My research interests focus on therapeutic protein and antibody engineering, synthetic biology, and immunotherapy, with the goal of advancing strategies for disease treatment. Through antibody engineering, we aim to design next-generation T-cell engagers and antibody–drug conjugates capable of addressing diverse disease indications. In addition, we have successfully engineered an extensive panel of antibodies targeting immune checkpoints to effectively reactivate the immune system and combat tumors in mouse models. We also developed a unique strategy to activate anti-cancer cytokine pathways through a bispecific receptor agonist antibody design. Building on the antibody engineering technologies established in our laboratory, we have further embarked on the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells with a particular focus on overcoming tumor heterogeneity. Altogether, these studies reflect our ongoing efforts to use antibody and cell engineering to open new possibilities for treating cancer and other diseases.
Work
Singapore Immunology Network
Singapore
Education
Washington University in St Louis
United States of America
PhD
Publications
A combinatorial and computational Tandem approach towards a universal therapeutics against ACE2-mediated coronavirus infections
iScience
journal-article
Antibodies from dengue patients with prior exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus are broadly neutralizing against Zika virus
Communications Biology
journal-article
Defining neutralization and allostery by antibodies against COVID-19 variants
Nature Communications
journal-article
A nonstructural protein 1 capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for dengue viruses
PLOS ONE
journal-article
Comprehensive engineering of a therapeutic neutralizing antibody targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to neutralize escape variants
mAbs
journal-article
Structural insight into SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and modulation of syncytia
Cell
journal-article
Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 variants to neutralization by convalescent plasma from early COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore
npj Vaccines
journal-article
Resistance of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant to neutralization by BNT162b2-elicited antibodies in Asians
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
journal-article
Effective Killing of Acute Myeloid Leukemia by TIM-3 Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
journal-article
Two linear epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that elicit neutralising antibodies in COVID-19 patients