Microbial Technology Research Group

Background

Introduction	The Microbial Technology Research Group is dedicated to harnessing the power of microorganisms to develop innovative solutions that benefit society and the environment. Our interdisciplinary team explores the vast potential of microbes in various industrial and ecological applications, aiming to transform natural biological processes into sustainable technologies. By integrating microbiology with engineering and environmental science, we strive to address pressing global challenges through microbial innovation. Our current research focuses on several impactful areas, including the development of biofertilizers to enhance agricultural productivity, bioleaching techniques for extracting precious metals in an eco-friendly manner, and the use of bacteria in self-healing concrete to improve infrastructure durability. We are also investigating microbial applications in industrially important processes, contributing to cleaner and more efficient production methods. Through these efforts, the group is committed to advancing microbial technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and societal well-being.
Research Focus	Core Research Themes Agricultural Microbial Applications Exploring the use of beneficial microbes to develop biofertilizers and biopesticides that enhance crop productivity, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. Microbial Mining and Bioleaching Investigating microbial processes for the extraction and recovery of valuable metals from ores and electronic waste, promoting eco-friendly mining technologies. Microbial-Based Construction Materials Developing self-healing concrete and other bio-based building materials using bacteria to improve infrastructure resilience and reduce maintenance costs. Industrial Biotechnology Utilizing microbes in industrial processes such as fermentation, biotransformation, and waste treatment to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create value-added products. Environmental Microbiology and Sustainability Applying microbial technologies to address environmental challenges, including pollution mitigation, resource recovery, and circular economy initiatives. Microbial Ecology and Functional Genomics Studying microbial communities, their interactions, and genetic mechanisms to better understand their roles in natural and engineered systems.
Research Objectives To develop and optimize biofertilizers using beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers. To investigate microbial bioleaching processes for the sustainable and efficient recovery of precious metals from ores and electronic waste. To explore the use of bacteria in self-healing concrete, aiming to improve the durability and lifespan of infrastructure through biologically driven repair mechanisms. To identify and apply industrially relevant microbes for improving manufacturing processes, including fermentation, biotransformation, and waste treatment. To promote environmentally friendly technologies by leveraging microbial systems that reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support circular economy principles. To advance fundamental understanding of microbial interactions and their potential applications in biotechnology, materials science, and environmental engineering.
Research Impacts Sustainable Agriculture Enhancing crop yields and soil health through biofertilizers, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and promoting eco-friendly farming practices. Eco-Friendly Resource Recovery Advancing bioleaching technologies for the extraction of precious metals, contributing to cleaner mining and electronic waste recycling. Infrastructure Innovation Improving the durability and sustainability of construction materials through microbial self-healing concrete, reducing maintenance costs and environmental footprint. Industrial Efficiency and Green Processes Supporting cleaner and more efficient industrial operations by integrating microbial systems into manufacturing and waste treatment processes. Environmental Protection and Remediation Utilizing microbes to mitigate pollution, treat waste, and support circular economy initiatives, contributing to healthier ecosystems. Scientific Advancement and Knowledge Transfer Generating new insights into microbial functions and applications, fostering collaboration across disciplines and translating research into real-world technologies.

Introduction

The Microbial Technology Research Group is dedicated to harnessing the power of microorganisms to develop innovative solutions that benefit society and the environment. Our interdisciplinary team explores the vast potential of microbes in various industrial and ecological applications, aiming to transform natural biological processes into sustainable technologies. By integrating microbiology with engineering and environmental science, we strive to address pressing global challenges through microbial innovation.

Our current research focuses on several impactful areas, including the development of biofertilizers to enhance agricultural productivity, bioleaching techniques for extracting precious metals in an eco-friendly manner, and the use of bacteria in self-healing concrete to improve infrastructure durability. We are also investigating microbial applications in industrially important processes, contributing to cleaner and more efficient production methods. Through these efforts, the group is committed to advancing microbial technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and societal well-being.

Research Focus

Core Research Themes

Agricultural Microbial Applications
Exploring the use of beneficial microbes to develop biofertilizers and biopesticides that enhance crop productivity, soil health, and sustainable farming practices.
Microbial Mining and Bioleaching
Investigating microbial processes for the extraction and recovery of valuable metals from ores and electronic waste, promoting eco-friendly mining technologies.
Microbial-Based Construction Materials
Developing self-healing concrete and other bio-based building materials using bacteria to improve infrastructure resilience and reduce maintenance costs.
Industrial Biotechnology
Utilizing microbes in industrial processes such as fermentation, biotransformation, and waste treatment to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create value-added products.
Environmental Microbiology and Sustainability
Applying microbial technologies to address environmental challenges, including pollution mitigation, resource recovery, and circular economy initiatives.
Microbial Ecology and Functional Genomics
Studying microbial communities, their interactions, and genetic mechanisms to better understand their roles in natural and engineered systems.

Research Objectives

To develop and optimize biofertilizers using beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers.
To investigate microbial bioleaching processes for the sustainable and efficient recovery of precious metals from ores and electronic waste.
To explore the use of bacteria in self-healing concrete, aiming to improve the durability and lifespan of infrastructure through biologically driven repair mechanisms.
To identify and apply industrially relevant microbes for improving manufacturing processes, including fermentation, biotransformation, and waste treatment.
To promote environmentally friendly technologies by leveraging microbial systems that reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support circular economy principles.
To advance fundamental understanding of microbial interactions and their potential applications in biotechnology, materials science, and environmental engineering.

Research Impacts

Sustainable Agriculture
Enhancing crop yields and soil health through biofertilizers, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and promoting eco-friendly farming practices.
Eco-Friendly Resource Recovery
Advancing bioleaching technologies for the extraction of precious metals, contributing to cleaner mining and electronic waste recycling.
Infrastructure Innovation
Improving the durability and sustainability of construction materials through microbial self-healing concrete, reducing maintenance costs and environmental footprint.
Industrial Efficiency and Green Processes
Supporting cleaner and more efficient industrial operations by integrating microbial systems into manufacturing and waste treatment processes.
Environmental Protection and Remediation
Utilizing microbes to mitigate pollution, treat waste, and support circular economy initiatives, contributing to healthier ecosystems.
Scientific Advancement and Knowledge Transfer
Generating new insights into microbial functions and applications, fostering collaboration across disciplines and translating research into real-world technologies.

Research Group Leader and Members

GROUP LEADER
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wee Seng Kew
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	sengkew@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Iron-reducing bacteria; Bioleaching; Molecular Microbiology

GROUP MEMBERS
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Azlina Binti Ibrahim
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	n_azlina@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Microbiology; Enzyme Technology
	Name	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Fazliani Binti Shoparwe
	Position	Associate Professor
	Email	fazliani.s@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Bioprocess
	Name	Ts. Dr. Ainihayati Binti Abdul Rahim
	Position	Senior Lecturer
	Email	ainihayati@umk.edu.my
	Area of Specialization	Microbiology; Molecular Biology; Biotechnology

Current Research Projects

	Principal Investigator	Project Title	Duration	Funding Agency	Amount (RM)
1	Associate Prof. Dr. Wee Seng Kew	Elucidation of Microbial Influenced Corrosion (MIC) Mechanism of Carbon Steel by Iron Reducing Bacteria, Shewanella Oneidensis Mr-1 through MTR Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway	2024 - 2027	FRGS	171,800
2	Associate Prof. Dr. Wee Seng Kew	Isolation of β-glucan exopolysaccharide producing bacteria strains from Antarctic marine sediment and evaluation of the β-glucan wound healing properties.	2024 - 2027	Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan	140,000
3	Ts. Dr. Ainihayati binti Abdul Rahim	Elucidating the Plant-Microbe Interaction Mechanism of Newly Isolated Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Frateuria aurantia UMK PS-3 with Paddy through Genome Sequencing and Transcrintomic Analvsis for Novel Bioferlilizer Application	2023 - 2026	FRGS	156,000

If you are interested to join the research group, kindly contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wee Seng Kew (RG Leader). Thank you.