*Author for Correspondence.
Department of Molecular Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-79676607; Fax: 603-79676600;
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a generalized autoimmune disease which results in multiorgan damage. The pathogenesis of SLE is mainly due to the over-production of autoantibodies and immune complexes, as well as abnormal regulation of their production and clearance. One of the many factors that lead to the over-production of autoantibodies is the hyperactivity of T- and B-cells. Owing to the costimulatory function of the CD28 molecule during T-cell activation, the CD28 gene is the target of our study. The results show that the T allele of the CD28 gene and its corresponding homozygous genotype scored the highest frequency amongst the Malaysian population. However, the CD28 gene is not significantly associated with the susceptibility of SLE when comparing between diseased and normal healthy subjects.

*Author for Correspondence.
Centre for General Studies, Univer­siti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
Modern biotechnology has been viewed by many as the frontier of the next revolution. It is a powerful tool that presents a range of potential environmental, social and economic benefits that demands rigorous oversight. However, because the advancement in biotechnology have been so rapid in the past ten years, it has been the object of an intense and divisive debate in advanced countries. It has been suggested that a major factor in the emergence of controversies surrounding biotechnology has been the neglect of the needs, interests and concerns of the primary stakeholders the commoners. Public perceptions, understanding and acceptance of modern biotechnology can both promote and hamper its commercial introduction and adoption. Modern biotechnology has been classified as a complex emerging issue that exhibits high salience combined with limited knowledge on part of the public. Various studies have shown that consumer acceptance of modern biotechnology tend to be conditional and dependent on many factors. This paper will review the acceptance of various applications of modern biotechnology worldwide, cross-cultural differences, factors affecting public acceptance and models for public acceptance of modern biotechnology.

*Author for Correspondence.
Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia
Tel: (603)79674254, Fax: (603)79674193, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
The protein-ligand binding interactions studies were carried out by performing dockings of the ligands that were found to be competitively inhibiting the activities of the DEN2 NS2B/NS3 serine protease onto the catalytic triad of a model of DEN2 NS2B/NS3 protease. Results indicate the importance of three out of the five residues reported to be essential for binding activities of the NS2B/NS3 serine protease. These residues are Tyr-150, Asn-152 and Gly-153. In addition, Ser-135 and Gly-151 were also found to be very important in forming hydrogen bonds with the inhibitors. Moreover, Ser-131, Pro-132, Tyr-150 and Asn-152 were found to be important for van der Waals interaction of the ligand, while Val-52, Leu-128, Pro-132 and Val-155 are involved in hydrophobic interaction with the inhibitors.

*Author for Correspondence.
Department of Biotechnology, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology,
2, Persiaran Cempaka, Aman Jaya, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia.
Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract.
Screening the environment for new and highly potent strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) has become inevitable as one of the strategies for insect resistance management. By adopting the modified acetate selection method, ento­mocidally potent B. thuringiensis isolates were obtained from grain samples and soil samples from sericulture environment. PCR was performed to determine the insecticidal potential of the isolates. SDS-PAGE analysis of PCR positive isolates exhibited typical Cry1 protein profiles with 130 to 140 kDa protoxin. Preliminary larvicidal assays against Heliothis armigera with spore-crystal mixture, showed that all 30 B. thuringiensis isolates were toxic to this species. Two isolates, namely BTRX24 (B. thuringiensis RathinamXavier 24) and BTRX 28 (B. thuringiensis RathinamXavier 28) showed higher mortality compared to other isolates. A dose response efficacy study was conducted in Heliothis armigera, Plutella xylostella with BTRX24 and BTRX28. BTRX28 showed elevated larvicidal activity, which may be attributed to the presence of multiple cry genes and possible synergistic activity among the cry proteins. Periodical introduction of such new strains will play a key role in insect resistance management against B. thuringiensis based biopesticides and in transgenic plants.