The main research by Choon Fu and the team is the development of functional biomaterials from abundant resources available in Malaysia, namely paddy and biomasses.

 

His current research interest focuses on several aspects including:

• Development of biomaterials for buccal and topical/transdermal drug delivery e.g. thin film, hydrogel, aerogel, sponge, nanoparticles, microneedles etc.

• Mitragynine drug delivery and formulation

• Cosmeceutical delivery of postbiotics

• Drug delivery and formulation for mitragynine (ketum/kratom)

• Tocotrienol dermal delivery and formulation

• Characterisation of pharmaceutical systems using thermal, chemical and imaging techniques

• Topical and transdermal drug delivery including rational formulation development

• Human skin biophysical profiling for cosmeceutical interests

• Utilisation and investigation of innovative tools for teaching and learning process in pharmacy education

 

Polysaccharide platform for drug delivery

Polysaccharide can be found in our daily food and the use of polysaccharide for drug delivery has received much attention worldwide. Malaysia is known for its abundant natural resources such as paddy, oil palm tree, cotton etc which are underutilised and have no or low commercial value. We are using these gifted ingredients as our major source of polysaccharide for developing different formulations and dosage forms. There are two major forms of polysaccharide used for our work: starch and cellulose. Recently, we have developed rice starch thin films to deliver paracetamol for buccal delivery. We are using rice starch and cellulose for nanoparticle generation as a nanocomposite and microneedle patches to be used in cutaneous drug delivery. 

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Biomass-based cellulosic hydrogels

In continuation of our passion for developing biomaterials, biomasses are given higher value in our work via the creation of cellulosic hydrogels. Biomasses are usually waste from industry and are used for energy generation through combustion. We are using biomass as our cellulose source for the formation of hydrogels. Hydrogels have the ability to imbibe water or a solution. This platform has the potential to be used to deliver drugs to the skin owing to its enormous drug reservoir.

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Transdermal delivery of mitragynine 

Mitragynine is the main alkaloid from Ketum which has pharmacological effects like morphine-like drugs. This alkaloid has not been studied for proper drug delivery design and formulation. Our group pioneers in delivery the compound to the skin and designing formulation to enable its delivery through the skin.

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Cosmeceutical delivery with fermented products (postbiotics)

Fermented products are enriched with bioactive compounds such as lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacin etc. The extracts are beneficial for our skin in improving the skin biophysical properties. We are incorporating the extracts into our own formulations and improve the delivery while investigating the in vivo benefits of these fermented products.

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Pharmacy education

Teaching is always my passion in my life! My first year of joining the university has exposed me to different excellent approaches to deliver my class. Flipped classroom is one of the most popular blended learning strategies where students watch video lecture prior to class for a discussion or tutorial. This also stimulates my interest in pursuing research in investigating the use of this approach in pharmacy education. I have previously explored different interactive activities to conduct my class in a fun way including Pokemon expedition, baking etc. My work has brought me several awards in national and international elearning carnival and symposium. Recently, my investigation on the use of flipped classroom was published in Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning! I'm motivated to explore further on different innovative tools or approaches to bring my students the world-class of teaching environment!