High-Throughput Antibody Discovery
Using microfluidics, we are designing new high-throughput bioassays that allow us to directly isolate antibodies with desired functions against pathogens. This will help us to develop best-in-class therapeutic antibodies. In addition, it will allow us to rapidly characterize the epitopes that are targeted for antibody function, thereby defining the best epitopes for use as vaccine immunogens.
Understanding coronavirus zoonotic transmission
In collaboration with the A*STAR ID Labs Pathogen Immunobiology Lab and Microbial Immunity Lab, we are examining how coronaviruses evolve to achieve zoonotic transmission into humans, and how they subsequently escape the antibody immune response to achieve endemic infection. Using this information, we are designing broad-spectrum therapeutics to prepare for potential future novel coronavirus outbreaks.
Tackling Anti-Microbial Resistance
The Wellcome Trust has estimated that by 2050 ten million annual deaths may be related to AMR, costing world GDP loss of US$100 trillion, with the majority of these deaths in Asia and Africa. In collaboration with the A*STAR ID Labs Mucosal Infection Lab and Antimicrobial Resistance Lab, we are investigating the use of novel biologics as alternate therapeutics against common multi-drug resistant pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, to avert this crisis.