Introduction to Nutrition, Metabolic & Cardiovascular Research Centre (NMCRC)

Introduction

The Nutrition, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Research Centre (NMCRC) at the Institute for Medical Research conducts comprehensive research into non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially endocrine disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, rare genetic disorders, and nutrition. The centre employs various approaches, including pre-clinical studies using in-vitro and in-vivo models and community-based research. Biochemical, molecular, and omics methods are widely used at NMCRC to gain insights into NCD research. NMCRC comprises four specialised units: the Nutrition Unit, the Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, the Inborn Errors of Metabolism & Genetic (IEM & Genetic) Unit, and the Cardiovascular Unit, each contributing to advancing knowledge, prevention, and treatment of NCDs. 

Research at NMCRC explores functional foods such as seaweed, honey, and bird nests for their potential to prevent and treat NCDs. The development of simple biomarker detection methods, such as “biosensor” techniques for measuring vitamin D in foods and body fluids, is a key focus. Additionally, the centre plays a critical role in maintaining and updating the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s food composition database (MyFCD) through rigorous food analysis for both research and general use.

In the field of metabolic and endocrine disorders, particularly diabetes and obesity, NMCRC conducts research to uncover underlying mechanisms and develop innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The centre also focuses on advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of rare genetic diseases such as Inherited Metabolic Disorders (IEM), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and age-related diseases through studies on basic mechanisms, biomarker identification, innovative therapeutic development, and disease modelling. Cardiovascular research at NMCRC investigates risk factors and prognoses contributing to myocardial infarction in the Malaysian population. 

By leveraging preclinical studies, community-based research, and collaborations with local and international stakeholders, NMCRC strives to deliver impactful contributions to clinical and public health advancements in Malaysia. The centre’s integrated approach aims to advance knowledge, prevention, and treatment of NCDs, ultimately improving health outcomes for the population.

Activities

.  In-vitro and in-vivo studies in endocrine and diet-related diseases, especially diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular health;

1. Nutritional biochemistry of functional foods or dietary supplements with a focus on generating pre-clinical data for clinical trials and updating and maintaining the Malaysian Food Composition Database (MyFCD).

The Centre’s current research projects are: 

• Updates of Malaysian Food Composition Database (MyFCD)
• Characteristics of Malaysian Honey: Investigating the effects of Malaysian honey on digestive enzyme activities and adipogenesis
• In Vitro Antidiabetic and Bioavailabilty Studies of Red Dragon Fruit Peel (Hylocereus Polyrhizus L.) Extract: Non-encapsulated and Nano-encapsulated
• Strengthening the Red Kenyir^TM Brand and conducting research in the development of safety quality assurance (SQA) to meet food quality and safety.
• Metabolomic Profiling: Studying the impact of red edible seaweed supplementation on high-fat diet-fed rats using 1H NMR spectroscopy).
• Genome-wide associate study of the risk of first onset myocardial infarction in the Malaysian population
• Evaluation of lipid parameters with short-term and long-term mortality risks in individuals with first-onset myocardial infarction
• Brugada Syndrome-associated Genetic variants in the Malaysian adult population
• Development of Assay for Early Detection of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
• Development Of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived Neurodegenerative Disease Model for Studying Mitochondrial Disease for Future Biomarker And Drug Development Studies
• Development And Establishment of A DNA Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) Detections in Serum as A Prognostic Biomarker for Early Stage of Type 2 Diabetes
• Development of Optimized Karyotyping Protocols for Cultured Cells
• Investigating Flavonoids for Substrate Reduction Therapy: An In Vitro Approach
• Development and Validation of an IPSC-Derived 3D Brain Organoid Model for Studying the Effects of the Mitochondrial Disease-Causing Mutation (m.14487T>C) on Neurogenesis
• Exploratory of Plasma N-glycan Profiling as Signatures for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Healthy Individuals by Maldi TOF/TOF: A Pilot Study.
• Molecular, Metabolomic and Nutritional Changes After Metabolic Surgery Among Obese Diabetic Patients and Biomarkers of Different Diabetes Status.
• Effect Of Intermittent Fasting on Inflammatory Markers and Lipidomic Profiling In Overweight And Obese Malaysian Adults
• 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)-Based Profiling of Metabolite Change Following Lifestyle Intervention in Obese And Overweight Women
• Roles of Orthosiphon Stamineus in Pancreatic Endocrine in Exocrine Tissue Regulation via Reg3 Protein Expression in Pancreatitis Model, Wistar Bonn Kobori, Type 3c Diabetes Mellitus Rat
• Investigating the Determinants of Obese Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Secondary School Adolescents