Seah Ling Kuan

Dr. Seah Ling Kuan serves as Group Leader of the Protein Therapeutics group at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) and has been Head of the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility since October 2022. Her work bridges chemical design and cancer therapeutics with a focus on tumor microenvironment (TME) interventions.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.Sc. (Hons) from National University of Singapore (2003)
• Ph.D. from National University of Singapore (2009)

Research centers on protein-based nanomedicine targeting the TME as a dynamic ecosystem. Her group develops catalytic biopolymers for sustained therapeutic effects and utilizes 3D cell models to study biotherapeutic interactions. Collaborative mass spectrometry imaging enables label-free metabolite tracking and TME mapping, emphasizing strategies beyond direct cancer cell destruction to prevent metastasis.

Recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate expertise in stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems and precision bioconjugation, spanning chemistry, nanomedicine, and immunology. Key trends include tumor-targeted photosensitizers, sequence-controlled release mechanisms, and glycogen-mimetic nanocarriers for immune modulation, reflecting interdisciplinary innovation in cancer therapy.

Key recognition:

• Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2011)

Dr. Kuan directs both the Protein Therapeutics group and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, leveraging her role as Europe Coordinator for the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry Overseas Members Network. Previous positions include group leader at the Institute of Organic Chemistry III (2013-2016) and scientific roles at Singapore's Health Authority Sciences.

The Protein Therapeutics group pioneers catalytic biotherapeutics for TME modulation, while the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility advances imaging techniques for metabolite biodistribution studies in complex biological systems.