent antioxidant and anticancer activities has garnered attention from the scientific community and she received TTLBF-YSPSAH Excellent Scientific Paper Award in 2016.

Her interest in microbiology research allows her to delve deeper into the intriguing world of bacteria, particularly in terms of understanding the relationship between microbes and human diseases. While microbes can be found practically everywhere, not all of them are harmful to humans. They could be employed as biomarkers for specific diseases and ailments, as well as pharmaceutical targets in treatments and prevention strategies. In addition to making discoveries in the lab, she actively builds and maintains research collaborations with scientists and doctors from both local and international institutions, hospitals, and organisations. Personally, she enjoys communicating with students and believes firmly in the power of communication. She wishes to help the younger minds to explore their interests in biomedical research and work together to make the world a better place for future generations.

 

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD (Microbiology), Monash University, Malaysia (2018)
  • BSc (Molecular Biology & Biomedical Science), Murdoch University, Australia (2012)
  • BForensics (Forensic Biology), Murdoch University, Australia (2012)

Research Interests

  • Microbiome and human health
  • Microbial systematics and taxonomy
  • Bioprospecting and drug discovery from microbes and plants
  • Multidrug-resistant organism

Notable Publications

  1. Mahendra, C.K., Ser, H.L., Pusparajah, P., Htar, T.T., Chuah, L.H., Yap, W.H., Tang, Y.Q., Zengin, G., Tang, S.Y., Lee, W.L., Liew, K.B., Ming, L.C., Goh, B.H. (2022). Cosmeceutical Therapy: Engaging the Repercussions of UVR Photoaging on the Skin’s Circadian Rhythm. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(5), 2884.
  2. Goh, J.X.H., Tan, L.T.H., Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L., Khaw, K.Y., Letchumanan, V., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.H. (2022). Harnessing the potentialities of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, paraprobiotics, and postbiotics for shrimp farming. Reviews in Aquaculture, 00, 1– 80.
  3. Azad, S.M., Jin, Y., Ser, H.L., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H., Thawai, C., He, Y.W. (2022). Biological insights into the piericidin family of microbial metabolites. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 132(2), 772-784.
  4. Thye, A.Y.K., Law, J.W.F., Tan, L.T.H., Pusparajah, P., Ser, H.L., Thurairajasingam, S., Letchumanan, V., Lee, L.H. (2022). Psychological Symptoms in COVID-19 Patients: Insights into Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Long COVID-19. Biology, 11(1), 61.
  5. Joseph, R.J., Ser, H.L., Kuai, Y.H., Tan, L.T.H., Arasoo, V.J.T., Letchumanan, V., Wang, L., Pusparajah, P., Goh, B.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2021). Finding a balance in the vaginal microbiome: how do we treat and prevent the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis?. Antibiotics, 10(6), 719.
  6. Loo, K.Y., Letchumanan, V., Ser, H.L., Teoh, S.L., Law, J.W.F., Tan, L.T.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2021). COVID-19: Insights into potential vaccines. Microorganisms, 9(3), 605. • Ser, H.L., Letchumanan, V., Goh, B.H., Wong, S.H., Lee, L.H. (2021). The use of fecal microbiome transplant in treating human diseases: Too early for poop?. Frontiers in Microbiology, 1005.
  7. Shi, Z., Lei, H., Chen, G., Yuan, P., Cao, Z., Ser, H.L., Zhu, X., Wu, F., Liu, C., Dong, M., Song, Y., Guo, Y., Chen., C., Hu, K., Zhu, Y., Zeng, X.a., Zhou, J., Lu, Y., Patterson, A.D., Zhang, L. (2021). Impaired intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila and aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Msystems, 6(1), e00985-20.
  8. Ser, H.L., Wong, J.Y.J., Letchumanan, V., Law, J.W.F., Tan, L.T.H., Lee, L.H. (2021). IDDF2021-ABS-0132 Moving beyond the gastrointestinal tract: The involvement of gut microbiome in endometriosis. Gut, 70(Supp 2), A46-A47.
  9. Lee, L.H., Loo, K.Y., Tan, L.T.H., Goh, J.X.H., Law, W.F., Ser, H.L., Kumari, Y., Liew, D., Letchumanan, V. (2021). IDDF2021-ABS-0126 Exploring the gut microbiota variation in response to vibrio infection. Gut, 70(Supp 2), A45-A46.
  10. Tan, L.T.H., Letchumanan, V., Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2021). IDDF2021-ABS-0099 Exploring the effects of acupuncture therapy in restoring health via modulation of intestinal microbiota. Gut, 70(Supp 2), A37-A37.
  11. Learn-Han, L., Ser, H.L., Law, J.W.F., Letchumanan, V., Kok-Gan, C., Goh, B.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Tan, L.T.H. (2021). IDDF2021-ABS-0123 Streptomyces pluripotens MUSC 135T as a treasure trove for anti-colon cancer and anti-MRSA agents. Gut, 70(Supp 2), A44-A45.
  12. Law, J.W.F., Letchumanan, V., Ser, H.L., Tan, L.T.H., Pusparajah, P., Lee, L.H. (2021). IDDF2021-ABS-0108 Enterobacteriaceae–deciphering the culprit gut bacteria causing necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. Gut, 70(Supp 2), A40-A40.
  13. Rayanakorn, A., Ser, H.L., Pusparajah, P., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Khan, T.M., Saokaew, S., Lee, S.W.H., Lee, L.H. (2020). Comparative efficacy of antibiotic (s) alone or in combination of corticosteroids in adults with acute bacterial meningitis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. PloS one, 15(5), e0232947.
  14. Li, Y., Sun, N., Ser, H.L., Long, W., Li, Y., Chen, C., Zheng, B., Huang, X., Liu, Z. and Lu, Y.J. (2020). Antibacterial activity evaluation and mode of action study of novel thiazole-quinolinium derivatives. RSC Advances, 10(25), 15000-15014.
  15. Zou, X., Tan, Q., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H., Tan, K.L., Ser, H.L. (2020). “Sweeter” than its name: anti-inflammatory activities of Stevia rebaudiana. All Life, 13(1), 286-309.
  16. Law, J.W.F., Letchumanan, V., Tan, L.T.H., Ser, H.L., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2020). The rising of “modern actinobacteria” era. Progress In Microbes & Molecular Biology, 3(1).
  17. Wang, S., Liu, F., Tan, K.S., Ser, H.L., Tan, L.T.H., Lee, L.H., Tan, W. (2020). Effect of (R)‐salbutamol on the switch of phenotype and metabolic pattern in LPS‐induced macrophage cells. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 24(1), 722-736.
  18. Ser, H.L., Letchumanan, V., Law, J.W.F., Tan, L.T.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Lee, L.H., (2020). PMMB COVID-19 Bulletin: Spain (18th April 2020). Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology, 3(1), a0000074.
  19. Ser, H.L., Tan, L.T.H., Law, J.W.F., Letchumanan, V., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Lee, L.H., (2020). Genomic analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains isolated in Malaysia. Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology, 3(1).
  20. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H., (2020). Whole-genome sequence of a novel, mangrove-derived streptomycete, Streptomyces malaysiense strain MUSC 136T. Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science, 3(1).
  21. Ananda, R.A., Ser, H.L., Letchumanan, V. (2020). Updates on the development of vaccines and therapeutic options against rabies. Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology, 3(1).
  22. Selvaraj, S.M., Wong, S.H., Ser, H.L., Lee, L.H. (2020). Role of low FODMAP diet and probiotics on gut microbiome in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology, 3(1): a0000069.
  23. Lee, L.H., Letchumanan, V., Tan, L.T.H., Ser, H.L., Law, J.W.F. (2020). IDDF2020-ABS-0112 Gut-skin axis: decoding the link between the gut microbiome and hives. Gut 69 (Supp 2): A16-17.
  24. Loo, K.Y., Letchumanan, V., Dhanoa, A., Law, J.W.F., Pusparajah, P., Goh, B.H., Ser, H.L., Wong, S.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2020). Exploring the Pathogenesis, Clinical Characteristics and Therapeutic Regimens of Listeria monocytogenes. Microbiology, 3: 01-13.
  25. Lee, L.H., Tan, L.T.H., Letchumanan, V., Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L. (2020). IDDF2020-ABS-0115 A moulding game: the role of gut microbiome in osteoporosis. Gut 69 (Supp 2): A18-19.
  26. Kemung, H.M., Tan, L.T.H., Chan, K.G., Ser, H.L., Law, J.W.F., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.H. (2020). Antioxidant activities of Streptomyces sp. strain MUSC 14 from mangrove forest soil in Malaysia. BioMed Research International, 2020.
  27. Tan, L.T.H., Chan, C.K., Chan, K.G., Pusparajah, P., Khan, T.M., Ser, H.L., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.H. (2019). Streptomyces sp. MUM256: A source for apoptosis inducing and cell cycle-arresting bioactive compounds against colon cancer cells. Cancers, 11, 1742.
  28. Kemung, H.M., Tan, L.T.H., Chan, K.G., Ser, H.L., Law, J.W.F., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.H. (2019). Investigating the antioxidant potential of Streptomyces sp. MUSC 11 from mangrove soil in Malaysia. Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science, 2(1).
  29. Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Saokaew, S., Duangjai, A., Khan, T.M., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2019). Streptomyces monashensis sp. nov., a novel mangrove soil actinobacterium from East Malaysia with antioxidative potential. Scientific Reports 9, 1-18.
  30. Lee, L.H., Ser, H.L., Khan, T.M., Gan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Ab Mutalib, N.S (2019). IDDF2019-ABS-0321 Relationship between autism and gut microbiome: current status and update. Gut 68 (Supp 1), A40-A41.
  31. Ser, H.L., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Lee, L.H. (2018). Genome sequence of Novosphingobium malaysiense strain MUSC 273T, novel alpha-proteobacterium isolated from intertidal soil. Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology 1(1).
  32. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Cheng, H.J., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2018). Draft genome of starch-degrading actinobacterium, Microbacterium mangrovi MUSC 115T isolated from intertidal sediments. Progress in Drug Discovery & Biomedical Science 1(1).
  33. Ser, H.L., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Khan, T.M., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2018). Antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of Streptomyces gilvigriseus MUSC 26T isolated from mangrove soil in Malaysia. Progress in Microbes & Molecular Biology 1(1).
  34. Ser, H.L., Tan, L.T.H., Law, J.W.F., Chan, K.G., Duangjai, A., Saokaew, S., Pusparajah, P., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Khan, T.M., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H (2017). Focused Review: Cytotoxic and antioxidant potentials of mangrove-derived Streptomyces. Frontiers in Microbiology 8, 2065.
  35. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2017). Genome sequence of Streptomyces mangrovisoli MUSC 149T isolated from intertidal sediments. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 49, 13-15.
  36. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Mutalib, N.S.A., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2017). Genome sequence of Streptomyces gilvigriseus MUSC 26T isolated from mangrove forest. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology 49, 207-209.
  37. Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L., Duangjai, A., Saokaew, S., Bukhari, S.I., Khan, T.M., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2017). Streptomyces colonosanans sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from Malaysia mangrove soil exhibiting antioxidative activity and cytotoxic potential against human colon cancer cell lines. Frontiers in Microbiology 8, 877.
  38. Law, J.W.F., Ser, H.L., Khan, T.M., Chuah, L.H., Pusparajah, P., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2017). The potential of Streptomyces as biocontrol agents against the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae (Pyricularia oryzae). Frontiers in microbiology 8.
  39. Ser, H.L., Tan, L.T.H., Palanisamy, U.D., Abd Malek, S.N., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2016). Streptomyces antioxidans sp. nov., a novel mangrove soil actinobacterium with antioxidative and neuroprotective potentials. Frontiers in Microbiology 7, 899.
  40. Ser, H.L., Law, J.W.F., Chaiyakunapruk, N., Jacob, S.A., Palanisamy, U.D., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2016). Fermentation conditions that affect clavulanic acid production in Streptomyces clavuligerus: a systematic review, Frontiers in microbiology 7, 522.
  41. Ser, H.L., Palanisamy, U.D., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2016). Streptomyces malaysiense sp. nov.: A novel Malaysian mangrove soil actinobacterium with antioxidative activity and cytotoxic potential against human cancer cell lines, Scientific Reports 6, 24247.
  42. Zainal, N., Ser, H.L., Yin, W.F., Tee, K.K., Lee, L.H., Chan, K.G. (2016). Streptomyces humi sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from soil of a mangrove forest, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 109, 467-474.
  43. Letchumanan, V., Ser, H.L., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2016). Genome Sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus VP103 strain isolated from shrimp in Malaysia. Frontiers in Microbiology 7.
  44. Ser, H.L., Zainal, N., Palanisamy, U.D., Goh, B.H., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2015). Streptomyces gilvigriseus sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from mangrove forest soil, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 107, 1369-1378.
  45. Ser, H.L., Palanisamy, U.D., Yin, W.F., Abd Malek, S.N., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2015). Presence of antioxidative agent, Pyrrolo [1, 2-a] pyrazine-1, 4-dione, hexahydroin newly isolated Streptomyces mangrovisoli sp. nov., Frontiers in microbiology 6, 854.
  46. Ser, H.L., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2015). Evaluation of antioxidative and cytotoxic activities of Streptomyces pluripotens MUSC 137 isolated from mangrove soil in Malaysia, Frontiers in microbiology 6, 1398.
  47. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Cheng, H.J., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2015). Draft genome of amylolytic actinobacterium, Sinomonas humi MUSC 117T isolated from intertidal soil, Marine genomics 24, 209-210.
  48. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Cheng, H.J., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2015). Genome sequence of Streptomyces pluripotens MUSC 135T exhibiting antibacterial and antioxidant activity, Marine genomics 24, 281-283.
  49. Tan, L.T.H., Ser, H.L., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H., Goh, B.H. (2015). Investigation of antioxidative and anticancer potentials of Streptomyces sp. MUM256 isolated from Malaysia mangrove soil, Frontiers in microbiology 6, 1316.
  50. Ser, H.L., Tan, W.S., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Yin, W.F., Chan, K.G., Goh, B.H., Lee, L.H. (2016). Draft genome sequence of mangrove-derived Streptomyces sp. MUSC 125 with antioxidant potential. Frontiers in Microbiology 7.
  51. Eng, S.K., Pusparajah, P., Ab Mutalib, N.S., Ser, H.L., Chan, K.G., Lee, L.H. (2015). Salmonella: A review on pathogenesis, epidemiology and antibiotic resistance. Frontiers in Life Science 8, 284-293.
  52. Salahshourifar, I., Vincent-Chong, V.K., Chang, H.Y., Ser, H.L., Ramanathan, A., Kallarakkal, T.G., Rahman, Z.A.A., Ismail, S.M., Prepageran, N., Mustafa, W.M.W., Abraham, M.T. (2015). Downregulation of CRNN gene and genomic instability at 1q21.3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical Oral Investigations 19, 2273-2283.

Achievements & Accolades

  1. TTLBF (TienTe Lee Biomedical Foundation) – YSPSAH (Y.S.P. Southeast Asia Holding) Excellent Scientific Paper Award 2016
  2. Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Summer Scholarship (Research Project), Murdoch University 2011/2012
  3. Vice Chancellor Commendation for Academic Excellence, 2011 Vice Chancellor Commendation for Academic Excellence, 2010
  4. Palgrave Macmillian Excellence Award (Molecular Genetics), 2010