A*STAR and NUS Launch Joint Synthetic Biology Lab to Accelerate Bioeconomy Translation
核心洞察
A*STAR (搜索) and NUS have launched a joint synthetic biology lab called PRIME to transform research breakthroughs into commercially viable products using bioengineered yeast and fungi as "cell factories."
The global synthetic biology market is projected to grow to over US$60 billion by 2030, with the broader bioeconomy expected to contribute up to US$4 trillion annually within the next decade.
Led by synthetic biology pioneer Professor Jay Keasling, the lab will leverage AI-guided enzyme engineering and scalable microbial platforms to produce complex molecules previously too costly to manufacture.
A new joint laboratory has been launched in Singapore to accelerate the translation of synthetic biology research into commercially viable products, from sustainable cosmetics to affordable vaccines. The collaboration between A*STAR (搜索)'s Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI (搜索)) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) aims to bridge the gap between academic discovery and industrial application in the rapidly expanding bioeconomy.
Dubbed the Platform for Research and Innovation in Metabolic Engineering (PRIME), the lab was launched on June 11 and will combine NUS's foundational scientific research with SIFBI (搜索)'s expertise in cultivating and modifying biological materials. At its core is the use of bioengineered yeast and fungi as "cell factories" to convert simple nutrients into complex molecules for the production of everything from vaccines to biofuels.
A Growing Global Market
The launch comes amid surging global demand for bio-based alternatives to petrochemical-derived products. The synthetic biology market is projected to grow to more than US$60 billion by 2030, according to market research. The broader bioeconomy is expected to contribute up to US$4 trillion annually within the next decade, driven by a fundamental shift away from conventional chemical manufacturing.
"As industries seek more sustainable ways to produce ingredients, chemicals and materials, synthetic biology is opening up new routes to make useful compounds by engineering biological systems such as microbes and enzymes," the institutions stated in their joint announcement.
Leadership and Technology
The lab will be led by Professor Jay Keasling of the University of California, Berkeley, a pioneer in synthetic biology widely credited with innovating the use of bioengineered yeast to produce QS-21, a plant-derived molecule used as a vaccine adjuvant. Traditionally, extracting just one kilogram of QS-21 from plant sources could cost more than US$200 million. Using yeast-based production, the same amount can now be produced for approximately US$200, while also eliminating the need for chemical extraction processes.
The lab will focus on three core areas to accelerate industry translation: faster design through AI-guided enzyme and pathway engineering to shorten development timelines; scalable production using industrially deployable microbial platforms; and access to novel bio-based compounds for ingredients and functional applications.
Professor Keasling described the lab as "self-driving," noting that artificial intelligence and automation will work together to drive the engineering of biology. "That's our long-term goal, to have AI and automation work together to drive the engineering of biology," he said.
Industry and Economic Impact
Mr Beh Kian Teik, ASTAR Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the strategic importance: "For Singapore to capture opportunities in the bioeconomy, we need to move strong science closer to market. This joint lab is one way ASTAR and NUS are closing that gap, by working with industry to develop bio-based solutions that can be scaled into products."
Mr Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, added: "As the chemicals sector adopts greener alternatives, industrial biotechnology offers companies a credible pathway to diversify raw material sources and develop novel, sustainable products."
SIFBI (搜索) executive director Sze Tan characterized the bioeconomy as the "next industrial revolution," with its focus on sustainability offering a chance to reverse the effects of previous industrial revolutions. "We now have the tools to re-imagine biology, a chance to be bold and lead," she said.
Talent Development
Beyond research and industry engagement, the lab will serve as a training ground for Singapore's future scientists and engineers in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, AI-guided biological design, and industrial biomanufacturing. Joint supervision arrangements, internships, and fellowships are designed to develop researchers who can operate at the interface of academia and industry.
Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, noted: "The joint lab gives our scientists a direct pathway to translate their work into practical outcomes, while equipping students and early-career researchers with valuable skills needed to operate across research and industry settings."
Over time, the lab aims to catalyze technology licensing, start-up formation, and new partnerships to build a pipeline of talent and ideas supporting the long-term growth of Singapore's bio-based innovation ecosystem.