Shu Sin CHNG

CHNG Shu Sin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS), serving concurrently as Vice Dean (Student Life and Alumni Relations) and Associate Director of the Singapore Center for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE-NUS). He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University (2010), a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School (2011), and a B.Sc. (Hons) from NUS (2003).

Research Interests: His research focuses on bacterial outer membrane biogenesis, particularly lipid trafficking mechanisms in Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria. Key areas include identifying antibiotic targets, elucidating Mce systems' roles in lipid uptake, and understanding the Tol-Pal and Mla systems' functions in maintaining membrane asymmetry. His work has revealed critical insights into mycolic acid transport via MmpL3 and its implications for drug development.

Teaching Contributions: He teaches courses such as CM1102 (Chemistry – The Central Science), CM3225 (Biomolecules), and CM4227 (Chemical Biology).

• Education:
  • B.Sc. (Hons), National University of Singapore, 2003
  • Ph.D., Harvard University, 2010
  • Postdoc., Harvard Medical School, 2011

Research Highlights: His group discovered that the Mce1N protein negatively regulates mycobacterial lipid transport and identified the Tol-Pal complex's role in phospholipid retrograde transport. These findings advance strategies against tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Awards & Recognition:

• Walter Shaw Young Investigator Award for Lipid Research (ASBMB, 2019)
• NUS Teaching Excellence Awards (multiple years)
• Faculty Young Scientist Award 2018

Labs & Collaborations: His research is conducted in the Department of Chemistry (NUS) and SCELSE-NUS, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to microbial membrane biology and drug discovery.