Staff Profiles

Introduction

Dr. James Woon graduated from the National University of Malaysia with a PhD in Biochemistry. He obtained his BSc in Microbiology in the same university. Trained to be a biochemist, James is specialised in recombinant protein expression and enzyme characterisation. 

Qualifications

PG.Cert. (Medical Education) - Newcastle University

Ph.D. (Biochemistry) - National University of Malaysia 

B.Sc. (Microbiology), First-class honours - National University of Malaysia 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Teaching - BMS and MBBS
• Administrative roles - Internal auditor for Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), Member of NUMed Research and Innovation Committee, Internal moderator of NUMed Foundation in Science Biology 2 exam papers                                      

Impacts and Recognitions

2021-  Awarded a Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK

2018 - Nominated for Newcastle Teaching Excellence Awards  (3 nominations)

Biomedical Sciences 

Stage 1:

BMN1001 Biochemistry (Module Leader)

BMN1002 Cell biology

BMN1006 Pharmacology

BMN1007 Physiology

BMN1011 Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists

Stage 2:

BMN2000 Essential Biomedical Research Skills

BMN2011 The Nervous System and Respiratory Diseases

BMN2012 Clinical immunology and viral pathogens

BMN2030 Industrial Placement 2

MBBS

Year 1:  Case 5 Diabetes - Energy production, protein metabolism, inter-relationships of metabolic pathways

Year 1: Case 12 Inflammatory bowel disease - Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids

Upcoming Project

• Elucidation of the DNA binding, DNA strand breaking, and DNA topoisomerases inhibiting properties of Rhenium (I) carbonyl complexes with pyridine-pyrazolic ligands in a cell-free approach

Previous Project

• Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of novel cellobiohydrolases for efficient biomass conversion. 
• Attitude, barriers. and motivators towards research participation at a teaching-oriented international branch campus in Malaysia: A NUMed experience

Research Profiles

• Google Scholar
• ResearchGate
• Publon

• Articles

  • Balachandra D, Woon JSK. Current prospects of SpyTag/SpyCatcher and SpyBEVS for development of COVID-19 nanovaccine: A mini-review. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2025, 21(1), 143-149.
  • Hebbar P, Han OB, Yan NX, Kay D, Chu KY, Woon JS-K, Lun PK, Kabekkodu SP, Prasad ASB, Prakash B, Nograles N, Kanakal MM, Goodson M, Nagaraja S, Mascarenhas R. Characterization of microbiome diversity unveils substantial microbial variation in mangrove soil sediments from coastal regions of Malaysia. Access Microbiology 2025, 7(6), 000902.v3.
  • Woon JSK, King PJH, Mackeen MM, Mahadi NM, Seman WMKW, Broughton WJ, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Cloning, Production and Characterization of a Glycoside Hydrolase Family 7 Enzyme from the Gut Microbiota of the Termite Coptotermes curvignathus. Molecular Biotechnology 2017, 59(7), 271-283.
  • Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Illias RM, Mahadi NM, Broughton WJ, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Cellobiohydrolase B of Aspergillus niger over-expressed in Pichia pastoris stimulates hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches. PeerJ 2017, 1-22.
  • Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Sudin AH, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Production of an oligosaccharide-specific cellobiohydrolase from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris. Biotechnology Letters 2016, 38(5), 825-832.
  • Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Expression and characterization of a cellobiohydrolase (CBH7B) from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris in Pichia pastoris. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry 2016, 63(5), 690-698.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Woon JSK, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Isolation, molecular cloning and expression of cellobiohydrolase B (CbhB) from Aspergillus niger in Escherichia coli. In: 2015 UKM FST Postgraduate Colloquium. 2015, Selangor, Malaysia: AIP Publishing.

• Digital or Visual Media

  • Woon JSK. Early path to good health. The Star, 2017. Newspapers.
  • Woon JSK. Science of vaccines. The Star, 2016. Newspapers.

• Letter

  • Woon JSK. Teachers should strive to have a scholar mindset. 2022.

• Online Publication

  • Woon JSK. Bracing for the next infectious disease. Star Media Group, 2018. Available at: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/03/14/bracing-for-the-next-infectious-disease/.