CHANG LAB
Leading Solutions through Innovation in Synthetic Biology
Our Research
Sustainable Bioproduction
Sustainable bioproduction offers the versatility to synthesize a wide range of chemicals and materials from renewable feedstocks by employing and improving enzymes or biocatalysts originating from the nature. In Chang lab, we aim to engineer microbial hosts, enzymes and pathways to develop novel bioprocesses for the production of value-added compounds in a sustainable manner.
Synthetic Genomics
Synthetic genomics is a branch of synthetic biology that aims to customize organisms by redesigning their genomic sequences to confer novel functionalities. In Chang lab, we aim to employ synthetic genomics in microbes and mammalian cells to develop genome editing tools, gain deeper understanding of biological functions and create biological systems for biotechnological applications.
Therapeutics
The microbiome is the collection of microbes and their genomes in a particular environment. The presence or absence of certain microbial communities in the body has been implicated in a variety of human health conditions. In Chang lab, we aim to develop novel therapeutic modalities that can rewire host–microbiome interactions such as host metabolism and immunity for disease prevention and treatment.
Funding
Our Funding Partners
Story
Our Story
We are an interdisciplinary team of graduate and undergraduate students, scientists, engineers, clinicians and visiting scholars from diverse backgrounds. Since 2007, we have been aspiring to be a leading research group in synthetic biology, occupying a central role in the dissemination of engineering and biological knowledge for the creation of technological solutions for global challenges. We pride ourselves in building new engineering biology knowledge and solutions, educating the next generation of synthetic biologists and serving the communities in Singapore and beyond. In Singapore, we led the establishment of NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Wilmar-NUS Corporate Laboratory (WIL@NUS) and Singapore Consortium for Synthetic Biology (SINERGY). Globally, we played a key role in founding the Global Biofoundries Alliance (GBA) and the Asian Synthetic Biology Association (ASBA). Our lab alumni include over 50 undergraduate and high school students, 20 Ph.D. students and 40 research scientists, many now in leadership roles in academia, government and industry.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
UNDERGRADUATES AND INTERNS
RESEARCHERS
PUBLICATIONS
GRANTS
PATENTS
Publications
Our Latest Publications
Engineered Commensals for Targeted Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
| Shen H, Aggarwal N, Cui B, Foo GW, He Y, Srivastava SK, Li S, Seah MZX, Wun KS, Ling H, Hwang IY, Ho CL, Lee YS and Chang MW
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Confronting risks of mirror life
| Adamala KP, Agashe D, Belkaid Y, Bittencourt DMC, Cai Y, Chang MW, Chen IA, Church GM, Cooper VS, Davis MM, Devaraj NK, Endy D, Esvelt KM, Glass JI, Hand TW, Inglesby TV, Isaacs FJ, James WG, Jones JDG, Kay MS, Lenski RE, Liu C, Medzhitov R, Nicotra ML, Oehm SB, Pannu J, Relman DA, Schwille P, Smith JA, Suga H, Szostak JW, Talbot NJ, Tiedje JM, Venter JC, Winter G, Zhang W, Zhu X and Zuber MT
Science 386(6728): 1351 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ads9158
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Tunable cell differentiation via reprogrammed mating-type switching
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Heng YC, Kitano S, Susanto AV, Foo JL and Chang MW Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52282-w
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Prodrug-conjugated tumor-seeking commensals for targeted cancer therapy
| Shen H, Zhang C, Li S, Liang Y, Lee LT, Aggarwal N, Wun KS, Liu J, Nadarajan SP, Weng C, Ling H, Tay JK, Wang DY, Yao SQ, Hwang IY, Lee YS and Chang MW
Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48661-y
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Get in Touch!
We are excited to work with brilliant minds beaming with fresh ideas and insights into the curious natural world we live in. If you care about this planet and want to make a difference to it, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for exciting opportunities in Chang Lab.
