Thematic Cluster: From Biomarkers to Therapeutics: An Integrated Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

The Thematic project aligns with Impact 2030’s goal of building a thriving community by tackling Alzheimer’s disease through an integrated research approach spanning biomarker discovery, diagnostic innovation, and therapeutic development. It unites expertise in artificial intelligence, molecular diagnostics, and regenerative medicine to create a seamless pipeline: biomarkers identified through analytics and machine learning inform cost-effective diagnostic platforms, which then support the optimisation of therapeutic strategies.

Impact: This interconnected structure maximises translational impact. Beyond scientific outcomes, the collective projects bridge together researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and students to foster collaboration, capacity building, and regional leadership.

Project 1 (School of Information Technology)

AI-Driven Extracellular Vesicle and microRNA Profiling for Precision Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains difficult to diagnose early, as current methods rely on cognitive testing, neuroimaging, and invasive cerebrospinal fluid sampling. These approaches are costly, time-consuming, and often lack sensitivity during the earliest stages of disease, when treatment would be most effective. To address these limitations, this project applies artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to advance both biomarker discovery and potentially diagnosis. Blood samples will be analysed to isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) and profile surface ligands and microRNAs (miRNAs). These molecular signatures will provide biomarkers for ML models, enabling pattern recognition, classification, and prediction of disease progression to distinguish Alzheimer’s from healthy states with high accuracy. In parallel, large-scale EV and exosome datasets, including protein and miRNA cargo, will be examined to identify optimal ligand-cargo combinations and dosing strategies for therapeutic design. The computational framework will integrate clinical samples and ML to deliver a non-invasive, scalable platform for precision medicine in AD.

The ideal candidates should preferably meet the following criteria:

1. Prefer Malaysian citizens.

2. Degree in fields e.g. Bioinformatics/ Data Science/ Computer Science/Digital health/ Applied AI/ any other relevant fields.

3. Research Skills & Experience (Preferred):

3i. Familiarity with machine learning model development

3ii. Experience with bioinformatics or willingness to learn pathway/network analysis tools.

3iii. Interest or experience in neurodegenerative disease models

3iv. Experiences with wet-lab skills are an advantage.

4. Highly motivated, independent, and able to work in a multidisciplinary team.

5. Willing to contribute to publication, conference presentations, and grant applications.

For enquiries, please contact Dr Ong Huey Fang

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission into your preferred degree program you will be able to select your scholarship type. No separate application is required.

By clicking on a course, you will be directed to further information, including details on ‘How to Apply’.

However, before applying for a GEMS, it is recommended that you first contact the main supervisor for this GEMS research topic. Please provide details of your academic background and achievements to the supervisor so that they can assess your suitability for the GEMS research topic you are interested in.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Ong Huey Fang

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Tan Mei Sze

Associate Supervisor (Indonesia): Dr Vanya ValindriaSubmit your application now

Project 2 (School of Science)

This Project is No Longer Available.

Project 3 (School of Pharmacy)

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes for Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms, Pathway Analysis, and Intranasal Delivery

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes progressive dementia, and current treatments only slow symptoms. Overactive microglia drive AD pathology, making them key therapeutic targets. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Ex) offer a promising, low-immunogenic, cell-free therapy with immunomodulatory effects. To address delivery challenges, Monash has patented an intranasal MSC-Ex dry powder. This study will profile MSC-Ex contents, identify molecular pathways via bioinformatics, and validate mechanisms in vitro and in vivo AD models. Intranasal MSC-Ex will be tested for neuroprotection, microglial regulation, and cognitive recovery.

The ideal candidates should preferably meet the following criteria:

1. Prefer Malaysian citizen.

2. Degree in fields e.g. Biomedical Science / Neuroscience, Biotechnology / Molecular Biology, Pharmacology / Regenerative Medicine

3. Research Skills & Experience (Preferred):

3i. Familiarity with cell culture and molecular biology techniques

3ii. Experience with bioinformatics or willingness to learn pathway/network analysis tools.

3iii. Interest or experience in neurodegenerative disease models

3iv. Animal handling skill are an advantage.

4. Highly motivated, independent, and able to work in a multidisciplinary team.

5. Willing to contribute to publication, conference presentations, and grant applications.

For enquiries, please contact Dr How Chee Wun

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

When you apply for admission into your preferred degree program you will be able to select your scholarship type. No separate application is required.

By clicking on a course, you will be directed to further information, including details on ‘How to Apply’.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr How Chee Wun

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia):Dr Wendy Yeo Wai Yeng

Associate Supervisor (Australia): Dr Simon RoyceSubmit your application now

The above projects are open for application until positions are filled.