Member’s Profile
Name: Tan Hua Tiang
Field: Microbial molecular biology
Level/Position: Ph.D. candidate (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Latest Working Experience:Research assistant
Biography: Tan Hua Tiang, joined the Ecobiomaterial Research Laboratory back in July 2016 as an PhD student under the supervision of Prof Dr K. Sudesh Kumar. Among the various types of PHAs, poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate] [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] has been identified as a commercially useful PHA copolymer since it has a close resemblance to commodity plastics such as polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Depending on the 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) composition, P(3HB-co-3HHx) varies substantially in its properties ranging from the strong but less flexible to the more flexible and strong variety. It has been shown that high 3HHx levels (17 mol%) in this copolymer results in properties that is similar to LDPE. Besides, molecular weight is one of the most important criteria for the selection of polymeric materials, as it can significantly influence the physical and mechanical strength of the bioplastic produced. PHAs with higher molecular weight are known to possess better mechanical properties and are preferred for practical applications. He currently works on develop a microbial strain that can produce ultrahigh-molecular-weight P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer by using plant oil as the sole carbon source.
Name: Tan Hua Tiang
Field: Microbial molecular biology
Level/Position: Ph.D. candidate (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Latest Working Experience:Research assistant
Biography: Tan Hua Tiang, joined the Ecobiomaterial Research Laboratory back in July 2016 as an PhD student under the supervision of Prof Dr K. Sudesh Kumar. Among the various types of PHAs, poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate] [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] has been identified as a commercially useful PHA copolymer since it has a close resemblance to commodity plastics such as polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Depending on the 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) composition, P(3HB-co-3HHx) varies substantially in its properties ranging from the strong but less flexible to the more flexible and strong variety. It has been shown that high 3HHx levels (17 mol%) in this copolymer results in properties that is similar to LDPE. Besides, molecular weight is one of the most important criteria for the selection of polymeric materials, as it can significantly influence the physical and mechanical strength of the bioplastic produced. PHAs with higher molecular weight are known to possess better mechanical properties and are preferred for practical applications. He currently works on develop a microbial strain that can produce ultrahigh-molecular-weight P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer by using plant oil as the sole carbon source.
