Our lab focuses on 3 areas of translational infectious diseases research: Host-pathogen interactions, biomarker discovery and host-directed therapies. Under the theme of host-pathogen interactions, we investigate the effects of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) on the secretion of human proteases from host cells which can cause tissue destruction and cell death. We analyse switch points by which potential therapeutic agents can be administered to suppress the detrimental effects of human proteases on TB-associated tissue destruction. In biomarker discovery, we evaluate highly promising biomarkers that can diagnose TB and infectious disease pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, with a view to developing rapid point-of-care tests. Under host-directed therapies, we investigate a variety of re-purposed drugs, as an adjunct therapy to TB treatment to improve patient treatment outcomes. The lab, which comprises BSL2, BSL2+ and BSL3 sections, is also part of the NUHS Infectious Diseases Translational Research Programme and iHealthtech with active funding by the NMRC, National Centre for Infectious Diseases, NUS and NUHS. We have close collaborations with the Singapore National TB Control Unit, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (Nanyang Technology University) and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Internationally, our collaborators are in World Health Organisation Collaborating Center Tradate in Italy; INMI, Rome in Italy; WHO Western Pacific Regional Office; St George's University of London and University of Southampton, UK.

Our lab's Mission: To be at the forefront of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases translational research.

Our values: Creativity, Passion, Dedication, Camaraderie, Respect and Transparency.