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Research Overview
Dr. Rajesh is leader of Stem Cell & Immunity Research Group at the Immunology Lab. His research group is mainly working on areas below:
1) Molecular and cellular exploration of the immuno-modulatory role of human and animal mesenchymal stem cells.
Dr Rajesh has started exploring the immunomodulatory property of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells since his PhD at Imperial College of London. Together with Professor Dr. Francesco Dazzi, head of Stem Cell Transplantation, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College this group has produced pioneer articles on MSC mediated immunosuppression. The role of MSC on modulating various immune cells namely T cells, B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils and immune tumour cells have been extensively investigated via cellular, molecular and micro array analysis.
Collaborators:
i) Prof. Dr. Francesco Dazzi, Imperial College, UK
ii) Prof. Dr. Ruszymah Haji Idrus, Tissue Engineering Center, UKM
iii) Assoc. Prof. Sharmili Vidyadaran, Neuroinflammation Group, UPM
2) Generation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells from various sources
Due to escalating demand of MSC for research and the potential clinical applications, MSC from various human sources have been explored and tested for their feasibility. At Stem Cell & Immunity group, MSC from human cardiac, cartilage, umbilical cord & blood, placenta and bone marrow are being evaluated and characterised based on universally accepted standards.
Collaborators:
i) National Cord Blood Bank
ii) Dr. Tan Jun Jie, AMDI, USM
iii) Dr. Soon Chin Fhong, UTHM
iv) Dr. Sivakumar, IJN & Kyoto Prefectural University, Japan
3) Natural product and herbal research on immune enhancement and rejuvenation.
Several local based herbs namely Cassia auriculata and Zingiber officinale Roscoe are being tested to restore the compromised immune response and recapitulate stem cells’ physiology in diabetes.
Collaborators
i) Prof. Dr. Aishah Adam, UiTM
ii) Dr. Senthilvasan, IMU
iii) Dr. Mahendran Appukutty, UiTM
iv) Prof. Dr Aishah Rahmat, UPM
Research Funding
Project Title Funding Source Crosstalk between haematopoietic stem cell and mesenchymal stem cell at in vitro culture: a preclinical model to scale up stem cell expansion Putra Grant - Putra Graduate Initiative (IPS) Assessment of immunomodulatory activity of luteolin-phytosome complex (LPC) in mouse model Postgraduate Supervision Grants (PSG) Immunomodulatory activity of luteolin-phytosome complex (LPC) Putra Grant - Putra Graduate Initiative (IPS) Human Cardiac Stem Cells International Stem Cell Fund Kyoto Prefecture University Establishment of methodology to generate and characterise mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord RUGS | UPM Generation and characterisation of human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood: A possible reagent for tissue regeneration and transplantation FRGS | MOE Confining the molecular mechanism of anti-tumourigenic effect exerted by human mesenchymal stem cells via mRNA expression FRGS | MOE Exploration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) mediated immunosuppression through microRNA array: a global analysis RUGS | UPM Deciphering the immunomodulatory function and anti-diabetic activity of Cassia auriculata on type I and type II diabetes FRGS | MOE Generation and characterisation of human mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord blood: a possible tool for immunotherapy Science Fund | MOSTI Selected Publications
Maryam Maqbool, Sharmili Vidyadaran, Elizabeth George & Rajesh Ramasamy* 2011 Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Neutrophil from Serum Deprived Cell Death Cell Biology International 35(12):1247-51John CM, Sandrasaigaran P, Tong CK, Adam A, Ramasamy R 2011 Immunomodulatory Activity Of Polyphenols Derived From Cassia Auriculata Flowers In Aged Rats Cellular Immunology 271(2):474-479C.M. John, R. Ramasamy, G. Al Naqeeb, A.H.D. Al-Nuaimi and A. Adam 2012 Nicotinamide Supplementation Protects Gestational Diabetic Rats by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Enhancing Immune Responses Current Medicinal Chemistry 19(30):5181-6Rahmat Z, Jose S, Ramasamy R, Vidyadaran S. 2013 Reciprocal interactions of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and BV2 microglia following lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Stem Cell Research & Therapy 4(1):12-15Vellasamy S, Sandrasaigaran P, Vidyadaran S, Abdullah M, George E, Ramasamy R 2013 Mesenchymal stem cells of human placenta and umbilical cord suppress T-cell proliferation at G(0) phase of cell cycle. Cell Biology International 37(3):250-6
Awards
Year Name of Award 2014 Best Poster Award (Cluster: Stem Cells) | Shalini Vellasamy, Tong Chih Kong, Atiqah Azhar, Chan Soon Choy, Abhi Veerakumarasivam and Rajesh Ramasamy 2014 Best Poster Award (Cluster: Stem Cells) | Zuraidah Yusoff, Roshida Hassan, Elizabeth George and Rajesh Ramasamy 2014 Best Poster Award (Cluster: Stem Cells) 2009 GOLD Medal | PRPI | UPM 2012 BEST 10 RESEARCHERS’ AWARD |UPM 2013 Anugerah Perhidmatan Cemerlang | UPM 2011 GOLD Medal | PRPI | UPM 2010 Best Poster Award | National 2010 SILVER Medal | MTE | National 2009 SILVER Medal |BioInno Award | National Current Lab Members
Name Position Research Interest Year Joined -
Rajesh Ramasamy
[email protected]
03-89472377
Mesenchymal Stem Cells