The research teams led by Assoc Prof WU Jie and Asst Prof ZHU Ye, both from the Department of Chemistry, are collaborating with Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte Ltd to drive and deliver innovative solutions in pharmaceutical research and development. Assoc Prof Wu is studying light-promoted chemical synthesis using advanced engineered flow reactors for green and sustainable fluorination and fluoroalkylation of pharmaceutical molecules. Separately, Asst Prof Zhu is developing cost-effective chemical transformations using sustainable catalysts and environmentally friendly raw materials to produce pharmaceutical compounds.

The research group led by Assoc Prof HUANG Dejian, Department of Food Science and Technology, is partnering AgriGADA Biotech Pte Ltd to identify the active compounds responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of a type of edible mushroom used as a folk remedy in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. This research would help to develop higher quality healthcare products, backed by sound scientific support.

The proton beam research group led by Assoc Prof Jeroen van KAN, Department of Physics, is working with the Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development to develop a new imaging technique. The aim of this technique is to detect details in life cells at the nanoscale, based on focused proton beams. The unique characteristics of fast proton beams make it a potential candidate for high resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging of life cells and living organisms at the nanoscale.

The data science research team led by Assoc Prof CHEN Ying, Department of Mathematics, is collaborating with DSO National Laboratories to refine mathematical models used to monitor body core temperature and prevent heat injuries in our soldiers. The body core temperature is a key parameter that correlates with heat strain experienced by a person while exercising. The research will enhance the estimation of the body core temperature using real-time sensor measurements to predict the risk of heat injury.

The food processing research team led by Prof ZHOU Weibiao, Department of Food Science and Technology, is partnering with a multinational food company to explore the use of visible light emitting diodes (LEDs) in preventing mould spoilage of their bakery product. Wavelength-specific illumination has been shown to excite light-sensitive compounds to generate reactive oxygen species within mould cells. This inactivates the mould and thereby improves the shelf life of the bakery product.

The avian evolution research group led by Assoc Prof Frank RHEINDT, Department of Biological Sciences, is collaborating with Wildlife Reserves Singapore on an avian blood parasites project using next-generation-sequencing (NGS) methods. This includes screening a wide range of bird species to understand the diversity, prevalence and network of interactions between blood parasites and their avian hosts, particularly in Singapore, where many migratory flyways intersect. The research group also aims to understand often overlooked associations of blood parasites with their vectors. In addition, they are developing techniques to enrich blood parasite deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from wild birds’ blood for genomic sequencing. This will help in understanding source-sink population dynamics, evolutionary history and trajectories of these blood parasites.