Harnessing Polyamines for Skin Health - Dr. Leah Vardy

Dr. Leah Vardy, a Senior Principal Investigator at the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), has spent over two decades in biomedical research, with the last ten years dedicated to understanding the biology of skin. With training across the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore, her diverse background spans model organisms like yeast and fruit flies to human stem cells. Today, she leads pioneering work focused on pigmentation, tissue repair, and ageing skin.

From Fundamental Biology to Clinical Impact

Dr. Vardy’s research is rooted in cell and molecular biology, with a strong emphasis on uncovering the molecular mechanisms driving skin pathologies. A significant area of focus for her team is a family of naturally occurring metabolites called polyamines. Although long known to be essential for cell survival, her group has uncovered their crucial role in regulating skin cell behaviour. Abnormal levels of polyamines, they discovered, are associated with pigmentation disorders, impaired wound healing, and skin barrier dysfunction.

These insights have opened new therapeutic possibilities. “We’ve shown that these molecules sit at the center of many skin functions. Dysregulation contributes to disease and correcting that imbalance offers real translational value,” says Dr. Vardy.

 

Why SRIS Made the Difference?

While Dr. Vardy joined A*STAR nearly two decades ago, it was the establishment of SRIS that marked a turning point in her translational research. “SRIS created an environment where clinicians, researchers, and industry partners come together to accelerate discoveries from the lab to the clinic,” she explains.

The collaborative model allowed her to build long-term partnerships, most notably with Prof. Steven Thng, Senior Consultant at the National Skin Centre and Chief Dermatologist at SRIS. This collaboration led to the validation of a novel technology to treat melasma, a hard-to-treat pigmentation condition. Another partnership with Prof. David Becker from Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University Singapore has identified therapeutic targets for chronic wounds, now being developed into potential interventions. These projects were made possible through SRIS's early-stage funding, access to clinical expertise, and strong cross-institutional linkages. “SRIS enabled us to go beyond the discovery phase into validation, development, and impact,” she adds. 

 

Outcomes and Recognition

The collaborative research has resulted in multiple high-impact publications, patents, and follow-on funding for further development. The aim is to advance these technologies through a spin-out company, delivering real and lasting benefits to patients with skin conditions. In addition to advancing her research, Dr. Vardy has played a leadership role in shaping the Institute’s translational direction and strategic partnerships. She has built and mentored a highly capable research team within SRIS and is passionate about helping young scientists in their career development to enable them to build careers that reflect their unique strengths.

 

Looking Ahead

Dr. Vardy’s future plans include continued focus on polyamine biology and expanding collaborations across academia and industry. She remains committed to developing targeted interventions for skin conditions, guided by the belief that science should have real-world applications. 

“SRIS has given me the space to explore, the support to test ideas, and the partnerships to turn those ideas into impact,” she says. “It’s a place where translational research thrives.”

 

A Model for Collaboration

For clinicians and scientists seeking to bridge the gap between research and application, Dr. Vardy strongly recommends engaging with SRIS. “The Institute offers a unique combination of infrastructure, expertise, and openness to innovation,” she notes. “This is where great science holds real potential to reach the clinic and help patients.”