05 June 2026 – The Talent@IBS Program for the 17th Series of 2026 Technical Presentations of the Bioscience Institute Scheme C was successfully held at the Microscopy Unit, IBS with the presence of IBS laboratory staff. The program organized by the IBS Laboratory Services Management Secretariat featured two presenters, namely Mr. Salahudin Mohd Raof and Mr. Azmi Mohd Amban.

Mr. Salahudin Mohd Raof is a science officer (grade C10) working at the IBS Medicine and Natural Products Research Laboratory (NaturMeds). His presentation titled “The Power of NMR” provided exposure to the basic principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), as well as the ability of this technique to identify the structure, dynamics, composition and environment of molecules at the atomic level. The extensive applications of NMR in various fields of research and industry were also shared. In addition, the new Bruker NMR System 600 MHz system that has been installed at NaturMeds, IBS was also introduced, thus strengthening the ability to offer excellent NMR analysis services and boost high-impact research and development activities.

Mr. Azmi Mohd Amban, assistant science officer (grade C6) at the IBS Microscopy Unit, presented on the benefits of tempeh as a superfood under observation using methodologies based on the naked eye, light microscopy, electron microscopy for high-definition 3D structures and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for atomic analysis of organic chemical composition. The network of hyphae reveals the complexity of fungal threads that form an extraordinary three-dimensional network and acts as a natural glue that physically binds the structure and holds each tempeh molecule. The secret of tempeh feeling solid when held but soft when chewed lies in the texture of the art of porosity where there are micro-hollow air spaces that allow continuous oxygen circulation to support the active fermentation of Rhizopus Oligosporus. At a magnification of 10,000x, bacterial entities living in the interstices of soybean tissue were revealed. It functions to assist in the production of vitamin B12. In conclusion, tempeh is not just an ordinary food but a perfectly functioning small ecosystem.

After the presentation session was over, Mr. Rafiuz Zaman Bin Haroun, Head of the IBS Laboratory Services Management Secretariat, gave a briefing on the Greenlab@IBS program in conjunction with UPM's Sinergi Putra month. There are five programs that will be carried out, namely Smart Log IBS, Lab Resources Sharing Platform, Freezer Clean-Up Day, Labcycle and Greenbench market.

The monthly Talent@IBS program is expected to strengthen technical knowledge and increase staff understanding of operating equipment and specialized laboratory techniques, as well as being a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences among IBS laboratory staff.

Date of Input: 13/06/2026 | Updated: 13/06/2026 | azah