INBIOSIS Research Hub

What we do

The Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia studies how living things work at the molecular level — and how that knowledge can be put to use, from discovering new medicines in nature to improving crops and understanding disease.

What sets systems biology apart is that it does not study genes, proteins or chemicals in isolation. It reads several of these molecular layers at once and connects them, to understand an organism as a whole living system. In practice the institute's largest body of work is in natural products and medicinal compounds, alongside plant and crop science, proteins and enzymes, microbes and infection, and human health.

Our approach — reading life's molecular layers

Systems biology combines several layers of molecular data, rather than looking at any one on its own. These are the layers, and the computing that connects them:

  1. Genomics an organism's full set of genes — its instruction book
  2. Transcriptomics which genes are switched on, and when
  3. Proteomics the proteins and enzymes those genes build
  4. Metabolomics the small molecules they make — including many natural compounds
  5. Bioinformatics & systems biology the computing that connects these layers into one picture

Below: the 1,439 journal papers this adds up to, mapped by subject — and the 31 researchers behind them. Select any topic or name to go deeper.

What we work on

1,439 journal papers across 340 research topics. Larger tiles are areas we publish in most; darker tiles are the ones drawing the most citations. Select any topic to see who works on it.

31
researchers
340
topics
1,439
journal papers
27,568
citations
11
research groups
mean citations per publication
  • under 10
  • 10–25
  • 25–50
  • 50+

The seven disciplines INBIOSIS is built around, showing the largest topics in each. Counts are peer-reviewed journal papers only — datasets, preprints, conference papers, book chapters and theses are excluded. A paper that analyses omics data counts under bioinformatics as well as under its subject, so discipline totals overlap and do not sum to the number of papers.

Metabolomics & Natural Products
Small-molecule profiling, and the natural products this institute is known for.
396 papers 11,271 citations 63 topics
Proteomics & Protein Science
Proteins and enzymes — expression, structure, function and interaction.
116 papers 2,680 citations 14 topics
Bioinformatics
Computational analysis of biological data — sequence, structure and annotation.
88 papers 893 citations 48 topics
Genomics & Metagenomics
Genomes and communities of genomes — sequencing, assembly, phylogeny.
80 papers 1,242 citations 20 topics
Synthetic Biology
Engineering biological parts and pathways to make something new.
39 papers 551 citations 5 topics
Systems Biology
Integrating omics layers and modelling how a whole system behaves, rather than analysing one layer on its own.
29 papers 947 citations 24 topics
Transcriptomics
RNA and gene expression — what a genome is actually doing.
17 papers 348 citations 6 topics

Beyond the core disciplines

applied and translational work built on the same platforms

Plant Biotechnology
Crop and plant science — tissue culture, pathogens, stress, and yield.
229 papers 3,561 citations 46 topics
Other research areas
Work that does not yet fit any discipline above.
98 papers 2,511 citations 65 topics
Microbiology & Infection
Bacteria, fungi, viruses and the immune response to them.
84 papers 1,367 citations 28 topics
Biomedical & Clinical
Disease mechanisms and clinical application.
52 papers 1,255 citations 30 topics
Materials & Nanotechnology
Biomaterials, nanoparticles and biosensing platforms.
44 papers 594 citations 17 topics
Environment & Ecology
Ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution and climate.
43 papers 623 citations 18 topics
Food & Nutrition
Food quality, safety, fermentation and nutritional science.
41 papers 501 citations 20 topics
All 134 research topics as a table
TopicDisciplinePapers CitationsMean
Natural Compound Pharmacology Studies Metabolomics & Natural Products 38 874 23.0
Enzyme Production and Characterization Proteomics & Protein Science 35 599 17.1
Plant tissue culture and regeneration Plant Biotechnology 30 496 16.5
Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity Metabolomics & Natural Products 29 926 31.9
Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis Metabolomics & Natural Products 28 655 23.4
Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae Metabolomics & Natural Products 20 489 24.4
Plant Virus Research Studies Plant Biotechnology 20 253 12.7
Burkholderia infections and melioidosis Microbiology & Infection 20 270 13.5
Enzyme Catalysis and Immobilization Proteomics & Protein Science 17 689 40.5
Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies Metabolomics & Natural Products 17 667 39.2
Ginger and Zingiberaceae research Metabolomics & Natural Products 16 563 35.2
Curcumin's Biomedical Applications Metabolomics & Natural Products 16 740 46.2
Insect Pest Control Strategies Plant Biotechnology 16 461 28.8
Biofuel production and bioconversion Synthetic Biology 15 221 14.7
RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms Proteomics & Protein Science 15 674 44.9
Aquaculture disease management and microbiota Genomics & Metagenomics 14 237 16.9
Fungal Biology and Applications Metabolomics & Natural Products 14 220 15.7
Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology Metabolomics & Natural Products 14 268 19.1
biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties Materials & Nanotechnology 14 196 14.0
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies Genomics & Metagenomics 13 179 13.8
Synthesis and biological activity Metabolomics & Natural Products 13 611 47.0
Phytochemistry and Biological Activities Metabolomics & Natural Products 12 307 25.6
Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies Plant Biotechnology 12 192 16.0
Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies Metabolomics & Natural Products 12 376 31.3
Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction Synthetic Biology 11 203 18.5
Plant Gene Expression Analysis Transcriptomics 11 279 25.4
Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities Metabolomics & Natural Products 10 488 48.8
Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology Genomics & Metagenomics 10 161 16.1
Plant Parasitism and Resistance Plant Biotechnology 10 110 11.0
Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants Metabolomics & Natural Products 10 864 86.4
Plant Molecular Biology Research Plant Biotechnology 9 124 13.8
Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases Plant Biotechnology 9 92 10.2
Moringa oleifera research and applications Metabolomics & Natural Products 9 115 12.8
Fungal and yeast genetics research Genomics & Metagenomics 9 142 15.8
Natural product bioactivities and synthesis Metabolomics & Natural Products 9 295 32.8
Insect Resistance and Genetics Genomics & Metagenomics 9 49 5.4
Protein Structure and Dynamics Proteomics & Protein Science 9 145 16.1
Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management Plant Biotechnology 9 189 21.0
Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies Metabolomics & Natural Products 8 69 8.6
Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls Plant Biotechnology 8 191 23.9
Probiotics and Fermented Foods Food & Nutrition 8 108 13.5
Identification and Quantification in Food Food & Nutrition 8 127 15.9
Allelopathy and phytotoxic interactions Plant Biotechnology 8 29 3.6
Alzheimer's disease research and treatments Biomedical & Clinical 8 146 18.2
Plant Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties Metabolomics & Natural Products 8 81 10.1
Polar Research and Ecology Environment & Ecology 8 122 15.2
Oil Palm Production and Sustainability Plant Biotechnology 8 90 11.2
Biochemical and Structural Characterization Proteomics & Protein Science 7 51 7.3
Genetically Modified Organisms Research Synthetic Biology 7 68 9.7
Microplastics and Plastic Pollution Environment & Ecology 7 71 10.1
Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies Plant Biotechnology 7 109 15.6
Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques Materials & Nanotechnology 7 43 6.1
Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases Proteomics & Protein Science 7 195 27.9
Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress Metabolomics & Natural Products 7 216 30.9
Heat shock proteins research Proteomics & Protein Science 7 96 13.7
Physiological and biochemical adaptations Environment & Ecology 7 165 23.6
Phytochemistry and biological activities of Ficus species Metabolomics & Natural Products 6 458 76.3
Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis Metabolomics & Natural Products 6 111 18.5
GABA and Rice Research Plant Biotechnology 6 77 12.8
Seed Germination and Physiology Plant Biotechnology 6 127 21.2
Enzyme Structure and Function Proteomics & Protein Science 6 51 8.5
Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization Microbiology & Infection 6 85 14.2
Wound Healing and Treatments Biomedical & Clinical 6 510 85.0
Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance Plant Biotechnology 6 25 4.2
Species Distribution and Climate Change Environment & Ecology 6 51 8.5
Natural Compound Pharmacology Studies Bioinformatics 6 88 14.7
Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms Microbiology & Infection 5 52 10.4
Phytochemistry and biological activity of medicinal plants Metabolomics & Natural Products 5 67 13.4
Plant Diversity and Evolution Plant Biotechnology 5 35 7.0
Bioactive natural compounds Metabolomics & Natural Products 5 96 19.2
Mosquito-borne diseases and control Microbiology & Infection 5 85 17.0
Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases Metabolomics & Natural Products 5 129 25.8
Antifungal resistance and susceptibility Microbiology & Infection 5 146 29.2
Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms Plant Biotechnology 5 201 40.2
Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis Metabolomics & Natural Products 5 93 18.6
Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior Genomics & Metagenomics 5 36 7.2
Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies Bioinformatics 5 85 17.0
Phytochemical compounds biological activities Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 55 13.8
Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research Bioinformatics 4 26 6.5
Computational Drug Discovery Methods Bioinformatics 4 37 9.2
Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology Genomics & Metagenomics 4 225 56.2
Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior Materials & Nanotechnology 4 21 5.2
Bioactive Compounds and Antitumor Agents Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 67 16.8
CRISPR and Genetic Engineering Synthetic Biology 4 35 8.8
Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications Materials & Nanotechnology 4 57 14.2
Wood and Agarwood Research Plant Biotechnology 4 208 52.0
Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 235 58.8
Herbal Medicine Research Studies Other research areas 4 101 25.2
Papaya Research and Applications Other research areas 4 232 58.0
S100 Proteins and Annexins Other research areas 4 59 14.8
Flavonoids in Medical Research Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 36 9.0
Peptidase Inhibition and Analysis Proteomics & Protein Science 4 58 14.5
vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches Microbiology & Infection 4 31 7.8
Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks Systems Biology 4 54 13.5
Protein Hydrolysis and Bioactive Peptides Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 118 29.5
Date Palm Research Studies Plant Biotechnology 4 41 10.2
Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism Metabolomics & Natural Products 4 56 14.0
Bone Tissue Engineering Materials Biomedical & Clinical 4 87 21.8
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Biomedical & Clinical 4 18 4.5
Oral microbiology and periodontitis research Microbiology & Infection 4 207 51.8
Plant Gene Expression Analysis Bioinformatics 4 60 15.0
Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies Bioinformatics 4 50 12.5
Insect Resistance and Genetics Bioinformatics 4 17 4.2
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 140 46.7
Transgenic Plants and Applications Plant Biotechnology 3 48 16.0
Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth Microbiology & Infection 3 43 14.3
Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities Proteomics & Protein Science 3 56 18.7
Medicinal Plant Research Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 48 16.0
Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 12 4.0
Carbohydrate Chemistry and Synthesis Other research areas 3 86 28.7
Genetic diversity and population structure Genomics & Metagenomics 3 15 5.0
Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses Other research areas 3 33 11.0
Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Food & Nutrition 3 37 12.3
Andrographolide Research and Applications Other research areas 3 66 22.0
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity Plant Biotechnology 3 26 8.7
Bee Products Chemical Analysis Plant Biotechnology 3 80 26.7
Bacteriophages and microbial interactions Microbiology & Infection 3 13 4.3
Advanced Proteomics Techniques and Applications Proteomics & Protein Science 3 5 1.7
Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins Microbiology & Infection 3 22 7.3
Biological Activity of Diterpenoids and Biflavonoids Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 72 24.0
Diet, Metabolism, and Disease Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 9 3.0
Edible Oils Quality and Analysis Other research areas 3 69 23.0
Machine Learning in Bioinformatics Bioinformatics 3 54 18.0
Coccidia and coccidiosis research Other research areas 3 6 2.0
Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology Metabolomics & Natural Products 3 8 2.7
Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants Microbiology & Infection 3 108 36.0
Plant responses to water stress Plant Biotechnology 3 35 11.7
Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects Plant Biotechnology 3 11 3.7
Cassava research and cyanide Plant Biotechnology 3 55 18.3
Marine and coastal plant biology Plant Biotechnology 3 28 9.3
Magnesium Alloys: Properties and Applications Materials & Nanotechnology 3 221 73.7
Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications Other research areas 3 31 10.3
Plant Virus Research Studies Bioinformatics 3 19 6.3
Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies Bioinformatics 3 36 12.0

Strength by research group

Who we work with

70 countries · 12 shown

  • Universiti Putra Malaysia MY · 177 joint publications
  • Malaysia Genome Institute MY · 124 joint publications
  • University of Malaya MY · 102 joint publications
  • University of Technology Malaysia MY · 99 joint publications
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia MY · 61 joint publications
  • International Islamic University Malaysia MY · 52 joint publications
  • Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute MY · 44 joint publications
  • National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia MY · 40 joint publications
  • Universiti Teknologi MARA MY · 35 joint publications
  • Taylor's University MY · 34 joint publications
  • Forest Research Institute Malaysia MY · 32 joint publications
  • Institute for Medical Research MY · 29 joint publications