Research area and projects

Our overarching aim is to maintain endogenous levels of insulin to combat type-2 diabetes (T2D). T2D in Singapore, very much like the rest of Asia, is largely characterized by insulin insufficiency that stems from a loss of pancreatic insulin-producing cell (beta-cell) mass and function. It is becoming increasingly clear that the best way to combat diabetic complications is to ensure that the endogenous source of insulin remains robust so as to keep blood glucose levels within a narrow band. Thus far, no artificial system is able to achieve this effectively. Our multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach, which involves material scientists, engineers and surgeons, brings us a step closer to our vision of bringing direct benefit to our patients here. The beta-cell drug target discovery team in my laboratory is focused on determining the molecular underpinnings of beta-cell failure so as to identify new drug targets to mitigate loss of insulin production during T2D. Our cell therapy and transplantation team seeks to deliver superior beta-cell transplant strategies (effective, sustainable, less-invasive and low-risk) that will increase the endogenous insulin provision to a patient, making a patient less-reliant on insulin injections, thereby improving quality of life.

Our key projects for drug target discovery include (i) identifying the roles of different cells that make up pancreatic islets. For example, we showed that modulation of islet immune cell function may be a possible therapeutic avenue for sustaining insulin secretion capacity; (ii) elucidating the mechanism of saturated fatty acid induced beta-cell stress and toxicity in diabetes. Saturated fatty acids are far more damaging to beta-cells compared to unsaturated fatty acids but the exact reason for this is still nebulous. Understanding molecular changes between the two types of fatty acid may hold the key to preserving beta-cell survival and function in T2D; (iii) determining nutritional impact in terms of beta-cell function and whole-body metabolism. I strongly believe in a food-first approach to managing diabetes and here we seek to understand how various macronutrients inform gut and pancreatic hormone health.

Teaching

MBBS Year 1 Teaching – Foundations of Medicine (Metabolism)
MBBS Year 1 Teaching – Endocrine (Chronic complications of T2D, Nutrition and The pathophysiology of T2D), Calcium Regulation.
MBBS Year 1 Science Practicals.
Graduate Teaching – Introduction to Medical Research, Immunometabolism (Interdisciplinary Graduate School, NTU)

Honours and Awards

Nanyang Education Award 2017 (School)
LKCMedicine Dean’s Award in Excellence in Teaching AY2016-2017
A*STAR Postdoctoral Fellowship (Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden)
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (National University of Singapore)
Vice-Chancellors’ List (National University of Singapoore)

Qualifications

BSc in Biochemisty (Hons, 1st Class), National University of Singapore (2004)
Technopreneurship, Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, CA, U.S.A. (2003)
PhD in Pharmacology, School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering (2008)