As one of the most diverse and comprehensive collections of plant and microbial samples in the world, the Natural Product Library serves as an important starting point for the discovery of bioactive compounds and enzymes for industries ranging from pharmaceuticals, ingredients, flavours and preservatives, to personal care products and cosmetics. The open-access and intensively screened biodiversity resource comprises 37,000 plant samples and 123,000 microbial strains. These specimens, collected from local habitats and through diverse international collaborations, represent 57% of cultured fungal genera, over 67% of the world's plant families and 70% of filamentous bacterial genera. When coupled with in-house advanced metabolic engineering strategies, it creates opportunities to develop novel products that are relevant to the consumer care and food industry. This rich resource is supported by capabilities in functionality screening done through standard or novel assays.
Aimed at establishing Singapore as a leading hub that translates biotransformation research into practical applications for the food and consumer industries, the Biotransformation Innovation Platform (Biotrans) focuses on:
- Optimising microorganisms to produce high-value ingredients
- Advanced microbial fermentation processes to impart flavour, fragrance or functional benefits
- Upcycling of agriculture and food waste into value-added products
Biotrans is part of the International Associated Laboratory, along with the National University of Singapore Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI) and the Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés (LISBP) / Toulouse White Biotechnology (TWB) from France. Together, they facilitate joint training initiatives, research scientist exchange programmes and the co-development of projects that nurture talent with bioprocess engineering capabilities in Singapore.
Case Study 1: A patented technology by Biotrans produces more lycopene, a cancer-preventing antioxidant found in tomatoes, in a 2000L bioreactor – compared to turning the whole of Singapore into a tomato farm. Lycopene, also found in red carrots, watermelons, grapefruits and papayas, is known to improve heart health, provide skin protection and reduce the risk of certain cancers. It is also widely used as an ingredient in food, supplements and cosmetics. Biotrans provides a sustainable approach – by culturing a bacteria engineered to produce lycopene – that is not restricted by climate, saves land and water, and is efficient and consistent in yield.
Case Study 2: Through the Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) method, Biotrans improved the phenotypes of yeast strains to produce Mycosporines and Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which strengthened their UV filter properties without needing a light source.
Scientists from our Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) have also developed a range of UV filters using lignin, nanodiamonds and other bio-derived polymers, which are considered safer and more sustainable.