Cell & Tissue Engineering Programme

Physiology is synonymous with the study of biological functions. Tissue Engineering involves the study and manipulation of the structural-function relationship of cells and tissue so as to enable tissue repair and regeneration. Therefore, we aim to establish a critical mass of research groups on Cell and Tissue Physiology that will bridge the fundamental Cell and Molecular biology research and the use-inspired Tissue Engineering R&D activities in Singapore. We will synergize with other life science programmmes in the Department, the Faculty of Medicine and the University.

Objectives:

• Develop a research programme on the Cell and Tissue Physiology for Tissue Engineering, with special emphasis on liver and other metabolic organs
• Contribute to the NUS Bioengineering education & research
• Contribute to the reformed Medical Education in Singapore by imparting a strongly academic, and yet practical sets of problem-solving skills to future physicians
• Synergies with a similar development on the Metabolic and Secretory Organ Tissue Engineering in international centres of excellence through exchanges of staff and students
  

Current strengths:

1. Groups in the Department of Physiology, NUS:

• A/P Hooi Shing Chuan has been working on the cell-surface proteoglycan interaction with extra-cellular matrices for the control of cell differentiation, and the gastrointestinal cell biology
• Dr Wang Nai-dy has been studying the energy metabolism in liver-specific knock-out animal models
• A/P Hanry Yu has been working on cellular and intra-cellular dynamics as well as the biological issues for liver tissue engineering
  

 2. Groups in other departments of the University:

• Jia-Ping Chen, Chemical & Environmental Engineering, NUS
• Han-Ming Shen, COFM, NUS
• Lilia Kuleshova, NUMI, NUS
• Partha Roy, Bioengineering, NUS
• Tan Choon Hoon, Chemistry, NUS

3. Other local and overseas partners:

• Ping-Chin Cheng, Electrical Engineering, Buffalo, USA
• Steven Fang, Cordlife Pte Ltd
• Hai-Quan Mao, Johns Hopkins
• Kam Leong, Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, USA
• Athanassios Sambanis, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
• Lang Zhuo, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, A*STAR
• Victor Samper, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, A*STAR
  

Recruitment:

We seek new investigators with background, experience and interest in:

• Hepatology
• Cell dynamics (trafficking, cytoskeleton & cell migration)
• Cell-cell & cell-matrix interaction
• Stem cell biology
• Tissue morphogenesis
• Cryobiology of tissue & tissue constructs

We also welcome inquires for:

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. research studentship and scholarship
• Short-term research attachments or internship
• Academic or industrial collaborations

Contact:

A/P Hanry Yu
Department of Physiology
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Block MD9 #03-03,
2 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597
Phone: +65 6874 1644 or 3644 or 4885
Fax: +65 6778 8161 or  6872 7150
Email: hanry_yu@nus.edu.sg