Last week, the National University of Singapore (NUS)
announced
that it has joined hands with Asia’s leading agribusiness group Wilmar
International Limited (Wilmar) to establish a new joint research laboratory.
The new WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory seeks to conduct
cutting-edge clinical nutrition and synthetic biology research to create healthier
food products as well as to devise green production technologies for industrial
enzymes and biochemicals. The new joint lab was officially launched by Minister
for Finance and Chairman of the National Research Foundation Singapore
(NRF) Mr Heng Swee Keat.
“This win-win partnership combines NUS’ strong expertise in
biomedical sciences and translational medicine with Wilmar’s rich industry
experience and global networks to address two pressing real-world challenges –
lifestyle-related diseases and sustainable production of industrial chemicals.
We look forward to working closely with Wilmar to create and commercialise
scientific innovations to improve health outcomes as well as generate societal
and economic benefits for Singapore, Asia and beyond,” said NUS NUS President
Professor Tan Eng Chye.
Based at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
the S$110 million research facility is jointly set up by Wilmar, NUS and NRF.
This laboratory seeks to strengthen Singapore’s innovation system by conducting
industry-relevant research and development.
“The partnership between Wilmar and NUS is significant as it
builds on Singapore’s growing research expertise in synthetic biology, nutrition
and food science. The WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory leverages the deep
knowledge and strong capabilities in NUS, and will see researchers work with
industry to create products that have high value for health, nutrition and
industrial use. Companies are investing more in R&D to create new products
and businesses for growth. We will continue to support industry-academia
partnerships to translate cutting-edge technologies into health and economic
benefits for Singapore,” NRF Chief Executive Officer Professor Low Teck
Seng echoed.
The WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory is helmed by Associate
Professor Matthew Chang, Director of the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and
Technological Innovation programme, and Dr Rebecca Lian, Distinguished Fellow
at Wilmar.
Research activities at the 2,000 square metre laboratory
will focus on two key thrusts:
(1)
To address major public health issues through
the development of healthier foods and ingredients
According to the press release by the NUS, as food choices
and uptake are influenced by culture and ethnicity, Asian-centric studies are
essential to better manage and prevent such lifestyle-related diseases in
Singapore and the region.
As such, researchers at the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory
will study how different combinations of food can alter absorption and
metabolism in Asians, and ultimately prevent diseases or promote health and
well-being.
For example, researchers will formulate healthier cooking
oils that could reduce cholesterol levels in the elderly, and in turn lower the
risk of chronic diseases, increase muscle mass and improve taste perception. In
addition, they will develop food products such as ready-to-eat meals and
beverages that could control weight gain, blood glucose and lipids to help
individuals manage diabetes and obesity.
(2)
To design cost-effective and sustainable methods
of producing chemical compounds using natural sources.
Scientists at the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory will
capitalise on recent advances in the field of synthetic biology to engineer
microbes and enzymes to function as ‘bio-factories’ to produce biochemicals
from natural sources in a more sustainable and cost-effective way. These
biochemicals can then be used in industries such as food and nutrition,
flavours and fragrances, as well as therapeutics.
Over the next five years, the WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory is
expected to train more than 60 researchers and PhD students, who will play a
critical role in supporting the growth of the food and nutrition, as well as
synthetic biology-related industries in Singapore and Asia.
