Associate Professor Dr Renee Lim Lay Hong
Associate Professor of Molecular Biology
Associate Professor | Department of Biotechnology
Academic Qualifications
PhD Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics
Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching (PGDTT)
BSc (Hons) Biology & Chemistry
Areas of Interest
Allergy immunotherapy
Antibiotics resistant bacteria and probiotics
Production of recombinant bioactive proteins in bacteria and Yeast expression system
Genotyping of variants associated diseases
Professional Affiliation
Member of Malaysian Society of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Research
Research Grants
- Name of grant: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
Funder: MOHE, MALAYSIA
Project Title: The Bio-accessibility and Antioxidant Mechanisms of Stabilised Concentrated Red Pigments Betacyanins from Fermented Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Drink in Liver Cell
Code: FRGS/1/2022/STG02/UCSI/02/1
Duration: 3 years
Role: Co-investigator
Amount: RM 183,500
Status: Ongoing - Name of grant: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
Funder: MOHE, MALAYSIA
Project Title: Mapping Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) of the native populations from Peninsular Malaysia: Bridging the Genomics to Phenomics for the implication of evolutionary and precision medicine
Code: FRGS/1/2021/STG01/UCSI/01/1
Duration: 3 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 170,000
Status: Ongoing - Name of grant: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
Funder: MOHE, MALAYSIA
Project Title: Heterologous expression and immunotherapeutic in vivo evaluation of recombinant Ara h 2.02 allergen in lactic acid bacteria.
Code: FRGS/2/2014/SG/UCSI /02/1
Duration: 3 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 115,200
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
Funder: MOHE, MALAYSIA
Project Title: ‘Genotyping of candidate genes related to myopia and obesity in a cohort of secondary school students’ (Principal Investigator; MoHE, , ) COMPLETED
Code: FRGS/1/10/SG/UCSI /02/3
Duration: 3 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 38,640
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Industrial Grant
Funder: Kotra Pharma Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Project Title: Isolation and identification of antibiotic resistant bacteria and detection of major viruses from primary care patients with acute pharyngitis (sore throat) in the Klang Valley
Code: Proj-In-KOTRA-FAS-001
Duration: 2 years
Role: Co-Investigator
Amount: RM 154,000
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Research Excellence & Innovative Grant (REIG)
Funder: CERVIE (UCSI)
Project Title: Therapeutic effect of recombinant Lactococcus lactis harbouring Ara h 2.02 peanut allergen coupled with FIP-Lrh as adjuvant on peanut allergy mouse model
Code: REIG-FAS-2020/005
Duration: 2 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 46,500
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Pioneer Scientist Incentive Fund (PSIF)
Funder: CERVIE (UCSI)
Project Title: A Novel Serine Protease from Tiger Milk Mushroom: Cloning and Production of Recombinant Serine Protease in E. coli for Functional Study. (Principal Investigator,
Code: Proj-in-FAS-048
Duration: 2 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 25,000
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Pioneer Scientist Incentive Fund (PSIF)
Funder: CERVIE (UCSI)
Project Title: Production of a new and functional Fungal Immunomodulatory Protein from Tiger Milk Mushroom in the Pichia pastoris expression system.
Code: Proj-in-FAS-032
Duration: 2 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 25,000
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Research Grant Scheme (RGS)
Funder: CERVIE (UCSI)
Project Title: Production of recombinant peanut allergen Ara h 2.02 in Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum.
Code: Proj-In-FAS-005
Duration: 2 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 50,000
Status: Completed - Name of grant: Research Grant Scheme (RGS)
Funder: CERVIE (UCSI)
Project Title: Isolation of soil actinomycetes and screening for actinomycetes with potential antimicrobial compounds against clinically significant bacterial pathogens
Code: Proj-In-FAS-010
Duration: 2 years
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: RM 95,000
Status: Completed
Current research project
- Recombinant Lactococcus lactis as immune modulator for peanut allergy
- Bioactivity of fungal immunomodultory proteins from mushrooms
- Antibiotic resistance in probiotic food and throat microbiome
- Association of Methotrexate Pathway Gene Polymorphisms with Methotrexate Efficacy and Toxicity in Malaysian patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Publications
- Aloysius Wong, Bojana Bogovic Matijasic, Joyce A, Ibana and Renee Lay Hong Lim (2022) Antimicrobial Resistance Along the Food Chain: Are We What We Eat? Front. Microbiol., 18 March 2022 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.881882)
- Hong Xi Sha, Kumar Veerapen, Sook Khuan Chow, Suk Chyn Gun, Ing Soo Lau, Renee Lay Hong Lim, Zaliha Zulkifli, Yoon‐Yen Yow, Suat Cheng Peh & Jung Shan Hwang. (2022) Genetic variations in methotrexate metabolic pathway genes influence methotrexate responses in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Malaysia. Scientific reports (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-15991-0)
- Teck Wei Lim, Chiau Jinq Lim, Chun An Liow, Seok Teng Ong, Lay Hong Lim, Liew Phing Pui, Chin Ping Tan, Chun Wai Ho (2022). Studies on the storage stability of betacyanins from fermented red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) drink imparted by xanthan gum and carboxymethyl cellulose. Food Chemistry 393 (2022) 133404
- Michelle Yee Mun Teo, Jeremy Jeack Ceen Ng, Jung Yin Fong, Jung Shan Hwang, Adelene AI Lian Song, Renee Lay Hong Lim, Lionel Lian Aun In (2021). Development of a single-chain fragment variable fused-mutant HALT-1 recombinant immunotoxin against G12V mutated KRAS colorectal cancer cells. Peer J (DOI 10.7717/peerj.11063)
- Ejike U. Camillius, Chong J. Chan, CSY, Lim, Renee L. H. Lim (2021). Functional evaluation of a recombinant fungal immunomodulatory protein from L. rhinocerus produced in P. pastoris and E. coli host expression systems. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Ejike U. Camillius, Chong J. Chan, Patrick N. Okechukwu, Renee L. H. Lim. (2020) “New advances and potentials of fungal immunomodulatory proteins for therapeutic purposes”. (2020) Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 40(8):1172-1190
- Yong Yen Sun, Ayesha Fatimah, Peter Cheong Chiew Hing, Nur Atiqah Mohd Azam, Renee Lim Lay Hong. (2020) In silico characterisation and recombinant protein analysis of two subtilisin-like Serine Proteases from the mushroom Lignosus rhinocerus. Research Journal of Biotechnology. 15 (9):57- 71.
- Chan Chong Joo, Yong Yen Sun; Song, Adelene Ai Lian; Abdul Rahim Raha; In Lionel Lian Aun, Renee Lim Lay Hong (2019). Lactococcus lactis harboring Ara h 2.02 alleviates allergen specific Th2 associated responses in sensitized mice. Journal of Applied Microbiology
- Chong Joo Chan, Timmy Richardo and Renee Lay Hong Lim (2019). Current Trend in Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy. International Review of Immunology (DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2018.1509967)
- Allan Wee Ren Ng, Pei Jun Tan, Winfrey Pui Yee Hoo, Dek Shen Liew, Michelle Yee Mun Teo, Pui Yan Siak, Sze Man Ng, Ee Wern Tan, Raha Abdul Rahim, Renee Lay Hong Lim, Adelene Ai Lian Song and Lionel Lian Aun In. In silico-guided sequence modifications of K-ras epitopes improve immunological outcome against G12V and G13D mutant KRAS antigens. PeerJ 6:e5056
- Choo, K.Y., Kho, C., Ong, Y.Y., Thoo, Y.Y., Lim, R.L.H., Tan, C.P. and Ho, C.W. Studies on the storage stability of fermented red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) drink. Food Science and Biotechnology
- Lim, S.S., Selvaraj, A., Ng, Z.Y., Palanisamy, M., Mickymaray, S., Cheong C.H. and Lim R.L.H. Isolation of actinomycetes with antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 14(3):292-304.
- Ejike Udochukwu Camillius, Bo Zhuang. Mian, Crystale Siew Ying Lim, Renee Lay Hong Lim. Antibiotics Resistance Of Commensal Throat Bacteria From Healthy Subjects. Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 21(1).
- Pushparajah, V., Fatima, A, Chong, C.H., Gambule, T.Z., Chan, C.J., Ng., S.T. Tan, C.S., Fung S.Y., Lee, S.S., Tan, N.H. and Lim, R.LH (2016) Characterisation of a New Fungal Immunomodulatory protein from Tiger Milk mushroom, Lignosus rhinocerotis. Scientific Report, 6:30010.
- Lew, M.H., Lim, R.L.H. Expression of a codon-optimised recombinant Ara h 2.02 peanut allergen in Escherichia coli. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 100(2): 661-671
- Aloysius T.H. Wong, Davey Y.S. Ngu, Lydia A. Dan, Amanda S.L. Ooi and Renee L.H. Lim. Detection of antibiotic resistance in probiotics of dietary supplements. Nutrition Journal, 14 (14):95
- Ng ZY, Veerapen MK, Hon WM & Lim RLH. Association of Leptin/Receptor and TNF- a gene variants with adolescent obesity in Malaysia. Pediatrics International 56(5):689-697.
Conferences
- Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) 2021 International Conference: Innovations, challenges and Opportunities in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in a New Era. 15-17 Oct 2021
- 45th Annual Conference of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in conjuction with the 2nd International Health and Medical Science Conference. 18-19 Aug 2021
- Viral Infections’ MSBMB-Taylor’s Virtual Focused Meeting, 19Nov 2020
- 27th FAOBMB Conference 2019 and 44th Annual Conference of MSBMB: Biomolecules: Networks and Systems. 19-22 August 2019, Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL.
- Joint Congress of Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI) & Asia Pacific Association of Pediatric, Allergy, Respirology and Immunology (APAPARI), 11-14th Oct2018, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand.
- Joint International Conference of Biotechemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICBMBB) Conference, 15-16 Aug 2018
- Women in Science Forum: Rising Among the Stars at UCSI, 10th July 2017 co-organised by Faculty of Applied Sciences UCSI University and Women in Science Malaysian Chapter.
- 41st Annual Conference Of The Malaysian Society For Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBMB), 17-18 Aug2016.
- Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy (MSIDC), Sunway Resort and Spa Hotel, KL. 28 Feb 2016.
Awards and Recognitions
- UCSI University Long Service Award (2018)
- UCSI Top Researcher Award- Honorary Mention (2015)