Past Projects

PI: Prof Liu Chuan Fa

Team: Seetharamsing Balamkundu, Abbas EI Sahili, Yee Hwa Wong, Ramesh Neelakandan

Our near-term goal is the creation of a biotech start-up that strives to transform the promise of biotechnology into innovative cancer medicines. Our core

technology utilizes powerful protein ligases discovered in NTU that function as exquisite molecular gluing machines. This technology provides a highly  efficient and clean process for the biomanufacturing of homogeneous antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). ADCs are a type of immuno-therapeutics made of  tumour-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to which potent cytocidal payloads are attached through chemical linkers. Therefore, an ADC therapy  couples the tissue specificity of a mAb with the cancer-killing activity of the payload, reducing off-target toxicity to healthy tissues. However, traditional  methods for ADC manufacturing lead to random drug–mAb attachment and generate heterogeneous products with narrow therapeutic windows. Our  approach overcomes all limitations of current methods and provides a technology platform that enables the development of next-generation ADC therapies  with much improved efficacy and safety profiles. Site-specific labelling of peptides, proteins and antibodies for applications as reagents, diagnostic agents  and therapeutics.

PI: Dr Yong Wei Peng

Team: Gokula Krishnan Ramachandran, Deepak Babu, Upadhyayula Sai Srinivas, Praveen C. Peethala,  Sriman NCVK

Manuka honey, one of the world’s premium honey, is acclaimed for its health benefits. However, the production of manuka honey is expensive, involving  a long maturation time where the product is tested monthly, just to check for the increasing presence of a specific, sought after volatile organic  compound (VOC) before its release to market.

On-site portable, quick testing is not currently available and is such a significant pain point that multiple honey producers have already embarked on  steps for future collaborations to assess and then implement our solution.

Florisense is a platform technology that measures VOCs using a portable device with a novel sensor system. The producer can determine the quality of  each barrel at the source and quickly understand the maturation level of products. Florisense is a solution for the honey industry and other industries  where product value or safety relies on the presence (or absence) of specific VOCs.

PI: Prof Brian Kennedy

Team: Daniel Teh, Yeo Yan Zhuang, Carl Rognstad

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light to locally destroy drug-induced light sensitive tumours without systemic side effects. At DeepLight, we  sought to make PDT in cancer therapy a comfortable process based on our illuminating implant technology, activatable with high tissue penetrative  near-infrared. When implanted underneath the skin to target tumours from within, repeated surgical free and on-demand PDT for relapses becomes  a reality. Designed from biocompatible gel and coating, a DeepLight implant is gentle and comfortable even when implanted for a long-term period.  We reduce the need for repetitive interstitial PDT (inserting needle with fiber optic) to zero once implanted. Comfort and mobility of patients are  achieved from the gel-like flexibility characteristics of our implant. Our proof-of-concept has been published for long-term comfort wire-free PDT  treatment in animal brain tumour model with potential for immediate translation to companion pets veterinary oncotherapeutics trial.

PI: Assoc Prof Huang Dejian

Team: Yuan Wenqian,  Zhang Yunqiu, Song Zhixuan

Liloss is a natural vegetable extract that has fat-blocking properties. Our patent-pending  natural extract is obtained from a well-known daily vegetable, it was shown in laboratory (in  vitro) tests to block lipase enzyme activity and reduces dietary fat absorption by up to 27%.  We are currently working on toxicity assay and planning for clinical trials to facilitate further  product commercialization.

PI: Prof Teo Hock Hai

Team: Munirah Bashir, Zhong Jiayi, Ma Pengfei, Wang Chen

Routine screenings, particularly in hospitals, are manpower, time and resource intensive. We  developed ProSpeed to minimize the amount of resources required for screening, without  compromising the quality of care. ProSpeed aims to provide aid to clinicians and healthcare  staff who need quick and accurate screening results for further diagnosis. Behind ProSpeed’s  simple tablet app is a powerful AI algorithm and neural network which supports the doctors  each time.

PI: Dr Jason Pitt

Team: Akila Perera, Vinay Warrier, Sree Harsha Nanduri

The global precision medicine market is on the rise and the number of genetic testing companies is  increasing. However, when a patient’s tumor is subjected to sequencing, it results in a complex report.  Making treatment decisions based on these reports becomes complicated. In order to solve this  problem, we present Melvin, a conversational learning platform, that provides easy access to our  knowledge-base via a voice interface. The oncologist can ask domain specific questions by voice and get  both audio and visual responses. Melvin understands medical jargon, and uses an innovative state-  based navigation flow to render a smooth user experience. It builds a contextual understanding by  tracking each interaction and learns from conversation history to provide more accurate and relevant  information. Melvin will empower oncologists by providing them with relevant and up-to-date  information so that they can use their expertise to select the best treatment plan for their patients.

PI: Assoc Prof Leo Hwa Liang

Team: Hamed Keramati, Maryam Khajeh Afzali

We are developing a patient-specific 3D model that enables surgeons with realistic training of  complex aortic-centric surgeries to improve patient outcomes. When a cardiovascular surgery  team is planning an operation, they need to decide on the procedure, the devices they are going  to use, and they need to come up with a solution for possible complications during the operation.  If they have a chance of rehearsal with a patient-specific phantom, they can choose a suitable  device, discuss and plan the procedure with the team and finally carry out the actual operation  with less risk. As every patient has different anatomy, it is impossible to train the surgeons for  every scenario and that is why our solution can be extremely beneficial.

Principal Investigator: Prof Subramanian S. Venkatraman
Team Members: Chaw Su Yin, Zhao Yida, Dr Annanya Shetty

Globally, 200 million patients suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in which narrowed arteries restrict blood supply to the limbs and lead to amputations if left untreated. The current intervention involves reopening the blocked vessel followed by a Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB), which reduces inflammation to prevent re-narrowing. However, the low drug transfer rate with DCBs results in 60% of patients undergoing re-interventions every 3 years, coupled with the risk of drug-flaking related complications.
Nanolimus is a novel nanocarrier which enables sustained release of Sirolimus that: i) achieves long-term control of inflammation and reduces the surgical re-intervention rate by half; ii) addresses long-term toxicity issues with Paclitaxel, the current drug used in DCBs, and iii) can be used with an injection system for localised drug delivery with minimum drug loss. Nanolimus will positively impact PAD treatment by reducing the frequency of re-interventions and lowering the safety risks and cost burden.

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof Dawe Gavin Stewart
Team Members: Dr Heng Hui Li, Dr Jasinda Lee Hanqing

According to the Global Organisation for Stress, 75% of adults experience moderate to high level stress and 48% say stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life. Without proper management, stress can exert a stunningly toxic toll on the body, brain, mind and soul, leading to depression, anxiety, meltdowns and panic attacks.
Our research has identified a natural active ingredient from milk with anti-anxiety and anti-depressant like properties. This active ingredient has been scientifically proven to have various beneficial effects on brain function, such as improving focus, alertness, mood, learning and memory. It helps better management of stress-induced cognitive deficit problems.
We are looking to commercialise Good Moood as a novel brain health supplement for consumers to better face and overcome day-to day challenges! Good Moood can be packaged into capsule or as powder, and can be used to complement a wide range of food and beverages such as milk and yoghurt.

Principal Investigator: Dr Mark Chong
Team Members: Alex Goh, Khong Wai Kit

RelievIO is developing a proprietary technology that is able to provide a rapid, comfortable way to decompress small bowel intestinal obstruction (SBIO) to reduce hospital stays and to rapidly select patients for adhesiolysis (a complex and difficult surgery).
Our technology consists of an integrated system that can automate suction and insufflation through our novel customised enteric tube. The combination of the integrated system and the novel tube generate what is termed as a “positive displacement technique” ensuring safe and efficient decompression of the bowel.
We envisioned that our technology will be able to reduce length of stay by 50% for the treatment of SBIO and this will help reduce the healthcare burden and improve patient comfort.

Principal Investigator: Asst Prof Michinao Hashimoto
Team Members: Dr Atsushi Takano, Lee Cheng Pau, Tong Thi Kim Thu

The perfusable knit (PK) is a knitted platform that can store, transfer, and release liquid materials contained inside. The liquid materials are in a part of the knitted structures, and thus enable us to carry, use and release them in and with textiles. Our technology allows fabricating meter-scale perfusable textiles using structural yarn (e.g. acrylic) in combination with elastomeric tube using industrial knitting machines.
One of the possible use case of PK is the development of a flexible temperature control module. For example, the quality control of pharmaceuticals requires strict temperature control for thermosensitive drugs during transportation. PK enables developing miniaturised temperature-control sleeves and offers a solution to this problem.

Principal Investigator: Prof Guo Yong Xin
Team Members: Dr Guo Yingkai, Dr Shweta Pradip Jadhav, Qiu Kunpeng, Zhang Yongxin, Zhang Yuyan

We developed a smart, efficient and easy-to-use diagnosis decision system based on AI deep learning technology for capsule endoscopy in response to increasing demand for capsule endoscopic image diagnosis in the world.
Through deep learning technology and internet accessibility, hospitals and medical institutions in Singapore can now provide a sharable, large-scale, cross-regional professional medical service for the world.
For the doctor(End-User), it significantly reduces the time of reading images, reduces the probability of misdiagnosis, and improves the level of diagnosis and treatment. For the patient(Beneficiary), it effectively reduces the time of treatment and enjoy high-level medical care in high level hospitals or medical institution in Singapore. Finally, for the Hospital(Customer), it will enhance Singapore’s hospital service capabilities and tools for high-level Singapore medical institutions to export medical services.

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof Lanry Yung Lin-Yue
Team Members: Dr Ang Yan Shan, Dr Norman Teo Zhi Wei, Dr Wu Shuang

BioDetectIF aims to accelerate drug discovery via our proximity assay which enables the direct measurement of drug-target interactions in translatable systems. Drug discovery is a time consuming (> 10 years) and expensive (billions of dollars) process. Yet on average, only one in every 5,000 compounds selected for pre-clinical development is successfully developed as an approved drug. This figure can be improved if the compound selection decisions were supported by sound proof-of-mechanism evidence. Here, we offer a no-wash solution-phase assay which provides reliable and direct insight into drug-target binding within 30 minutes even for in vivo models. Compared to the existing protein melting method and cell-based assay, our assay is cost-effective, rapid and much simpler without the need for complicated vector design or controlled sample heating. Furthermore, it can be easily integrated into existing automation workflow based on microplate reader and high content screening systems.

Principal Investigator: Asst Prof Terry Steele
Team Members: Dr Ivan Djordjevic, Karen Harazimova, Prakhar Prakash

CaproGlu is an adhesive, hypoallergenic aesthetic ‘film forming polymer’ for next generation cosmetic solutions. CaproGlu is a liquid, oil-like substance that turns into an elastic biodegradable film after exposure to sunlight. An elastic film adheres to tissues by formation of interfacial chemical bonds. This feature makes CaproGlu an ideal component in cosmetic products, such as: waterproof sunscreens, perfumes, hair treatment formulations, make up, nail polish, etc. The cosmetics market growth is driven by innovation and consumers demand for quality-of-life enhancing products. CaproGlu’s innovative technology offers value-added future cosmetics with scientific advantages to the prestige brands. An additional advantage is that CaproGlu provides longer lasting cosmetics with compatible price and minimal risk of allergies or skin irritation.

Principal Investigator: Asst Prof Shao Huilin
Team Members: Dr Nicholas Ho, Ram Gottipati

EnVision is a nucleic acid-based rapid disease diagnostic kit that offers easy-to-interpret colour readouts within an hour. The test kit was developed for point of care testing, hence it utilizes unique chemistry that allows for equipment-free operation at room temperature. Its versatile chemistry can be easily and rapidly redesigned to detect nucleic acid biomarkers of diseases, and it achieved comparable performance as the gold standard clinical assay in identifying different HPV subtypes in a pilot study with patient samples. We are looking into using this technology for time-critical diagnoses in the hospital and decentralized clinic setting, such as sepsis, antimicrobial identification, and drug resistance testing.

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof Sierin Lim
Team Members: Dr Mridul Sarker, Maanasa G, Nikhil Rungta

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and it also forms the basis of various transdermal applications. Despite its importance and functionality, transdermal delivery of active foreign molecules or drugs remains a challenge for manufacturers of personal care and therapeutic industries because current delivery technologies are limited in terms of skin permeability and cell-specific delivery. Thus, there is a growing need to solve these problems and help products reach their true efficacy.
Nature-derived protein nanocage has been identified as a nano-structured delivery vehicle that aids the delivery of active ingredients through the skin. The protein nanocage is capable of encapsulating the active ingredient of a given product and enhancing its targeting and penetration capabilities.
Team Protein Nanocage aims to solve the bane of skin-centric industries with this revolutionary technology and expand the scope of this novel delivery vehicle to other applications.

Principal Investigator: Prof Lim Chwee Teck
Team Members: Yu Longteng, Oh Chinlock, Mart Vos, Zhao Shichen

We develop ultrathin elastomeric microtubes and design microtubular sensors for a wide range of applications including robotics, consumer electronics, internet of things (IoT), disease sensing and rehabilitation monitoring. With multiple patents filed, our ultrathin, highly stretchable, flexible, weavable and washable microtubular sensors have great potential for next-generation devices for robotics, consumer electronics, IoT and precision health. Here in Lean LaunchPad, we explore the business of using the microtubular sensor to achieve continuous pressure monitoring during compression therapy for venous ulcer, etc. We believe our technology can improve the efficacy of current compression therapy, shorten the healing process, facilitate the training process of specialized nurses and therefore reduce the cost of both patients and hospitals.

Principal Investigator:  Asst Prof Feng Lei
Team Members: Irwin Kee Mun Cheah, Jenn Ye, Huang Ming Chien, Gunnar Poplawski

Forgotten where you left your keys? Struggling to remember the name of that person you just met? Sadly, this problem faced by many adults only gets worse with age, with not only decline in memory but mental acuity. Presenting NeuroShield, a specialized brain health supplement with scientifically proven effects on memory performance and cognitive health. Developed with laboratory and clinical evidence by our team neuroscientists at the National University of Singapore, the unique and natural ingredients have been shown to be safe (with ‘GRAS’ status) and effective in preserving memory and cognitive functions.

Principal Investigator: Peter Peng
Team Members: Alex Chow, Boon Yu Pei, Foo Hui Shi, Liu Yaning, Joseph Phang

Eden’s goal is to develop custom impression trays to help the aged population with needs for accurate fitting dentures. A secondary benefit is they will be low cost while maintaining a high quality standard. As opposed to the conventional practice of using standard trays, a custom tray option is specific to the impression. Similar to fingerprints or DNA, every person’s dental profile is different. The custom tray will accurately fit the dental arch profile of the person, ensuring accurate fit and little to no discomfort.

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof Stephen C. Y. Hsu
Team Members: Naohiro Tamura, Ricky Ziming Guo

EnaSmile provides personalised and effective tooth decay prevention through the use of lasers. This technology is based on Prof. Stephen Hsu’s research findings on dental laser applications.
Tooth decay is a globally prevalent dental condition affecting the vast majority of the human population, leading to financial burden and compromised quality of life for individuals. While existing preventive dental care solutions have plateaued in efficacy, EnaSmile brings new ‘light’ to tooth decay prevention through an unconventional laser-assisted strategy that greatly reduces chances of cavity development by making the tooth surface more resistant to acids.

Principal Investigator: Prof Liu Xiaogang
Team Members: Gaelle Cohen, Chen Qiushui

Nano Ray provides the next generation of X-ray detectors that offer superior imaging performance, safer operations, and portable applications. Such detectors are applicable to the $33 billion medical, security and industrial X-ray imaging market. The backbone of Nano Ray’s technology lies in its development of a nanocrystal scintillator (published in Nature Letters, 2018) through a low temperature and low cost process. When Nano Ray’s scintillators are integrated with detectors, X-ray dose can be lowered by 70% for the same image quality due to the enhanced limited X-ray conversion quantum yield thus affording safer operating environments. Dynamic imaging is also improved because of the faster response to x-rays (reduced from 1000ns to 45ns).

Principal Investigator: Dr. Andi Sudjana Putra
Team Members: Choy Wei Jie, Muhammad Hudzaifah Bin Sulaiman, Benedict Abraham, Wesley Teoh Wei Wen

Kinito aims to provide a modular and adaptable power assist device for manual wheelchairs to support caregivers and allow wheelchair users to achieve independence in mobility. Kinito’s vision is for people to not view wheelchairs as a stigma, but as a choice to empower one’s lifestyle. Through a plug-and-play concept, Kinito’s power add-on allows reduction of downtime in maintenance as users can simply swap out the old unit for the new one if it’s not working. Users are given the choice to select their comfortable manual wheelchairs and use Kinito’s add-on for the extra boost in mobility.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ivan Low Cherh Chiet
Team Members: Tan Chee Chong Shawn, Anusha Bangur, Tanya Kumbhat

TeMoS aims to enhance personnel safety in high risk work environments. Our in-ear earpiece set functions to non-invasively monitor each individual’s objective physiological parameters. These include core temperature, heart rate and, in turn, physiological strain. As compared to existing heat strain risk management strategies, our approach allows for greater efficiency and accuracy during real-time assessment of heat strain. The continuous monitoring of core temperature allows heat-exposed personnel to be withdrawn from high-risk activities before a critical core temperature is reached (~40°C). Furthermore, the device is administered non-invasively, with little discomfort and no impediment to work performance.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Lee Tswen Wen
Team Members: Ivan Goh, Sean Chua Shunjie, M.D., Dayan Garmaev-Randalon

The Naviscope is a novel device that provides endoscopists a real-time 3D visualisation of the scope inside the human body. The Naviscope is designed to be used with all brands of scopes and provides a real-time 3D visualisation of the scope during the procedures. This allows endoscopists to take the right actions to resolve the loops quickly, which results in improved patient comfort and shorter procedure times.

Principal Investigator: Cheong Chun Wai, Manik Gujral
Team Members: Kew Kok Wen, Tan Sin Hui, Peng Han

In young children, motor skills developmental is a critical but laborious process which requires time, close supervision and patience. Ambidexter is a portable training device that makes motor skills development simple and fun for young children. In current intervention practice, the device provides occupational therapists and/or parents a superior tool with data-analytics to train
and track a child’s progress enabling timely and effective intervention.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Neo Hong Jye
Team member: Roy Koo, Mohamed Muhaimin

Under the Sea is an initiative to ease pre-operative anxiety in children by using virtual reality technology to immerse and distract the patient. We are currently working towards creating a fully featured product and commercializing it globally to help children, parents and doctors have a better preoperative experience. Coming for surgery and medical procedures no longer has to be a scary and traumatic experience for our little friends and their families.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Li Chunxiang
Team Member: Lew Woon Cheun, Xiao Shijing, Adam Tan, Justin Arvin Amit

Micro-encapsulation is a technology that is able to mask unfavourable taste or odor, prolong ingredient shelf-life, enhance flavour and quality, and provide ingredient stability through controlled release of active ingredients. The use of this technology can be extended to flavour, drug delivery, fragrance and cosmetic applications. Through our technology, it can provide F&B and ingredient manufacturers a cutting edge tool to drive new product sales.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sun Ling Ling
Team Member: Willie Ng, Dr. Fu Yi, Dr. Christian Gert Bluchel

The Bacterial Infection Diagnosis (BID) is a patented point of care diagnostic system jointly developed by TP, A*Star and TanTockSeng Hospital. All features are incorporated within a small footprint to provide a user-friendly and sensitive tool for real-time quantification of procalcitonin in whole blood. At a cost of S$10, the test is cheaper than existing procalcitonin tests conducted in central laboratories using bulky equipment.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Tan Ee Lim, Dr. Kenath Priyanka Prasad
Team Member: Sharon Goh , Richard Li, M.D.

Current airway clearance techniques that help in mucus mobilization such as percussion and PEP devices are physically intensive, labour-intensive, time-consuming and highly intrusive into the patient’s daily lives. WIND is a device capable of providing constant quality therapy in a manner that is integrative into the patient’s life with shortened therapy time. The device promotes airway clearance by generating intrapulmonary percussive oscillations and is controlled using a smartphone.

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof. Dieter Trau
Team Members: Li Shihao, Larry Loo, Alicia Tan, Saurabh Bhandari, Goh Ying Siu

Neonatal jaundice is a prevalent disease worldwide, occurs in as many as 60% of term and 80% of preterm newborns within the first week of life. Thus, we are developing BiliOptics as a non-invasive bilirubin measurement device, which is suitable to be used during and after phototherapy to reduce the blood draw from newborns. Meanwhile, it provides timely and accurate results to assist medical practitioners in decision making and avoids skin pigmentation issue by measuring bilirubin level from sclera, which will be white regardless of race.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Tang Kok Zuea
Team Members: Wang Jianan, Li Zhong Tang

Surgical Tools Checker (STC) is a system that utilises advanced imaging technology to mimic how human operators check and count surgical tools. Unlike the conventional manual process, STC can inspect an unlimited number of tools rapidly and examine their minute details with great accuracy. STC is able to inspect tools with 100% accuracy. STC is the future for safe, rapid, productive and cost effective management of surgical tools.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Hanry Yu
Team Members: Ng Chan Way, Ng Inn Chuan, Yu Yang, Huang Xiaozhong, Song Ziwei

We provide animal/human liver cells to pharmaceuticals, research institutes, and CROs that need liver cells for drug testing. This is a one-stop solution for cell supply, which guarantees high quality and cost effective fresh liver cells. In B2C, we isolate and deliver primary liver cells directly to researchers to obtain reliable and reproducible experimental data. In B2B, we provide cells to CROs/research institutes to achieve scientific progression in toxicology, and to establish scalable drug screening models.

Principal Investigator: Asst Prof Raye Yeow
Team Members: Dr. Nicholas Cheng, Benjamin Ang, Low Fanzhe, Aaron Goh

A novel soft robotic wearable that is lightweight, portable, and capable of providing passive assisted movements of the foot in dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion. This system is designed to aid physiotherapists in carrying out time-consuming passive rehabilitative motions on bed-bound persons to prevent the development of ankle joint contractures.

Principal Investigator: Asst Prof. Lim Chwee Ming, Asst Prof. Ren Hong Liang
Team Members: Howard Poon, Tai Kai Li, Niam Jen Yang, Loh Ee Chian, Cheryl Chng

Transoral surgical robotic systems, which are able to benefit patients with reduced trauma and healing time. Adaptive and Compliant Transoral Robotic Surgery (ACTORS) with Flexible Manipulators and Intelligent Guidance, will overcome the limitations of the existing robotic systems. Surgeons will be able access the tight confines of the upper respiratory tract and treat patients, specifically Asians, with obstructive sleep apneas, benign lesions and early to moderate stage cancerous tumors.

Principal Investigator: Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna
Team Members: Tamil Selvan, Hassanali Ghaedamini Harouni, Jared Ramon Barahona Palma

Tremor is defined as involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movement of a body part and is one of the more common movement disorders encountered in clinical practice. The diagnosis of tremor today is based on clinical history and physical examination of patient and there is no diagnostic standard to distinguish between different types of tremor. TremeX is committed to differentiate different types of tremors and help to diagnose the disease objectively using a wearable sensor.

Principal Investigator: Assistant Prof Raye Yeow Chen Hua
Commercial Champion: Vijay Kumar
Team Members: Jane Wang, Yap Hong Kai, Tiana Miller-Jackson

Our technology is a novel soft robotic glove that can be controlled through on-box buttons, a mobile app, residual muscle activity or a sensor glove to trigger robot-assisted hand movement to the affected hand, so as to facilitate performance of rehabilitative and activities of daily living.

Commercial Champions: Lim Teck Sin, Georgette Kwek
Team Members: Warren Stan Lee, Saurabh Bhandari

A smart enteral feeding system with integrated reflux monitoring and prevention. The system comprises of both proprietary hardware and software. A feeding tube (LifeSafe Tube™) with embedded sensors collects data continuously. Proprietary algorithms analyze the collected data, weighing multiple risk factors such as patient position and physiological functions (ie: sneezing, coughing) to predict when reflux will occur. This information is used to automatically calibrate a feeding pump and optimize feeding rate in order to prevent reflux.

Commercial Champion: Vijay Kumar
Team Member(s): Shahrzad Rayatpisheh

We have developed an innovative device which works as a vertical clip. This is replacing Sleeve gasterectomy in which the lateral parts of stomach are surgically removed. This surgery has become more popular in recent years due to being effective; however, it is still invasive and carries a mortality rate of 3-5% which is quite high.

Commercial Champion: SC Cheong
Team Members: Dr Mohammad Esmaeili, Dr Asif Hussain

H-Man is a compact low cost robot designed for the rehabilitation/training of planar arm movements with an engaging gaming visual interface to provide an effective and motivating training solution to the elderly and neurologically impaired population. It offers two active degrees of freedom through its H-shaped cable-driven differential mechanism. The advantage of this mechanism is that it results in a system that is homogeneous, lightweight and hence low cost, and intrinsically safe for use.

Commercial Champion: Bipin Bhola
Team Members: Dr Siham Ouasti, Luis Aiw Jia Hui

A non invasive detection device that monitors catheterized patients and prevents extravasation based on differential polarization sensor technology.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof. Giorgia Pastorin
Team members: Goh Wei Jiang, Shui Zou

EXOPLEX is a novel drug delivery system of nanoscale dimensions with features of improved cellular uptake, cell targeting and low toxicity, as well as the ability for further functionalisation. Currently we are using EXOPLEXs to transfect or introduce genetic material into difficult-to-transfect cell lines and evaluating its commercial viability as a research reagent. EXOPLEXs would be a one-step transfection reagent with the aim of improved transfection efficiency compared to conventional non-viral transfection methods.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof. Huang Dejian
Team members: Liang Dong, Katja Krizman, Ivan Zwe, See Xin Yi, Jun Matsumoto

Garlic supplements are known for their health promoting effects, especially cardiovascular protection. This is achieved through the generation of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), a gasotransmitter from garlic polysulfide. However, conventional polysulfides release H2S instantly within the human body, while slow-releasing H2S donor is preferred for longer lasting effects; they also have a strong garlic smell. We have developed a method to make a compound which is safe, water soluble, free of garlic smell, and more importantly, is able to generate H2S slowly.

Team members: Dr. Ajith Isaac, Dr. Gary Ang, Dr. Shawn Gao, Samarth Bhargava

We are developing a biomedical device to be used in colorectal surgery to reduce the risk of leakage from the intestine (anastomotic leakage). Based on our pilot experiments, our proposed solution to this problem is comprised of a novel sealant and propriety delivery device that can be easily adopted into the current surgical workflow. The sealant will be delivered at the site of the anastomosis as a prophylactic to reduce leak rates.

Principal Investigators: Prof. Zhang Yong
Team members: Dr. Muthu Kumara, Akshaya Bansal, Chris Ho Jun Hui

Upconversion nanoparticles are a unique range of fluorescent nanoparticles. These nanoparticles act as a platform technology and can be used in a variety of applications such as imaging, food testing, environmental testing, veterinary testing, in-vitro diagnostics, anti-counterfeiting, optogenetics and cancer therapy.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof. Heng Chun Huat
Team members: David Wong, Yu Ju Feng, Siddharth Manoharan

We have designed a light-weight integrated wearable medical grade wireless vital signs patch for continuous acquisition of vital signs such as temperature, respiration, 3 lead-ECG, pulse oximeter and blood pressure to allow clinicians to have continuous healthcare surveillance on their patients. It is also supported by a cloud-based client application, that displays, records and analyses (trending and alerts) real-time vital stats to assist clinicians in providing better clinical care. This solution can also be realised in private clinics, home-care, community and rural healthcare monitoring.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof. Caroline Lee
Team members: Dr. Maulana Bachtiar, Tony Sugiarta, Theodora Chung, Dr. Ang Siang Yun

A new algorithm to predict drugs which may display population differences in response through the interrogation of the human genome and drug response pathways. The robustness of this strategy is evident from the accurate prediction of 10 of 11 drugs which were previously reported to show population differences in response. A high proportion of drugs with pharmacogenetics warning-labels are also predicted to show population differences in response.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Victor Koh
Entrepreneurial Leads: Sanjairaj Vijayavenkataraman, Xu Shenyao
Team members: Muhammad Azri, Ivy Law, Lyana Shaffiee

Project description: A novel glaucoma and retina hand-held imaging device to fulfil an unmet need in ophthalmology – a portable, standalone, affordable device that can be easily used by non-ophthalmologists to promote its widespread use in the eye care community.

Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof Robert Marks, Kamal Elouarzaki
Entrepreneurial Leads: Dorin Harpaz, Tim Axelrod, Abri Lavena De Cesarea

Project description: ElectroPearls will enable the development of easy, fast and low-cost conductive beads. The new technology enables the integration of CNTs directly onto 3D surfaces of engineered materials by developing a new approach using CNTs-containing alginates polymers, which are converted simultaneously and directly to make 3D beads in one step, without the need for purification or heavy process.

Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof Chen Nanguang
Entrepreneurial Leads: Chion Jet Chun
Team members: Dr. Duan Yubo, Dr. Chen Xue, Dr. Bi Renzhe

Project description: The hybrid imaging technique combines scanning microscopy and wide-field microscopy to accelerate the image acquisition process while maintaining the resolution and 3D sectioning capability. The hybrid images in principle can be obtained in video rate with the signal-to-background ratio and signal-to-noise ratio comparable to those of full-resolution confocal microscopy.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Tan Kok Kiong
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Arun Shankar Narayanan; Kyaw Ko Ko Htet (Steve)
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Pitchaya Sunthanakul
Team members: Yeoh Wui Keat

Project description: A sensor technology that has innovative sensing approaches and applied algorithm.

Principal Investigators: Asst Prof Chiu Ngar Chee, Gigi
Entrepreneurial Leads: Liu Yuanjie, Research Assistant

Project description: This is a device to measure in vitro drug dissolution/absorption at the same time. This device is expected to provide two major advantages compared to current standard drug dissolution tester: (1) measure drug release and absorption that is more relevant to physiological condition in one test, (2) to provide reliable prediction of a drug’s in vivo behaviour based on the device.

Principal Investigators: Asst Prof Yu Haoyong
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Dr. Guo Zhao, Francisco Anaya Reyes
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Averil Chen
Team members: Ryan Koh Zhao Yuan, Lizhu, James Ye Jing

Project description: A lightweight and low-profile wearable walking assistive device which, instead of giving full support, provides certain amounts of assistive force at the knee joints. The system of sensors and algorithms enables gait phase detection and intelligent control of assistive force. The compact device can be worn under slack pants and can be easily don and doff by the user.

Principal Investigators: Prof Ariel Kushmaro, Prof Robert Marks
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Siti Zarina Zainul Rahim, PhD Student
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Debbie Lee
Team members: Karin Yaniv, Raz Hilman

Project description: Quorum sensing inhibitor molecules isolated from marine bacteria were retrieved. These molecules are indole dimer derivatives and are found to attenuate quorum sensing and to possess extensive antibiofilm and anti-virulence properties against known gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Saji George, Senior Lecturer
Entrepreneurial Leads: Tan Chiew Nai, Lim Swee Thiam

Project description: This technology deals with nanomaterials that co-deliver multiple therapeutic agents for pet/animal hygiene.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Raymond Seet Chee Seong
Entrepreneurial Leads: Sebastian Khoo, Michele Goh
Team members: Phua Chee Teck

Project description: A simple to use device and related proprietary algorithm capable of synchronously measuring transit time between electrocardiographic excitation and arterial/capillary waveforms in a single limb.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Gene Yeo
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Dr. Jonathan Scolnick, Senior Research Fellow
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Wang Yingting
Team members: Shawn Hoon

Project description: A method for targeted protein quantitation that utilizes high-throughput DNA sequencing as a readout. This technology will allow researchers and clinical scientists to utilize standard molecular biology techniques to quantitate proteins in their samples.

Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof. Huang De Jian
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Tang Yanchi, Masters Student
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Voja Jovanovic

Project description: Plant polyphenolic compounds have broad spectrum of bioactivity and are important active ingredients of wide range health supplements. Current method of preparing polyphenolic compounds involve low efficient column separations and the high production cost is a major hurdle for the development of affordable dietary supplements. We possess a proprietary method in enriching polyphenolic compounds from plants that can reduce the cost of production significantly.

Principal Investigators: Assoc. Prof. Michael Brown
Entrepreneurial Leads: Alvaro Gauterin, Research Engineer
Team members: Jan-Philipp Kruip, Pham Kanh

Project description: FitSense, which allows for gathering the activity data of large groups of people using step counters worn on the wrist like Fitbit. The platform provides study managers – who supervise large groups of people – a clear overview of the daily activity levels of their study participants or patients.

Principal Investigators: Dr.  Yuichiro Katsumoto, Senior Research Fellow with Prof. Do Yi Luen Ellen
Entrepreneurial Leads: Nikhil Kapur, Keith Tay
Team members: Daniel Leong

Project description: Ninja Track is a belt shaped object which possesses the capacity to alter its flexibility and hence strength. It consists at its modular level – a composition of two parts – the vertical hinges and horizontal hinges. When flat, Ninja Track is fluid and wavy. When the user folds it at the horizontal hinges, Ninja Track becomes a rigid stick.

Principal Investigators: Prof. Lee Mong Li, Prof. Wynne Hsu
Entrepreneurial Leads: Dr Rina Rudyanto, Dr Cheng Yuan, Research Fellow
Team members: Asha Srinivasan

Project description: Suite of innovative ocular image analysis technologies allow for the detection, monitoring and recording of small changes in the retina over time, which can be early indications of eye and systemic diseases.

Principal Investigators: Prof. Hong Ming Hui
Entrepreneurial Leads 1: Dr Yang Jing, Research Fellow
Entrepreneurial Leads 2: Divya Jain
Team members: Jiahao, Yang Jie, Dr Qin Fei, Dr Du Zheren

Project description: To overcome the imaging resolution limit of conventional microscopies in air, the optimized particle lens are designed for optical nano-imaging in ambient air. This non-physical-contact mode imaging method benefits in many ways, such as no damage to fragile samples (such as biological samples), focal plane images can be captured, ability to scan over the whole surface at a high speed, combine with a laser source to increase the resolution and reduce the cost (compared to the confocal microscope and NSOM).

Principal Investigators: Asst Prof Raye Yeow Chen Hua
Entrepreneurial Leads: Shruthi Suresh, Research Engineer
Team members: Liu Yuchun

Project description: This invention is centered on the detection and display of brainwaves, and subsequently utilising the brainwave data for a variety of different applications. Specifically, Emosis intends to focus on extending its system for use as a pain monitoring system to objectively assess the efficacy of pain-relieving methods.

Principal Investigators: Professor Robert Marks
Entrepreneurial Leads: Cheng Ting, PhD Student
Team members: Siham Ouasti, Wu Yuanyuan, Yuan Xintong

Project description: The Biopen device consists of the integration of a CMOS sensor with immobilised glowing bioreporter bacteria within a calcium alginate matrix, which together can detect a variety of toxic chemicals. The type of chemical detected depends on the chosen genetically engineered bioreporter utilised. The light signal produced is proportional to the target analyte concentration.

Principal Investigators: Asst Prof Liaw Sok Ying
Entrepreneurial Leads: Wu Ling Ting
Team members: Ooi Sim Leng Maybelline, Siau Chiang

Project description: RAPIDS stands for Rescuing A Patient In Deteriorating Situations. This interactive e-learning software known as e-RAPIDS, is developed to train nurses to confidently identify and manage patients who show signs of clinical deterioration in the general ward setting. It has been designed to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills to understand, communicate & respond effectively during such events before patients collapse.

Principal Investigators: Professor Sam Li Fong Yau
Entrepreneurial Leads: Lin Junyu
Team members: Li Haiyan, Liu Feng, Gerald Chow

Project description: G-Sense aims to demonstrate the feasibility of its patent pending technology based on DNA probe coupled with surface plasmon resonance for environmental and water quality monitoring. It is portable, high accurate, cost effective and reagent free.

Principal Investigators: Asst Prof Vincent Lee Chengkuo
Entrepreneurial Leads: Wang Hao, Research Engineer
Team members: Lokesh Dhakar, Xiang Zhuolin

Project description: MicroNeedle fabricates micro-needles integrated with CNT nanofilters. The device could be used for controlled release of bio-molecules such as insulin, DNA and cosmetics. The packaged device is a wearable patch with drug loaded and could be sold in normal clinics for a simple self-administration drug or in cosmetics but with a higher absorption rate.

Principal Investigators: Professor Chang Young-Tae
Entrepreneurial Lead 1: Xu Wang, Graduate Student
Entrepreneurial Lead 2: Divya Jain
Team members: Animesh Samanta

Project description: Milk QC is making a portable device to rapidly and accurately measure the amount of fat in milk. The first fluorescent sensor for milk-fat, which exhibits magnificent, yet selective, turn-on feature towards fat molecules. The portable, easy-to-use, handy device promises to help businesses in ensuring the quality of their product.

Principal Investigators: Dr Anne K Bendt (Scientific Program Manager of SLING, NUS)
Entrepreneurial Leads: Dr Anne K Bendt
Team members: Dr Manfred Raida (Senior RF), Dr Amaury Cazenave Gassiot (RF), Dr Federico Torta (RF), Assoc. Prof Markus Wenk (Director of SLING, NUS)

Project description: Lipid knowledge generation via services, training courses and kits.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Too Heng-Phon
Entrepreneurial Leads: Wong Long Hui, Research Scientist
Team members: Ho Yoon Khei, Christine Chan, Justin Tan

Project description: Non-viral methods are known to have a number of significant advantages over viral based gene delivery but they suffer from low efficiency in transfection and high toxicity in many clinically relevant cell types. TrafEn is a novel reagent rationally designed to enhance the efficiency of polymer based gene delivery and serve as a broad enabling tool for R&D in therapeutic protein production, cell reprogramming and engineering.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Stephen Chang
Entrepreneurial Leads: Andy, Xing Chen

Project description: Ablation Division Device which uses electrical current generated at radiofrequency to create heat in needles to coagulate tissue before deploying a knife in the device to cut the tissue.

Principal Investigators: Assoc Prof Heng Chew Kiat
Entrepreneurial Lead 1: Ooi Shu Qin, Delicia, Research Fellow
Entrepreneurial Lead 2: Daniel Kirilly

Project description: Current cardiac assessment cannot predict risk and does not take genetics into account e.g. ECG/Treadmill test. The gold standard angiogram is invasive. CADRA uses both genetic/non-genetic data to predict risk of heart disease over time. It is non-invasive and genetic data remains unchanged over time.

Principal Investigators: Ian Gibson
Entrepreneurial Leads: Shambavi Krishnamurthi, Rahul Rajeev, Nguyen Vo, Christian Halberg

Project description: An end-to-end continuous health monitoring solution to help out-patients with chronic diseases quantify their health and share this data easily with their Doctors and Family. The solution consists of a wrist based device that measures vital signs such as heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, blood glucose, etc non-invasively and wirelessly; and cross-platform applications that record, analyze and display the health data. The solution can also detect emergency situations through the use of a multi-sensory approach and send alerts to the caretakers.