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Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Dr Farahnaz
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Associate Professor Dr Farahnaz Amini

Associate Professor of Human Gene

Head of Programme, Master of Science | School of Healthy Aging, Aesthetic and Regenerative Medicine

Academic Qualifications

PhD (Human Genetics)
MSc (Biochemistry)
BSc (Biology)

Areas of Interest
Telomere and DNA damage
Breast Cancer
Public Health
Professional Bodies

Genetic Society of Malaysia/ Malaysian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/ Tissue Engineering Society Malaysia 

Research

Research Grants

  1. Name of grant: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
    Funder: Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia 
    Project Title: Prenatal exposure to heavy metals and its association with fetal growth, telomere length and DNA damage in newborns
    Code: FRGS/1/2020/SKK06/UCSI/02/3
    Duration: 2020-2022
    Role: Co-Investigator
    Amount: RM 130,900
    Status: On-going
  2. Name of grant: Research Excellence and Innovation Grant (REIG)
    Funder: UCSI University
    Project Title: Effect of Pharmacological inhibitors of HIPPO pathway in COL1A1 synthesis and fibroblast aging
    Code: REIG-FMS-2020/044
    Duration: 2020-2022
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Amount: RM 50,000
    Status: On-going
  3. Name of grant:  Research Excellence and Innovation Grant (REIG)
    Funder: UCSI University
    Project Title: Association between Heavy Metals in Cord Blood with Telomere Length and DNA Damage in Newborns
    Code: REIG-FMS-2020/045
    Duration: 2020-2022
    Role: Co-Investigator
    Amount: RM 49,910
    Status: On-going
  4. Name of grant: FRGS
    Funder: MOH
    Project Title: Expression pattern of cell junction molecules in endothelial cells of tumor-free margin in breast cancer patients: Association with post-mastectomy locoregional recurrence 
    Code: FRGS/1/2017/SKK08/UCSI/02/2
    Duration: 3 years
    Role: Principal investigator
    Amount: RM149,000
    Status: Completed
  5. Name of grant: FRGS
    Funder: MOH
    Project Title: Male Infertility and the association to Non-occupational Exposure to Heavy Metals. 
    Code: FRGS/1/2016/SKK02/UCSI/02/1
    Duration: 2 years
    Role: Co-Principal investigator
    Amount: RM60000
    Status: Completed
  6. Name of grant: PSIF
    Funder: UCSI University
    Project Title: Factors affecting telomere length in Malay women
    Code: Proj-In-FMHS-029
    Duration: 2 years
    Role: Principal investigator
    Amount: RM25000
    Status: On-going
  7. Name of grant: PSIF
    Funder: UCSI University
    Project Title: Heavy metals in Vegetarians vs Non-Vegetarians Diets: Human Hair as Indicator  
    Code: Proj-In-FMHS-018
    Duration: 2 years
    Role: Co-Principal investigator
    Amount: RM25000
    Status: On-going

Current Research Project

  1. Impact Of Patient’s Awareness And Knowledge Of Cardiovascular Risk Factors On Health Related Behavior
  2. Impact Of Host Genetic Variations On Susceptibility And Severity Of Covid-19
  3. Pharmaceutical Formulation of a drug based on Molecular study of Synergetic inhibiting effects of PARP inhibitor and Calcitriol in selected TNBC cell lines.

Research Area

  • As a public health geneticist, my primary research interests revolve around understanding the role and interaction of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to human health
     and disease, and applying that information to improve human wellbeing. My team is currently working on identifying factors affecting telomere length and DNA damage in healthy women
  • Mechanisms that influence the rejuvenation of skin cells:I am interested in the molecular mechanisms of skin aging which is essential to identify new therapeutic targets and develop new agents, with a particular emphasis on the topical modalities. Also, identifying pathways involved in delaying skin aging in response to external stimuli. 

 

Publications

  1. Boshtam, M., Kouhpayeh, S., Amini, F., Azizi, Y., Najaflu, M., Shariati, L. & Khanahmad, H. 2021. Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Apocynin: A Narrative Review Of The Evidence. All Life, 14, 997-1010.
  2. Ng Chiat Yin, Farahnaz Amini, Normina Ahmad Bustami, Eugenie Sin Sing Tan, Pui Yee Tan, Soma Roy Mitra. Association of DNA damage, vitamin D and heavy metals in hair of obese women. Mol. Cell. Toxicol. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-021-00149-2
  3. Ng, CY., and Amini F. 2020. Telomere length alterations in occupational toxicants exposure: An integrated review of the literature. Exposure and Health
  4. Farahnaz Amini, Yee Kok Wah, Soh Siew Chin, Abdulateef Alhadeethi, Roya Amini; Edmond Ng Siah Chye. Awareness and perception of Medical genetic services among Malaysian parents of autism spectrum disorders children: The Lessons to be learned. Advances in Autism 2021, Volume 8 Issue 1. 
  5. Amini F., Wong FH., Ng ESC., Ng CY., Omar R,. Mohd Rejab S., Mohd Noor IW., Mohd Hussain B. Mutation Profile Of Breast Cancer In Malaysian Patients. 2021. JUMMEC 2021:24(1). 
  6. Zahedi, S.N., Hejazi, S.H., Boshtam, M., Amini,F., Fazeli,H., Sarmadi, M., Rahimi, M & Khanahmad H. 2020.  Recombinant C-Reactive Protein: A Potential Candidate for the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis of BALB/c Mice Caused by Leishmania major. Acta Parasit. (2020).
  7. Sylvester, M. A.; Amini, F.; Tan, C. K., Electrospun nanofibers in wound healing. Materials Today: Proceedings 2020, 29, 1-6.
  8. Tian Er Poh, Vivien Kai Ying See, Roya Amini, Farahnaz Amini. Stem cell therapy in improving the motor function of Cerebral Palsy cases: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Neurology Asia 2020; 25(4) : 535 – 544.
  9. Soma Roy Mitra, Pui Yee Tan, and Farahnaz Amini. 2019. Association of ADRB2 rs1042713 with Obesity and Obesity-Related Phenotypes and Its Interaction with Dietary Fat in Modulating Glycaemic Indices in Malaysian Adults. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, Article ID 8718795.
  10. Stepfanie N Siyumbwa, Sophia Ogechi Ekeuku, Farahnaz Amini, Naw May Emerald, Deepali Sharma, Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu. 2019. Wound healing and antibacterial activities of 2-Pentadecanone in streptozotocin-induced Type 2 diabetic rats. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 15(62): 71-77
  11.  Soma Roy Mitra, Pui Yee Tan, and Farahnaz Amini. 2019. Lifestyle interventions for weight control modified by genetic variation, a review of evidence. Public Health Genomic. 22:1-17
  12. Sharmilla Kanagasund, Farahnaz Amini. 2019. Late Complications of Allogenic Stem Cells Transplantation in Leukaemia. Tissu Eng Regen Med. 16 (1); 1–9
  13. Xin Qi Chuah, Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu, Swee Sen Teo, Farahnaz Amini. 2018. Eicosane, pentadecane and palmitic acid: The effects in in vitro wound healing studies. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 8(10): 490-499.
  14. S. R. Mitra, Pui Yee Tan, Farahnaz Amini. 2018. Effect of FTO rs9930506 on obesity and interaction of the gene variants with dietary protein and vitamin E on C- reactive protein levels in multi-ethnic Malaysian adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 31(6):758-772. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12593.
  15. Farahnaz Amini, Naw May Thazin Oo, Patrick Nwabueze Okechukwu, Marjan Sadat Seghayat, Ng Edmond Siah Chye. 2018. Polymorphisms in P53 and VEGFA genes in different types of periorbital hyperpigmentation in a Malaysian Chinese population. Australas J Dermatol. 60(2):e99-e104. doi: 10.1111/ajd.12918

Conferences

  1. Ng Chiat Yin, Farahnaz Amini , Normina Ahmad Bustami, Eugenie Tan Sin Sing, Razinah Sharif , Edmond Ng Siah Chye. Association of Physical Activity and DNA Damage Among Malay Women. The International Sport, Health and Emerging Technologies Summit Conference (iSHE-SC 2021). Online Conference, Malaysia, 27-29 October 2021
  2. Pui Yee Tan, Farahnaz Amini,  Soma Roy Mitra.  Higher dietary protein, hsCRP levels and polygenic risk scores of genetically predisposed overweight and obese Malaysian adults. 
     Nutrition Society UK annual summer meet. 22 to 24 June 2021.
  3. Chung Keat Tan, Chin Chwen Ch’ng, Thavin Kumar Manthana Sundram, Shiau Chuen Cheah, Chew Kek Lee, Yin New Aung, Navedur Rehman, Farahnaz Amini, Eugenie Sin Sing Tan. 2021. Quality of Life, Willingness-to-Pay and Time Trade-Off for Periorbital Hyperpigmentation. Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research Virtual Conference, 21st -23rd Sept 2021, page 34. 
  4. Sharmanee Thiagarajah, Effiong P. E., Siyumbwa S. N., Eugenie Sin Sing Tan, Chung Keat Tan, Farahnaz Amini, Normina Bustami, Edmond Siah Chye Ng (2021). Antimicrobial Effect of Quercus Infectoria and Acorus Calamus in Wound Model. 4th International Conference on Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (ICMBB), 1st-3rd June 2021, page 137
  5. Eugenie Sin Sing Tan, Yu Bin Ho, Chung Keat Tan, Farahnaz Amini, Normina Bustami, Sharmanee Thiagarajah, Edmond Siah Chye Ng (2021). Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) Residues in Surface Water Bodies from Selangor (Malaysia): Occurrence and Environmental Risk Assessment. 4th International Conference on Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (ICMBB), 1st-3rd June 2021, page 162 
  6. Ng CY., Seghayat MS., Normina AB.,  Tan ESS., Tan CK.,  Sharmanee T., Ng ESC., Amini F. Cluster analysis of macronutrient intake and DNA damage among Malay Women. 35th Annual Scientific Conference, 24 to 25 Nov 2020, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
  7. Ng Chiat Yin, Marjan Sadat Seghayat, Normina Ahmad Bustami, Eugenie Tan Sin Sing, Farahnaz Amini. DNA Damage and Heavy Metals (Cd, As and Hg) in Hair of Malay Women. 6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health. August 2019. The Medical Journal of Malaysia. 74 (Supplement 2):24. 22-25 July 2019, Penang, Malaysia.
  8. Amini F., Mohini, C.,Seghayat MS, , Ng ESC. Public health concerns: Knowledge and awareness of modifiable CVD risk factors in Kuala Lumpur. European Public Health Conference 2018. 28th Nov to 1st Dec 2018. Ljubljana Slovenia
  9. Public health concerns: Knowledge and awareness of modifiable CVD risk factors in Kuala Lumpur. European Public Health Conference 2018. 28th Nov to 1st Dec 2018, Ljubljana Slovenia.
  10. Association between sleep disturbance and lipid profile in Malay women with low vitamin D levels. The 33rd Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia,. Page 63. 24th to 26th July 2018, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
  11. Improved anthropometric and metabolic profile in Malaysian adults – A 6 month dietary intervention with 30% calories from protein. The 33rd Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia,. Page 61. 24th to 26th July 2018, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
  12. P53 gene variations in Malaysian Chinese population with periorbital hyperpigmentation. 2017. 12th Malaysia International Genetic Congress (MiGC12). Hotel Bangi-Putrajaya, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Page 49.
  13. Diet, biochemical markers and interaction with FTO gene polymorphisms in Malaysian adults. 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Clinical Nutrition. Adelaide, Australia, from 26–29 November, 2017.
  14. Obesity and polymorphism in FTO gene in multi-ethnic Malaysian adults. 1st SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION (SEA-PHN) CONFERENCE in conjunction with Nutrition Society of Malaysia 32nd Annual Scientific Conference. 14 – 17 May of 2017 Kuala Lumpur.
  15. Association of serum leptin levels and LEP gene variation with body composition and insulin resistance in obese Malaysian adults. Nutrition Society of Malaysia, 31st Annual Scientific Conference 2016, 31 May - 1 June 2016 . Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Awards and Recognitions

  1. UCSI University Top Researchers award year 2015.
  2. MTCP Scholarship for PhD study in Malaysia (Malaysian Technical Cooperation Scholarship) (2007-2012)

Networks & Industry Linkages

  1. The University of Manchester/ Division of Cardiovascular Sciences
  2. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Contributions to Society

  1. Speaker. Online Video Series, The role of epigenetics in personalized medicine.  School of Healthy Aging, Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine, UCSI, 2021
  2. Speaker.  International Medical Aesthetic conference (IMACE 2021). Exosome Therapy: The Potentials and Challenges in Skin Care
  3. Committee member. Webinar Series, Recent Advances in Healthy Aging, Medical Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine. School of Healthy Aging, Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine, UCSI, 2021
  4. Committee member. Scientific Talk Series 2, Recent Updates on COVID-19 Outbreak. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI, 2020
  5. Committee member and Speaker. Know and Protect your Skin. School of Healthy Aging, Medical Aesthetics & Regenerative Medicine, UCSI, 2019