RESEARCH
Infectious Disease Research Centre
Infectious Disease Research Centre
The Infectious Disease Research Centre (IDRC) conducts research, diagnostics, consultation, and training on infectious and tropical diseases of public health importance. Its work focuses on diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue, Zika, malaria, antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, melioidosis, brucellosis, and other emerging or neglected infections. The Centre supports national disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public health decision-making through advanced laboratory diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and the development of innovative diagnostic and control strategies.
IDRC also serves as a national reference and coordinating centre for several infectious disease programs under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, while actively promoting local and international collaborative research to strengthen disease prevention and control. The Centre is organized into five specialized units: Bacteriology, Virology, Entomology, Parasitology, and Acarology, each focusing on specific pathogen groups, vectors, and laboratory expertise to support research, surveillance, and training activities.
Executive Summary
Head of Infectious Disease Research Centre
Dr. Rozainanee binti Mohd Zain
MBBS (University of Western Australia), MPH (UKM, Malaysia)
Telephone: +603-3362 8120
Email: rozainanee@moh.gov.my
Centre Objectives
To improve the health quality of the population through high-impact biomedical research in the field of infectious diseases, in support of national strategies for disease control and prevention.
To support national health priorities by strengthening the country’s capacity for outbreak response and infectious disease surveillance.
To provide specialized diagnostic and national reference services for the rapid and accurate detection and identification of various infectious agents.
To enhance national capacity in technical skills and healthcare related to infectious diseases through training, technology transfer, consultancy and innovation.
Centre Functions
To conduct basic and translational biomedical research on infectious diseases, including zoonotic and emerging diseases, covering clinical, epidemiological, pathogenesis, bionomic and disease control aspects.
To provide national laboratory diagnostic and reference services for detection, confirmation, rapid response, and monitoring of infections through relevant laboratory testing.
To carry out disease surveillance activities to identify infection trends and patterns in support of public health action.
To develop and evaluate new technologies for the diagnosis, vaccines, and treatment of infectious diseases, including the application of genomics and bioinformatics approaches.
To provide quality assurance programs related to infectious diseases to ensure the reliability of laboratory testing.
To conduct technical training and capacity building for clinicians, scientists, researchers and students in the field of microbiology and infectious disease research.
To provide scientific and technical consultancy to the ministry, government agencies, and health institutions on infectious disease management, patient treatment, and outbreak/infestation control.
Human Resource Profile
Specialists
Medical Officers
Veterinary Officer
Research Officers
Science Officers
Support Staffs
Acarology Unit
The Acarology Unit, established in 1967, focuses on medically important Acari in Malaysia, with a primary focus on ticks, chiggers, and mites. Its research integrates vector biology, encompassing taxonomy, biodiversity, pathogen detection and advanced molecular diagnostics to support national public health preparedness and disease control strategies.
Key Activities
- Acari vector investigation and species identification
- Dust mite allergen discovery and characterization
- Pathogens detection and biomarker discovery
- Diagnostic assay and kit development
- Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics analysis
Bacteriology Unit
The Bacteriology Unit has a long-standing role in infectious disease research and diagnostic microbiology at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR). The Unit was established in 1900 alongside the founding of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR). Its activities have evolved from initial conventional bacteriological diagnostics to advanced research, reference laboratory services and national surveillance. The Unit has contributed to important developments in melioidosis, scrub typhus and other infectious diseases, while progressively adopting molecular and genomic technologies.
Key Activities
Reference Laboratory Services
Infectious Disease Research
Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance
AMR Characterisation and Research
Advanced Laboratory Diagnostics
Culture Collection
Laboratory Quality and Capacity Building
Training and Knowledge Transfer
Public Health and Technical Advisory Services
Research Collaboration and Innovation
Entomology Unit
Since 1902, the Medical Entomology Unit has pioneered research into vector biology and innovative control techniques. By advancing research methodologies to suppress diseases like malaria and dengue, the Unit continues to play a pivotal role in improving public health through scientific excellence and innovation
Key Activities
- Comprehensive Ecological & Vector Studies
- Taxonomic and Molecular Identification
- Advance Vector Control Technologies
- Expert Consultation & Advisory Services
- Specialized Training & Capacity Building
Parasitology Unit
The Parasitology Unit, IMR, serves as a national reference centre for parasitic diseases, providing specialized diagnostics, research, surveillance, advanced molecular and computational approaches, training, and technical expertise to support public health and disease control.
Key Activities
National Reference Laboratory: Specialized parasitology diagnostics and confirmation.
Research & Innovation: Malaria, helminths, protozoa and emerging parasites.
Malaria Surveillance: Genotyping, molecular epidemiology, outbreak investigation and drug-resistance monitoring.
Advanced Technologies: Molecular diagnostics, in-silico, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics.
Training & Consultancy: Capacity building, DAP&E training and technical advice to MOH and partners.
Virology Unit
Since 1966, the Virology Unit has pioneered research, diagnostic and reference laboratory activities for medically important viruses. By advancing diagnostic excellence, leading laboratory outbreak investigations, and serving as a premier proficiency testing provider, the Unit plays a pivotal role in providing important research findings on viruses and thus, safeguarding public health.
Key Activities
- Priority Research on Medically Important Viruses
- National Influenza Centre (NIC) Reference Laboratory
- National Poliovirus Laboratory & Environmental Surveillance
- National AIDS/ HIV Reference Laboratory
- National Viral Hepatitis Reference Laboratory
- Specialized Virology Training & Academic Supervision
- Quality Assurance & Proficiency Testing (NEQAS & EQAS)
- Expert Biosafety, Biosecurity & Dual Use Research of Cconcerns
- Diagnostic Kit Development, Assay Evaluation & Validation
- Laboratory Outbreak Investigation & Emergency Response
- Strategic National & International Research Collaborations
