A*STAR and NUS launch Synthetic Biology Joint Lab to scale bio-based innovation in Singapore

Singapore has strengthened its ambitions in synthetic biology with the launch of a new joint laboratory by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), aimed at accelerating the commercialization of bio-based technologies and supporting the city-state’s expanding bioeconomy.

• ASTAR and NUS launched the ASTAR SIFBI-NUS Synthetic Biology Joint Lab to accelerate the translation of research into commercially viable products.
• Initial research focused on nutrition and consumer care applications, with plans to expand into advanced materials and healthcare innovations.
• The initiative combined expertise in synthetic biology, bioprocess scale-up, AI-guided design, and industrial biomanufacturing while supporting talent development.

The new initiative was established through a partnership between the ASTAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (ASTAR SIFBI) and the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (NUS SynCTI).

Designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment, the joint laboratory will support industry partnerships, research translation, and workforce development in areas expected to play a growing role in the global bioeconomy.

The launch came as governments and businesses increasingly explored bio-based alternatives for producing ingredients, chemicals, and materials in response to sustainability goals, supply chain challenges, and rising demand for more resource-efficient manufacturing methods.

The laboratory combined A*STAR SIFBI’s experience in bioprocess development and scale-up with NUS’ expertise in fundamental science, interdisciplinary research, and education. Together, the organizations aimed to create a pathway for moving scientific discoveries more rapidly toward commercial applications.

Initial projects will focus on nutrition and consumer care applications, reflecting growing interest in biotechnology-enabled ingredients and functional products. Future research is expected to broaden into advanced materials and healthcare-related innovations.

According to A*STAR Chief Executive Officer Beh Kian Teik, the initiative was intended to help move scientific advances closer to commercial deployment by enabling industry partners to develop scalable bio-based solutions for ingredients, chemicals, and materials. He also emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in helping Singapore capitalize on opportunities emerging across the bioeconomy.

The laboratory will be led by Professor Jay Keasling, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of modern synthetic biology. Under his leadership, research activities will focus on three core areas: accelerating product development through AI-guided enzyme and pathway engineering, developing microbial production platforms suitable for industrial-scale manufacturing, and creating access to novel bio-based compounds for ingredient and functional applications.

The integration of artificial intelligence with synthetic biology is becoming an increasingly important area of research globally. AI tools are being used to accelerate the design of enzymes, metabolic pathways, and production organisms, potentially reducing the time required to develop new products and improve manufacturing efficiency.

The initiative also aligned with broader expectations for growth across the bioeconomy. Industry forecasts cited by the partners suggested that the global bioeconomy could contribute as much as US$4 trillion annually within the next decade, while the market for bio-based chemicals is expected to surpass US$200 billion by 2030.

Food and nutrition represent one of the most visible areas where synthetic biology is already being applied commercially. Advances in biotechnology have enabled companies to produce ingredients from alternative biological sources, helping diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on conventional raw materials.

One example highlighted by the partners was the production of omega-3 lipids from alternative biological sources rather than imported marine resources. Such developments are increasingly being supported by AI and advanced data analytics, which can accelerate the discovery, optimization, and scale-up of complex biological molecules.

Singapore Economic Development Board Managing Director Jermaine Loy said industrial biotechnology offered companies a practical route to developing more sustainable products while diversifying feedstock sources. He noted that the new laboratory would strengthen Singapore’s research and development ecosystem and support innovation across the emerging bioeconomy.

Beyond research and commercialization, talent development forms a central part of the initiative. The laboratory plans to offer training in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, AI-guided biological design, and industrial biomanufacturing.

Students and early-career researchers will also have opportunities to work across academic and industry settings through internships, fellowships, and joint supervision arrangements. The partners said these programs were intended to build a workforce equipped with the skills needed to support future growth in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean highlighted the university’s longstanding strengths in synthetic biology research and emphasized the importance of creating clearer pathways for translating scientific discoveries into practical outcomes. He also noted that the collaboration would help prepare researchers and students for increasing demand for biotechnology expertise across multiple industries.

For Singapore, the launch represented another step in a broader effort to establish itself as a regional hub for biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and innovation-driven economic growth. By combining research expertise, industrial partnerships, and workforce development under a single initiative, A*STAR and NUS aimed to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to commercial impact.