Curriculum Vitae

DR. LAU SU EE

Research Officer
  • Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture
  • 0379676990

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Lau Su Ee has been a research officer at the Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Universiti Malaya (UM), since 2013. UM employed her as a Research Assistant for two years and tutor for two academic semesters before taking the Research Officer role. She completed her BSc in Genetics and Molecular Biology at UM, a master’s in Plant Biotechnology at UM, and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). 

My passion for scientific inquiry and my ability to contribute to life sciences are evident through my extensive research experience and achievements. My undergraduate study at UM sparked my interest in plant sciences, and my final year project allowed me to gain valuable experience in isolating crude extracts of bacterially expressed dsRNA and identifying its protection to orchid plants against cymbidium mosaic virus during transplantation from in vitro culture, providing me with fundamental knowledge of plant genetics and molecular biology.

This experience, combined with my early exposure to the field, has driven me to excel in this rapidly expanding area of life sciences. Thus, I have decided to pursue a Master of Science in plant biotechnology to enhance my knowledge further. In this project, I aimed to determine the role of R2R3-MYB transcription factor in Dendrobium hybrid.

My experience as a Research Officer at UM has sharpened my molecular techniques skills, including omics technology, functional gene studies, bioinformatics analysis, plant physiology, and biochemistry. During this time, I was awarded a government scholarship to pursue my PhD study at the Universiti Putra Malaysia, focusing on examining the impact of drought stress on bananas and determining the role of MYB transcription factor genes in regulating stress tolerance in bananas. These experiences have strengthened my passion for research and equipped me with the skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to the field. 

With over ten years of research experience, I have a strong track record of contributions to plant molecular biology, publishing several papers in reputable international journals and presenting my work at various conferences. I have also received several awards, such as the University Consortium (UC) Student Grant for Research Activities from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the travel award to attend an international conference.

To remain up-to-date and relevant, I have joined various scientific communities, including the Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (MSMBB) and the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT).

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • TRANSGENIC PLANT
    Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Omics Technology, Functional Gene Studies, Bioinformatic Analysis
  • MOLECULAR GENETICS
    BIOTECHNOLOGY, RNAi, PLANT VIRUS

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • Doctoral Degree (PhD), (Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering)
    Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • MSc, (Science)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • BSc(Hons)(Gen&MolBio), (Molecular Genetics)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Committee Members
    01 Oct 2023 - 30 Sep 2025 (National)
  • Data Manager
    26 Sep 2023 - 25 Sep 2024 (University Malaya)
  • SECRETARY FOR THE SCREENING COMMITTEE (APPOINTMENT) AT CEBAR
    01 Jun 2023 - 31 May 2024 (Department)
  • HICoE Task Force Coordinator
    27 Mar 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (Department)
  • Human Resource Management Coordinator
    27 Mar 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (Department)
  • Plant Biotech Facility Manager
    27 Mar 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 (University Malaya)
  • Working Committee
    01 Nov 2017 - 31 Oct 2019 (International)
  • Working Committee for University of Malaya Centre of Excellence
    23 Oct 2017 - 22 Oct 2019 (University Malaya)
  • Facility Manager
    01 Jun 2013 - 31 May 2018 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))
  • Document Controller
    08 May 2015 - 07 May 2018 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))
  • RMIC Emergency Response Team Member
    21 Apr 2016 - 20 Apr 2018 (University Malaya)
  • Jawatankuasa
    17 Jan 2016 - 16 Jan 2018 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))
  • Quality Committee Member
    20 Apr 2016 - 31 Dec 2017 (University Malaya)
  • Committee
    01 Sep 2016 - 31 Aug 2017 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))
  • Coordinator
    01 Jun 2013 - 31 May 2016 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))
  • Coordinator
    01 Jun 2013 - 31 May 2015 (Centre of Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation))

MEMBERSHIPS

  • ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (APJMBB), ASSOCIATE EDITOR
    2024 to present (International)
  • LIFE MEMBER OF THE MALAYSIAN SOCIETY FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, MEMBER
    Since 2022 (National)
  • MBOT - MALAYSIA BOARD OF TECHNOLOGISTS, GRADUATE MEMBER
    2019 to present (National)
  • MALAYSIAN SOCIETY FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, ORDINARY MEMBER
    2019 to 2020 (National)
  • MALAYSIAN BIOSAFETY & BIOSECURITY ASSOCIATION (MBBA), MEMBER
    2013 to 2014 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Travel Award - New Phytologist next generation scientists 2023
    Universiti Malaya, 2023 (International)
  • University Consortium (UC) Student Grant for Research Activities
    Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2022 (International)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2018 (University)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2017 (University)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2016 (University)
  • CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENT SERVICE
    University of Malaya, 2015 (University)
  • Anugerah Khas Perkhidmatan Cemerlang
    Timbalan Naib Canselor (Penyelidikan & Inovasi), Universiti Malaya, 2014 (University)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Lau, Su-Ee; Pua, Teen-Lee; Saidi, Noor Baity; Ong-Abdullah, Janna; Lamasudin, Dhilia Udie; Tan, Boon Chin (2023). Combined Proteomics and Physiological Analyses Reveal Drought and Recovery Response Mechanisms in Banana Leaves, JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION. . doi:10.1007/s00344-023-11039-3
  2. Hamdan, Mohd Fadhli; Karlson, Chou Khai Soong; Teoh, Ee Yang; Lau, Su-Ee; Tan, Boon Chin (2022). Genome Editing for Sustainable Crop Improvement and Mitigation of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses, PLANTS-BASEL. 11(19). doi:10.3390/plants11192625
  3. Amnan, M. A. M., Pua, T. L., Lau, S. E., Tan, B. C., Yamaguchi, H., Hitachi, K., . . . Komatsu, S. (2021). Osmotic stress in banana is relieved by exogenous nitric oxide. PeerJ, 9, 26. doi: 10.7717/peerj.10879
  4. Lau, S. E., Hamdan, M. F., Pua, T. L., Saidi, N. B., & Tan, B. C. (2021). Plant Nitric Oxide Signaling under Drought Stress. Plants-Basel, 10(2), 29. doi: 10.3390/plants10020360
  5. Mazumdar, P., Chiun, O. Y., Lau, S. E., Taheri, S., & Harikrishna, J. A. (2021). The banana (Musa acuminata)MYBgene family andMaMYB14,MaMYB63andMaMYB110expression in response to salinity-stress in cv. Berangan. Plant Biosystems, 155(4), 856-870. doi: 10.1080/11263504.2020.1801878
  6. Khairul-Anuar, M. A., Mazumdar, P., Lau, S. E., Tan, T. T., Harikrishna, J. A. (2019). High-quality RNA isolation from pigment-rich Dendrobium flowers. 3 Biotech, 9(10), 9. doi: 10.1007/s13205-019-1898-y
  7. Mazumdar, P., Lau, S. E., Singh, P., Takhtgahi, H. M., Harikrishna, J. A. (2019). Impact of sea-salt on morpho-physiological and biochemical responses in banana (Musa acuminata cv. Berangan). Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 25(3), 713-726. doi:10.1007/s12298-019-00659-3
  8. Mazumdar, P., Pratama, H., Lau, S. E., Teo, C. H., Harikrishna, J. A. (2019). Biology, phytochemical profile and prospects for snake fruit: An antioxidant-rich fruit of South East Asia. Trends in Food Science Technology, 91, 147-158. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2019.06.017
Scopus
  1. Lau S.-E., Pua T.-L., Saidi N.B., Ong-Abdullah J., Lamasudin D.U., Tan B.C. (2023). Combined Proteomics and Physiological Analyses Reveal Drought and Recovery Response Mechanisms in Banana Leaves, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. . doi:10.1007/s00344-023-11039-3
  2. Hamdan M.F., Karlson C.K.S., Teoh E.Y., Lau S.-E., Tan B.C. (2022). Genome Editing for Sustainable Crop Improvement and Mitigation of Biotic and Abiotic Stresses, Plants. 11(19). doi:10.3390/plants11192625
  3. Lau S.-E., Teo W.F.A., Teoh E.Y., Tan B.C. (2022). Microbiome engineering and plant biostimulants for sustainable crop improvement and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses, Discover Food. 2(1). doi:10.1007/s44187-022-00009-5
Others
  1. Mazumdar P, Ong YC, Lau SE, Taheri S. & Harikrishna JA. (2020) The banana (Musa acuminata) MYB gene family and MaMYB14, MaMYB63 and MaMYB110 expression in response to salinity-stress in cv Berangan. Plant Biosystems
  2. Gudimella, R., Singh, P., Mazumdar, P., Wong, G.R., Lau, S.E., Harikrishna, J.A. (2018). Genome-wide regulatory network mapping of miRNA and transcription factors in banana roots. Tropical Plant Biology DOI: 10.1007/s12042-018-9207-1
  3. Wong Gwo Rong, Purabi Mazumdar, Lau SuEe, Pooja Singh, Jennifer Ann Harikrishna (2018). Ectopic expression of a Musa acuminata Root Hair Defective 3 (MaRHD3) in Arabidopsis enhances drought tolerance. Journal of Plant Physiology 231, 219-233
  4. Mazumdar, P., Lau, S. E., Wee, W. Y., Singh, P., & Harikrishna, J. A. (2017). Genome-wide Analysis of the CCCH Zinc-Finger Gene Family in Banana (Musa acuminata): An Insight Into Motif and Gene Structure Arrangement, Evolution and Salt Stress Responses. Tropical Plant Biology, 10(4), 177-193.
  5. Su-Ee Lau, Trude Schwarzacher, Rofina Yasmin Othman and Jennifer Ann Harikrishna (2015) dsRNA silencing of an R2R3-MYB transcription factor affects flower cell shape in a Dendrobium hybrid. BMC Plant Biology 15:194 DOI 10.1186/s12870-015-0577-3
  6. S. E. LAU, P. MAZUMDAR, T. W. HEE, A. L. A. SONG, R. Y. OTHMAN1 and J. A. HARIKRISHNA (2014)Crude extracts of bacterially expressed dsRNA protect orchid plants against cymbidium mosaic virus during transplantation from in vitro culture. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology. 89 (5) 569 576
Chapter in Books
  1. Lau Su Ee, Purabi Mazumdar, Pooja Singh and Jennifer Ann Harikrishna* (2017) Use of dsRNA in Crop Improvement. In: "Crop Improvement Sustainability through Leading Edge Technology Springer International, Switzerland.
Article in Proceeding
  1. Lau, S.E., Tan, B.C. (2021). Exogenous Nitric Oxide Promotes Growth and Enhances Tolerance against Drought Stress in Banana. The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences 10th Anniversary of Journal Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECPS2021-11943
Other Publications
  1. Anuar M. A. K., Mazumdar, P., Lau, S. E., Harikrishna, J. A., (2019). GROWING DENDROBIUMS: A guide to propagating orchids at the Plant Biotech Facility. ISBN: 978-967-2182-19-1, University Malaya Press - Monograph
  2. Purabi Mazumdar, Lau Su Ee, Fauziah Abu Bakar and Jennifer Ann Harikrishna (2016). GROWING ARABIDOPSIS: A guide to use in the growth room at the Plant Biotech Facility (GP-BSL2) Editor: Jennifer Ann Harikrishna. University of Malaya Press. First published in 2016 - Monograph

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2023 - 2026, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
    Unraveling The Role Of ?target Of Rapamycin? (tor) In Regulating Growth And Water Stress Responses In Bananas ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2021 - 2023, RU Geran
    Plant Biostimulants For Enhancing Growth And Mitigating Environmental Stresses In Crops ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2019 - 2021, RU Geran
    Biosafety,biosecurity & Genetic Improvement Of Plants And Aquatic Animals ( Co-Researcher)
  4. 2019 - 2021, RU Geran
    Functional Genomics Approaches To Understanding Drought-responsive Mechanisms In Pandanus Amaryllifolius ( Co-Researcher)
  5. 2017 - 2020, UM Grant - Frontier Research Grant
    Investigation Into The Role Of R2r3 Myb Transcription Factors Related To Flower Shape And Colour In Dendrobium Orchids ( Co-Researcher)
  6. 2018 - 2020, Others MOHE-Top 100
    Elucidation And Analyses Of The Protein Regulatory Networks Of Pandanus Amaryllifolius In Response To Drought Stress ( Co-Researcher)
  7. 2019 - 2020, RU Geran
    Understanding Transcriptional Regulatory Networks In Drought Responses In Banana ( Co-Researcher)
  8. 2014 - 2015, RU Geran
    Development And Testing Of Bacterially Expressed Dsrna For Molecular Biology And Biotechnology Applications ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  9. 2014 - 2015, Research Officer Grant Scheme (ROGS)
    Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Dendrobium hybrida R2R3 MYB Genes ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  10. 2017 - 2017, RU Operation
    Establishment of an efficient and reproducible high expression transgenic root system for functional genomic studies in banana ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  11. 2015 - 2017, RU Operation
    Functional study of novel salinity-stress responsive banana microRNA, mac-miR37 towards improving abiotic stress tolerance in banana ( Consultant)
  12. 2015 - 2017, RU Operation
    Functional study of novel salinity-stress responsive banana microRNAs,mac-miR 19, mac-miR 157, mac-miR 159c and mac-miR 159g towards improving abiotic stress tolerance in banana ( Consultant)
  13. 2014 - 2015, RU Operation
    Development And Testing Of Bacterially Expressed Dsrna For Molecular Biology And Biotechnology Applications ( Consultant)
Private
  1. 2024 - 2025, Private Funding
    The Dichotomy Of Alien Species: Bauty And Ugliness ( Principal Investigator(PI))

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. When banana meets drought: How does drought influence the transcriptome of Musa acuminata cv. Berangan and specifically MaMYB-86-like gene, Next Generation Scientists 2023, New Phytologist Foundation and National University Singapore (International) (02 Jul 2023 - 05 Jul 2023)
  2. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of drought stress in plants, Current Topics in Genetics and Molecular Biology (SIL3015), Universiti Malaya (University) (14 Apr 2023 - 14 Apr 2023)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. When Berangan meets drought: How drought influence morpho-physiology, biochemistry, and transcriptome in Musa acuminata cv. Berangan (AAA group), International Postgraduate Symposium in Biology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS) (International) (27 Oct 2021 - 29 Oct 2021)
  2. Control of cell morphogenesis by activity of R2R3-MYB transcription factor in Dendrobium hybrida flowers, 19th Scientific Meeting of MSMBB, MSMBB (National) (31 Oct 2012 - 01 Nov 2012)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. Characterization of Musa acuminata Root Hair Defective 3 (MaRHD3) in Arabidopsis, 23th Seminar of PBBMI and 2nd COSCI 2018, Universitas Airlangga (International) (11 Oct 2018 - 12 Oct 2018)
  2. dsRNA knock down of an R2R3-MYB transcription factor affects flower cell shape in Dendrobium hybrida (Presented by Prof. Dr. Jennifer Ann Harikrishna), Plant Transformation Technologies III, VISCEA (International) (12 Feb 2014 - 15 Feb 2014)
  3. PC plant biotechnology facility University of Malaya, 8th Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association Biosafety Conference, Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association & Malaysian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (National) (22 Apr 2013 - 25 Apr 2013)
  4. Full length sequence and phylogenetic study of DhMYB gene in orchid (Dendrobium hybrida), 16th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress, UM, NUS & CU (International) (12 Dec 2011 - 14 Dec 2011)
  5. Isolation and phylogenetic study of R2R3-MYB genes in orchid (Dendrobium hybrida), 9th Malaysia Genetics Congress , Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (National) (28 Sep 2011 - 30 Sep 2011)
PRESENTER
  1. Shape My Orchid , Malaysian Agricultural and Innovation Challenge (MAGIC), Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry (MOA) (National) (06 Nov 2014 - 08 Nov 2014)
  2. dsRNA silencing of an R2R3-MYB transcription factor affects flower cell shape in a Dendrobium hybrid, University of Malaya-University Tsukuba Workshop on Biotechnology and its Institutional Management , University of Malaya and University Tsukuba, Japan (International) (17 Mar 2014 - 17 Mar 2014)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2024) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-24-00213, International, (Reviewer)
  2. (2024) Review Manuscript for Asia-Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Apjmbb): Apjmbb-2023-087, International, (Reviewer)
  3. (2024) Review Manuscript for Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Apjmbb): Apjmbb-2023-090, International, (Reviewer)
  4. (2023) Review Manuscript for Bmc Plant Biology Id 9b72dbb5-Ca31-49d1-Bbc6-03df97b0a0a8, International, (Reviewer)
  5. (2023) Review Manuscript for Bmc Plant Biology, Id Ed51c4db-5f72-47d3-96ea-6bfe426533e0, International, (Reviewer)
  6. (2023) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-23-00398, International, (Reviewer)
  7. (2023) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-23-00558r1, International, (Reviewer)
  8. (2023) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-23-00734, International, (Reviewer)
  9. (2023) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-23-00532r1, International, (Reviewer)
  10. (2023) Review Manuscript for Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, Jpgr-D-23-00675, International, (Reviewer)
  11. (2023) Review Manuscript for Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, International, (Reviewer)
  12. (2022) Review of The Manuscript Entitled "Physiological Mechanisms of Metal Tolerant Bacteria Between Free and Immobilized Cell from Electroplating Wastewater: a Review.", International, (Reviewer)

SUPERVISION

Under Graduate Students
  1. (2024) Industrial Training, Vikesh Varma A/L Ananthan
  2. (2023) Industrial Training, Noordayana Athirah binti Mohamad Zuraidi

PATENT/IPR

  • Biochemistry Laboratory Safety Guidelines Edition 2
    COPYRIGHT
  • CEBAR Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 14: Spill Management
    Copyright (International)
  • CEBAR Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 13: Operation of Bleach Sterilizer Equipment
    Copyright (International)
  • CEBAR Plant Biotech Facility Fire Drill Video
    Copyright (International)
  • CEBAR Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 15: Emergency Managemen
    Copyright (International)
  • dsRNA Silencing Of An R2R3-Myb Transcription Factor Affects Flower Cell Shape In A Dendrobium Hybrid
    Copyright (University)
  • Operation Of Autoclave SOP 11 (Cebar Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 11 : Operation Of Autoclave Video)
    Copyright (International)
  • Gowning & Degowning SOP 6 (Cebar Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 6 : Gowning And Degowning Video)
    Copyright (International)
  • Biosafety Cabinet SOP 10 (Cebar Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 10 : Biosafety Cabinet Video)
    Copyright (International)
  • Transfer Of Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) SOP 7 (Cebar Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 7 : Transfer Of Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) Video)
    Copyright (International)
  • Waste Management SOP 12 (Cebar Plant Biotech Facility Standard Operation Procedure 12 : Waste Management Video)
    Copyright (International)

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal / External Course
CONFERENCE
  1. NEW PHYTOLOGIST NEXT GENERATION SCIENTISTS, National University of Singapore (01 Jul 2023 - 05 Jul 2023)
  2. PROGRAM DEBAT PERDANA MADANI 2023 , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (21 Aug 2023 - 21 Aug 2023)