Singapore
I am an aspiring researcher looking to contribute to infectious disease research and therapeutics. I believe in drawing connections between a diversity of fields to discover new insights. Having recently graduated from Cambridge University in Biochemistry, I am currently at A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs under a 1-year National Science Scholarship research attachment working on molecular virology and genetics. I am funded by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) under the National Science Scholarship, and look forward to further pursuing a PhD under A*STAR's funding in the future.
Genetics of Host Immunity Lab PI: Chan Yi Hao
Research Topic: Frameshifting and Innate Immune Stimulation of Pseudouridylated IVT mRNA Principal Investigator: Anne Willis Supervisors: Robert Harvey & Tujia Pöyry I conducted my dissertation research project on pseudouridylated in-vitro transcribed mRNA, assessing the frameshifting and innate immune stimulation of IVT mRNA. I designed and conducted experiments to test these hypotheses, working across a wide range of techniques including luciferase assays, western blots, siRNA knockdowns, and qRT-PCR. These experiments provided insight on the therapeutic benefits of pseudouridylated IVT mRNA to circumvent potential issues with current modified nucleotides used in therapeutics. This work was the basis for my assessed undergraduate dissertation.
Selected as one of 12 participants for the 2nd GSK Residential Biology Training Experience
Research Topic: Identification of Flavivirus Entry Factors PI: Charles M. Rice Supervisor: Hans-Heinrich Hoffmann I utilised two orthogonal systems to investigate the host and viral factors required for flavivirus entry. A CRISPR screen previously conducted in the laboratory identified a cell surface protein and a glycosylation pathway as required host factors for replication of a flavivirus with no previously described receptor. I generated pseudotyped viruses to investigate the infection of several CRISPR KO lines, including the reconstitution of the receptor with glycosylation site mutants. Additionally, I assisted with making chimeric flaviviruses to investigate how viral entry via this receptor is dependent on viral protein domains.
Research Topic: Antibody discovery via function-based bioassays Principal Investigator: Matthew Zirui Tay Supervisor: Ajayanandan Yadunandan I assisted in developing a droplet microfluidics-based antibody discovery workflow, enabling natively paired heavy/light chain cloning from primary B cells followed by functional bioassays within droplets for high-throughput antibody discovery. My focus was novel methods to improve sequence pairing efficiency. I was actively involved in lab meetings and troubleshooting, suggesting protocol improvements that helped to solve several assay issues. I was also involved in other lab techniques, including flow cytometry, ELISA, and viral plaque assays, and carried out basic laboratory maintenance such as mammalian cell culture