This study identifies MYCBP as an essential component of a regulatory network involving Sakura and Otu that coordinates germline stem cell renewal, differentiation, and oogenesis in Drosophila.

PLoS Genetics · Dec 1, 2025Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology

Female-germline specific protein Sakura interacts with Otu and is crucial for germline stem cell renewal and differentiation and oogenesis

Azali Azlan, Li Zhu, Ryuya Fukunaga

This study identifies Sakura as a critical protein for germline stem cell renewal and differentiation in Drosophila, showing its role in Dpp/BMP signaling, piRNA levels, and sex-lethal splicing.

eLife · Jul 4, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetics

Revised annotation and characterization of novel Aedes albopictus miRNAs and their potential functions in dengue virus infection

Azali Azlan, Muhammad Amir Yunus, Mardani Abdul Halim, Ghows Azzam

The paper re-annotates Ae. albopictus miRNAs using improved genome data and public datasets, identifying 110 novel miRNAs and their potential roles in dengue virus infection.

Biology · Oct 19, 2022Peer-reviewedGenomics

Genome-wide identification of Aedes albopictus long noncoding RNAs and their association with dengue and zika virus infection

Azali Azlan, Sattam M. Obeidat, Kumitaa Theva Das, Muhammad Amir Yunus, Ghows Azzam

This study identifies novel lncRNAs in Aedes albopictus and shows their involvement in dengue and zika virus infection through altered expression and functional validation.

PLoS neglected tropical diseases · Jan 22, 2021Peer-reviewedGenetics

Identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs and their association with acquisition of blood meal in Culex quinquefasciatus

Azali Azlan, Mardani Abdul Halim, Faisal Mohamad, Ghows Azzam

This study identifies and characterizes lncRNAs in Culex quinquefasciatus and links them to blood meal acquisition in adult females.

Insect Science · Jul 3, 2020Peer-reviewedGenomics

Transcriptomic response of an Antarctic yeast Rhodotorula sp. USM-PSY62 to temperature changes

Chengcheng Chai, Hokchai Yam, Nurlina Rosli, Azali Azlan, Ghows Azzam, Mardani Abdul Halim, Nazalan Najimudin

This study examines the transcriptomic response of an Antarctic yeast to temperature changes, identifying genes involved in cold adaptation and stress response.

bioRxiv · May 7, 2020 · PreprintBioinformatics

Systematic identification and characterization of Aedes aegypti long noncoding RNAs

Azali Azlan, Sattam M. Obeidat, Muhammad Amir Yunus, Ghows Azzam

The paper identifies and characterizes long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with DENV1, revealing their transcriptional response and potential role in virus-host interactions.

bioRxiv · Jan 3, 2019 · PreprintGenetics

Identification and characterization of Aedes albopictus long noncoding RNAs provides insights into their roles in development and flavivirus infection

Azali Azlan, Muhammad Amir Yunus, Ghows Azzam

The paper identifies and characterizes lncRNAs in Ae. albopictus, showing their differential expression during flavivirus infection and potential roles in antiviral defense.

bioRxiv · Oct 22, 2018 · PreprintGenetics