Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

IBN’s Droplet Array Sheds Light on Drug-Resistant Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers at the IBN have developed a miniaturized biochip for investigating the effect of drugs on cancer stem cells (CSCs). Published recently in Nano Today, this new technology could boost the development of more effective cancer drugs.

In a tumor, CSCs form a small and distinct class of cancer cells that are more resistant to chemotherapy. Similar to stem cells found in human tissues, CSCs can produce and differentiate into different cell types. If CSCs are not eradicated, they can repopulate the tumor and lead to cancer recurrence. Hence, it is important for researchers to understand the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs against CSCs. However, since CSCs are so scarce – they make up approximately 1% of cancer cells – their study has been hampered by conventional drug screening methods, which require large sample volumes and are slow and expensive.

A team of researchers led by IBN Executive Director, Professor Jackie Y. Ying, has developed a miniaturized biological assay called the Droplet Array to perform cheaper, faster and more convenient drug screening using limited samples.

IBN’s patented Droplet Array technology.

YRP Student Wins 3^rd Prize at 2012 A*STAR Talent Search for IBN Project

YRP student Heng Teng Hiang (middle) with her IBN mentors, Dr Charlotte Hauser (left) and Archana Mishra (right).

18-year-old Heng Teng Hiang from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science, has won the 3^rd prize at the 2012 A*STAR Talent Search (ATS) held on April 27, 2012 for her research project conducted at IBN from June 2011 to January 2012 under its Youth Research Program. Mentored by IBN Team Leader and Principal Research Scientist, Dr Charlotte Hauser, and IBN Lab Officer, Archana Mishra, Teng Hiang conducted research on the self-assembling properties of a class of ultrasmall peptides developed at IBN, which shows potential for applications in the field of tissue engineering, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This project also garnered her the Merit Award at the 2012 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF).

Organized by A*STAR, Science Centre Singapore and Ministry of Education, the ATS recognizes outstanding research projects in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics submitted for the SSEF. This year‘s competition received 605 entries from 1,228 secondary and junior colleges students. After rigorous screening by a panel of judges helmed by Nobel Laureate Prof Erwin Neher, Director Emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Goettingen, Germany, eight finalists were shortlisted and Teng Hiang emerged as one of the top three talented young students. A total of 102 awards were presented by the Guest-of-Honour, Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport.

This is the second time that Teng Hiang has participated in IBN‘s YRP since December 2010 when she was mentored by IBN Research Scientist Dr Wang Yong. Teng Hiang shared, “Both my YRP attachment experiences have been very enriching. I have learnt a lot about how to plan and conduct experiments, and this has fueled my passion to know more about research. I am very thankful for this wonderful learning opportunity and this award has certainly encouraged me to work harder for my dreams.”

Nanomaterials: Peeling Back the Sheets
Organic nanosheets peeled from porous polymer show potential as imaging and transport agents in biological applications

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials known as nanosheets have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years because of their large surface-to-volume ratio and unconventional properties. Graphene, for example, has found use in a wide range of applications in electronics as it displays both insulating and semiconducting properties.

Scientists have developed a variety of techniques for making nanosheets, but the fabrication of freestanding organic nanosheets remains a challenge. The current technology could either build small 2D fragments from small molecular units in solution or confine molecules or fragments in 2D geometries. Sometimes the 2D fragments might even aggregate into three-dimensional (3D) frameworks.

Dr Yugen Zhang, Prof Jackie Ying and co-workers at the A*STAR Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have now discovered an easy way of making organic nanosheets – by peeling layers off a porous polymer. They used a porous polyisocyanurate, which contains many highly reactive, terminal isocyanate groups within its outer layers. These terminal groups can react with amine-functionalised small molecules under relatively mild conditions to give nanosheets that are subsequently isolated by filtration.