IBN - Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology - A*Star

IBNINSTITUTE OF BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGYENGINEERING THEUTURE

IBNCONTENTS04 ABOUT IBN06 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE10 RESEARCH AREAS16 THE NANOS AT BIOPOLIS 18 SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD20 FACES AT IBN24 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES26 YOUTH RESEARCH PROGRAM

IBNABOUT IBNABOUT IBN

IBN IS A WORLD-CLASS RESEARCHINSTITUTE, WHICH FOCUSES ONDEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE, TALENTAND TECHNOPRENEURSHIP.

04ABOUT IBNEstablished in March 2003, the Institute of Bioengineering andNanotechnology (IBN) aims to create a broad knowledge base andconduct innovative research at the interface of bioengineering andnanotechnology. IBN is focused on developing novel technologyplatforms that will spur the growth of new industries. We seek tofoster an exciting, multidisciplinary research environment to trainstudents and young researchers in spearheading the biomedicaladvancement in Singapore.IBN is one of the 12 research institutes under the Agencyfor Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

IBNEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGEEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

IBN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIT PROFESSORJACKIE YI-RU YING, WAS HAND PICKED BYA*STAR CHAIRMAN PHILIP YEO TO LEADTHE INSTITUTE.

06EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGEPROF. JACKIE YI-RU YING

07Bioengineering represents the frontiers of engineering sciences.The multidisciplinary field has tremendous potential for generatingnew materials, devices, instrumentation and processes that wouldimpact healthcare and quality of life. Nanotechnology is a powerfultool that allows us to create and manipulate microstructures at thenanometer scale. By integrating nanoscopic and macroscopicengineering, we can create novel biomaterials and medical deviceswith unique functionalities that mimic biological systems.The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) was established in 2003 toexploit the tremendous opportunities presented at the interface of these two excitingfields. By establishing and targeting the latest scientific and engineering approachesfor biomedical technologies, we have carved a niche in the development of knowledge,intellectual property and talent. In particular, we have converged multiple disciplinesacross engineering, science and medicine to build our six areas of research:DELIVERY OF DRUGS, PROTEINS AND GENESNANOBIOTECHNOLOGYTISSUE ENGINEERINGIBNBIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL IMAGINGARTIFICIAL ORGANS AND IMPLANTSMEDICAL DEVICES

08EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGEBy combining the knowledge and tools available in each of these six research areas,we have also charted new directions for research.IBN’s interdisciplinary research approach is carried out by scientists who have beenrecruited from top institutions around the world. We work in an open and vibrantresearch environment, where each researcher is encouraged to tap on the expertiseof their fellow colleagues. This creates a fluid exchange of ideas across the differentresearch groups, and allows scientists to thrive creatively.These are also the same scientists who are getting our young people excited aboutresearch. Our Youth Research Program features activities to involve students of allages, as well as their teachers. We hope the passion and excitement shown by ourscientists will influence students to make research their career goal.As we steadily move towards our full staff strength of 250, we hope to make asignificant impact both locally and internationally with our young and dynamic teamof researchers and staff.Research is all about breaking old barriers and establishing new frontiers – and IBNlooks forward to setting many benchmarks in the years ahead.PROF. JACKIE YI-RU YINGEXECUTIVE DIRECTORINSTITUTE OF BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

IBNRESEARCH AREASRESEARCH AREAS

IBN SPEARHEADS THE ADVANCEMENT OFKNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION AT THE INTERFACEOF BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY.

10RESEARCH AREAS

11DELIVERY OF DRUGS, PROTEINS AND GENES IBN researchers are designing innovative materialsand devices for greater precision and control in drug delivery, thereby improving therapeutic efficiencyand minimizing side-effects. For example, nanoparticles are engineered with functionalized moieties thatrespond to physiological or externally applied stimuli, hence allowing for specific targeting of tissues inthe body. By encapsulating doxorubicin or paclitaxol in these nanoparticles, intracellular doxorubicin orpaclitaxol release in tumor cells can be achieved. Researchers are also fabricating nanostructuredmembranes with cell attachment and thermosensitive-swelling properties for use as wound dressing oras a support for cell grafting. This nanomaterial can be adapted for use as therapeutic contact lenses forocular drug delivery. Other research areas include the development of biocompatible and biodegradableinjectable hydrogels for localized delivery of therapeutic agents and cells, as well as novel gene deliveryvectors to enhance the treatment of neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’sdiseases.TISSUE ENGINEERING Severe donor shortages worldwide result in an ever-pressing need for viablesubstitutes for organs or tissues that are lost or damaged through trauma or disease. IBN researchersare growing replacement tissues for liver and kidney implants ex viv ex vivo by seeding cells on scaffoldscontaining growth factors. 3-D extracellular microenvironments, novel hydrogels, matrices, micro- andnano-scaffolds, as well as microencapsulation technologies are developed to enhance and maintain thefunctions of mammalian cells such as hepatocytes, neurons and stem cells. Research on vitrification andengineering of cells and tissues also focuses on developing high-throughput cryopreservation to facilitateresearch, storage and transport of sensitive cells, celluloids and tissues. Through sophisticated materialsarchitecture, biodegradable and biocompatible microbraided polymeric fibers with tissue-compatiblemechanical properties and surface reactivity are fabricated for use as nerve guide conduits in nerveregeneration. These fibers incorporate controlled release of neurotrophic factors, gene delivery and cellseeding for successful tissue regeneration.

12RESEARCH AREAS

13ARTIFICIAL ORGANS AND IMPLANTS Research in this area involves engineering structures for useas artificial organs and implants. For orthopedic implants, IBN researchers are developing simplebioprocesses to generate natural bone scaffolds. The resulting anorganic porcine bone greatly facilitatesbone remodelling. Nanocomposite foams have also been reconstituted from natural ingredients of bone.Using highly porous, sponge-like collagen matrix and apatite nanocrystals, IBN has achieved boneimplant materials that are structurally and chemically similar to natural bone, and highly bioactive withtunable mechanical properties and degradation rates. The Institute also conducts research in the areas ofdental and cochlear implants, and seeks to develop flexible systems that can be adjusted to fit therequired defect length. Such implants could also be combined with bioactive compounds and drug or genedelivery systems to provide restorative functions and promote implant integration.MEDICAL DEVICES IBN integrates microfabrication, microfluidics and nanotechnology to develop novelmedical devices, such as biosample preparation and analysis systems, and endovascular microtools forminimally invasive surgery. A microfluidic device has also been developed to study cell migration anddeformation behavior for cancer research. IBN researchers are also working on wearable, implantableand injectable devices. Examples in these areas include smart shirts with microaccelerometers for falldetection, wireless devices to detect and diagnose bruxism, advanced aerosol inhalation devices to treatinfant asthma, telemetry-based implantable systems for electronically controlled drug release, as well asmicroneedle arrays for painless transdermal drug delivery. IBN researchers are also studying discretenanostructures to fabricate gecko-mimicking tape and infrared detectors. In addition, the Institute isworking on biofilm prevention and elimination.BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL IMAGING IBN specializes in the molecular and microscopic imagingof medical systems, biomaterials, biologics, tissues and cells. Imaging is also used as a tool for cellculture and in vitro studies that are critical for testing the viability and biocompatibility of novel materialsand medical devices. In addition, small animal imaging is pursued at IBN to facilitate in vivo studies. Theinstitute conducts research in advanced imaging techniques such as multiphoton microscopy, combinedconfocal and atomic force microscopy, and optical coherence tomography. It also develops novel imagingtags with interesting optical and magnetic properties, such as water-soluble quantum dots, andbioconjugated oxide and metallic nanoparticles.

14RESEARCH AREASNANOBIOTECHNOLOGY In the multibillion-dollar chiralpharmaceuticals industry, the manufacture of chiralingredients account for 10–40% of the total cost due to theinefficient, energy-intensive batch processes involved. IBNis focusing on improving the efficiency of chiralpharmaceuticals synthesis and separation through the use ofnovel heterogenized catalysts and separation media.Supramolecular templating is employed to generate novelnanoporous supports that can immobilize chiral ligands forenantioselective catalysis and separation. This would providethe possibility of replacing the conventional batch reactionswith continuous processes for pharmaceuticals synthesis. IBNis also conducting research on the biosensing of tracebiomolecules. For example, nanostructured materials aredesigned as ultrasensitive biosensors for nucleic acids. Anarray of such biosensors is further combined with a bio-MEMStissue handling system to provide fast and accurate diagnosisof diseases at an early stage.

IBNAT BIOPOLISTHE NANOSTHE NANOS AT BIOPOLIS

IBN IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDINGITS RESEARCHERS WITH THE BESTENVIRONMENT ANDSTATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES.

16THE NANOS AT BIOPOLISHoused over six floors at The Nanos, IBN is strategically located within Biopolis, aworld-class biomedical sciences R&D hub in Asia. The modern billion-dollar complexoffers researchers first-rate infrastructure and a conducive environment, whichenables them to focus on the creative development process. The state-of-the-artfacilities available at Biopolis include animal research facilities, conference roomsand laboratory support services. With key government agencies, various R&D labs ofpharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as public research institutes andacademic institutions within close proximity of each other, Biopolis aims to foster acollaborative culture among the private and public research communities.

IBNSCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARDSCIENTIFICADVISORY BOARD

IBN’S INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS ARELEADING EXPERTS IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES.

18SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD01 KENNETH A. SMITH (CHAIR)EDWIN R. GILLILAND PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGMASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY02 GALEN D. STUCKY (CO-CHAIR)PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AND MATERIALSUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA03 JAMES R. HEATHELIZABETH W. GILLOON PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRYCALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYPROFESSOR OF MOLECULAR AND MEDICAL PHARMACOLOGYUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES04 KLAVS F. JENSENLAMMOT DU PONT PROFESSOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGAND MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERINGMASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY0102 03 040505 MYRON SPECTORPROFESSOR OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERYHARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOLDIRECTOR OF ORTHOPEDIC RESEARCHBRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL

IBNFACES AT IBNFACES AT IBN

IBN RECRUITS THE BEST TALENTS FROMAROUND THE WORLD TO MAKE UP ITSYOUNG AND DYNAMIC WORKFORCE.

20FACES AT IBNS T SELVAN SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST“There is a lot of scope for researchers at IBN, as the Institute brings together expertisefrom various disciplines under one umbrella to meet the needs of bioengineering andnanotechnology research. IBN is the only institute today that hubs these two emergingfields for the benefit of society. The Institute’s environment facilitates the generation ofnew ideas and challenges one to turn them into reality. Singapore is also a great place todo research. I am fascinated by the country's rich culture and my family feels very muchat home here, not only because of Singapore's proximity to India but also because of'Little India'."CHUNG JOO EUN RESEARCH SCIENTIST“IBN is one of the most forward-looking and dynamic researchinstitutes in the world. The great facilities reflect the strongcommitment of the Singapore government in supporting researchand development activity in this field. IBN’s multidisciplinaryresearch environment also offers exciting opportunities forsynergy and collaboration.”

21LANG ZHUO PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST“I had worked in both academic and industrial settings in the US before I joined IBN last year. IfSingapore is a gateway city state, IBN would be a gateway research institute, where I have ampleopportunities to propose and to work on interesting projects, starting from basic research with thepotential to go all the way to commercialization. As a Principal Research Scientist, one of the obviousadvantages of working at IBN is the fact that I do not need to spend a quarter of my preciousresearch time on writing lengthy research grants to seek funding.”KARL MARIA SCHUMACHER SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST“I find it fascinating to work on a tissue engineering project that aims to help surgeons restore a diseased organ. IBNis one of the few places in the world where this ambitious aim can be realized. I’m convinced that IBN’s strategy tomerge basic research and commercial application through multidisciplinary research will set trends for otherresearch institutions around the world. IBN’s modern infrastructure and facilities inspires one to perform first-classresearch. On another note, I like Singapore’s exotic vegetation and high living standards. In particular, it provides myfamily with a safe living environment.”

22FACES AT IBNSHONA PEK SENIOR LAB OFFICER“I was assigned to IBN after my scholarship. The institute gives me a greatdeal of freedom and independence to work on my own research projects.We also have a very active Youth Research Program. I get to mentorstudents who are really interested and enthusiastic, and it is mostrewarding and fulfilling working with them and teaching them what I know.Singapore is a great place to live, and I really enjoy working at IBN.”FRANK ALEXIS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW“For me, IBN’s main attraction is its challenging environment. Projects are excitingand we receive tremendous resources and support from the institute to help usachieve our objectives. In addition, I enjoy interacting with and learning from peoplewho come from different backgrounds, such as medical doctors, chemists, biologistsand materials engineers. The unique environment at IBN makes it possible for us todo the best research work.”EMRIL ALI A*STAR GRADUATE SCHOLAR"IBN is a cultural melting pot. The Institute’s multidisciplinary researchenvironment gives me the opportunity to not only work with researchersfrom various fields but also interact with people from different parts of theworld. Coupled with first-rate research facilities, IBN provides the idealenvironment for me to do my PhD research."

IBNCAREERCAREER OPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES

IBN WELCOMES INDIVIDUALS WITH A PASSIONFOR INNOVATION TO JOIN THE INSTITUTE.

24CAREER OPPORTUNITIES0102030405DR YU HANPOST-DOCTORAL FELLOWDR JEROME BOULAIRERESEARCH SCIENTISTSHARON OHSENIOR LAB OFFICERDR SU SEONG LEESENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTDR CYRUS PAPANSENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST01 0203 0405IBN is on the lookout for highly motivatedindividuals, who are interested in joininga multidisciplinary research institute atthe forefront of bioengineering andnanotechnology research. Candidatescan expect competitive salaries, as wellas attractive benefits.For more details on career opportunitieswith IBN, visitwww.ibn.a-star.edu.sg.Interested candidates may also emailtheir resumes tojyying@ibn.a-star.edu.sg.

IBNYOUTH RESEARCHPROGRAMYOUTH RESEARCH PROGRAM

IBN AIMS TO INSPIRE BRIGHT YOUNG MINDSTO PURSUE THEIR SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS.

26YOUTH RESEARCH PROGRAM

27The brainchild of IBN’s Director, Noreena AbuBakar, the Institute’sYouth Research Program aims to expose our young people to ourdynamic research culture. The program is designed to give studentsfirst-hand experience in research and help teachers introducebioengineering and nanotechnology applications into their schoolcurriculum.NOREENA ABUBAKAR“It is never too early to expose the young to science. By sharing ourenthusiasm for making an impact on our society through scientificdiscoveries, we hope that we will be able to inspire more young peopleto pursue research careers.”NOREENA ABUBAKARDIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGYCHAIR, YOUTH RESEARCH PROGRAM

28YOUTH RESEARCH PROGRAMSince its launch in October 2003, IBN’s Youth ResearchProgram has reached out to more than 2,500 studentsand teachers from over 50 primary and secondaryschools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities.IBN’s Youth Research Program activities includecareer fairs and talks, Open Houses, as well asresearch attachments for teachers and students.Contact yrp@ibn.a-star.edu.sgfor more information.

A * STARInstitute ofBioengineering andNanotechnologywww.ibn.a-star.edu.sg