Member Profile
Membership type: full
Muganti Rajah Kumar
Country of origin: Malaysia Currently in: Malaysia, Melaka General field of specialization: Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences-
Degrees
2023 Doctorate Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences2017 Master Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences2016 Undergraduate Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences -
Current Research Activities
Medical and Health Sciences incl Neurosciences
My current research activities focus on exploring the intersection of neurodegeneration, gut-brain axis interactions, and probiotic therapeutics within the broader scope of medical biotechnology. Specifically, I am investigating: 1. Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Probiotics: - Assessing the molecular and cellular pathways through which probiotic formulations, such as kefir water, alleviate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in in vitro and in vivo models. - Exploring the role of probiotics in modulating neurodegeneration-related pathways, with a focus on aging and age-related disorders. 2. Gut Microbiota and Brain Health: - Analyzing the influence of gut microbiota diversity on brain health using advanced metagenomic tools. - Identifying microbial metabolites and their role in reducing neuroinflammatory markers and promoting neuronal survival. 3. Development of Probiotic-Based Therapeutics: - Developing and optimizing probiotic interventions targeting gut microbiota to improve neuroprotective outcomes. - Translating preclinical findings into scalable, consumer-ready formulations under the Guts and Glory Probiotics initiative.
Publications resulting from Research:
1. Brindle, A., Bainbridge, C., Kumar, M., Todryk, S. and Padget, Kay., 2024. The Bisdioxopiperazine ICRF-193 Attenuates LPS-induced IL-1β Secretion by Macrophages. Inflammation, 47(1), p.84-98. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37656316/ (Q1, WOS IF 4.5)
2. Talib, N., Mohamad, E., Yeap, S., Ho, C., Masarudin, M., Abd-Aziz, S., Izham, M., Kumar, M., Hussin, Y. and Alitheen, N., 2023. Anti-Diabetic Effect of Lactobacillus Paracasei Isolated from Malaysian Water Kefir Grains. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, p.1-20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37755545/ (Q1, WOS IF 4.4)
3. Kumar, M., Azizi, N., Yeap, S., Abdullah, J., Khalid, M., Omar, A., Osman, M., Leow, A., Mortadza, S. and Alitheen, N., 2022. Clinical and Preclinical Studies of Fermented Foods and Their Effects on Alzheimer’s Disease. Antioxidants, 11(5), p.883. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35624749/ (Q1, WOS IF 6)
4. Kumar, M., Yeap, S., Lee, H., Mohamad, N., Nazirul Mubin Aziz, M., Khalid, M., Masarudin, M., Leow, A., Abdullah, J. and Alitheen, N., 2021. Selected Kefir Water from Malaysia Attenuates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress by Upregulating Endogenous Antioxidant Levels in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. Antioxidants, 10(6), p.940. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34200854/ (Q1, WOS IF 6)
5. Kumar, M., Yeap, S., Mohamad, N., Abdullah, J., Masarudin, M., Khalid, M., Leow, A. and Alitheen, N., 2021. Metagenomic and phytochemical analyses of kefir water and its Subchronic toxicity study in BALB/c mice. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34210310/ (Q1, WOS IF 3.3)
6. Azizi, N., Kumar, M., Yeap, S., Abdullah, J., Khalid, M., Omar, A., Osman, M., Mortadza, S. and Alitheen, N., 2021. Kefir and Its Biological Activities. Foods, 10(6), p.1210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34071977/ (Q1, WOS IF 4.7)
Current profession
Current professional activities type:TeachingOther1. Founder and Leader Guts & Glory Probiotics Enterprise (Jan 2023 – Present) • Founded and manage a wellness enterprise focused on developing probiotic-based products as a result of my PhD research findings. • Integrated the product into holistic wellness treatment at MindCheck Psychology Centre Malaysia, collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists, and hypnotherapists to enhance patient care. • Oversee core operations, including product development, branding, and customer engagement strategies. • Deliver public talks and educational sessions in schools, institutions, public venues, and corporate settings to promote awareness of probiotics' benefits for mental and physical well-being. 2. Lecturer, Part-time University of Nottingham, Malaysia (Sept 2024 – Present) • Teach Molecular Biology of the Cell to Level 2, Semester 3 BSc Biotechnology students, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical applications. • Deliver lectures on key topics, including: i. Transcription and translation processes (DNA to RNA, RNA to protein). ii. Transcriptional regulators, including molecular switches, motifs, enhancers, and insulators. iii. RNA interference mechanisms (siRNA, miRNA, artificial miRNA). iv. Animal cell signaling pathways and cytoskeleton dynamics. • Collaborated with Prof. Sandy Loh to develop comprehensive final examination questions aligned with learning outcomes.
Workshop and Conference Attended
2019 Bangi Resort Hotel, Selangor, Malaysia 13th Malaysia International Genetics Congress (MiGC13) by Genetics Society of Malaysia & National Institute Biotechnology of Malaysia2024 Michigan State University (MSU), USA Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosafety, and Technology Transfer2018 Comparative Medicine and Technology Unit (COMeT) & IACUC UPM, Selangor, Malaysia Workshop on the Care & Use of Rodents in Research2018 Neoscience (M) Sdn Bhd Agilent Microarray Hands-On Workshop & GeneSpring Data Analysis WorkshopAffiliations
Royal Society of Biology (RSB)Presentation given
2019Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanism of Kefir Water in Oxidative Stress Induced In SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells.Bangi Resort Hotel, Selangor, MalaysiaEvent: 13th Malaysia International Genetics Congress (MiGC13) by Genetics Society of Malaysia & National Institute Biotechnology of Malaysia -
Other Awards
Feb 2018Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF)Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) for PhD Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2018 Recognized for my excellence in research and academic potential, the GRF provided funding for my PhD studies, supporting my research into neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota interactions.Sep 2016Northumbria University Academic ScholarshipNorthumbria University Academic Scholarship for MSc Biotechnology Northumbria University, 2016 Awarded a merit-based scholarship for outstanding academic performance, enabling me to pursue a Master of Science in Biotechnology at Northumbria University, UK.Apr 2013MDIS Merit ScholarshipMDIS Merit Scholarship for BSc (Hons) Biotechnology MDIS Education Trust Fund, 2013 Received a merit scholarship based on academic excellence, allowing me to pursue my Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Biotechnology at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), with the degree awarded by Northumbria University, UK.Nov 2019Best Poster Presentation AwardBest Poster Presentation Award Genetics Society of Malaysia & National Institute of Biotechnology of Malaysia (NIBM), November 19-21, 2019 Awarded for the outstanding quality and contribution of my research poster presentation on neuroprotective mechanisms in neurodegeneration at the 13th Malaysia International Genetics Congress (MiGC13), organized by the Genetics Society of Malaysia and NIBM.
