News

On 17 April 2024, A/Prof. Su Xinyi was invited to speak at the siRNA and Oligo Therapeutics Symposium, co-organised by the National Research Foundation, ClavystBio, Polaris Partners and Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative. She spoke about clinical opportunities for ophthalmology Singapore and the potential for RNA therapeutics targeting the cells in retinal pigment epithelium for genetic diseases.

Dr Su Xinyi was confirmed in her role as Executive Director of the Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, A*STAR as of 1 March 2024.

Previously, as Acting Executive Director (IMCB), Dr Su had strengthened IMCB’s peaks of scientific excellence through adopting a team-based science approach and through devising a sustainable long-term research agenda for IMCB. Moreover, she also nurtured a culture of mentorship by establishing IMCB’s talent development and mentorship office, as well as strengthened the administrative capacity of IMCB.

Under her leadership, IMCB continues its heritage of fore-sighting and seeding new areas of molecular and cell biology research to address Singapore’s healthcare priorities. IMCB will continue to support BMRC’s goal of “Advancing Bioscience R&D in Asian Biology and Disease”, and contribute to Singapore’s sectoral needs in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Dr Su Xinyi was invited to give a scientific address at Foresight 2023, India’s first-ever retinal cell and gene therapy summit, in Bangalore on 17th and 18th August. The conference was organised by Eyestem, a leading cell therapy company based in India. Speaking alongside scientific luminaries in the field such as Kapil Bharti and David Gamm, Dr Su shared about the exciting retina work coming out of the Translational Retinal Research Laboratory. Reporting on the event can be found here.

“Stem cells revive crystal clear vision.” [See full article here]

Dr Su has been appointed as Acting Executive Director of the Institute of Molecular Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, with effect 15 July 2023. IMCB is the flagship of molecular and cell biology research within A*STAR, having played a pivotal role in fostering the development of biomedical research in Singapore’s research ecosystem. She takes over the role from Prof. Hong Wanjin, a major scientific pioneer who has made outstanding and impactful scientific contributions that are well recognised in the local and global research community.

As a clinician-scientist, Dr Su will be able to foster closer ties between IMCB and the clinical community in her new role. She will be supported in her new role by an experienced Executive Committee, chaired by Prof. Barry Halliwell, Chairman of A*STAR’s Biomedical Advisory Council.

Dr Liu Zeng Ping, Research Assistant Professor, is a 2023 recipient of the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Clinician Scientist Individual Research Grant (CS-IRG). This $1.95 million grant focuses on developing a bioinspired, photoprotective scaffold for retinal stem cell therapy. It is a collaboration between multiple institutes, including NUS, IMCB, ISCE2, and SERI. Congratulations to Dr Liu for this award, and thanks for his continued contributions to the Translational Retinal Research Laboratory.

With effect from 1 July 2023, Dr Su Xinyi was promoted to Senior Consultant in the Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital (NUH). Dr Wendy Wong, a PhD student in the Translation Retinal Research Laboratory, was also promoted to Consultant in the same department.

This promotion will not only allow them to continue to provide quality healthcare in ophthalmology to patients at NUH, it will also allow them (as clinician-scientists) to better champion scientific collaborations that result in superior medical-translational outcomes in their work in the Translation Retinal Research Laboratory.

The Translational Retinal Research Laboratory has just published a paper in the prestigious journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America), entitled: Single-cell transcriptomics reveals maturation of transplanted stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells toward native state. Congratulations to the team for this substantial accomplishment!

Access the PNAS article here.

Dr Su was invited to speak at the APACRS 2023 Novartis-sponsored symposium, which was very well attended, and which received excellent feedback.

More about APACRS: Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), originally named evolved from the Asia-Pacific Intraocular Implant Association (APIIA), was founded by Prof. Arthur Lim to reflect the dynamic developments in cataract and refractive surgery. The society aims to address the continent’s cataract and refractive surgery needs, accepting the further challenge of the region’s social, economic, and cultural diversity.

This invitation-only forum aims to connect emerging leaders with NAM members working across all fields of health and medicine and related fields, enabling attendees to gain new perspectives on their own work. Through its crosscutting panels and interactive discussions, the Forum will provide a platform for identifying novel and inventive means of tackling difficult problems in health and spark transformative change in the field.

With effect from 1 April 2023, Dr Su Xinyi was appointed as Deputy Executive Director (Strategy & Transformation) of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB),  A*STAR. The vision of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is to be a premier cell and molecular biology institute which addresses the mechanistic basis of human diseases. Its mission is to conduct cutting-edge discovery research in disease pathways; to groom early career researchers to be future leaders in research and to collaborate with medical and industry communities for research impact. Its success in fostering a biomedical research culture in Singapore has catalysed Singapore’s transformation into an international hub for biomedical research, development and innovation.

Dr Su Xinyi is Co-Director of the Centre for Innovation and Precision Eye Health (NUS Medicine and NUHS), which was launched on 25 March 2023 at an opening ceremony graced by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. More information about the launch can be found here.

Dr Su delivered an invited speech at the 38th APAO Congress on “Vitreous Substitutes: New Approaches to Retinal Detachment Repair”. At the same time, Dr Su also graduated from the APAO’s Leadership Development Programme.

“A new polymer gel may offer a drug-free solution to preventing retinal scarring after eye surgery.” [See full article here]

Cargene is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oligonucleotide therapeutics across a broad range of diseases and targeting a variety of organs and tissues. With sites in Singapore, China and USA, Cargene leverages our chemistry and biological insights to deliver clinically meaningful treatments. Dr Su joins a team of expert international scientific advisors, including Prof. Harvey Lodish (MIT), Prof. Stuart Forbes (University of Edinburgh), Prof. Scott Friedman (Mount Sinai).

The Dr. Susan Lim Award for Outstanding Young Investigator (supported by the Dr. Susan Lim Endowment for Education and Research) recognizes the exceptional achievements of an investigator in the early part of their independent career in stem cell research. The award emphasizes the numerous and continued contributions of Singapore-based researchers toward understanding the fundamental biology of stem cells and promoting their potential as powerful tools in disease modeling, drug screening and regenerative medicine.

This award recognises junior faculty members in YLLSOM who have demonstrated great potential in research and achieved research excellence. Dr Su received the award (in absentia) at the NUS Medicine Awards Ceremony on 30 Nov 2022.

The Opthalmologist invited Dr Su to pen an article on her team’s work applying hydrogels to proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

A*STAR, as the implementing agency for the Human Health and Potential Industry Alignment Fund – Pre-Positioning (HHP IAF-PP), organised the HHP Industry Day on 9 Sep 2022. This event showcased the capabilities developed by various IAF-PP funded programmes and offered a platform for project teams to engage with industry for future collaboration. Public sector institutions, institutes of higher learning (IHLs), public agencies, companies and VCs were invited to attend this event. Other than delivering a keynote address on her HHP IAF-PP research work, Dr Su also participated in a panel dialogue on “Traits of Successful Collaborations – What Works and What Doesn’t”.

Dr Su was invited by the A*STAR Graduate Academy to speak at the A*STAR Scholarship Ceremony where more than 80 new scholars were appointed. Speaking to an audience that included Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng and Chairman A*STAR Ms Chan Lai Fung, Dr Su shared her experiences as an A*STAR Scholar to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders for Singapore.

CNA 938 interviewed Dr Su Xinyi again, this time for their Life & Style episode. She was interviewed regarding the findings of her research team on the development of a bio-functional thermogel, a type of synthetic polymer, that prevents retinal scarring. Dr Su explained that 5 to 10 per cent of patients who have undergone retinal detachment surgeries are at risk of developing retinal scarring which can cause surgical failures and will have a risk of vision loss to the patient. The current treatment is a second surgery which can be difficult, costly, and risky for the patient. There are no drugs yet to cure retinal scarring. The research team aims to develop a gel that can be placed into the eye after retinal surgery to support the retinal, promote recovery, and prevent secondary retinal scarring. Dr Su is looking into further development of the gel to potentially be applied to other medical conditions beyond ophthalmology, such as scarring within joints or wound scarring on skin.

“A team of scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) and Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) have developed a bio-functional thermogel, a type of synthetic polymer, to prevent retinal scarring caused by failed retinal detachment repair surgery. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) occurs when the retinal scarring prevents the retina from healing and falling back into place, and accounts for more than 75 per cent of failed retinal detachment surgeries and may result in vision loss or blindness if left unrepaired.”

Here is a selection of some news websites reporting on the article:

• ANI
• EurekAlert!
• NewsPostTalk

Dr Su has been appointed (wef 1 April 2022) as a member of the editorial board of Communications Medicine, a selective open access journal from Nature Portfolio, publishing high-quality research, reviews and commentary across all clinical, translational and public health research fields. Primary research papers published by the journal represent significant advances in preventing, diagnosing or treating human disease of relevance to a specialized field. The journal is equally interested in publishing in well-established as well as emerging areas of medicine and public health.

On 2 March 2022, Dr Su was conferred the 2021 Honoree award for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of Singapore by JCI Singapore. She received the award in the Medical Innovation category from Guest-of-Honour, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC. The TOYP is awarded annually by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) and recognises those who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world’s young people.

Dr Su has been appointed as Deputy Head, Clinician Scientist Academy of the National University Health System (NUHS). In this new appointment, she will play a pivotal role in the strategic identification and development of all Clinician Scientists in NUHS.

“A new stem cell transplant technology could potentially restore vision in patients with retinal damage.” [See full article here]

Founded in 1977, the Macula Society is a forum for new research in retinal vascular and macular diseases. Membership is by application, with acceptance criteria including extensive contribution to retinal literature. The Macula Society recognizes outstanding achievement by its members and others through awards and lectures, and holds an annual meeting open to members, their guests, co-authors, and supporting company representatives. [From https://www.maculasociety.org/]

On 1 December, JCI Singapore organised a press conference where it announced the finalists for its Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of Singapore award. From a competitive list of applicants, Dr Su was shortlisted as one of the finalists who will receive the TOYP Singapore award at the gala dinner for the category of “medical innovation”.

CNA 938 interviewed Dr Su Xinyi and Professor Brian Kennedy (Director of Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme at NUS Medicine) regarding their collaboration to develop cellular therapeutics for age-related diseases.

Dr. Su said: ” Through this collaboration, we are growing stem cells into retinal cells, and then injecting the retinal cells back into the eye. We hope that eventually the cells will replace the function of those cells that are not working well in the patient’s eye and therefore help them to recover some vision.”

“A recently published study in the journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy led by Assistant Professor Su Xinyi from the Department of Ophthalmology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine examines the therapeutic potential of photoreceptor precursors derived from clinically compliant iPSCs. The study demonstrated the safety and therapeutic potential of clinically compliant iPSC-derived photoreceptor precursors as a cell replacement source for future clinical trials. These include performing a first-in-man clinical trial for photoreceptor precursor transplant in Singapore, in collaboration with RxCELL, a biotechnology company focused on therapeutic applications iPSCs.”

Here is a selection of some news websites reporting on the article:

• Ophthalmology Times
• Science Daily
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

As life expectancy increases, the prevalence of disability and morbidity associated with age-related diseases is burgeoning. RxCell, a Bay Area-based biotechnology company, together with A*STAR’s IMCB, NUS, and SERI, announced a joint lab to develop cellular therapeutics for age-related diseases.

“Our partnership with RxCell signals Singapore’s move towards harnessing stem cell regenerative technologies to improve health outcomes. The potential to restore vision in patients with end-stage retinal disease through stem cell therapy is extremely exciting! Using technologies arising from our collaboration, we plan to conduct a first-in-man clinical trial in Singapore in the near future,” said Dr Su Xinyi.

The formation of the joint lab was reported on several news websites:

Business Wire
Yahoo News
Biospace
Valdosta Daily Times

Each year since 2004, the Eye and Vision Health Awards have been given out to deserving individuals and companies who have contributed to eye care in Singapore. Dr Su Xinyi was selected by the Eye and Vision Health Awards Committee 2021 to be the awardee of the Distinguished Service Award. The awards are organised by the Yishun Health Campus of the National Healthcare Group.

Dr Su Xinyi was invited to represent A*STAR at the 2nd Singaporean Researchers Global Summit (SRGS), which included a presentation of Vitreogel to Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Singapore.

The SRGS was organised on 20-21 Sept as a celebration of research outputs and impact of Singaporean researchers in research and innovation. The two-day summit brought together Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning and Singaporean researchers locally and around the world to share research contributions as well as discuss insights on research initiatives and directions in the COVID and post-COVID world.

Dr Su is the Lead Principal Investigator of a research team comprising researchers from IMCB A*STAR, the National University of Singapore, and the Singapore Eye Research Institute that has just been awarded $5.7 million under the RIE2025 Industry Alignment Fund-Industry Collaboration Project (IAF-ICP) Fund. This grant will be used to establish a joint lab between the aforementioned parties and RxCell (a biotechnology company focused on therapeutic applications of induced pluripotent stem cells) to study regenerative cell therapies.

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, mentioned Dr Su in a speech that he gave at the 20th A*STAR Scholarship Ceremony. He said,

“Second, we will maintain our strong support for fundamental research, to sustain a critical mass of top scientific talent to drive future innovations. A good example of how fundamental research has led to advancements in health outcomes is the Vitreogel innovation. Vitreogel is a safe, stable and biodegradable thermogel material that serves as a vitreous substitute during eye surgery, such as retinal detachment repair. This innovation was co-developed by Dr Su Xinyi, a clinician-scientist and ophthalmologist, and Dr Loh Xian Jun, who is a basic polymer scientist at A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE). When Xinyi faced challenges finding a suitable substance to replace the vitreous liquid in patients’ eyes after surgery, both scientists came together to develop the thermogel, and co-founded the company Vitreogel Innovations to commercialise it. Their innovation is an important example of how fundamental research is crucial in creating a strong base of knowledge and capabilities needed to power transformative innovations …

Scholars from earlier batches have gone on to become leaders in their own fields. Let me cite just a few: … Dr Su Xinyi, the innovator of Vitreogel whom I mentioned earlier, was also an A*STAR scholar. Xinyi received the National Science Scholarship and went on to complete her MBBS and PhD. Today, Xinyi is wearing multiple leadership hats in A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), the National University Hospital, and at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, among other appointments. Besides her research and clinical work, Xinyi is committed to developing the next generation of clinician-scientists through her active mentoring of A*STAR scholars, NUH PhD students and NUHS Ophthalmology clinician-scientist residents.”

To read the article, click here.

Dr Su was recently featured by the A*STAR Graduate Academy as an exemplar of an A*STAR Scholarship recipient. She was awarded the scholarship competitively as one of the prize winners of a national science competition.

To read the article, click here.

Asst. Prof. Su Xinyi is a theme principal investigator in a research team that was recently awarded a Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund (MOE AcRF) Tier 3 grant for a proposal entitled “Endomembrane System Architecture, Dynamics, and Functions in Aging Cells and Tissues” (led by the Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore).

The MOE AcRF Tier 3 programme-level funding scheme enables high-impact, multi-disciplinary research that is carried out in a comprehensive and organized manner. Tier 3 level grants aim to facilitate the emergence of game-changing science by bringing together collaborative teams of experts to develop integrated solutions for scientific issues.

For more information about the grant, click here.

Photo Credits: Mechanobiology Institute, Singapore

The Retina Lab’s recent Stem Cell Reports article on retinal pigment epithelium cells has been widely reported on multiple scientific news websites. Some examples include:

• SciTechDaily
• Fierce Biotech
• Chinese media

In addition, a picture from the article (see below) will be featured on the cover of the upcoming hardcopy issue of Stem Cell Reports.

Dr Xinyi Su was selected for the prestigious LDP which aims to provide systematic orientation for cultivating future leaders in the vitreoretinal field of the Asia-Pacific region through workshops, one-on-one mentorship scheme and panel discussions. Under the LDP, she is mentored by Dr Suber Huang (CEO of the Retina Center of Ohio).

Dr Xinyi Su was invited by Alcon (an opthalmology products company) and Rimonci (a top Chinese investment firm) to deliver a webinar on Vitreogel to a Chinese audience of >1,700 scientists and investors.

Roche, a leading multi-national healthcare company (as well as ophthalmology solutions provider), invited Dr Su to participate in its Roche TAE Leadership and Surgical Excellence Advisory Board. In this position, Dr Su will advise Roche on how to engage the next generation of retinal specialists and will also be involved in Roche’s innovation process for future pipeline products.

Dr Regha Kakkah, research fellow at the TRRL, mentored a biomedical science student, Ms Shiroshini Periasamy, from International Medical University. Shiroshini’s excellent internship experience with Dr Regha at the TRRL was recently featured in The Star on 13 Mar 2020. Congratulations Dr Regha for being an inspiring educator!

The TRRL was recently featured in the Yong Loo Lin’s School of Medicine 2019 research yearbook, where the TRRL’s work on a “new hydrogel material for retinal detachment repair” was highlighted for its potential impact on healthcare.

Dr Su Xinyi was recently featured by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, in its promotional video for its Clinician-Scientist programme.

Dr Su Xinyi was selected from a competitive field to serve in the prestigious role of an Associate Scientific Advisor for Science‘s sister journal, Science Translational Medicine, for 2020-2021. In this capacity, she will author several “Editor’s Choice” articles to highlight key pieces of research in leading specialty journals in ophthalmology and related fields.

Dr Su Xinyi was awarded the 2020 Young Ophthalmologist Award by the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology during the above meeting, held jointly in conjunction with the 1st Asia-Pacific Ocular Imaging Society Meeting.

Dr Su Xinyi was appointed as an adjunct assistant professor at the Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, one of Singapore’s five major Research Centres of Excellence (RCEs). MBI’s scientific research focuses on the “dynamical and mechanical aspects of biological functions”. Dr Su’s appointment allows the Translational Retina Research Laboratory to partner with MBI in exciting new ways.

Dr Su Xinyi attended the 2019 World Young Scientist Summit, which was concurrently held with the 2019 Grand Challenge for Global Vision Innovation, organised by the Eye Valley in Wenzhou (China’s national ophthalmology centre of excellence). Her team, comprised of Dr. Loh Xianjun and herself, was awarded the Silver Award for their research.

Dr Su Xinyi, presenting the work of the Retina Lab, won the top prize for Oral Presentation at the NUHS Innovation Summit 2019: Redefining Health through Academia. The occasion was graced by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.

Our hydrogel technology was recently covered by Nature Biomedical Engineering in a News & Views piece. Read on to find out more about what Dr. Stanley Chang from the Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Centre has to say.

Our team members were recently interviewed regarding the inspiration behind the hydrogel technology and future plans. Find out more in this article written by Lianhe Zaobao.

Our Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor Su Xinyi, was recently awarded the Young Ophthalmologist Award for Best Presentation at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology – American Academy of Ophthalmology – European Society of Ophthalmology Joint Session. Congratulations!

Our Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor Su Xinyi was interviewed about age-related macular degeneration. Listen on as she explains the condition and answers commonly asked questions.