Singapore
Experienced Researcher with a demonstrated history of working in the research and development industry. Skilled in Assay development (Bio-, immuno assays), Protein expression & purification, Biochemical characterization, Analytical Skills and Mammalian Cell Culture. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD focused in Biochemistry from Nanyang Technological University.
Immuno-Assay development Lead - Lateral Flow Immunoassay for rapid biomarker detection in saliva Achievements: Leading (Team of 2) product development project to develop a dipstick (LFA) bioassay for detection of biomarkers in saliva. Optimized a quantitative rapid assay ready for commercialization
Project Member - Development of freeze-dried PCR beads for one-shot assay Research focus - Molecular diagnostics, multiplex qPCR characterization, molecular probes ▪ Key role in optimizing reagent composition for a multiplex (5-plex) qPCR assay. ▪ Enabled optimization of primer/probe ratio for improved fluorescent detection in qPCR assay ▪ Reagent constitution for freeze-drying of beads & its validation using multiplex qPCR. ▪ Facilitated the solution for loss of polymerase activity & shelf-life of the PCR beads. High throughput bead production Achievements: Submitted a Technology Disclosure for the formulation and method invention.
Bio validation Lead & Co-I - UV-C LED solution for air disinfection ▪ Co-wrote and secured NMRC ($650k) and GAP funding ($850k) for testing and developing UV-C LED air disinfection products in confined spaces, building air ducts and transportation air ducts. ▪ Leading bio-validation team of 4 for airborne bioaerosol testing bacteria, mold & viruses ▪ Managing inter A*STAR RI collaboration teams from IBB, ID & IHPC ▪ Support internal team members and communicate with stakeholders on the project developments
Research fellow with Dr. I-Hsin Su in Division of Molecular biology Characterization of the cytosolic role of lysine methyltransferases Project 1 – Develop interface peptide to disrupt the protein complex interaction, so as to be applied in therapeutics. Role - To uncover the hotspot residues, nature & thermodynamic properties of the interaction via biochemical and biophysical methods (X-ray, NMR, SPR, ITC) • Optimized independent protein’s expression and production, that was deemed unsuitable for biophysical studies (formed soluble aggregates) for over 8 years, by employing chaperonin systems. • Created the stable protein complex for further biophysical studies • Spearheaded the collaboration with other academic labs for biophysical studies Project 2 - The objective was to develop a functional assay for the methyltransferase to be used on the protein microarray chips to identify and validate its substrate targets that would facilitate the development of mechanistic pathway model. • Established high purity & stable recombinant protein production, which is being benefited for its partner exploration in vitro & in vivo • Functional methylation assay optimization • Optimized autoradiography assay • Successfully designed, developed and optimized a non-radioactive functional assay using Click chemistry approach. The optimized assay was used on the protein array chip to identify the substrate proteins • Identified substrate molecules using the protein chip, pending validation • Supervised undergraduate students; trained research technicians
Thesis title - Biochemical characterization of the putative Rubisco activation system of red-lineage phytoplankton and α-cyanobacteria. • Algal genes were cloned and the respective proteins were purified and spectrometrically analyzed for their biochemical properties to establish that algal activation system constitutes a heterohexameric (alternatively arranged isoform) thermostable AAA+ ATPase which is functional at suboptimal and physiological temperatures. • Characterized various mutants of the algal activase to outline the mechanistic model of the activation system using molecular, biochemical and kinetic analysis. • Biochemically examined cyanobacterial proteins in an attempt to establish their role in CO2 fixation.
Research assistant with Dr. R. Baskar in Developmental Genetics Lab Project - Hybridization induced genomic rearrangements in flowering plants. • Determined the mutation spectrum (point, frameshift and homologous recombination) and its rate in F1 hybrids of A. thaliana. • Helped to study the maternal and paternal influence by associating the mutational rate and change in genome size of the hybrids with the evolutionary distance of the parents. • Investigated the effect of ageing on the mutational rates of the hybrids.