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Singapore-based researchers have discovered a possible solution to impede the evolution of bacteria into superbugs that are resistant to drugs and therefore harder to kill. Building on a decade’s work on antimicrobial technologies, the multidisciplinary team from Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and NanoBio Lab (NBL) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) engineered new imidazolium molecules with pH-sensitive linkers that can eliminate bacteria effectively and prevent them from developing drug resistance.
Co-led by Dr. Zhang and Prof. Ying, the researchers are currently focused on advancing their technology towards commercialization as a novel antimicrobial agent or additive. This work is a collaboration between A*STAR’s IBN and NBL, leveraging their mutual expertise in nanotechnology and biomaterials.
Superbugs that are resistant to drugs and harder to kill pose serious global threat
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major global public health threat, and is predicted to cause an additional 10 million deaths each year by 2050. The cost of treating antibiotic-resistant infections is estimated to range between USD 150 million and USD 30 billion annually due to longer hospitalization and higher morbidity. The increasing number of reported bacterial infections caused by superbugs in recent years is a worrying trend that underscores the urgent need to find a way to prevent bacteria from developing antibiotic resistance.
“We want to offer a green and safe solution for the prevention and treatment of infections. Since we discovered the excellent bacteria-killing properties of poly-imidazoliums, we have been modifying this naturally occurring imidazolium compound to optimize its antimicrobial capability.
We are delighted that our new materials can kill a wide range of bacteria and prevent them from developing drug resistance” Dr. Yugen Zhang, Group Leader at A*STAR’s IBN said.
A safer, more eco-friendly solution which minimises antibiotic resistance development
A major culprit in the rise of superbugs is the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. The antibiotic compounds persist in the environment and create evolutionary pressure for bacteria populations to develop resistance against them. To tackle this problem, the researchers developed novel antimicrobial agents that do not leave active residues after treatment. The new imidazolium molecules with degradable linkers self-destruct under natural conditions, leaving behind less effective residue that minimizes the risk of secondary contamination and antibiotic resistance development.
Said Prof. Jackie Y. Ying, A*STAR Senior Fellow and head of NBL, “Our new materials can be used for topical wound treatment as they accelerate bacteria clearance and wound healing when applied on the skin. They can also be used in agriculture and aquaculture to provide eco-friendly and non-toxic solutions for these industries, and produce safer antibiotic-free food.”
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The Land Transport Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 was unveiled by Minister of Transport S Iswaran. Developed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in close collaboration with industry and union partners, the updated Land Transport ITM aims to create a sustainable and resilient land transport sector, a workforce that is future-ready, and a thriving ecosystem.
The Land Transport ITM 2025 will assist the industry in overcoming the immediate challenges of labour shortages and decarbonisation. It aims to accomplish three strategic outcomes, including A Future-Ready Workforce, A Sustainable and Resilient Land Transport Sector, and A Reliable and Cost-Effective Transport System through Innovation and Technology.
“Talent development and skills upgrading for workers remain key to the land transport sector’s transformation and resilience,” says Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Co-Chair of the Future Economy Council (FEC) Connectivity Cluster. The LTA is collaborating with public transportation operators and unions to prepare workers for new challenges, ensuring that the workforce remains productive and future-ready.
The land transport industry, a critical pillar in enabling connectivity that supports the economy, can only do so thanks to the efforts of its employees. With over 100,000 employees, the workers perform a variety of roles such as bus captains, bus mechanics, customer service officers, railway engineers, station managers, and point-to-point (P2P) drivers.
The nature of work will also change as technology and digitalisation advance. As a result, under the revised ITM, the LTA will collaborate with the National Transport Workers Union (NTWU) and public transportation operators to train rail workers to use new and emerging technologies such as data and statistical analytics, as well as condition monitoring, to increase efficiency and productivity.
Since 2020, the Rail Manpower Development Incentive has helped over 2,900 workers improve their skills. Faults, for example, can be detected and physical checks reduced using video monitoring and image analysis.
Additionally, they are gradually enhancing the skills of their bus captains and technicians to operate electric buses. To create appropriate training programmes on cleaner energy buses for the bus workforce, the Singapore Bus Academy (SGBA) has been collaborating with pertinent stakeholders, including bus suppliers, Institutes of Higher Learning, NTWU, and bus operators.
To prepare the workforce to support Singapore’s push for vehicle electrification, LTA will also keep up its close collaboration with partners in the private transportation sector, such as tertiary institutions. Also, LTA will keep urging commuters to use public transportation or active transportation options under Walk Cycle Ride. By enhancing the infrastructure for EV charging and fortifying the EV regulatory framework, LTA is also encouraging greater adoption of EVs.
To increase the effectiveness of the land transportation system, industry and academic partners will use an open innovation strategy to draw on outside ideas. This includes decentralising data and working with others to develop creative solutions that will improve operational procedures and promote environmental sustainability.
To simplify outreach to industry partners, the LTA introduced the Land Transport Innovation Portal in September 2022 as a one-stop shop for all innovation-related issues. To assist partners in better understanding LTA’s requirements and identifying opportunities for co-innovation and collaboration, the portal disseminates operational problem statements from LTA as well as details on upcoming innovation events.
Additionally, it points potential innovators to the LTA DataMall’s data resources, which include over 130 static and dynamic datasets as well as a newly expanded catalogue of “On-Request Datasets” in an effort to spur more original ideas that can meet the needs of the land transportation industry.
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President Jokowi stressed the need for constant innovation for ministries, agencies and regional governments to speed up services. Rising public expectations will be challenging to achieve without creative problem-solving.
Abdullah Azwar Anas, Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) said that new ideas are essential to enhancing the standard of government services. However, Anas emphasised that creating a new application for every breakthrough is unnecessary. Since there are presently over 27,000 applications for various public services from several government organisations, they have already been developed.
“It’s encouraging to see the government adopting new approaches to delivering services to make life easier for its constituents. But a new app development effort is not mandatory. No longer is there a ‘one invention, one use’,” he said when inaugurating the 2023 Public Service Innovation Competition (KIPP) Launch.
According to Anas, innovation should simplify people’s lives, not make them more difficult. Minister Anas has stated that integration and interoperability are essential in the future. Both are following the plans of the SPBE Electronic-Based Government System, as directed by President Joko Widodo. Single sign-on at digital public service malls (MPP) is a step towards simplifying all kinds of processes.
“In other words, gone are the days when locals seeking service A first downloaded app A, then manually created account A by entering extensive personal information. Accessing Service B requires using Application B; if you don’t already have a Service B account, you must make one and enter your information again. As well as the others. The populace is in disarray with thousands of service applications today,” he noted.
Furthermore, the government has carried out a digital transformation of public services using artificial intelligence to give convenient services to the community (AI). Diah Natalisa, Deputy for Public Services at the Ministry of Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB), has emphasised the importance of digital services and how they improve the efficiency and accessibility of government programmes.
Diah explained that the Indonesian National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2020-2045 has already been formed. It identifies five priority sectors with promising prospects for AI’s advancement, application, and exploitation. Artificial intelligence innovations are first used in the healthcare industry to improve response times, increase patient numbers served, and lower overall healthcare costs.
Patients can allegedly access medical care via telemedicine without physically going to a clinic or doctor’s office. In addition, there are various ways to employ AI in the realm of bureaucratic reform, such as creating ChatBots that can provide 24-hour, two-way dialogue with the general public.
Meanwhile, Diah argued that the potential for the future growth of artificial intelligence would lead to precision learning in education. Learners’ routine actions are considered with their mental and emotional faculties and physical abilities.
Then, artificial intelligence can be applied to satellite photos in food security to determine which locations have access to electricity and which do not. It’s been theorised that this hypothetical can also be used to catalogue the crops cultivated in a particular region and forecast the yield of each crop.
AI will also help the future of transportation and intelligent urban planning. Diah presented the example of using AI for smart traffic management solutions to guarantee locals’ safe and efficient movement from one place to another.
The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform is developing the Public Service Portal. The portal system’s AI will be optimised to predict and fulfil each user’s needs based on their unique traits.
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A significant partnership between a leading Victorian university and a top global hospital is poised to elevate MedTech breakthroughs and contribute to the enhancement of healthcare. The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Monash University and Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel. The MoU aims to foster research and development of more inclusive healthcare systems and MedTech manufacturing prospects in Victoria.
The Australian government will provide approximately AU$ 200,000 to Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute in support of the MoU. The funding will facilitate access to cutting-edge technology, accelerate the adoption of new treatments for cardiovascular diseases, and help combat one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
The largest university in Australia, Monash University earned the title of the world’s best in Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 2022, becoming the first Australian institution to achieve this distinction. Meanwhile, Sheba Medical Centre acknowledged as one of the top hospitals globally has gained expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), robotic surgery, digital imaging and telemedicine. These capabilities were established through its in-house innovation hub.
This partnership is anticipated to improve the delivery of healthcare in Victoria and create opportunities for local companies to generate employment in MedTech research, manufacturing, and export.
Australia has extended support to various significant MedTech initiatives, including the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre (AU$20 million), mRNA Victoria, and MedTech startups through LaunchVic and the Breakthrough Victoria Fund. Victoria’s MedTech sector contributes AU$ 21.4 billion in revenue, AU$ 3.5 billion in exports and sustains around 31,400 jobs.
The Minister for Industry and Innovation expressed his approval of the partnership between Monash University and Sheba Medical Center, citing its potential to attract more investment to Victoria’s MedTech sector and enhance healthcare for Victorians.
The Minister for Health remarked that partnering with a global leader in digital health innovation such as Sheba Medical Center presents an excellent opportunity for Victoria.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Monash University highlighted the institution’s history of translating research into practical applications, underscoring that the partnership is another step towards improving health outcomes through the integration of research and translation.
The Director-General of Sheba Medical Centre stated that that the partnership aims to advance healthcare and promote economic growth while shifting the future of medicine towards prevention.
The Medical Technology market is expected to generate revenue of approximately US$579.40 billion by 2023. The largest segment of the market is Medical Devices, which is projected to reach a market volume of US$470.60 billion in 2023. Despite a regression in revenues in 2020 due to decreased routine medical treatments apart from COVID-19 treatments, the market has bounced back strongly in 2021. The market is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate of 4.91% between 2023-2027, resulting in a market volume of US$701.90 billion by 2027.
The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment by healthcare agencies are among the factors driving growth in the medical technology market. The Medical Technology market is essential to the healthcare sector, with a focus on diagnosing and treating health problems, conducting genetic research and improving physical mobility. Its multifunctional usage and health improvement attributes make it a key player in the industry with steady growth.
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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has launched a new initiative to boost its innovation capabilities and accelerate research commercialisation to support Singapore’s drive toward an economy based on innovation and knowledge.
The University will ramp up its educational programmes to nurture entrepreneurs and create a more conducive environment for mentoring and supporting students, faculty, and alumni looking to turn their ideas into market-ready products through its NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NTU I&E) initiative.
“Our vision is to create a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem covering the entire spectrum of activity, from cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset through holistic education and experiential learning to starting a business,” says Professor Louis Phee, Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Dean of the College of Engineering.
Prof Louis, who leads the NTU I&E initiative, stated that they aspire to be a fertile breeding ground where innovative ideas, supported by a solid foundation in education and research, blossom into successful commercial entities that ultimately benefit Singapore’s economy. With digitalisation and sustainability at the forefront of new industries, NTU believes that the skills and knowledge students require to be successful are also evolving rapidly.
The North and South Spines of the University’s main campus will house the new NTU Innovation Port, a physical and digital one-stop shop for all things innovation-related. The centre will provide a forum for the NTU community and external partners to discuss start-up and innovation concepts, as well as assist industry partners seeking to collaborate or license technologies.
NTU I&E consists of both the revamped NTU Entrepreneurship Academy (NTUpreneur) and the University’s existing innovation and enterprise company NTUitive, which focuses on commercialising innovations and incubating start-ups.
The I&E initiative is part of the NTU 2025 Strategic Plan, an ambitious road map announced in 2021 that guides NTU toward becoming a global university founded on science and technology and that cultivates leaders capable of making a positive societal impact through interdisciplinary education and research.
The Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme is one of NTU’s most successful entrepreneurship plans. More than 320 students participated in the programme, travelling to the United States, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia to work with start-ups and accelerators. After graduating, 45 of these students have been inspired to start their own businesses or join a start-up.
The NTU I&E initiative aims to build on these achievements. Students from all disciplines will benefit from improved and easier access to mentorship, entrepreneurship modules and courses, and more internships through NTUpreneur.
Students will participate in experiential learning programmes such as innovation challenges, training boot camps, and workshops as part of their journey of exploration and discovery. In addition, the Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme will be expanded to include more countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sweden, and Finland. The number of available placements will also be increased.
Recently, over 40 NTU innovations and start-ups were showcased at the exhibition area of the I&E launch event to inspire students and faculty. Deep tech software powered by blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to robotics, food technology, and health and biomedical devices were among them.
NTU’s I&E efforts align with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 Plan and will contribute to the city-upcoming state’s Jurong Innovation District. Many of NTU’s start-ups and spin-offs are currently housed at the NTU Innovation Centre on the NTU Smart Campus and the nearby CleanTech Park, putting them at the epicentre of Singapore’s Industry 4.0 transformation.
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Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga acknowledges that Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) digitalisation is an essential part of promoting Indonesia’s digital economy. The number of digitised MSMEs reached 20,997,131, an increase of 17% from the previous year. Data from 2022 shows that the total value of e-commerce transactions in Indonesia amounted to IDR 476.3 trillion, up 18.7% from the last year on a volume of 3.48 million.
He argued that strong cooperation between the federal government, regional governments, and the private sector was necessary to digitise MSMEs successfully. The commercial electronic industry from digitised MSME successfully pushed for a clear path forward.
It was reported that in 2022, the value of online sales grew by 26% from 2021, and the number of new online traders using digital platforms grew by 6% thanks to events like National Online Shopping Day (Harbolnas). The value of transactions involving locally produced goods was IDR 10 trillion, an increase of IDR 1.5 trillion, or 18%, over Harbolnas 2021, when the value of locally produced goods sold was IDR 8.5 trillion.
“Cashless payments are one of the concrete proofs of the implementation of digitalisation in the commerce sector in the market undertaken by the Ministry of Trade,” said Jerry in an Education Digitalisation of Markets, Stalls, and MSMEs discussion in Malang City, East Java.
Therefore, the Ministry of Trade supports collaboration in developing an e-commerce ecosystem. Given the enormous development potential of the digital economy, the ministry has prepared four pillars with various stakeholders.
The first pillar is that MSMEs are adaptable, creative, and motivated to grow. To increase the value of goods and supply chain efficiency and distribution to consumers, marketplaces (marketplaces) work in synergy with MSMEs through a series of capacity building, prioritising goods aggregation activities like repackaging, management assistance, and other similar endeavours.
The third pillar, contemporary retail’s function, connects MSMEs with potential business partners. In today’s modern retail environment, MSMEs can get the local products they need. Financial institutions provide the People’s Business Credit (KUR) plan as part of the fourth pillar.
To foster an environment conducive to the development of new MSMEs, the Ministry of Trade will continue to boost the contribution of trade through the electronic system by providing regulatory assistance and guidance for business.
“Collaboration, teamwork, and digital adaption are essential to overcome the current difficulties in international trade. We believe that by working together, we can advance the digital ecosystem in Indonesia, which will benefit the economy and people at all levels of society,” Jerry says.
Jerry confirmed that they are expanding the potential for creative and digital products. For example, at the Malang Creative Center, the government has a programme to aid in developing novel products. This year, the industry emphasises developing handcrafted goods like clothing, movies, comics, and games and services for consumers to use in stores.
He explained that these items were chosen because they met a need in the market for handmade items inspired by popular culture among today’s youth (specifically, animation, comics, and gaming, abbreviated “ACG”).
Intellectual property (IP) in the form of character or product patents is an export category in the ACG industry. As an illustration, consider the prevalence of product marketing featuring Marvel or Disney characters. Intellectual property is vital to expanding the ACG industry’s export capabilities and ensuring the sector’s long-term financial viability. That’s because the impact of IP on other industries will be multiplied.
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My Health Record has powered the Australian Digital Health Agency’s initial consumer mobile application, known as “my health,” which was launched.
Due to a 292% rise in consumer interest in My Health Record during the previous financial year, the my health app provides Australians with a more convenient way to access crucial health information stored in My Health Record, securely and instantly from their mobile devices.
The app is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and access important health information quickly and easily. The app provides direct visibility of key health information, such as allergies, medications, medical conditions, and test results, which are readily available whenever and wherever they are needed.
Users can take greater control of their health journey and be more involved in their everyday health management. By having access to their health information at their fingertips, users can monitor their health more closely, make informed decisions, and communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals.
The app is designed to be an easy-to-use digital health tool that promotes greater autonomy and participation in health management. Users can track their personal health goals, manage appointments, and set reminders for medications and tests. This feature helps users to stay on top of their health and adhere to treatment plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
From the home screen of the my health app, users can quickly:
- Access their medicines information history
- Check pathology results, including COVID-19 and respiratory test results
- View their vaccination history and upcoming immunisations for themselves and their authorised family members
- Keep track of their allergies and reactions information
- View their hospital discharge summaries
- Manage and keep track of their advance care planning documents
- Share their health documents with others
- View multiple health records, including records for children under 14 and any other records with authorised access.
The CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency stated that enabling consumers to play an active role in their healthcare by providing them with easy access to reliable health information from birth to end-of-life care through quality apps and devices is one of the defining characteristics of a modern healthcare system.
It has been learned from the surge in the use of My Health Record that approximately 75% of interactions between the system and users occurred on mobile devices. As a result, the app was developed using a co-design approach with a focus on user needs. This approach has ensured that the app caters to the needs of all Australians and will continue to evolve over time to meet the changing needs of users.
The app will continue to grow and improve, with users being empowered to take an active role in their healthcare journey. By prioritising user-centred design and development, it is expected that the app will foster trust and confidence among Australians, leading them to participate actively in their healthcare management.
The consumer-facing app enhances accessibility to health information, providing a simplified way for users to store, see, and share documents. With information at their fingertips, users can take an active role in their health management, facilitating greater engagement and support throughout their wellness journey.
Research has found that almost two-thirds of Australians regularly use their mobile phones to manage, access, and share their health information. The release of a consumer-facing app is a direct response to consumer demand for health information access when and where they need it, making it not only a logical technical development but also an essential advancement.
To ensure the app offers the most user-friendly and accessible experience, a range of measures were undertaken by The Agency. This includes conducting interviews, surveys, accessibility and usability testing with a diverse group of users, including medical professionals and consumers of different ages, locations, cultural backgrounds, and varying levels of health complexity.
Robust data protection mechanisms have been implemented to secure consumer health information within my health, protecting against external interference. The app is fully integrated with end-to-end encryption on the My Health Record platform, ensuring maximum security for users. A seamless connection between the platform and the app is achieved by leveraging the new Health API Gateway.
As soon as new health data is available on My Health Record, it is automatically downloaded onto the app’s interface, providing users with up-to-date information at all times.
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Singapore’s Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, highlighted the nation’s partnership approach to women’s development during her participation in the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Minister Sun emphasised the significance of women’s participation in innovation and technology for economic development and women’s advancement. She also acknowledged that there was genuine concern regarding the progress made by women over the years in terms of education, economic empowerment, and employment. Hence, the status of every country in society will be eroded if women are not involved in the innovation and technological change that is currently driving economies.
“I think we all know that healthcare, Medtech, biosciences and hybrid tech are the jobs of the future, and 90% of future jobs will require digital skills. It is not just about digital literacy; it is also about digital fluency,” says Minister Sun.
She stated that the global average of female tech professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is approximately 28%, and many countries who spoke at CSW emphasised how economic growth would not be sustainable if women were not involved in innovation and technology. Thus, many other countries, including Singapore, reaffirmed their commitment to increasing women’s participation in STEM and removing barriers that prevent women and girls from entering STEM.
Additionally, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning play an important role in nurturing young talents in STEM. To provide support for Infocomm technology and media-related studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, they have instituted the SG Digital Scholarship.
With this, Minister Sun reported an increase in the number of top female tech talent being awarded by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and enrolling in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and STEM-related programmes.
Singapore is also ranked fourth in the world and first in Asia in the 2022 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. The country aims to provide the best opportunities for women in all sectors, particularly in high-growth areas like technology that will allow businesses to remain competitive and economies to prosper.
Minister Sun added that Singapore’s efforts to attract and support female talent in technology through collaboration with the community, academia, and industry, as well as measures to combat online harms, including those directed at women and girls.
The government of Singapore is taking numerous precautions to ensure that women’s careers and advancement are unimpeded and that they are well supported in the workplace. Employers are required by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to evaluate employees and job applicants based on their merit and ability to perform the job.
The country is also rapidly embracing the digital age and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. With this, the Minister believed that they must proactively include data on women in the decision-making process and have women in leadership positions to ensure that women are represented in a variety of fields and that products and services truly cater to women.
She also encouraged the CSW participants regarding the significance of mindset shifts. In addition to legislation and policies, mindset shifts are necessary to eliminate gender biases and traditional expectations of men’s and women’s roles. “To shift the narrative from “what is” to “what can be,” a partnership across all of society is required.”
