Scientific Publications
My published work includes academic and industry publications involving Microbial Genomics and Disease Modelling.
On the Rocks: Microbiological Quality and Microbial Diversity of Packaged Ice in Southern California
Kun Ho Lee, Liana S Ab Samad, et al
ABSTRACT
Ice is defined as a food and is frequently used in direct contact with food and beverages. Packaged ice is commercially produced and can be easily found in grocery and convenience stores. However, the quality and safety of packaged ice products is not consistent. The Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards manual (PIQCS) published by the International Packaged Ice Association provides the quality and processing standards for packaged ice produced by its members...
The Study of Recombinant Hemagglutinin Protein Interactions of the Botulinum Neurotoxin Complex and Their Proteolysis Protective Effects
Liana S Ab Samad
ABSTRACT
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), one of the deadliest toxins in history, is produced by Clostridium botulinum and causes botulism; a disease that affects the peripheral nervous system and characterized by flaccid paralysis and eventual respiratory failure. BoNT exists as a progenitor toxin complex (PTC), an assembly of neurotoxin-associated proteins (NAP) surrounding the toxin. BoNT/A1 is the most potent, well-studied toxin serotype and causes the highest botulism incidence among humans. BoNT/A1 PTC consists of a non-toxic non-hemagglutinin proteins (NTNH) and three associated hemagglutinin (HA) proteins: HA33, HA17, and HA70, which is post-translationally cleaved into HA19 and HA52...
Real-time Isothermal Detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification
Murinda, S., Ibekwe A., Zulkaffly, S., Cruz, A., Park, S., Razak, N., Paudzai, F., Absamad, L., et al.
ABSTRACT
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a major family of foodborne pathogens of public health, zoonotic, and economic significance in the United States and worldwide. To date, there are no published reports on use of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for STEC detection. The primary goal of this study was to assess the potential application of RPA in detection of STEC. This study focused on designing and evaluating RPA primers and fluorescent probes for isothermal (39°C) detection of STEC...
Medical Writing
I lead Medical Writing projects that produce medically accurate and engaging web articles and patient-facing education materials for a wide range of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device clients.
Medical Articles:
Hip Tendonitis: What You Need to Know for Recovery
Hip tendonitis, also known as hip tendinopathy, is a condition that involves inflammation or irritation of the tendons in the hip.This condition is more common in athletes who participate in high-intensity sports or exercise classes, such as running, bicycling, or swimming.