USM to develop Asia’s first mass spectrometry technology 

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today sealed a  memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Agilent Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Agilent) to develop Asia’s first multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technology.

The MoU was signed between USM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail and Agilent’s general manager Chai Meng Fee in a ceremony held at the university’s campus here.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Asma said the collaborative partnership with Agilent Technologies will facilitate Malaysia to become a leading centre for multidimensional chromatography research and development (R&D) in Asia.

She said the Penang-based Agilent, which manufactures and supplies semiconductor products will provide the necessary equipment to USM’s School of Chemical Science to build an integrated system for the development of the technology. 

“The system will be the first of its kind (to be developed) in Asia,” she added.

Chai who also spoke at the ceremony said the collaboration with USM will benefit society and was in tandem with the company's ultimate goal to share its success.

"The collaboration with USM on the enhancement of chromatographic separation is significant for application in areas such as oil and gas, food safety, forensics or biological research, each of which have social benefits," he said.

Meanwhile, USM School of Chemical Sciences senior lecturer, Dr Wong Yong Foo said the collaboration could propel Malaysia to lead in metabolomics, a  scientific study of chemical processes involving metabolites, which are small molecule intermediates and products of metabolism.

"Now the United States is ahead in this field. With advanced technology, we can utilise the outcomes from the researches to benefit not only the medical field but also in archaeology, forensics, food control, authenticity, and many more," he added.

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by USM School of Chemical Sciences dean, Prof Rohana Adnan and Agilent’s academia and collaboration manager (South East Asia Laboratory Solutions Sales), Robin Philp.

-- BERNAMA