FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
2014 / 2015
by
Department of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Department Management Team
Professor Loh Kian Ping (Head)
Professor Lu Yixin (Deputy Head)
Associate Professor Lam Yulin (Deputy Head)
Associate Professor Chuah Gaik Khuan (Deputy Head)
Associate Professor Liu Xiaogang (Assistant Head)
Associate Professor Yeung Ying Yeung (Assistant Head)
Management Council
Professor Loh Kian Ping (Chair)
Professor Hor Tzi Sum, Andy
Professor Lee Hian Kee
Professor Jagadese J. Vittal
Professor Xu Guo Qin
Professor Wong Ming Wah, Richard
Associate Professor Chuah Gaik Khuan
Associate Professor Ang Siau Gek
Associate Professor Chin Wee Shong
Ms June Chan
Specialized Programmes
Professor Zhou Weibiao (Director, Food Science and Technology Programme)
Professor Chang Young-Tae (Leader, Medicinal Chemistry Programme)
3
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor
Chang Young-Tae
P8
Tamio Hayashi
P9
Hor Tzi Sum, Andy
P10
Lee Hian Kee
P11
Li Fong Yau, Sam
P12
Liu Xiang-Yang
P13
Loh Kian Ping
P14
Lu Yixin
P15
Jagadese J. Vittal
P16
Wong Ming Wah, Richard
P17
Xu Guo Qin
P18
Yao Shao Qin
P19
Zhou Weibiao
P20
Associate Professor
Ang Siau Gek
P21
Ryan P. A. Bettens
P22
Chan Yin Thai
P23
Chen Wei
P24
Chin Wee Shong
P25
Chuah Gaik Khuan
P26
Fan Wai Yip
P27
Gao Zhiqiang
P28
Huang Dejian
P29
Huynh Han Vinh
P30
Stephan Jaenicke
P31
Kang Hway Chuan
P32
Lay Yee Hing
P33
Lam Yulin
P34
Liu Shao Quan
P35
4
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor
Liu Xiaogang
P36
Suresh Valiyaveetil
P37
Thomas Walcyzk
P38
Simon Watts
P39
Thorsten Wohland
P40
Wu Jishan
P41
Xu Qing-Hua
P42
Yeung Ying Yeung
P43
Yip Hon Kay, John
P44
Assistant Professor
Ang Wee Han
P45
Chi Chunyan
P46
Chng Shu Sin
P47
Chua Lay Lay
P48
Goki Eda
P49
Christian Albertus Nijhuis
P50
Yang Hongshun
P51
Yeo Boon Siang Jason
P52
Rowan Drury Young
P53
Yuk Hyun-Gyun
P54
Zhang Chun
P55
Zhao Yu
P56
5
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Teaching-Track Faculty Members
Chan Sau Han Edith
P57
Chui Sin Yin, Stephen
P58
Adrian Michael Lee
P59
Leong Lai Peng
P60
Liu Mei Hui
P61
Linda Sellou
P62
Tan Sue Qing, Emelyn
P63
Simon Watts
P64
Xu Hairuo
P65
Zhang Sheng
P66
Zhao Jin
P67
Fung Fun Man
P68
Hoang Truong Giang
P68
Michael Yudistira Patuwo
P68
Claire Anne Taylor
P68
Thyagarajan Saradha
P68
Teaching Assistant
Chen Litai, Jeremiah
P69
Ong Yue Ying
P69
Leonard Joachim Pereira
P69
Tan Wee Boon
P69
6
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Emeritus Professor
Ang How Ghee
Goh Suat Hong
Huang Hsing Hua
Kiang Ai Kim
Adjunct Faculty Members
Professor Bosco Bloodworth (Health Sciences Authority)
Professor Chua Sin Bin (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority)
Associate Professor Li Xu (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Professor Lim Lic-Kiam (Abbott Nutrition)
Assistant Professor Ong Kheng Chuan, Peter (OBS Ingredients Pte Ltd/OBS Consulting Pte Ltd)
Assistant Professor Michael Sullivan (Institute of High Performance Computing)
Assistant Professor Tan Yen Nee (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Associate Professor Nikodem Tomczak (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Prof Mahesh Uttamchandani (DSO National Laboratories)
Assistant Professor Wang Fuke (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering)
Assistant Professor Xu Jianwei (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering
Professor Jackie Ying (Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology)
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor CHANG Young-Tae
Post-doc., Univ. of California at Berkeley/Scripps Research Inst., 1997-2000; Ph.D.,
POSTECH, 1996; M.Sc., POSTECH, 1994; B.Sc., POSTECH, 1991
http://ytchang.science.nus.edu.sg/
Email: chmcyt@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Career Award, National Science Foundation, USA, 2005
• NUS Young Investigator Award, 2007
• Head of Bioimaging probe development lab at Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (2007-present)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Development of Bioimaging probes & sensors for in vitro, in vivo and clinical applications by Diversity
Oriented Fluorescence Library Approach (DOFLA) and chemical genetics. Specific foci are:
• Bioimaging probe development
• Universal sensors for daily life and environmental surveillance
• Molecular evolution & artificial tongue
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 8557-8560.
A pancreatic beta cell selective probe PiY (Pancreatic islet Yellow), which stains Langerhans islets in
live animals without toxicity or side effects and facilitates the isolation of healthy Langerhans islets by a
fluorescence guided surgical process.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Yun, S. W.; Kang, N. Y.; Park, S. J.; Ha, H. H.; Kim, Y. K.; Lee, J. S.; Chang, Y. T., Diversity oriented
fluorescence library approach (DOFLA) for live cell imaging probe development. Acc. Chem. Res.
2014, 47, 1277-1286.
• Zhai, D.; Xu, W.; Zhang, L.; Chang, Y. T., The role of “disaggregation” in optical probe development.
Chem. Soc. Rev. 2014, 43, 2402-2411.
• Yoo, J. S.; Lee, S. C.; Jow, Z. Y.; Koh, P. Y. X.; Chang, Y. T., A macrophage-specific fluorescent probe
for intraoperative lymph node staging. Cancer Res. 2014, 74, 44-55
• Vendrell, M.; Zhai, D.; Er, J. C. Chang, Y. T., Combinatorial strategies in fluorescent probe
development. Chem. Rev. 2012, 112, 4491-4320.
• Yun, S. W.; Leong, C. K. M; Zhai, D.; Tan, Y. L.; Lim, L.; Bi, X.; Lee, J. J.; Kim, H.; Kang, N. Y.; Ng, S.
H.; Stanton, L. W.; Chang, Y. T., Neural stem cell specific fluorescent chemical probe binding to
FABP7. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2012, 109, 10214-10217.
8
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor Tamio HAYASHI
Postdoc., Colorado State University, USA, 1976-1977
Ph.D., Kyoto University, Japan, 1975
B. Eng., Kyoto University, Japan, 1970
Email: chmtamh@nus.edu.sg; tamioh@imre.a-star.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
The Chemical Society of Japan Award in 2003, Author C. Cope Scholar Award in 2008, and The Medal
with Purple Ribbon in 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Synthetic Organic Chemistry: Selective organic synthesis catalyzed by transition metal complexes
• Organometallic Chemistry: Mechanistic understanding of catalytic Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Catalysis: Development of a new type of catalytic asymmetric reactions and design of new chiral ligands
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 5056–5059. and
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 1777–1780.
Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of (triaryl)methylamines
with high enantioselectivity was realized by rhodiumcatalyzed asymmetric arylation of cyclic ketimines
substituted with two aryl groups at the imine carbon.
Thus, the addition of arylboroxines to cyclic N-sulfonyl
ketimines 1 and N-acyl ketimine precursors 2 in the
presence of a rhodium catalyst coordinated with a
chiral diene ligand ((R)-diene* or (S,S)-Fc-tfb) gave high
yields of the corresponding arylation products with up
to 99% ee. The chiral benzosultams obtained were
transformed into the chiral (triaryl)methylamines by
breaking the cyclic structure.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Nishimura, T.; Noishiki, A.; Hayashi, T., Hydroxorhodium/Chiral Diene Complexes as Effective Catalysts for
Asymmetric Arylation of 3-Aryl-3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 1777.
• Sawano, T.; Ashouri, A.; Nishimura, T.; Hayashi, T., Cobalt-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,6-Addition of
(Triisopropylsilyl)acetylene to α,β,γ,δ-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 18936.
• Shintani, R.; Maciver, E.; Tamakuni, F.; Hayashi, T., Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of SiliconStereogenic Dibenzooxasilines via Enantioselective Transmetalation. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 16955.
• Imazaki, Y.; Shirakawa, E.; Hayashi, T., Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transformation of Aryl and Alkenyl Triflates to
Halides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 14760.
• Nishimura, T.; Takiguchi, Y.; Hayashi, T., Effect of Chiral Diene Ligands in Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric
Addition of Arylboronic Acids to α,β-Unsaturated Sulfonyl Compounds. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 9086.
• Shintani, R.; Otomo, H.; Ota, K.; Hayashi, T., Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Silicon-Stereogenic
Dibenzosiloles via Enantioselective C–H Bond Functionalization. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 7305–7308.
• Nishimura, T.; Noishiki, A.; Tsui, G. C.; Hayashi, T., Asymmetric Synthesis of (Triaryl)methylamines by
Rhodium-Catalyzed Addition of Arylboroxines to Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Ketimines. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134,
5056.
• Shirakawa, E.; Hayashi, Y.; Ito, K.; Watabe, R.; Uchiyama, N.; Konagaya, W.; Masui, S.; Hayashi, T., CrossCoupling of Aryl Grignard Reagents with Aryl Halides through SRN1 Pathway. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51,
218.
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor HOR Tzi Sum Andy
D.Sc., Univ. of London, 1999; Postdoc., Yale Univ., 1984; D.Phil., Univ. of Oxford,
1983; B.Sc.(Hons), Imperial College of Science and Technology, 1979
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/hor.htm
Email: andyhor@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
Executive Director, Institute of Materials Research & Engineering, A*STAR, 2010-present
Advisor, Early Career Researchers, A*Star
President-Elect, Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
Fellow, NUS Teaching Academy, 2009-present
Outstanding Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2007.
President, Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), 2003-present
Associate Editor (Commissioning), Australian Journal of Chemistry (CSIRO), 2008-present
Member, International Advisory Board, Chemistry: An Asian Journal (VCH/Wiley), 2006-present
Member, International Advisory Board, Inorganica Chimica Acta (Elsevier), 2003-present
Member, International Advisory Board, International Symposium for Chinese Inorganic Chemists, 1998-present
Member, International Advisory Board, 16th International Symposium on Relations between Homogeneous & Heterogeneous
Catalysis, 4-9 Aug 2013
Chair, A*Star Scientific Conference, 18-19 Oct 2012.
Chair, 41st International Chemistry Conference on Coordination Chemistry, Singapore, 21-25 July 2014
Chair, 15th Asian Chemical Congress, Singapore, 19-23 Aug 2013
Chair, Organising Committee, Young Scientist Award, SNAS & A*Star
Chair, Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances & Toxic Wastes, National Environment Agency, 2001-present
Chair, ISO/TC229, Nanotechnology National Working Group, SCIC & SPRING
Member, Advisory Committee, TUM CREATE, Singapore
Jury President, L’Oréal Singapore for Women in Science National Fellowship 2012
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our SMS (Supramolecular & Molecular Science) laboratory is interested in challenges at the interface of molecular,
supramolecular & materials sciences and practical applications in catalysis & synthesis, materials, energy &
environment:
• Synthesis: Supramolecular & MOF Assemblies; Porous & network materials
• Catalysis: Molecule economy & green catalysis; Hybrid ligands and structures; Bimetallic catalysis
• Materials: Catalytic materials; Coordination polymers; Advanced energy storage
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Organometallics, 2011, 30, 2137–2143.
Derivatives of the natural product cinchonine are used as
novel cyclometalating ligands to support soluble
phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes with high quantum
efficiencies.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
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P Wang, S Sannigrahi, N Yakovlev and T S A Hor, "General One–Step Self–Assembly of Isostructural
Intermetallic CoII3LnIII Cubane Aggregates“ Inorg. Chem., 51 (22), 12059–12061(2012).
S Q Bai, A M Yong, J J Hu, D J Young, Z H Zhang, Y Zong, J W Xu, J L Zuo and T S A Hor, “Zinc, cobalt and
copper coordination polymers with different structural motifs from picolyl-triazole hybrid ligands”
CrystEngComm, 14, 961-967 (2012).
Z Wang, L Jiang, Z P Liu, C R R Gan, Z L Liu, X H Zhang, J Zhao and T S A Hor, “Facile formation and redox
of benzoxazole-2-thiolate-bridged dinuclear Pt(II/III) complexes" Dalton Trans., 41, 12568-12576 (2012).
S Y Li, Z Wang, T S A Hor and J Zhao, “First crystallographic elucidation of a high-valent molybdenum oxo
NHC complex [(CpMoO2)-O-VI(IBz)](2)[Mo6O19]“ Dalton Trans, 41, 1454-1456 (2012).
N Ding, W Zhang and T S A Hor, "One-step entry to olefin-tethered N,S-heterocyclic carbene complexes of
ruthenium with mixed ligands“ Dalton Trans, 41, 5988-5994 (2012).
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor LEE Hian Kee
Ph.D., University of Canterbury, Christchurch,
(Hons), University of Canterbury, 1978
New
Zealand,
1982; B.Sc.
NUS Provost’s Chair Professor (2011-2014)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/leehk.htm
Email: chmleehk@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
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Editor, Journal of Chromatography A, 2010 - current; Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Chromatography A, 2004 2010
Editor, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2005 - 2011; Editorial Advisor, Analytica Chimica Acta, 2003 - 2005
Member, International Advisory Board, Analyst, 1997 - 2008
Member, Advisory Board, Analytical Sciences, 2004 - current
Member, International Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society, 2011 - current
Member, Editorial Advisory Boards, LC·GC Asia Pacific, 2006 - current; LC·GC Europe, 2008 - current
Scientific Advisory Board, Separation Science, 2008 - current
NUS Outstanding Researcher Award, 2006
NUS Faculty of Science Outstanding Scientist Award, 2009
Federation of Asian Chemical Societies Foundation Lectureship Award, 2009
Hyflux-Singapore National Institute of Chemistry Award in Environmental Chemistry, 2013
The Analytical Scientist Power List: 100 Most Influential People in the Analytical Sciences
Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests are focused on the development and applications of solvent-minimized, miniaturized sample
preparation procedures, in combination with microscale chromatographic techniques. A primary objective is to
apply these methods to environmental analysis of chemicals of emerging concern. We also have an interest to
develop these techniques for completely automated onsite applications.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Anal. Chem. 86, 3743-3749 (2014)
A fully automated dispersive liquid-liquid
microextraction (DLLME) approach seamlessly
integrated with gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry (GC/MS) was developed. Every
DLLME-GC/MS analysis cycle is completely
automated for multiple aqueous samples to be
processed sequentially and uninterruptedly.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• S Tang and HK Lee, Application of dissolvable layered double hydroxides as sorbent in dispersive soild-phase
extraction and extraction by co-precipitation for the determination of aromatic acid anions. Anal. Chem., 85, 74267433 (2013).
• Z Huang and HK Lee, Materials-based approaches to minimizing solvent usage in analytical sample preparation,
Trends Anal. Chem., 39, 228-244 (2012) (Invited review).
• J Lee and HK Lee, Fully automated dynamic in-syringe liquid-phase microextraction and on-column derivatization of
carbamate pesticides with gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis, Anal. Chem., 83, 6856-6861 (2011).
• Z Shi and HK Lee, Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with -solid-phase extraction for the fast
determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water samples, Anal. Chem., 82, 1540-1545
(2010).
• L Xu and HK Lee, Zirconia hollow fibre: preparation, characterization and microextraction application, Anal. Chem.,
79, 5241-5248 (2007).
• G Shen and HK Lee, Hollow fiber-protected liquid-phase microextraction of triazine herbicides, Anal. Chem., 74,
648-654 (2002).
• L Zhao and HK Lee, Liquid-phase microextraction combined with hollow fiber as a sample preparation technique
prior to gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry, Anal. Chem., 74, 2486-2492 (2002).
• Y Wang, YC Kwok, Y He and HK Lee, Application of dynamic liquid-phase microextraction to the analysis of
chlorobenzenes in water using a conventional microsyringe, Anal. Chem., 70, 4610-4614 (1998).
• Y He and HK Lee, Liquid-phase microextraction in a single drop of organic solvent using a conventional syringe, Anal.
Chem., 69, 4634-4640 (1997).
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor LI Fong Yau Sam
D.Sc., Ph. D, B. Sc. Imperial College, London, UK
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/lifys.htm
Email: chmlifys@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Outstanding Researcher Award, National University of Singapore/IMRE, 1999
• Dupont Accomplishment Award, DuPont Company, 1993
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Areas of research interest include water eco-efficiency, metabolomics, capillary electrophoresis, lab-onchip devices, environmental analysis, biomedical analysis, bioimaging, sensor technologies, lab-on-chip
devices, nanomaterials analysis, chromatographic techniques, scanning probe microscopy, supercritical
fluid extraction and chromatography.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Liu, F.; Gan, P.P.; Wu, H.N.; Woo, W.S.; Ong,
E.S.; Li, S.F.Y.. A combination of metabolomics and
metallomics studies of urine and serum from
hypercholesterolaemic rats after berberine injection.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2012. 403(3): p. 847856.
A combined metabolomic and metallomic approach was
developed in this study using the hypercholesterolaemic rat
model, which involved the use of proton nuclear magnetic
resonance for the analysis of rat urine to achieve metabolic
fingerprinting and inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry for the analysis of rat blood serum to achieve
metallomic fingerprinting.The results obtained indicated that
major metabolic processes like Krebs cycle, cholesterol
metabolism and osmoregulation in hypercholesterolaemic
rats are perturbed upon berberine injection. In addition, the
changes of some elements, such as V, Mn, Na and K,
revealed in the metallomic study may contribute to the
search of new biomarkers for hypercholesterolaemic disease.
Metabolomic & Metallomic Fingerprinting Analysis
Control Rat
biological fluids
Treated Rat
biological fluids
Sample Preparation
NMR /
ICP-MS Analysis
Multivariate Analysis
Principal Component
Analysis (PCA) Plots
4.4
4.0
3.6
3.2
2.8
2.4
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
Biomarkers (metabolites &
biometals) identification
0.0
(ppm)
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Lu, M., et al., Manganese-polypyrrole-carbon nanotube, a new oxygen reduction catalyst for air-cathode
microbial fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2013. 221: p. 381-386.
• Ashley, J. and S.F.Y. Li, Three-dimensional selection of leptin aptamers using capillary electrophoresis and
implications for clone validation. Analytical Biochemistry, 2013. 434 (1): p. 146-152.
• Jiang, Z.J., et al., Metabolic profile associated with glucose and cholesterol lowering effects of berberine in
Sprague-Dawley rats. Metabolomics, 2012. 8(6): p. 1052-1068.
• Gan, P.P., et al., Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using palm oil mill effluent (POME): A low-cost and ecofriendly viable approach. Bioresource Technology, 2012. 113: p. 132-135.
• Fang, G., et al., Systematic optimisation of coupled microwave-assisted extraction-solid phase extraction for the
determination of pesticides in infant milk formula via LC-MS/MS. Food Chemistry, 2012. 134(4): p. 2473-2480.
• Ashley, J., K.L. Ji, and S.F.Y. Li, Selection of bovine catalase aptamers using non-SELEX. Electrophoresis, 2012.
33(17): p. 2783-2789.
• Ang, J.Q. and S.F.Y. Li, Novel sensor for simultaneous determination of K+ and Na+ using Prussian blue pencil
graphite electrode. Sensors and Actuators B-Chemical, 2012. 173: p. 914-918.
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor LIU Xiang Yang
Scientist, Unilever Research Port Sunlight Laboratory, 1999; Postdoc., Nijmegen
University, 1996; Ph.D. (Cum Laude), Nijmegen University, 1993; M.Sc, Shandong
Univ., 1985.
http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~interface/New/index.html
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/liuxy.html
Email: phyliuxy@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Outstanding Researcher Award, 2007, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
• Councilor of the International Organization for Crystal Growth
• The 5th president of the Asian Crystal Growth and Crystal Technologies.
• Vice President of the Singapore-China Association for Advancement of Science and Technology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Soft and Bio Functional Materials
• Biomimicking
• Micro/Nano Structure formation and engineering
• Crystallization/molecular assembly and hybrid materials
• Biophysics
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
The kinetics of the entire nucleation process has never
been verified experimentally. We applied a EM field
controlled colloidal assembly system (up left) to examine
the process. The kinetics of nucleation has been
obtained quantitatively for the first time since it was
indentified a few centuries ago. (Up right: the change of
size distribution of embryos with time. (a)-(d): the
embryos fluctuation at the same time interval. Nature
429, 739 (2004); Adv. Fun. Mat. (Feature article) 22, 1354
(2012).
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
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Zhi Lin , Qinqiu Deng , Xiang Yang Liu , and Daiwen Yang, "Engineered Large Spider Eggcase Silk Protein for
Strong Artificial Fibers", Adv. Mat. 2012, (DOI: 10.1002/adma.201204357).
Ying Ying Diao and X. Y. Liu*, “Colloidal Crystallization: Experimental Modeling of General Crystallization and
Biomimicking of Structural Color”, Adv. Fun. Mat. (Feature article) 22, 1354–1375 (2012).
Rongguo Xie, Xiang Yang Liu*: "Controllable Epitaxial Crystallization and Reversible Oriented Patterning of
Two-Dimensional Colloidal Crystals", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 4976-4982 (2009).
Tian Hui Zhang and Xiang Yang Liu*, "Nucleation: What Happens at the Initial Stage?", Angew. Chemie Int. Ed.
48, 1308-1312 (2009).
Tian Hui Zhang, X. Y. Liu*, "How Does Transient Amorphous Precursor Template Crystallization", J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 129, 13520-13526 (2007).
K.-Q. Zhang and X. Y. Liu*, “In situ observation of colloidal monolayer nucleation driven by an alternating
electric field”, Nature 429, 739-742 (2004).
X.Y. Liu*, S.W. Lim, “Templating and Supersaturation Driven Anti-Templating: Principles of Biominerals
Architecture”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125,888-995 (2003).
X.Y. Liu*, and P.D. Sawant, “Micro/Nanoengineering of Self-Organized Three-Dimensional Fibrous Structure of
Functional Materials”, Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 41, 3641-3645 (2002).
X.Y. Liu*, E.S Boek, W.J. Briels & P. Bennema: "Prediction of growth morphology of crystals based on interfacial
structure analysis", Nature 374, 342-345 (1995).
X.Y. Liu*, P. Bennema & J.P. Van Der Eerden: "The rough-flat-rough transition at crystal surfaces", Nature 356,
778 (1992).
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor LOH Kian Ping
Postdoc., National Inst. for Material Science, Tsukuba, Japan, 1998; Ph.D., Oxford
Univ., 1996; B.Sc., National Univ. of Singapore, 1994
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/lohkp.htm
Email: chmlohkp@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
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President’s Science Award 2014
American Chemical Society Nano Lectureship Award 2013
University Outstanding Researcher Award 2012
Dean’s Chair professor 2010
Faculty Young Scientist Award, NUS, 2009, Outstanding Chemist Award, 2009
University Young Scientist Award, NUS, 2008
NRF-CRP award, NRF, 2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS
General interests include advanced functional carbon materials and surface science. Specific foci are :
• Graphene and Diamond related materials
• 2-D organic and inorganic materials, energy storage and transfer in 2-D materials, Carbocatalysis, gas
separation and water filtration, Surface Science at the Atomic Domains
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Face to Face Transfer of CVD Graphene Films
On Silicon Wafer, Libo Gao, A.H. Castro Neto,
Kian Ping Loh* et. al. Nature 505, 190–194
(2014)
For the first time, the Singapore team led by Professor Loh accomplished the growth and transfer of high quality
graphene on silicon wafer in one step by engineering capillary bridges at the graphene-silicon oxide interface. Most
importantly, the direct growth and spontaneous attachment of graphene on the silicon substrate is amenable to
batch processing in a semiconductor production line, and thus speeds up the technological application of
graphene.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
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Gao LB, Ni GX, Liu YP, Liu B, Neto AHC, Loh KP. Face-to-face transfer of wafer-scale graphene films. Nature
2014, 505(7482): 190-194.
Lim C, Sorkin A, Bao QL, Li A, Zhang K, Nesladek M, Loh KP. A hydrothermal anvil made of graphene
nanobubbles on diamond. Nature Communications 2013, 4.
Chhowalla M, Shin HS, Eda G, Li LJ, Loh KP, Zhang H. The chemistry of two-dimensional layered transition
metal dichalcogenide nanosheets. Nature Chemistry 2013, 5(4): 263-275.
Su CL, Acik M, Takai K, Lu J, Hao SJ, Zheng Y, Loh KP. Probing the catalytic activity of porous graphene oxide
and the origin of this behaviour. Nature Communications 2012, 3.
Lu J, Yeo PSE, Gan CK, Wu P, Loh KP. Transforming C-60 molecules into graphene quantum dots. Nature
Nanotechnology 2011, 6(4): 247-252.
Bao QL, Zhang H, Wang B, Ni ZH, Lim C, Wang Y, Loh KP. Broadband graphene polarizer. Nature Photonics
2011, 5(7): 411-415.
Loh KP, Bao QL, Eda G, Chhowalla M. Graphene oxide as a chemically tunable platform for optical
applications. Nature Chemistry 2010, 2(12): 1015-1024.
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Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor LU Yixin
Postdoc., Nagoya Univ., 2001; Clinical Research Inst. of Montreal, 2000; Ph.D.,
McGill Univ., 2000; M.Sc., Dalian Univ. of Tech., 1991, B.Sc., Fudan Univ., 1991
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/luyx.htm
Email: chmlyx@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Dean’s Chair Professorship, 2013
• GSK-SNIC Award in Organic Chemistry, 2013
• Outstanding Scientist Award & Young Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2013 & 2009
• Outstanding Chemist Award & Young Chemist Award, Department of Chemistry, NUS, 2011, 2010
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award from Japan, Korea, China & Taiwan, 2009, 2011 & 2012
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Main areas of study are asymmetric organocatalysis//medicinal chemistry. Specific foci include
organocatalytic asymmetric reactions & development of analgesics and anti-cancer agents.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Wang, T.; Yao, W.; Zhong, F.; Pang, G.
H.; Lu, Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 2964.
The first phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective addition involving prochiral nucleophiles and 2,3butadienoates as reaction partners has been
developed. Both 3-alkyl- and 3-aryl-oxindoles could
be employed in amino acid-derived phosphinetriggered -addition reactions to 2,3-butadienoates,
affording oxindoles bearing an all-carbon 3quaternary center in high yields and excellent
enantioselectivities.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Jiang, C.; Lu, Y.; Hayashi, T. High Performance of a Palladium-Phosphinooxazoline Catalyst in Asymmetric
Arylation of Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Ketimines. , Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 9936.
• Wang, T.; Yao, W.; Zhong, F.; Pang, G. H.; Lu, Y. “Phosphine Catalyzed Enantioselective g-Addition of 3Substituted Oxindoles to 2,3-Butadienoates and 2-Butynoates: Use of Prochiral Nucleophiles”, Angew. Chem. Int.
Ed. 2014, 53, 2964.
• Han, X.; Yao, W.; Wang, T.; Tan, Y. R.; Yan, Z.; Kwistkowski, J.; Lu, Y. “Asymmetric Synthesis of
Spiropyrazolones via Phosphine-Catalyzed [4+1] Annulations”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 5643.
• Zhong, F.; Dou, X.; Han, X.; Yao, W.; Zhu, Q.; Meng, Y.; Lu, Y. “Chiral Phosphine-Catalyzed Asymmetric
Michael Addition of Oxindoles”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 943.
• Han, X.; Zhong, F.; Wang, Y.; Lu, Y. “Versatile Enantioselective [3+2] Cyclization between Imines and
Allenoates Catalyzed by Dipeptide-Based Phosphines”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 767.
• Zhong, F.; Luo, J.; Chen, G.-Y.; Dou, X.; Lu, Y. “Highly enantioselective regiodivergent allylic alkylation of MBH
carbonates with phthalides”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 10222.
• Zhong, F.; Han, X.; Wang, Y.; Lu, Y. “Highly Enantioselective [3+2] Annulation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts
Mediated by L-Threonine-Derived Phosphines: Synthesis of 3-Spirocyclopentene-2-oxindole having Two
Contiguous Quaternary Centers”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 7837.
• Han, X.; Wang, Y.; Zhong, F.; Lu, Y. “Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of Allenes to Acrylates Catalyzed by
Dipeptide-derived Novel Phosphines: Facile Creation of Functionalized Cyclopentenes Containing Quaternary
Stereogenic Centers”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 1726.
15
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor Jagadese J. VITTAL
Postdoc., Univ. of Western Ontario, 1987; Ph.D., Indian Inst. of Science, 1982; M.Sc.,
Madurai Univ., 1977; B.Sc., Univ. of Madras, 1975
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/jjvittal.htm
Email: chmjjv@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
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Outstanding Researcher Award, NUS, 2011
World Class University Chair Professor, Gyeongsang National University, S. Korea (2009-2013)
A topic editor, Crystal Growth & Design, from 2012
One of the founding Board of Editors, Crystal Growth & Design Network by American Chemical Society
Erudite Scholar-in-Residence, Kerala State Higher Education Council, India, 2011
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Solid state chemistry & materials and crystal engineering. Current interests include solid-state
photochemistry and structural transformations, processable functional coordination polymers such as
gels and fibers, metal-organic frameworks as gas & energy storage materials, chemistry of metal
chalcogenocarboxylates, metal chalcogenide and oxide thin films and nanomaterials. Currently we are
interested in renewable energy including lithium ion batteries
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
(1st right)
An organic polymer comprising
cyclobutane rings and a coordination polymer
fused inside this MOF was obtained in a solid
state [2+2] photo cycloaddition reaction. The
organic polymer can be depolymerized thermally
in an SCSC manner. Ref: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
53, 414 (2014).
(2nd right) Three Zn(II) complexes were popping
under UV light demonstrates that solid state [2+2] cycloaddition reactions can
be utilized for harvesting mechanical energy along with chemical energy, from
light energy, thus provides an alternative energy conversion. Ref: Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed. 53, 5907 (2014)
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
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•
•
I.H. Park, R. Medishetty, S.S. Lee, J.J. Vittal, Solid-State Polymerization in a Polyrotaxane Coordination Polymer
via [2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction, Chem. Commun. 50, 6585-6588 (2014).
I.H. Park, R. Medishetty, J.-Y. Kim, S.S. Lee, JJ Vittal, Distortional Supramolecular Isomers of Polyrotaxane
Coordination Polymers: Photoreactivity and Sensing of Nitro Compounds, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53, 5591559 (2014).
I.-H. Park, A. Chanthapally, H.-H. Lee, H. S. Quah, S. S. Lee, J. J. Vittal, Solid-State Conversion of a MOF to a
Metal-Organo Polymeric Framework (MOPF) via [2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction, Chem. Commun. 50, 36653667 (2014).
G.K. Kole, T. Kojima, M. Kawano, J.J. Vittal, Reversible Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Photochemical
Formation and Thermal Cleavage of a Cyclobutane Ring, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53, 2143-2146 (2014).
A.Chanthapally, W.T. Oh, J.J. Vittal, Photoreactivity of Polymorphs of a Ladder Polymer with Crisscross, Parallel
Orientations of C=C Bonds, Chem. Commun. 50, 451- 453 (2014).
G.K. Kole, J.J. Vittal, Solid state reactivity, structural transformations involving coordination polymers, Chem.
Soc. Rev. 42, 1755-1775 (2013).
R. Medishetty, T. T. S. Yap, L. L. Koh, J.J. Vittal, Thermally Reversible Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal
Transformation of mononuclear to Dinuclear Zn(II) Complexes By [2+2] Cycloaddition Reaction, Chem.
Commun.. 49, 9567-9569 (2013).
G.R. Desiraju, J.J. Vittal, A. Ramanan, Crystal Engineering – A Textbook, World Scientific, 2011.
16
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor WONG Ming Wah Richard
Postdoc., Yale Univ., 1991; Postdoc., IBM Kingston, USA, 1990; Ph.D., Australian
National Univ., 1989; B.Sc. & B.Math, Univ. of Newcastle, 1985
http://staff.science.nus.edu.sg/~chmwmw/index.htm
Email: chmwmw@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• President, Singapore Catalysis Society, 2011 - current
• Advisory Board member, Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2011 - current
• Chairman, 4th Asian Pacific Conference on Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, 2009
• International Board Member, Asian Pacific Association on Theoretical and Computational Chemistry,
present
• Outstanding Researcher Award, National University of Singapore, 2002
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Computational quantum chemistry, organocatalysis, hydrogen storage materials, molecular sensors
• Weak intermolecular interactions, molecular recognition, reactive intermediates, computer-aided
drug design
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. Org. Chem., 76, 7399-7045, (2011).
A new type of chiral β-amino acid catalyst has been computationally designed, mimicking the enzyme
catalysis of serine proteases. Our catalyst approach is based on the bioinspired catalytic acid/base dyad,
namely, a carboxyl and imidazole pair. DFT calculations predict that this designed organocatalyst
catalyzes Michael additions of aldehydes to nitroalkenes with excellent enantioselectivities and
remarkably high anti diastereoselectivities.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• H Yang and MW Wong, b-Amino Acid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Michael Additions: Design of Organocatalysts
with Catalytic Acid/Base Dyad Inspired by Serine Proteases", J. Org. Chem., 76, 7399-7045, (2011).
• Z. Jiang, Y Pan, Y Zhao, T Ma, R Lee, Y Yang, K.W Huang, MW Wong and CH Tan, Synthesis of a chiral
quaternary carbon center bearing a fluorine atom: enantioselective and diastereoselective guanidine-catalyzed
addition of fluorocarbon nucleophiles, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 48 3627-3631 (2009).
• R Steudel and MW Wong, Dark-red O8 molecules in solid oxygen: Rhomboid clusters, not S8-like rings, Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed., 46, 1768-1771, (2007).
• CT Wong and MW Wong, Mechanism of metal chloride-promoted Mukaiyama aldol reactions, J. Org. Chem.,
72, 1425-1430, (2007).
• T Ghosh, BG Maiya, and MW Wong, Fluoride ion receptors based on dipyrrolyl derivatives bearing electronwithdrawing groups: synthesis, optical and electrochemical sensing and computational studies, J. Phys. Chem. A,
108, 11249-11259, (2004).
• MW Wong, Prediction of a metastable helium compound: HHeF, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 122, 6289-6290 (2000).
17
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor XU Guo Qin
Postdoc., Univ. of Toronto, 1991; Postdoc., Brookhaven National Lab, 1989; Ph.D.,
Princeton Univ., 1987; B.Sc., Fudan Univ., 1982
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/xugq.htm
Email: chmxugq@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• National Youth Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, Singapore National Youth Council, 1997
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My specific foci are:
• Surface chemistry
• Self-assembled nanostructures and molecular conductivity
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. Phys. Chem. C, 114, 16625 -16629 (2010)
Self-assembled molecular corrals have been formed on
the Si(111)-(7×7) surface by binding pyrrole molecules
chemically on the silicon centre adatom through the
breakage of the N–H bond. The dissociative adsorption
of pyrrole on Si(111)-(7×7) leads to pyrroyl and H
atom binding with an adatom and an adjacent rest atom,
respectively. The molecular corral has dramatically
modified the electronic property of the silicon surface,
which leads to the formation of pyridine dative bonding
to Si(111)-(7×7) surface at room temperature. The
self-assembled molecular corral may provide a template
for controlling the molecular binding configurations and
quantum confinement effect of nanoclusters.
Molecular
corrals:
self-assembled
molecular corrals by chemically binding
pyrrole molecules on the Si(111)-(7×7)
surface with a sample bias of -2.5 V. Insert
shows close-up of two circles, each
individual circle consisting of 12
chemisobed pyrrolyl fragments.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Y.P. Zhang, J.H. He, G.Q. Xu, E.S. Tok, “Architecturing Covalently Bonded Organic Bilayers on the Si(111)-(7 x
7) Surface via in Situ Photoinduced Reaction”, J. Phys. Chem. C 116, 16, 8943-8949 (2012)
• S. Wang, J.H. He, Y.P. Zhang, G.Q. Xu, “Adsorption of O2 and CO2 on the Si(111)-7 x 7 surfaces”, Surf. Sci.,
606, 17-18, 1387-1392 (2012)
• J.H. He, Y.P. Zhang, W. Mao, G.Q. Xu, E.S. Tok, “Unique geometric and electronic structure of CO adsorbed
on Ge(100): A DFT study”, Surf. Sci., 606, 9-10, 784-790 (2012)
• Y. P. Zhang, G. Q. Xu， “Self-assembled Molecular Corrals Formed on Si(111)-(7×7) Surface via Covalent
Bond”. J. Phys. Chem. C 114, 39, 16625–16629 (2010)
• Y. P. Zhang, S. Wang, E. S. Tok, and G. Q. Xu, “Tuning molecular binding configurations of pyridine on Si(111)(7×7) via surface modification”. J. Phys. Chem. C 115, 5, 2140-2145 (2011)
• Y.P. Zhang, J.H. He, G.Q. Xu, E.S. Tok, “Selective Attachment of 4-Bromostyrene on the Si(111)-(7 x 7)
Surface”, J. Phys. Chem. C, 115, 16, 15496-15501 (2011)
• J.H. Wu, T.Z. Xu, S.G. Ang, Q.-H. Xu, G.Q. Xu, “Radially oriented anthracene nanowire arrays: preparation,
growth mechanism, and optical fluorescence”, Nanoscale, 3, 4, 1855-1860 (2011)
• Y.P. Zhang, K.S. Yong, G.Q. Xu, X.Y. Gao, X. S. Wang, A.T.S. Wee, “Interaction of copper with sulfur on the
sulfur-terminated Si(1 1 1)-(7 x 7) surface”, Appl. Surf. Sci., 257, 6, 2038-2041. (2011)
18
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor YAO Shao Qin
Postdoc. 1998-2001, Scripps Research Institute & Univ. of California Berkeley; Ph.D.,
Purdue Univ., 1998; B.Sc., Ohio State Univ., 1993
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/yaosq.htm
Email: chmyaosq@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
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Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board, Angewandte Chemie,
Dean’s Chair Professor, National University of Singapore (2009-2012)
ASAIHL-Scopus Young Scientist Award (2008), international
Outstanding Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapaore, 2007
Mr & Mrs Sun Chan Memorial Award, International, 2006
Young Research Award, National University of Singapore, 2005
Young Investigator Award, A*STAR Singapore, 2002
RESEARCH INTERESTS
“Catalomics” - We are interested in developing powerful strategies in Chemical Biology and Chemical Proteomics
that enable organism-wide, high-throughput studies of enzymes. Specific foci are:
• Chemical Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Na, Z.; Pan, S.; Uttamchandani, M.; Yao, S.Q., “Discovery of Cell-Permeable Inhibitors That Target the
BRCT Domains of BRCA1 Protein by Using Small Molecule Microarray,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2014, 53, 84218426.
Array and break: with the assist of microarray-based screening
platforms, we have successfully discovered the first-ever cellpermeable small molecule-like PPI inhibitors against BRCA1. Our
compounds possesses potent in vitro inhibitory activity against
BRCA1 (BRCT)2. In cancer cells, They disrupt BRCA1 (BRCT)2protein interactions, and in combination with Olaparib, cause cell
death synergistically via activation of apoptosis pathway.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Li, Z.; Wang, D.; Li, L.; Pan, S.; Na, Z.; Tan, C.Y.J.; Yao, S.Q., “Minimalist” Cyclopropene-Containing PhotoCross-Linkers Suitable for Live-Cell Imaging and Affinity-Based Protein Labeling”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 136,
9990-9998 (2014).
• Li. L.; Zhang, C.; Chen, G.Y.J.; Zhu, B.; Chai, C.; Xu, Q.-H., Tan, E.-K.; Zhu, Q.; Lim, K.-L.; Yao, S.Q., “A
sensitive two-photon probe to selectively detect monoamine oxidase B activity in Parkinson’s disease models.”,
Nat. Commun., 5:3276 (2014).
• Zhang, C.; Tan, C.Y.J.; Ge, J.; Na, Z.; Chen, G.Y.J.; Uttamchandani, M.; Sun, H.; Yao, S.Q., “Preparation of Small
Molecule Microarrays by Using trans-Cyclooctene Tetrazine ligation and Their Applications in High-Throughput
Screening of Potential Protein-Protein-Interaction Inhibitors of Bromodomains”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 52,
14060-14064 (2013).
• Li, Z.; Li, L.; Hao, P. Tan, C.Y.J.; Cheng, X.; Chen, G.Y.J.; Sze, S.K.; Shen, H.-M.; Yao, S.Q., “Design and Synthesis
of “Minimalist” Terminal Alkyne-Containing Diazirine Photo-Cross-Linkers and Their Incorporation into Kinase
Inhibitors for Cell- and Tissue-Based Proteome Profiling”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 52, 8551-8556 (2013).
• Li, L.; Ge, J.; Wu, H.; Xu, Q.H.; Yao, S.Q. “Organelle-Specific Detection of Phosphatase Activities with TwoPhoton Fluorogenic Probes in Cells and Tissues”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 134, 12157-12167 (2012).
• Shi, H.; Zhang, C.; Chen, G.Y.J.; Yao, S.Q. “Cell-Based Proteome Profiling of Potential Dasatinib™ Targets
Using Affinity-Based Probes (AfBPs)”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 134, 3001-3014 (2012).
• Liu, K.; Yang, P.-Y.; Na, Z.; Yao, S.Q. “Dynamic Monitoring of Newly Synthesized Proteomes: Up-Regulation of
Myristoylated Protein Kinase A During Butyric Acid Induced Apoptosis”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 50, 67766781 (2011).
19
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Professor ZHOU Weibiao
Postdoc., Univ. of Waterloo, 1991; Ph.D., Univ. of Queensland, 1991; M.Eng.,
Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1985;
B.Sc., Beijing Univ. of Chemical
Technology, 1982
http://www.fst.nus.edu.sg/OurPeople/ZhouW.htm
Email: chmzwb@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Editor, International Journal of Food Properties, Taylor & Francis, 2007-present
• Member, Editorial Boards of International Journal of Food Engineering, De Gruyter, 2004-present; Food and
Bioprocess Technology, Springer, 2007-present; Food Engineering Reviews, Springer, 2008-present; Czech Journal of
Food Sciences, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2012-present; Trends in Food Science & Technology,
Elsevier, 2014-present; Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group, 2014-present
• Fellow, Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST), elected since 2007
• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK, elected since 2013
• Board Member, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), 2008-present
• Chairman, AVA Research and Development Committee, 2010-present
• Member-at-large, Executive Committee, International Society of Food Engineering (ISFE), 2006-present
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My interests are in food processing and food engineering; particularly baking processes, dairy processes, drying
processes, functional foods, food process modelling and optimisation, advanced process control, and the effect of
food processing on functional components such as antioxidants, isoflavones and probiotics. Specific foci are:
• Modeling, optimisation, and advanced control of food processes
• Innovative processing technologies for next-generation functional foods
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Food Chem., 163, 63-170 (2014).
The combined effects of pH and high temperature on the degradation kinetics of two anthocyanins in aqueous
solution were nonlinear and modelled with Monte Carlo simulation. pH 5.0/6.0 was a transition range where the
loss of anthocyanins was accelerated.
Degradation rates and Ea-ln(A) plots of cyanidin-3-glucoside (A & C) and cyanidin-3-rutinoside (B & D)
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• X Sui, X Dong, and W Zhou, Combined effect of pH and high temperature on the stability and antioxidant
capacity of two anthocyanins in aqueous solution, Food Chem., 163, 63-170 (2014).
• P Yu, ASL Yeo, MY Low, and W Zhou, Identifying key non-volatile compounds in ready-to-drink green tea and
their impact on taste profile, Food Chem., 155, 9-16 (2014).
• VK Ananingsih, J Gao, and W Zhou, Impact of green tea extract and fungal alpha-amylase on dough proofing
and steaming, Food Bioprocess Technol., 6(12), 3400–3411 (2013).
• W Wang, Y Jiang and W Zhou, Characteristics of soy sauce powders spray-dried using dairy whey proteins and
maltodextrins as drying aids, J. Food Eng., 119(4), 724-730 (2013).
• TMP Nguyen, YK Lee, and W Zhou, Effect of high intensity ultrasound on carbohydrate metabolism of
bifidobacteria in milk fermentation, Food Chem., 130(4), 866-874 (2012).
• W Zhou, YH Hui, I DeLeyn, MA Pagani, CM Rosell, J Selman, and N Therdthai (eds.) Bakery Products
Science and Technology, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, 2014, 761 pp.
20
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor ANG Siau Gek
Ph.D., Cambridge Univ., 1987; M.Sc., National Univ. of Singapore, 1984; B.Sc.,
National Univ. of Singapore, 1981
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/angsg.htm
Email: chmangsg@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Chevalier in the Order of the Palmes Academiques, French Ministry of Youth, Education and
Research, 2004
• Public Administration Medal (Bronze), National Day Awards, Singapore, 2010.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We study structures of organometallic compounds using a variety of spectroscopic and other physical
techniques including X-ray diffraction and surface analytical methods. Our current main interest is in
the fabrication and study of organometallic nanostructures.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Nanotechnology, 19, 145606 (2008)
We are studying the fabrication of amine derivatives of
metal phthalocyanines (MTAPc) as organometallic
nanowires via electropolymerization using porous
alumina filters as templates. The characterization of
these nanowires is carried out using field-emission
scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and the
interaction of these polymeric nanowires with oxidising
gases is being investigated for possible applications as
chemical sensors.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• YAP, C M, G Q Xu and S G Ang. “Amperometric Nitric Oxide Sensor Based on Nanoporous
Platinum Phthalocyanine Modified Electrodes”. Analytical Chemistry, 85, 2013, 107-113.
• WU, J, Tianze Xu, S G Ang, Q.-H. Xu and G Q Xu. "Radially-Oriented Anthracene Nanowire
Arrays: Preparation, Growth Mechanism, and Optical Fluorescence". Nanoscale, 3, 2011, 18551860.
• Wu J., V. Binni, X. Zhou, S.Y. Teo, C.H. Sow, S.G. Ang and G.Q. Xu. Interconnected Networks of
Zn(NO3)(2)center dot 6(H2O) Nanotubes and Its Solid-Phase Transformation into Porous Zinc
Oxide Architectures". Chemistry of Materials, 22(4) , 1533-1539 (2010).
• Gu F., C.H. Sow, G.Q. Xu and S.G. Ang. Fabrication and Field Emission Properties of Poly-CuTAPc
Nanowires and Nanotubes. Aust. J. Chem., 62, 1-7 (2009).
• Gu, F., G.Q. Xu and S.G. Ang. Studies on CuTAPc-nanotube-modified electrodes as chemical
sensors for NO. Nanotechnology, 2009, 20, 305501 (8pp).
• Gu, F., G.Q. Xu and S.G. Ang. Fabrication of CuTAPc polymer nanowires and nanotubes by
electropolymerization. Nanotechnology, 19, 145606 (2008).
• B-W Sun, M-S Zhang, G-Y Yang, SG Ang and HG Ang, Decacarbonyl-13C,23C,34C-(pentafluorophenylhydrazine-1N:2N’)-triangulo-triosmium: a hydrazine-edge-bridged triangular
triosmium cluster, Acta Cryst. Crystallograph., E61, m2419-m2420 (2005)
21
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Ryan P. A. BETTENS
Postdoc., Australian National Univ., 1999; Postdoc., Ohio State Univ., 1996; Postdoc.,
ETH, 1994; Ph.D., Monash Univ., 1992; B.Sc., Univ. of Queensland, 1986
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/bettens.htm
Email: chmbrpa@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research area is in the understanding and accurate description, via computational chemistry, of
inter- and intra-molecular interactions. Ultimately the understanding and description will be applied to
the dynamics of large systems like proteins and nucleic acids. Specific foci are:
• Accurately describe and predict enzyme-substrate interactions
• Accurately describe water and its interactions with large molecules
• Performance of first-principle molecular dynamics of an enzyme and substrate
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. Chem. Theory and Comput., 8 (2012) 469–478.
In the highlighted article we present a new energy-based fragmentation method that is based on our
previous work and combines the best elements of other energy-based fragmentation methods. Our
new approach, termed “combined fragmentation method”, is foremost simple to implement, robust,
accurate, and produces small fragments, which are independent of conformation and size of the target
molecule. Essentially small collections of bonded atoms in the target molecule are assigned to groups.
Fragment molecules are formed by taking all bonded pairs of these groups. These fragments are then
interacted with one another, and the interaction energy is simply added to the initial fragmentation
energy. The method has been tested on numerous molecules of biological interest both in vacuum and
in a continuum solvent.
Left: (A) Density matrix for α-helix (Ala)20 obtained
from HF/6-311G(d); (B) the difference between (A)
and the resulting density matrix obtained from our
fragmentation method; and (C) the difference density
matrix for the capping hydrogens.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• H-A Le, H-J Tan, JF Ouyang and RPA Bettens. Combined Fragmentation Method: A simple method
for fragmentation of large molecules. J. Chem. Theory and Comput., 8, 469–478 (2012)
• H-A Le and RPA Bettens. Distributed multipoles and energies of flexible molecules. J. Chem.
Theory and Comput., 7, 921–930 (2011)
• H-A Le, AM Lee and RPA Bettens. Accurately reproducing ab initio electrostatic potentials with
multipoles and fragmentation. J. Phys. Chem. A, 113, 10527-10533 (2009)
• RPA Bettens and AM Lee. On the accurate reproduction of ab initio interaction energies between an
enzyme and substrate. Chem. Phys. Lett., 449. 341-346 (2007)
• AM Lee and RPA Bettens. First principles NMR calculations by fragmentation, J. Phys. Chem. A,
111, 5111-5115(2007)
22
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor CHAN Yin Thai
Postdoc., Stanford Univ., 2006-2008; Ph.D., Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 2006;
B.Sc., Univ. of California at Berkeley, 2001
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chanyt.htm
Email: chmchany@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Postdoctoral Fellow , Stanford University , 2006-2008
• Excellent Young Teacher Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2012
• Distinguished Lectureship Award from the Chemical Society of Japan, 2014
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests generally lie in the development of novel hierarchically complex semiconductor
nanomaterials for optoelectronic , photocatalytic and biological imaging applications. Specific foci are:
• Biological and chemical sensing using nanoparticle-based multilayer microfluidics
• Synthesis and characterization of hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures
• Developing the surface chemistry of semiconductor nanoparticles for bio-imaging
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Wu, W.; Li, M.; Lian, J.; Wu, X.; Yeow, E.K.L.; Jhon, M.H.; Chan, Y., “Efficient Color-Tunable
Multiexcitonic Dual Wavelength Emission from Type II Semiconductor Tetrapods”, ACS Nano,
DOI:10.1021/nn503343c (2014)
• Xu, Y.; Lian, J.; Mishra, N.; Chan, Y., “Engineering Dual Emission via the Site-Selective Silica
Encapsulation of Anisotropic Semiconductor Nanoheterostructures”, Small, 9, 1908 (2013)
• Lian, J.; Xu, Y.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y., “Aqueous Phase Reactions on Hollow Silica Encapsulated
Semiconductor Nanoheterostructures”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 134, 8754 (2012)
• Liao, Y.; Xing, G.; Mishra, N.; Sum, T. C.; Chan, Y., “Low Threshold, Amplified Spontaneous Emission
from Core Seeded Semiconductor Nanotetrapods Incorporated into a Sol-Gel Matrix”, Adv.
Mater., 24, OP159 (2012)
• Mishra, N.; Lian, J.; Chakrabortty, S.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y., “Unusual Selectivity of Metal Deposition on
Tapered Semiconductor Nanostructures”, Chem. Mater., 24, 2040 (2012)
• Li, X.; Lian, J.; Lin, M.; Chan, Y., “Light-induced Selective Deposition of Metals on Gold-Tipped CdSe
Seeded CdS Nanorods”, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 133, 672 (2011)
• Chakrabortty, S.; Xing, G.; Xu, Y.; Ngiam, S. W.; Mishra, N.; Sum, T.C.; Chan, Y., “Engineering
Fluorescence in Au-Tipped, CdSe-Seeded CdS Nanoheterostructures”, Small, 7, 2847 (2011)
• Chakrabortty, S.; Yang, J.A.; Tan, Y.M.; Mishra, N.; Chan, Y., “Asymmetric Dumbbells from Selective
Deposition of Metals on Seeded Semiconductor Nanorods”, Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed., 49, 2888
(2010).
23
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor CHEN Wei
Postdoc National University of Singapore, 2004-2008, Ph.D., National University of
Singapore., 2004; B.Sc., Nanjing Univ., 2001
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/chenwei.html
Email: chmcw@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Singapore Young Scienst Award, Singapore, 2012
• NUS Young Investigator Award, Singapore, 2010
• Hitachi Research Fellowship, Japan, 2010
• IPS Omicron nanotechnology Award, Singapore, 2009
• Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, NUS, 2006
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The broad objective of my research is to have molecular-scale understanding of the interface properties
for molecular, organic and graphene electronics, to provide design rules for effective interface
engineering approaches to improve device performance and materials efficiency, with particular
emphasis on the interface-controlled organic solar cells, graphene based nanodevices, and nanocatalyst
for energy and environmental issues.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
“Electron-Doping-Enhanced Trion Formation in Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide Functionalized with
Cesium Carbonate” Lin JD, Han C, Wang F, Xiang D, Qin SQ, Zhang XA*, Wang L, Zhang H, Wee
ATS, Chen Wei*, ACS Nano 8, 5323-5329 (2014).
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• “Growth Intermediates for CVD Graphene on Cu(111): Carbon Clusters and Defective Graphene”
Niu TC, Zhou M, Zhang JL, Feng YP, Chen Wei*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 8409-8414 (2013)
• “Low-Temperature Synthesis of Graphene via a Radical-Coupling Reaction"Jiang L, Niu TC, Lu XQ,
Dong HL, Chen Wei*, Liu YQ, Hu WP*, Zhu DB J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 9050-9054 (2013)
Highlighted by JACS Spotlights.
• “Graphene: Promises, Facts, Opportunities, and Challenges in Nanomedicine” (invited review
article) Mao HY, Laurent S, Chen Wei*, Akhavan O, Imani M, and Mahmoudi M*, Chem. Rev.
113, 3407-3424 (2013)
24
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor CHIN Wee Shong
Commewealth Fellowship., Univ. of Bristol, 1994; Ph.D., National Univ. of Singapore,
1993; B.Sc.(Hons), National Univ. of Singapore, 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chinws.htm
Email: chmcws@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
University Quality Service Award , NUS, 2005
Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2007 & 2008
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research focuses on the fabrication and applications of nanostructures and their hybrids. We
explore methodologies to synthesize size-, morphology- and phase-controllable nanomaterials, and to
fabricate them into heterostructured or hybrid materials for specific applications. Current projects
include synthesis of doped and layered oxide/hydroxide nanocomposites for energy, sensor and
photocatalytic applications.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: K K Lee, P Y Loh, C H Sow, W S Chin, CoOOH nanosheet electrodes: Simple fabrication for
sensitive electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide and hydrazine, Biosensors and Bioelectronics 39,
255, (2013).
We reported a simple fabrication of CoOOH nanosheets via surface alkaline treatment of cobalt foil at
room temperature without the need of templates and catalysts. These oriented CoOOH arrays can be
used directly as electrodes, offering enhanced electrode–electrolyte contact area, minimum diffusion
resistance and direct active material–current collector connection for fast electron transport. The
electrode was tested as an electrochemical sensor towards non-enzymatic detection of hydrogen
peroxide H2O2 and hydrazine N2H4 in alkaline solution using amperometric detection at low potential
(0 V and 0.1 V).
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• H. J. Zhang, H.Geerlings, J. Y. Lin, W.S. Chin, Rapid microwave hydrogen release from MgH2 and
other hydrides, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 36, 7580 (2011)
• M. S. Neo, N. Venkatram, G. S. Li, W. S. Chin, J. Wei, Size-Dependent Optical Nonlinearities and
Scattering Properties of PbS Nanoparticles, J. Phys. Chem. C, 113, 19055–19060 (2009)
• T. Liu, H. Xu, W. S. Chin, Z. Yong, A. T. S. Wee, Local structural evolution of co-doped ZnO
nanoparticles upon calcination studied by in situ quick-scan XAFS, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112(10), 34893495 (2008)
• Z. Zhang, M. Lu, H. Xu, W. S. Chin, Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide: A Simple Method for
the Preparation of Metal Oxide Nanocrystals in Non-Aqueous Medium, Chem. – A Eur. J., 13, 632638 (2007)
• W. P. Lim, Z. Zhang, H. Y. Low and W. S. Chin, A Neat Preparation of Ag2S nanocrystals with
Predictable Shapes and Sizes, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 43, 5685 (2004)
25
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor CHUAH Gaik Khuan
Postdoc., Fritz-Haber-Institüt, 1987; Ph.D., Texas A&M Univ., 1987; B.Sc., Univ. of
Singapore, 1984
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/chuahgk.htm
Email: chmcgk@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our main research area is on heterogeneous catalysis :
• Applications of zeolites in fine chemicals synthesis
• Green chemistry and catalysis
• Synthesis and applications of materials with tunable textural properties
• Photocatalysts in water remediation
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Formates are form a useful storage medium for hydrogen and CO2 being non-flammable, stable and
easily available. The decomposition of formate to hydrogen and bicarbonate is reversible, and the
bicarbonate can be converted back to formate under mild conditions. We explored the use of
ruthenium catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones with potassium formate as
a sustainable green hydrogen donor. The nanosized ruthenium particles of 1.5 – 1.8 nm were entrapped
in an aluminum oxyhydroxide matrix. XPS studies show that the ruthenium was present as Ruo and
Ru3+. The catalysts showed high activity even at low metal loadings of 0.5 - 2 wt. %. The maximum TOF
for benzaldehyde hydrogenation was over 1 wt. % Ru. The reduction of aromatic and aliphatic
aldehydes was facile and occurred with 100 % yield. In comparison, ketones were less readily reduced
although moderate to excellent yields could be obtained after a longer reaction time. No leaching of
ruthenium was observed in contrast to a catalyst prepared by wet impregnation. Washing of the used
catalyst with water and ethanol effectively removed the deposited bicarbonate co-product and the
recycled catalyst maintained its activity up to five runs.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Yanxiu Gao, Stephan Jaenicke and Gaik-Khuan ChuahHighly efficient transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes and
ketones using potassium formate over AlO(OH)-entrapped rutheniumcatalysts , Applied Catal A, 484,51-58
(2014).
Ao Fan, Stephan Jaenicke and Gaik-Khuan Chuah, A Heterogeneous Pd-Bi/C Catalyst in the Synthesis of LLyxose and L-Ribose from Naturally Occurring D-Sugars, Org. Biomol. Chem. 9(22), 7720 – 7726 (2011). Hot
paper.
Rajitha Radhakrishnan, Jiang Wu, Stephan Jaenicke and Gaik Khuan Chuah, Effects of Acidity and Pore Size
Constraints on Supported Niobium Oxide Catalysts for the Selective Formation of Glycerol Monolaurate,
ChemCatChem, 3, 761-770 (2011).
Rajitha Radhakrishan, Dong Minh Do, Stephan Jaenicke, Yoel Sasson, and Gaik-Khuan Chuah, Potassium
Phosphate as a Solid Base Catalyst for the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones, ACS
Catal. 11, 1631-1636 (2011).
Y. Nie, S. Jaenicke, G. K. Chuah, Zr-Zeolite Beta: A New Heterogeneous Catalysts System for the Highly
Selective Cascade Transformation of Citral to (±)-Menthol, Chem. - A Eur. J., 15, 1991-1999 (2009).
Yuntong Nie, Stephan Jaenicke, Herman van Bekkum, Gaik-Khuan Chuah, Stereoselective Cascade
Hydrogenation of 4-tert-Butylphenol and p-Cresol over Zr-Zeolite Beta-Supported Rhodium, J. Catal., 246,
223 – 231 (2007).
26
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor FAN Wai Yip
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Berkeley, 2000; Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 1998; B.Sc.,
Univ. of London, 1994
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/fanwy.htm
Email: chmfanwy@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Two primary areas : (1) Shape and size-control of nanomaterials and applications to catalysis; (2)
Transition metal complexes as catalysts in organic transformation and energy-related areas. We are
currently working on main group nanomaterials useful as photo- and electrocatalysts for CO2 and
proton reduction. Manganese, iron and cobalt complexes are also being prepared to be used as
homogeneous catalysts for hydrogen gas generation via proton reduction and dehydrogenative coupling.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J.Amer.Chem.Soc., 2014 (doi : 10.1021/ja506625y)
(has been selected for J.Amer.Chem.Soc. Spotlight)
We report the preparation of Reuleaux triangle disks from the hydrolysis and precipitation of bismuth
nitrate in an ethanol-water system with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. Analysis of the intermediates
provided insights into the formation of the Reuleaux triangle disk, revealing a unique growth process.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• KLA Teo and W Y Fan*, "A novel iron complex for highly efficient catalytic hydrogen generation
from the hydrolysis of organosilanes". Chemical Communications, 50 (2014): 7191-7194.
• K Hou, HTC Poh and WY Fan*, "Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation by a trithiolato-bridged
dimanganese hexacarbonyl anion with turnover frequency exceeding 40,000 s−1". Chemical
Communications, (2014): 6630-6632.
• CHB Ng and WY Fan*, “Reuleaux Triangle Disks : New Shape on the Block”. J. Amer. Chem. Soc.,
(2014) : doi : 10.1021/ja506625y
27
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor GAO Zhiqiang
B.Sc. Ph.D., Wuhan University; Feinberg Postdoctoral Fellow, Weizmann Institute
of Science; Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellow, National University of Singapore.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/gaozhiqiang.htm
Email: chmgaoz@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Analytical Chemistry. Electrochemistry, Nanobiotechnology, Renewable Energy and Medical Devices.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: ACS Nano 8 (2014) 4902−4907.
A facile DNA detection platform based on a plasmonic
silver nanoprism etching process, in which the shape and
size of the nanoprisms were altered accompanied by a
substantial surface plasmon resonance shift. Through the
combination of enzyme-linked hybridization chain reaction
amplification and inherent sensitivity of plasmonic silver
nanoprims, this assay could detect as low as 6.0 fM target
DNA.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• S.Y. Lim, W. Shen and Z.Q. Gao, Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Applications, Chem. Soc. Rev.,
in press .
• X.J. Yang, Y.B. Yu and Z.Q. Gao, A Highly Sensitive Plasmonic DNA Assay Based on Triangular
Silver Nanoprism Etching, ACS Nano, 8 (2014) 4902–4907.
• W. Shen, C.L. Lim and Z.Q. Gao, A Ferrofluid-Based Homogeneous Assay For Highly Sensitive and
Selective Detection of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms, Chem. Commun., 49 (2013) 8114–8116.
• W. Shen, H.M. Deng and Z.Q. Gao, Gold Nanoparticle-Enabled Real-Time Ligation Chain Reaction
for Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,134 (2012) 14678−14681.
• W. Shen, H.M. Deng, A.K.L. Teo and Z.Q. Gao, Colorimetric Detection of Single-nucleotide
Polymorphisms with a Real-time PCR-like Sensitivity, Chem. Commun., 48 (2012) 10225–10227.
• Y.F. Peng and Z.Q. Gao, Amplified Detection of MicroRNA Based on RuO2 Nanoparticle-Initiated
Deposition of an Insulating Film, Anal. Chem., 83 (2011) 820–827.
• G.S. Yi, Y.F. Peng and Z.Q. Gao, Strong Red Emitting Near Infrared-to-Visible Upconversion
Fluorescent Nanoparticles, Chem. Mater., 23 (2011) 2729–2734.
• S. Roy, X.J. Chen, M.H. Li, Y.F. Peng, F. Anariba and Z.Q. Gao, Mass-Produced Nanogap Sensor
Arrays for Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 131 (2009) 12211–12217.
• Y. Fan, X. Chen, C. Tung, J. Kong and Z.Q. Gao, Detection of MicroRNAs Using Target-Guided
Formation of Conducting Polymer Nanowires in Nanogaps, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 129 (2007) 5437–
5443.
• Y. Fan, X.T. Chen, J.M. Kong, C. Tong and Z.Q. Gao, Direct Detection of DNA By Tagging
Phosphates on Their Backbones with Nanoparticles, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 46 (2007) 2051–2054.
PRIMERY PATENT GRANTED
• US Patent 8,679,772, Immunoassay, March 25, 2014.
28
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor HUANG Dejian
Postdoc., MIT, 2001; Ph.D., Indiana Univ. Bloomington, 1999; M.Sc., Chinese Acad. of
Sciences, 1990; B.Sc., Fujian Teachers Univ., 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/huangdj.htm
Email: chmhdj@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The current focuses are:
• Transition metal complex-based fluorescent probes for ultrasensitive detection of small molecules of biological
importance, such as H2S, NO, NO2, and 1O2.
• High throughput assay-guided isolation and characterizations of natural products with alpha-amylase inhibitory
activity and anti-aging activity (using yeast as a model), induced phytoalexins from plant seeds
• Chemistry of dietary organosulfur compounds with regard to their activity as a natural H2S donors in biology.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Ziyun Wu, Lixia Song, Shao Quan Liu, Dejian Huang. A high throughput screening assay for
determination of chronological lifespan of yeast, Experimental Gerontology 46 (2011) 915–922.
A high throughput screening assay was developed based on the yeast chronological aging model and applied in
evaluating several factors that mediate lifespan, including inoculum size, cellular state in nutrient-rich medium, and
calorie level. Using our assay, we confirmed the previously reported genetic mimics of calorie restriction, including
deletion of TOR1, SCH9 or RAS2. In contrast, deletion of SIR2 had longevity effect but seemed to produce only
small beneficial effect on the response to calorie restriction. Overall, this new high throughput screening assay may
facilitate identification of calorie restriction mimetics with a rapid and simple protocol, uncomplicated data analysis,
and high sensitivity. In addition, the assay also provides quantifiable data including lag-time, growth rate, doubling
time, and survival percentage.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Zhongwei Liu, Jien Wu, Dejian Huang*. New arahypins isolated from fungal-challenged peanut seeds and their
glucose uptake-stimulatory activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Phytochemistry Letters, 2013 6, 123-127.
• Tingting Liu, Lixia Song, Hongyu Wang, Dejian Huang*. A High-throughput assay for quantification of starch
hydrolase inhibition based on turbidity measurement, J. Agric. Food Chem. 2011, 59, 9756-9762.
• Wang, S.; Han, M.-Y.; Huang, D.. Nitric Oxide Switches on the Photoluminescence of Molecularly Engineered
Quantum Dots. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 11692-11694 (2009).
• Huang, D.; Ou, B.; Prior, R. L. The Chemistry behind Antioxidant Capacity Assays. J. Agric. Food Chem.,
53, 1841-1856 (2005).
29
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor HUYNH Han Vinh
Dr. rer. nat (magna cum laude), Univ. Münster (WWU), Germany, 2002; Dipl. Chem.,
Univ. Münster (WWU), Germany, 1999
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/huynh.htm
Email: chmhhv@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2003-2004
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award for Hong Kong 2010
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research involves ligand design for applications in organometallic and classical coordination
Chemistry. Specific foci are:
• Development of unprecedented and non-classical carbenes and related strong donor ligands
• Applications of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) complexes in catalysis and bioorganometallic
chemistry
• Physical organic chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. C. Bernhammer, G. Frison, H. V. Huynh, Chem. Eur. J., 19, 12892−12905 (2013)
Electronic Structure Trends in N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs) with Varying Number of Nitrogen
Atoms and NHC-Transition-Metal Bond Properties
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• H. V. Huynh, Q. Teng “Highly modular access to functionalised metal-carbenes via post-modifications
of a single bromoalkyl-substituted NHC–Pd(II) complex” Chem. Commun., 25, 4244–4246
(2013). Invited contribution for the special issue “Emerging Investigators 2013”
• Y. Liu, R. Ganguly, H. V. Huynh, W. K. Leong “Direct Evidence for the Attack of a Free NHeterocyclic Carbene at a Carbonyl Ligand: A Zwitterionic Osmium Carbonyl Cluster” Angew.
Chem., 125, 12332−12335 (2013); Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 52, 12110−12113 (2013).
• S. Guo, H. Sivaram, D. Yuan, H. V. Huynh “Gold and Palladium Hetero-Bis-NHC Complexes:
Characterizations, Correlations, and Ligand Redistributions” Organometallics, 32, 3685−3696
(2013).
• D. Yuan, Q. Teng, H. V. Huynh, “Template-Directed Synthesis of Palladium(II) Sulfonate-NHC
Complexes and Catalytic Studies in Aqueous Mizoroki–Heck Reactions” Organometallics, 33,
1794−1800 (2014).
• J. C. Bernhammer, H. V. Huynh, “Amine-Functionalized Indazolin-3-ylidene Complexes of
Palladium(II) by Post-Modification of a Single Precursor” Organometallics, 33, 4295–4301 (2014).
30
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Stephan JAENICKE
Postdoc., Fritz-Haber-Institut, 1987; Ph.D., Texas A&M Univ., 1987; B.Sc., Univ. of
Singapore, 1984
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/chuahgk.htm
Email: chmcgk@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The Jaenicke Research Group conducts studies in heterogeneous catalysis with the aim to understand the
origins of catalytic activity, and to use that fundamental understanding for the design of improved catalysts.
Reactions are followed by steady state measurements in flow reactors, and by determining the concentration
profiles in batch reactions. The data allow for quantitative chemical kinetic evaluation of catalytic
performance. Other methods employed include spectroscopic measurements to identify species on the
catalyst surfaces. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid state NMR, UV-vis reflectance and infrared
spectroscopy reveal further details of the chemical state of the surface and the bonding of adsorbed species.
The acid catalysis by zeolites, hydrodeoxygenation of biomass derived molecules, and the photochemical
degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants over semiconductor surfaces are catalytic systems of current
interest. Particularly the conversion of sugars and other biomaterial into platform molecules for the chemical
economy of the future, which will be based on renewable raw materials (bio-refinery concept) is central to
our research program.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Novel Zeolite beta/Silicalite-1 core/shell microcomposites have been prepared. These materials have been
tested as racemization catalyst in the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of secondary alcohols by highly
stereo-selective lipase-catalyzed transesterification.
The inert but porous Silicalite-1 shell covers the external acidic sites of
the Beta zeolite core, and suppresses dehydration and nonenantioselective trans-esterification of the alcohol. The small alcohol
Beta/Silicalite-1
molecules can penetrate the Silicalite-1 shell to access the acidic sites at
the core where they racemize, but the bigger (R)-ester formed by
Enzyme;
R COOR
enzyme-catalyzed reaction is excluded. As a result, the high ee of the (R)ester product is conserved, and the dehydration reaction is suppressed.
Because of the shape selective nature of this composite racemization
Steric hindrance
catalyst, small and readily available acyl donors can be used in the enzymeDesired ester with
catalyzed transesterification to obtain the esters with high enantiopurity.
high selectivity and ee
The DKR of 1-phenylethanol with isopropenyl acetate using an optimized
core/shell catalyst gave 92 % selectivity for ester formation, and the
desired (R)-1-phenylethyl acetate was obtained with 94 % ee.
1
2
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
•
Stephan Jaenicke, Jie Wang, Dong-Minh Do, Gaik-Khuan Chuah, Core/shell composite as racemization catalyst
in the dynamic kinetic resolution of sec-alcohols, ChemCatChem, “early view” (2012).
•
A. Fan, G.K. Chuah, S. Jaenicke, Phosphonium ionic liquids as highly thermal stable and efficient phase transfer
catalysts for solid–liquid Halex reactions, Catal. Today, “early view” (2012).
•
H.-H. Liu, G.K. Chuah, S. Jaenicke, N-alkylation of amines with alcohols over alumina-entrapped Ag catalysts
using the ‘‘borrowing hydrogen’’ methodology, J. Catal. 292 (2012) 130 – 137.
•
A. Fan, G.K. Chuah, S. Jaenicke, A Heterogeneous Pd-Bi/C Catalyst in the Synthesis of L-Lyxose and L-Ribose
from Naturally Occurring D-Sugars, Org. Biomol. Chem. 9 (2011) 7720–7726.
•
R. Radhakrishnan, D.-M. Do, S. Jaenicke, Y. Sasson, G.K. Chuah, Potassium Phosphate as a Solid Base Catalyst
for the Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones, ACS Catalysis 11 (2011) 1631–1636.
•
J.F Ng, T. Weil, S. Jaenicke, Cationized bovine serum albumin with pendant RGD groups forms efficient
biocoatings for cell adhesion, J. Biomed. Mater. Res. B: Applied Biomaterials 99B (2011), 282–290.
•
J. F. Ng, Y. Nie, G.-K. Chuah, S. Jaenicke, A wall-coated catalytic capillary microreactor for the direct
formation of hydrogen peroxide, J. Catal. 269 (2010) 302–308.
31
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor KANG Hway Chuan
Ph.D., Caltech, 1989; B.Sc., Yale Univ., 1983
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/kanghc.htm
Email: chmkhc@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Surface chemistry and physics and computational chemistry are my main interests. My specific foci
include:
• Silicon-germanium surfaces/interfaces
• Electronic structure and reactivity of nanoclusters of pure and mixed transition metals
• Sputtering dynamics
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
My research focuses upon the use of simulations grounded in statistical and quantum mechanics to
provide molecular scale "pictures" of physical and chemical processes in molecules, clusters, surfaces
and bulk materials. We are interested in modelling the kinetics of catalytic reactions, the structure and
properties of solid and cluster surfaces, reaction energetics, the interactions and reactions of molecules
adsorbed on surfaces, and the energetics of defects on surfaces and in the bulk.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• R.Q.M. Ng, E.S. Tok, and H.C. Kang, “Disilane chemisorptions on SixGe1-x(100)-(2×1): Molecular
mechanisms and implications for film growth rates”, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 044707 (2009)
• W.J. Ong, E.S. Tok, H. Johll, and H.C. Kang, “Self-assembly, dynamics, and structure of Si magic
clusters”, Phys. Rev. B 79, 235439 (2009).
• H. Johll, E.S. Tok, and H.C. Kang, “Electronic structure of iron, cobalt, nickel, and platinum adatoms
and dimers on graphene”, Phys. Rev. B 79, 245416 (2009).
• R.Q.M. Ng, E.S. Tok, and H.C. Kang, “Molecular mechanisms for disilane chemisorption on Si(100)(21)”, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 114702 (2009).
 Q Li, ES Tok and HC Kang, “Energetics of adsorbed hydrogen and surface germanium on stepped
SixGe1-x(100)-(21) surfaces”, Phys. Rev. B 77, 205306 (2008) (United States)
32
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor LAI Yee Hing
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 1982; Ph.D.,
Univ. of Victoria, 1980; B.Sc., Nanyang Univ., 1978
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/laiyh.htm
Email: chmlaiyh@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My primary interest lies on organic chemistry.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Our research interests are centred mainly on the studies of conjugated aromatic systems going from
theoretically interesting molecules to organic materials for specific applications.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• WL Wang, JW Xu, Z Sun, XH Zhang, Y Lu and YH Lai, Effect of transannular pi-pi interaction on
emission spectral shift and fluorescence quenching in dithia[3.3] paracyclophane-fluorene copolymers,
Macromolecules, 39, 7277-7285 (2006)
• F Wang, MY Han, KY Mya, YB Wang and YH Lai, Aggregation-driven growth of size-tunable organic
nanoparticles using electronically altered conjugated polymers, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 127, 1035010355 (2005)
• YH Ting and YH Lai, Extreme projection of a proton into the pi-cloud of an aromatic ring: Record
shielding of an aromatic proton in trans-10b-methyl-10c-(1-naphthyl)-10b,10c-dihydropyrene, J. Am.
Chem. Soc., 126, 909-914 (2004)
• YP Zhang, KS Yong, YH Lai, GQ Xu and XS Wang, Formation of order molecular nanostructures on
the Si(111)-(7x7) surface by patterned assembly, Appl. Phys. Lett., 85, 2926-2928 (2004)
• F Wang, YH Lai and MY Han, Post-coordination of multinuclear transitional metal clusters to
azulene-based polymers: A novel strategy for tuning properties in pi-conjugated polymers, Org. Lett.,
5, 4791-4794 (2003)
33
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor LAM Yulin
Research Fellow, Inst. of Molecular and Cell Biology, 1994-1996; Research Fellow, The
Scripps Research Inst., 1992-1994; Ph.D., National Univ. of Singapore, 1992;
B.Sc.(Hons), National Univ. of Singapore, 1987
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/lamyl.htm
Email: chmlamyl@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests include (i) bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, and (ii) green chemical synthesis.
Specific foci are:
• Synthesis and biological evaluations of novel organic compounds and natural product derivatives as
potential anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and neurological agents;
• Development of recyclable, fluorous reagents and catalysts for organic transformations in water.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Oncotarget, 1949-2553 (2014)
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a unique aggressive behavior and lack of targeted therapies.
TNBCs express elevated levels of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) compared to other breast tumor
subtypes. High levels of SPHK1 gene expression correlated with poor overall survival and poor
response to Doxorubicin-based treatment. Inhibition of SPHK1 was found to reduce growth of TNBC
cells in vitro and in a xenograft SCID mouse model. Moreover, SPHK1 inhibition by treatment with
compound 5C sensitizes TNBCs to chemotherapeutic drugs. Our findings suggest that SPHK1
inhibition is a potentially important anti-tumor strategy in TNBC.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• H Huang, C Y Ng, D Yu, J Zhai, Y Lam and T W Soong. “Modest CaV1.342-selective inhibition by
compound 8 is β-subunit dependent” Nature Commun., 5:4481 (DOI 10.1038/ncomms5481) (2014).
• A Datta, S Y Loo, B Huang, L K Wong, S S L Tan, T Z Tan, S-C Lee, J P Thiery, Y C Lim, W P Yong, Y
Lam, A P Kumar and C Yap. “SphK1 regulates proliferation and survival responses in triple-negative breast
cancer” Oncotarget, Advance Online Publication ISSN: 1949-2553 (2014).
• W J Ang, C-H Tai, L-C Lo and Y Lam. ”Palladium-catalyzed annulation of internal alkyne in aqueous
medium” RSC Advances, 4, 4921-4929 (2014).
• S. S. L. Tan, L. W Khin, L. Wong, B. Yan, C. W. Ong, A. Datta, M. Salto-Tellez, Y L Lam and C Yap.
“Sphingosine kinase 1 promotes malignant progression in colon cancer and independently predicts survival
of patients with colon cancer by competing risk approach in South Asian population” Clin. Transl.
Gastroenterol., 5, e51 (2014).
• W J Ang, C-Y Chu, T-C Chou, L-C Lo and Y Lam. “Application of a recyclable fluorous oxime in the
convenient syntheses of 3-amino-1,2-benisoxazoles and 4-amino-1H-2,3-benzoxazines” Green Chem., 14,
780-785 (2013).
34
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor LIU Shao Quan
Postdoctoral Fellow, New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, 1994-1997; Ph.D, Massey
University, New Zealand, 1994; M.S., Massey University, New Zealand 1990; B.S., South
China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China, 1985
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/liusq.html
E-mail: chmlsq@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
General interests are food science and technology . Specific foci are:
• Flavour biogeneration via biocatalysis and fermentation
• Probiotics viability and application
• Food and beverage fermentation
• Food waster utilisation and value-add
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J Food Proc Preser 38, 326-337 (2014).
L. rhamnosus HN001
(cfu/g)
Survival of L. rhamnosus HN001 in fermented milk during storage at 30°C in the presence of
supernatant and washed yeast cells of S. cerevisiae EC1118. ●, S. cerevisiae EC1118 culture; ▲, S.
cerevisiae EC1118 washed cells; ■, S. cerevisiae EC1118 supernatant; O, control (no added yeast).
1.00E+10
1.00E+08
1.00E+06
1.00E+04
1.00E+02
1.00E+00
0
2
4
6
Time (week)
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Chen, D., Chia, J.Y., and Liu, S.-Q. Impact of addition of aromatic amino acids on non-volatile and volatile
compounds in lychee wine fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae MERIT.ferm. Int. J. Food Microbiol.,
170, 12-20 (2014).
• Suharja, A.A.S., Henriksson, A., and Liu, S.-Q. Impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on stability of probiotic
Lactobacillus rhamnosus in fermented milk under ambient conditions. J. Food Proc. Preser., 38, 326-337
(2014).
• Sun, J.C., Yu, B., Curran, P., and Liu, S.-Q. Lipase-catalysed ester synthesis in solvent-free oil system: is it
esterification or transesterification ? Food Chem.,141, 2828-2832 (2013).
• Cheong, M.W., Liu, S.-Q., Zhou, W.B., Curran, P., and Yu, B. Chemical composition and sensory profile of
pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck) juice. Food Chem., 135, 2505-2513 (2012).
• Lee, P.-R., Saputra, A., Yu, B., Curran, P., and Liu, S.-Q. Biotransformation of durian pulp by mono- and
mixed-cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus. LWT - Food Sci. Technol., 46, 84-90
(2012).
• Li, X., Chan, L.J., Yu, B., Curran, P., and Liu, S.-Q. Fermentation of three varieties of mango juices with a
mixture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 158, 28-35
(2012).
• Liu, S.-Q., and Tsao, M. Enhancement of survival of probiotic and non-probiotic lactic acid bacteria by
yeasts in fermented milks under non-refrigerated conditions. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 135, 34-38 (2009).
35
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor LIU Xiaogang
Postdoc, Massachusetts Inst of Tech, 2006; Ph.D., Northwestern Univ, 2004; M.Sc., East
Carolina Univ, 1999; B.Sc., Beijing Tech and Business Univ, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/liuxg.htm
Email: chmlx@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NUS Young Investigator Award, 2006
• BASF-SNIC Award in Materials Chemistry 2011
• Chemical Society Reviews Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award 2012
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My general interests are supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology:
• Developing nanoparticle-based ultrasensitive sensor systems for metal ions and biological molecules
• Designing novel nanomaterials with high catalytic activity and recyclability
• Synthesizing low-dimensional nanomaterials
• Developing lanthanide-doped fluorescent nanoparticle probes
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Chemical Society Reviews 43,3259
(2014)
The metal-organic complex offers unique optical
and electronic properties arising from the interplay
between the inorganic metal and the organic ligand.
The ability to modify chemical structure through
control over metal-ligand interaction on a
molecular level could directly impact the
properties of the complex. When deposited in thin
film form, this class of materials enables the
fabrication of a wide variety of low-cost electronic
and optoelectronic devices. These include light
emitting diodes, solar cells, photodetectors, fieldeffect transistors as well as chemical and biological
sensors.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Y. Zhang, L. Zhang, R. Deng, J. Tian, Y. Zong, D. Jin, X. Liu*, “Multicolor Barcoding in a Single
Upconversion Crystal,” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2014, 136, 4893-4896.
• F. Wang, R. Deng, X. Liu*, “Preparation of Core-shell NaGdF4 Nanoparticles Doped with Luminescent
Lanthanide ions,” Nature Protocols 2014, 9, 1634-1644.
• F. Wang, X. Liu*, “Multicolor Tuning of Lanthanide-doped Nanoparticles by Single Wavelength Excitation,”
Accounts of Chemical Research 2014, 47, 1378-1385.
• H. Xu*, R. Chen, Q. Sun, Q. Su, W. Lai, W. Huang*, X. Liu*, “Recent progress in Metal–organic
Complexes for Optoelectronic Applications,” Chemical Society Reviews 2014, 43, 3259-3302.
• R. Deng, X. Liu*, “Optical Multiplexing: Tunable Lifetime Nanocrystals,” Nature Photonics 2014, 8, 10-12.
• J. Wang, R. Deng, M. A. MacDonald, B. Chen, J. Yuan, F. Wang, D. Chi, T. S. A. Hor, P. Zhang, G. Liu, Y.
Han, X. Liu*, “Enhancing Multiphoton Upconversion through Energy Clustering at Sublattice Level,”
Nature Materials 2014, 13, 157-162.
• Y. Zhang, X. Liu*, “Shining a Light on Upconversion,” Nature Nanotechnology 2013, 8, 702-703.
• X. Xie, X. Liu*, “Photonics: Upconversion Goes Broadband,” Nature Materials 2012, 11, 842-843.
36
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Suresh VALIYAVEETIL
Ph.D.- Univ of Victoria, BC, Canada. BSc/MSc. Calicut University, Kerala, India, MTech. Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
Post doc. - Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Cornell University.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/suresh.htm
Email: chmsv@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests are:
• Functional polymers
• Nanomaterials
• Nanosafety/Nanotoxicity
• Biomaterials
• Materials for environmental applications
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
My group is interested in developing novel functional polymers photovoltaic and environmental
applicators. The efforts are focused on design, synthesis, characterization and exploration of
applications. In case of nanomaterials, a range of nanoparticles (e.g. metallic, carbon and polymeric) and
their hybrid with polymers are prepared. Recently, we have established the mechanism of interaction
and toxicity of nanomaterials in living cells. Another area of interest involves the development of
materials for environmental applications. Both (nano)biofibers and biomembranes are prepared and
tested their efficiency for water purification. We are interesting in working closely with industry in
some of the above mentioned areas.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Mallampati, R.; Valiyaveettil, S.; Eggshell Membrane-Supported Recyclable Catalytic Noble Metal
Nanoparticles for Organic Reactions, ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING, 2014, 2,
855-859.
• Dhandayuthapani, B.; Mallampati, R.; Sriramulu, D., Dsouza, R. F.; Valiyaveettil, S.; PVA/Gluten Hybrid
Nanofibers for Removal of Nanoparticles from Water, ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY &
ENGINEERING, 2014, 2, 1014-1021.
• Keerthi, A.; Sriramulu, D.; Liu, Y.; Timothy, C. T. Y.; Wang, Q.; Architectural influence of carbazole
push-pull-pull dyes on dye sensitized solar cells, DYES AND PIGMENTS, 2013, 99, 787-797.
• Mallampati, R; Valiyaveettil, S, Apple Peels-A Versatile Biomass for Water Purification?; ACS
APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 2013, 5, 4443-4449.
• Mahanta, N.; Teow, Y.; Valiyaveettil, S.; Viscoelastic hydrogels from poly(vinyl alcohol)-Fe(III)
complex, Biomat. Sci., 2013, 1, 519-527.
• Wang C. Y., Valiyaveettil S. Correlation of biocapping agents with cytotoxic effects of silver
nanoparticles on human tumor cells, RSC ADVANCES, 2013, 14329-14338.
37
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Thomas WALCYZK
Postdoc., Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology (ETH Zurich), 1996; Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.),
Univ. of Regensburg (D), 1994; Dipl. Chem., Univ. of Regensburg (D), 1991
Dept.: http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/walczyk.html
Group: http://www.fst.nus.edu.sg/research/ResearchGroup/Walczyk/home.html
Email: walczyk@nus.edu.sg
Joint appointment with Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research at our lab is directed towards a better understanding of mineral and trace element
metabolism in humans and their role in health and disease with a special focus on iron and calcium.
Specific foci are:
• Factors affecting absorption, utilization and excretion of essential elements by the human body
• Development and application of stable isotope techniques for element tracing in animal and human
studies
• Exploration of natural isotope signatures in the human body for essential elements
• Inorganic trace analysis and elemental speciation analysis by isotope dilution mass spectrometry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
References:
• J. Chen, N. N. Singh, H. Tay and T. Walczyk, Metallomics 6 (2014), 1417-1426.
• J. Chen, S. Shinavas, N. N. Singh, W. Y. Ong and T. Walczyk, Metallomics 5 (2013), 3667-3673.
Iron deposits in brain are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative
disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. Earlier
short-term experiments in rodents using radiotracers showed
that uptake of injected iron by the healthy brain is only marginal
after closure of the blood brain barrier early in life (< 0.001% of
dose). In a series of rat studies we pioneered stable isotope
tracing of iron from diet to brain in the first ever long-term in
vivo experiment involving continuous tracer feeding.
In agreement with earlier studies we found that only a minor fraction of administered iron entered the
brain. However, due to the low concentration of iron in brain, this fraction amounted to ca. 10% of
brain iron which challenges current textbook knowledge. In a second experiment we could show that
iron influx exceeds iron efflux in the long-term and that iron accumulation in brain over lifetime is
apparently inevitable.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• K Hotz and T Walczyk, Natural iron isotopic composition of blood is an indicator of dietary iron
absorption efficiency in humans, JBIC 18, 1-7 (2013).
• C N CHEW and T WALCZYK, Measurement of isotope abundance variations in nature by Gravimetric
Spiking Isotope Dilution Analysis (GS-IDA), Anal. Chem. 85, 3667-3673 (2013)
• K Hotz and T Walczyk, Isotopic signatures of iron in body tissues as a potential biomarker for iron
metabolism, JAAS 26, 1347-1353 (2011)
• TD Bullen and T Walczyk, Environmental and biomedical applications of natural metal stable isotope
variations, Elements 5, 381-385 (2009)
• M Hoppler, C Zeder and T Walczyk, Quantification of Ferritin-Bound Iron in Plant Samples by Isotope
Tagging and Species-Specific Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry, Anal. Chem. 81, 7368-7372 (2009)
• E Denk, D Hillegonds, J Vogel, A Synal, C Geppert, K Wendt, K Fattinger, C Hennessy, M Berglund, RF
Hurrell and T Walczyk Labeling the human skeleton with Ca-41 to assess changes in bone calcium
metabolism, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 386, 1587-1602 (2006) - ABC Best Paper Award 2007
• PA Krayenbuehl, T Walczyk, R Schoenberg, F von Blanckenburg and G Schulthess, Hereditary
hemochromatosis is reflected in the iron isotopic composition of blood, Blood, 105, 3812-3816 (2005)
38
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Simon WATTS
B.Sc. [Hons]: (1981) Bradford, UK; Ph.D. (1985) : Royal School of Mines, Imperial
College, UK
Postdoctoral: Universities at Norwich (UK), Leeds (UK), Oxford (UK), Wellington (NZ);
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (NZ); Kiwicare Corporation (NZ).
Email: chmwatt@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Chair of the (UK) Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences, 2006-2007
• Member of Council of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2005-2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Atmospheric biogeochemistry of Sulfur, and its effects on health and climate. Development of passive
samplers for hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and a range of atmospheric pollutants. Particular foci are:
• outdoor urban air quality and health
• Indoor urban air quality, cultural artefacts and health
• Passive samplers (particularly for reduced sulfur) to assess air quality
• emissions of reduced sulfur from engine exhaust systems
• reduced sulfur and climate change
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Atmos. Env. 42 (18) pp4079-4088 [2008]
The new class of multi analyte high speed passive samplers.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Sekine, Y. Watts, S.F. Butsugan, M. [2012] The use of passive samplers for assessing personal
exposure and air concentrations of nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl compounds in
indoor, outdoor and workplace environments. Chapter 8 in Adv. Chem. Res 11 pp255-275 (ed
James C Taylor) ISBN 978 1 61324 676 4.
• Ankersmit, H. Tennent , N, Watts, S.F. [2005] Hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl sulfide in the museum
environment – part 1. Atmos. Env. 39 pp695-707.
• Watts, S.F. [2000] The mass budgets of carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide.
Atmos. Env. 34 pp761-779.
• Hipkins, S. Watts, S.F. [1996] Estimates of air pollution in York: 1381-1891. Environment and
History, 2 N3, October 1996 , pp 337-345.
• Watts, S.F. Brimblecombe, P. Watson, A.J. [1990] Methane sulfonic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide and
dimethyl sulfone in the marine atmosphere. Atmos. Env. 24A pp353- 359.
39
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Thorsten WOHLAND
Postdoc., Stanford Univ.; Ph.D., Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology at Lausanne; Dipl.
Phys., Univ. of Heidelberg
Dept. Website: http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/tw.htm
Group Website: http://staff.science.nus.edu.sg/~chmwt/
Email: chmtw@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My group works on the development of new fluorescence spectroscopy techniques for the
measurement of biomolecular interactions in cells, tissues, and organisms. Specific foci are:
• Techniques: Single wavelength excitation fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (SW-FCCS)
and imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (ITIR-FCS, SPIM-FCS)
• Biological systems: Transmembrane protein receptors and peptides and their interaction with
membranes, measurement of biomolecular actions and interactions in living cells and organisms
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Opt. Exp.18(10): 10627-41 (2010)
The life sciences require new highly sensitive imaging tools, which allow the quantitative measurement of molecular
parameters within a physiological three-dimensional (3D) environment. Therefore, we combined single plane
illumination microscopy (SPIM) with camera based fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). SPIM-FCS
provides contiguous particle number and diffusion coefficient images with a high spatial resolution in homo- and
heterogeneous 3D specimens and live zebrafish embryos. Our SPIM-FCS recorded up to 4096 spectra within 56
seconds at a laser power of 60 mW without damaging the embryo. This new FCS modality provides more
measurements per time and more less photo-toxic measurements per sample than confocal based methods. In
essence, SPIM-FCS offers new opportunities to observe biomolecular interactions quantitatively and functions in a
highly multiplexed manner within a physiologically relevant 3D environment.
Single SPIM-FCS: In the figure are shown a range of
correlation functions measured over a whole plane
within a zebrafish. For that purpose we injected
200 nM ploystyrene beads into the bloodstream of
the zebrafish and monitored the blood flow profile
in a cadrinal vein. In the last graph one can see how
the whole bllodflow profile can be mapped within a
single less than 1 minute measurement. This system
can be extended to the observation of molecules,
their concentration, diffusion, transport and
binding.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• N. Bag, J. Sankaran, A. Paul, R.S. Kraut, and T. Wohland, “Calibration and limits of camera–based fluorescence
correlation spectroscopy: A supported lipid bilayer study”, ChemPhysChem (2012), 13 (11) 28784-2794.
• J.G. Kay, M. Koivusalo, X. Ma, T. Wohland and S. Grinstein, “Phosphatidylserine Dynamics in Cellular
Membranes”, Mol. Biol. Cell (2012), 23(6) 2198-2212.
• S.-M. Guo, J. He, N. Monnier, G. Sun, T. Wohland, and M. Bathe, “A Bayesian approach to the analysis of
fluorescence correlation spectroscopy data II: Application to simulated and in vitro data”, Anal. Chem., 2012,
84(9), 3880-3888.
• Y.H. Foo, N. Naredi-Rainer, D.C. Lamb, S. Ahmed, and T. Wohland, “Factors Affecting the Quantification of
Biomolecular Interactions by Fluorescence Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy”, Biophys. J. 2012, (102) 1174–1183,
2012.
• T. Wohland, X. Shi, J. Sankaran, E. H.K. Stelzer, “Single Plane Illumination Fluorescence Correlation
Spectroscopy (SPIM-FCS) probes inhomogeneous three-dimensional environments”, Opt. Exp. 2010, 18(10):
10627-41
• J. Sankaran, M. Manna, L. Guo, R. Kraut, T. Wohland, “Diffusion, transport, and cell membrane organization
investigated by imaging fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy“, Biophys. J. 2009; 97(9):2630-9.
40
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor WU Jishan
Postdoc., Univ. of California at Los Angeles, 2005-2007; Ph.D., Max-Planck Inst. for
Polymer Research, 2004; M. Sc., Chinese Acad. of Sciences, 2000; B.Sc., Wuhan Univ.,
1997.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/wujs.htm
Email: chmwuj@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NUS Young Investigator Award, NUS, 2007
• Singapore National Young Scientist Award, 2010
• NUS Young Researcher Award, 2012
• BASF-SNIC Award on Materials Chemistry, 2012
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Novel aromatic systems and materials & Supramolecular Chemistry
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 14913-14922 (2012)
Z-shaped polycyclic hydrocarbons with open-shell ground state! A series of Z-shaped zethrene
molecules were prepared and it was found that the heptazethrene and octazethrene have an open-shell
singlet biradical ground state.
R
N
O
O
O
R
N
O
Me
Si
Si
Si
Si
Me
O
N
R
O
O
N
R
O
HZ-TIPS
Closed-shell
ZDI
HZ-DI
Closed-shell
Singlet
Open-shell Biradical
OZ-TIPS
Singlet
Open-shell Biradical
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Z Sun, Q Ye, C Chi, J Wu, Low band gap polycyclic hydrocarbonss: from closed-shell near infrared
dyes and semiconductors to open-shell radicals, Chem. Soc. Rev., 41, 7857-7889 (2012)
• Z Zeng, S M Yung, N Bao, D Tan, R Lee, J L Zefra, B S Lee, M Ishida, J Ding, K W Huang, R D
Webster, J Casado, D Kim, J Wu, Tetrabenzo- Chichibabin’s hydrocarbons: tunable ground state and
unusual conversion between the resonance forms, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 134, 14513-14525 (2012)
• Y Li, W K Heng, B S Lee, N Aratani, J L Zafra, N Bao, R Lee, Y M Sung, Z Sun, K W Huang, R D
Webster, J T Lopez Navarrete, J Casado, D H Kim, J Ding, A Osuka, J Wu, Kinetically blocked
heptazethrene and octazethrene: closed-shell or open-shell in the ground state?, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
134, 14913-14922 (2012)
• S Dasgupta, J Wu, Formation of [2]rotaxanes by encircling [20], [21] and [22]crown ethers onto a
dibenzylammonium dumbbell, Chem. Sci., 3, 425-432 (2012)
• J Li, J Chang, P Tan, H Jiang, X Chen, Z Chen, J Zhang, J Wu, Disc-like 7,14-dicyano-ovalene3,4:10,11-bis(dicarboximide) as a solution processible n-type semiconductor for air stable field-effect
transistors, Chem. Sci., 3, 846-850 (2012)
• Z Sun, K W, Huang, J Wu, Soluble and stable heptazethrene bis(dicarboximide) with a singlet openshell ground state, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,133, 11896-11899 (2011)
41
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor XU Qing-Hua
Postdoc., UC Santa Barbara, 2005; Postdoc., Stanford Univ., 2002; Ph.D., UC Berkeley,
2001; M.Sc. Univ. of Chicago, 1997; M.Sc. Peking Univ., 1996; B.Sc., Zhejiang Univ.,
1993
http://staff.science.nus.edu.sg/~chmxqh
Email: chmxqh@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Young Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS 2008
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are mainly interested in development of various light based applications, such as sensing, imaging, photosensitization and optoelectronics using nano-materials and organic/polymer materials, as well as investigation of the
underlying fundamental mechanisms and photophysical processes using various novel optical spectroscopy and
imaging techniques to understand their working principles, which provide insights for device design of better
performance. Specific foci are:
• Nanophotonics, plasmonics, bophotonics and optoelectronics
• Optical spectroscopy and imaging
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Z.P. Guan, N.Y. Gao, F. Han, Q.-H. Xu*, “Huge Enhancement in Two-photon Photoluminescence of Au
Nanoparticle Clusters Revealed by Single Particle Spectroscopy”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135 (19), 7272.
Single particle spectroscopy studies on gold (Au)
nanoparticle clusters reveal that TPPL intensity of Au
nanoparticle clusters significantly increases from
monomer to trimer. The averaged intensities of the Au
nanosphere dimers and linear trimers are ∼7.8×103 and
∼7.0×104 times that of Au nanosphere monomers,
respectively. A highest enhancement of 1.2×105 folds was
obtained for the linear trimer.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• N.Y. Gao, Y. Chen , L. Li , Z.P. Guan , T.T. Zhao , N. Zhou , P.Y. Yuan ,S. Q. Yao, and Q.-H. Xu *, ShapeDependent Two-Photon Photoluminescence of Single Gold Nanoparticles, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2014, 118(25),
13904.
• P.Y. Yuan, R.Z. Ma, Z.P. Guan, N.Y. Gao, and Q.-H. Xu*, “Tuning Two-photon Photoluminescence of Gold
Nanoparticle Aggregates with DNA and Its Application as Turn-on Photoluminescence Probe for DNA
Sequence Detection”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interf., 2014, 6(15), 13149.
• T.T. Zhao, K. Yu; X. Shen, L. Li, T.S. Zhang, Z. Guan, N.Y. Gao, P. Yuan, S. Li, S.Q. Yao, Q.-H. Xu,* G. Q. Xu,*
“Gold Nanorods Enhanced Two-photon Excitation Fluorescence of Photosensitizers for Two-photon Imaging
and Photodynamic Therapy”, ACS Appl. Mater. Interf., 2014, 6(4), 2700.
• X.-F. Jiang, Y.L. Pan, C.F. Jiang, T.T. Zhao, P.Y. Yuan, T. Venkatesan, and Q.-H. Xu*, “Excitation Nature of Twophoton Photoluminescence of Gold Nanorods and Coupled Gold Nanoparticles by Two-pulse Emission
Modulation Spectroscopy”, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2013, 4, 1634.
• C.H. Fang, Y.H. Lee, L. Shao, R.B. Jiang, J.F. Wang*, and Q.-H. Xu*, “Correlating the Plasmonic and Structural
Evolutions during the Sulfidation of Ag Nanocubes”, ACS Nano, 2013, 7(10), 9354.
• K. Yu, P. Zijlstra*, J. Sader, Q.-H. Xu*, M. Orrit, “Damping of Acoustic Vibrations of Immobilized Single Gold
Nanorods in Different Environments”, Nano Lett., 2013, 13 (6), 2710.
• P.Y. Yuan, Y.H. Lee, M.K. Gnanasammandhan, Z.P. Guan, Y. Zhang,* Q.-H. Xu*, "Plasmon Enhanced
Upconversion Luminescence of NaYF4:Yb, Er@SiO2@Ag Core-shell Nanocomposites for Cell Imaging",
Nanoscale, 2012, 4, 5132.
• N. Tian, and Q.-H. Xu, “Enhanced Two-Photon Excitation Fluorescence by Fluorescence Resonance Energy
Transfer Using Conjugated Polymers”, Adv. Mater., 2007, 19 (15), 1988.
• D. Cheng and Q.-H. Xu, "Separation distance dependent fluorescence enhancement of fluorescein
isothiocyanate by silver nanoparticles", Chem. Commun., 2007, 248.
42
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor YEUNG Ying Yeung
Postdoc., Harvard Univ., 2005-2008; Ph.D., The Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong, 2005;
B.Sc.(1st Hons), The Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong, 2001
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/yeungyy.html
Email: chmyyy@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
•
•
•
•
Asian Core Program Lectureship Award, 2010-2013
Thieme Chemistry Journal Award, 2012
Young Chemist Award, NUS, 2013
Young Investigator Award, NUS, 2013
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research group has board interests in synthetic organic chemistry. The main focuses are centered on novel
methodologies development and complex molecules synthesis. Research directions include:
• Asymmetric halogenation reactions
• Multi-component synthesis
• Novel functional molecules synthesis for biological studies
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Electrophilic bromination is a very useful reaction. Recently, we
developed an efficient one-pot four-component electrophilic
aminoalkoxylation in the synthesis of substituted morpholine. In
addition, a novel bromolactonization catalyzed by an aminothiocarbamate catalyst was developed.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Zhihai Ke, Chong Kiat Tan, Feng Chen, Ying-Yeung Yeung* “Catalytic Asymmetric Bromoetherification and
Desymmetrization of Olefinic 1,3-Diols with C2-Symmetric Sulfides” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136, 5627-5630 (2014).
• Daniel Weiliang Tay, Gulice Yiu Chung Leung, Ying-Yeung Yeung* “Amino-thiocarbamate Catalyzed
Enantioselective Desymmetrizing Bromoetherification of Diolefinic Diols―Application to the Synthesis of Novel
Chiral Spirocyclest” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 53, 5161-5164 (2014).
• Feng Chen, Chong Kiat Tan, Ying-Yeung Yeung* “C2-Symmetric Cyclic Selenium-Catalyzed Enantioselective
Bromoaminocyclization” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 1232-1235 (2013).
• Yi Zhao, Xiaojian Jiang, Ying-Yeung Yeung* “Catalytic Enantioselective and Highly Chemoselective
Bromocyclization of Olefinic Dicarbonyl Compounds” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 8597-8601 (2013).
• Cheng, Yi An; Chen, Tao; Tan, Chong Kiat; Heng, Jun Jie; Yeung, Ying-Yeung* “Efficient Medium Ring Size
Bromolactonization Using a Sulfur-Based Zwitteriionic Organocatalyst” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 134, 16492-16495
(2012).
• Jiang, Xiaojian; Tan, Chong Kiat; Zhou, Ling; Yeung, Ying-Yeung* “Bromolactonization of olefinic acids using
non-classical S-alkyl thiocarbamate catalyst” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51, 7771-7775 (2012).
43
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor YIP Hon Kay John
Ph.D., Univ. of Hong Kong, 1993; B.Sc., Univ. of Hong Kong, 1989
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/yipjohn.htm
Email: chmyiphk@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We design and synthesize inorganic and organometallic molecules for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, H2
formation and multichromophoric supramolecular assemblies for light harvesting and energy transfer.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Gold(I) and Platinum(II)-Tetracenes and Tetracenyldiacetylides: Structural and Fluorescence Color
Changes Induced by σ-Metalation, Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip,
J. H. K. Organometallics 2010, 29, 2422–2429.
Pushing Pentacene-Based Fluorescence to the NearInfrared Region by Platination, Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip, J.
H.K.Organometallics 2011, 30, 6383–6392.
Platinum-Conjugated Homo- and
Heterobichromophoric Complexes of Tetracene and
Pentacene
Nguyen, M.-H.; Yip, J. H.K.Organometallics 2012, 31,
7522–7531.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Jian Hu, J. H. K. Yip*, Switching on the Phosphorescence of Pyrene by Cycloplatination,
Organometallics, 51 (2009).
• Y. Wang, R. Lin, J. H. K. Yip*, Templated Assembly of a Pseudorotaxane of Gold Rectangle, Dalton
Trans., 2806, (2008) (Selected as Hot paper and cover page)
• W. Y. Heng, J. Hu, J. H. K. Yip*, Attaching Gold and Platinum to the Rim of Pyrene: A Synthetic and
Spectroscopic Study, Organometallics, 26, 6760 (2007)
• J. Hu, R. Lin, J. H. K. Yip*, K.Y. Wong, D. Ma, J. J. Vittal, Synthesis and Electronic Spectroscopy of
Luminescent Cyclometalated Platinum−Anthracenyl Complexes, Organometallics, 26, 6533 (2007)
• R. Lin, J. H. K. Yip*, K. Zhang, K.-Y. Wong, K. P. Ho, Self-Assembly and Molecular Recognition of a
Luminescent Gold Rectangle, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126, 15852-15869 (2004)
• J. H. K. Yip*, J. Wu, K.-Y. Wong*, K. P. Ho, C. S.-N. Pun, J. J. Vittal, Electronic Communication
Mediated By a PtI-PtI s-Bond, Organometallics, 21, 5292-5233 (2002)
44
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor ANG Wee Han
Postdoc., Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 2009; Ph.D., Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, 2007; B.Sc. (Hons), Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine,
1995
http://weehan.science.nus.edu.sg
Email: chmawh@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
EPFL Doctorate Prize, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 2008
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are interested in the development of therapeutic metallopharmaceuticals and techniques to
investigate the interactions of transition metal-based drugs with their biological targets
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: D Montagner, SQ Yap, WH Ang, A Fluorescent
Probe for Investigating the Activation of Anticancer
Platinum(IV) Prodrugs based on the Cisplatin Scaffold, Angew.
Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 11783-11789 (2013).
A fluorescent probe was developed in order to study cisplatin,
a clinically-important platinum-based anticancer drug, within a
complex cellular environment. This probe was able to directly
visualise, within cancer cells, uptake and activation of inert
platinum(IV) prodrugs that are based on the cisplatin scaffold.
The work demonstrated, for the first time, that these potent
anticancer prodrug compounds exerted their activity through
cytotoxic platinum(II) species upon intracellular reduction.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• MJ Chow, C Licona, G Pastorin, C Gaiddon, WH Ang*, Discovery and Investigation of Anticancer
Ruthenium Arene Schiff-Base Complexes via Water-Promoted Combinatorial Three-Component
Assembly, J. Med. Chem. 57, 6043-6059 (2014).
• DYQ Wong, CHF Yeo, WH Ang*, Immuno-Chemotherapeutic Platinum(IV) Prodrugs of Cisplatin as
Multimodal Anticancer Agents, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 26, 6752-6756 (2014).
• CF Chin, SQ Yap, J Li, G Pastorin*, W. H. Ang*, Ratiometric Delivery of Cisplatin and Doxorubicin using
Tumour-Targeting Carbon-Nanotubes Entrapping Platinum(IV) Prodrugs, Chem. Sci. 5, 2265-2270 (2014)
• D Montagner, SQ Yap, and WH Ang*, A Fluorescent Probe for Investigating the Activation of Anticancer
Platinum(IV) Prodrugs Based on the Cisplatin Scaffold, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 26, 11785-11789 (2013).
• P Paira, MJ Chow, G Venkatesan, VK Kosaraju, SL Cheong, KN Klotz, WH Ang*, G Pastorin*,
Organoruthenium Antagonists of Human A3 Adenosine Receptors, Chem. Eur. J. 19, 8321-8330 (2013).
• JX Ong, CW Yap, WH Ang*, Rational design of selective organoruthenium inhibitors of protein tyrosine
phosphatase 1B, Inorg. Chem. 51, 12483-12492 (2012).
• CF Chin, Q Tian, MI Setyawati, W Fang, ESQ Tan, DT Leong, WH Ang*, Tuning the activity of
platinum(IV) anticancer complexes through asymmetric acylation, J. Med. Chem. 55, 7571-7582 (2012).
• J Li, SQ Yap, CF Chin, G Pastorin*, WH Ang*, Platinum(IV) prodrugs entrapped within multiwalled carbon
nanotubes: Selective release by chemical reduction and hydrophobicity reversal, Chem. Sci. 3, 2083-2087
(2012).
45
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor CHI Chunyan
Postdoc., Univ. California at Santa Barbara, 2007; Ph.D., Max-Planck-Inst. for Polymer
Res., 2004.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/chicy.html
Email: chmcc@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Asian Core Program Lectureship Award, 2013
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We are interested in the development of novel pi-structures and synthesis of high performance
conjugated materials for organic electronics and sensors
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: X. Shi, P. M. Burrezo, S. Lee, W. Zhang, B. Zheng, G. Dai, J. Chang, J. T. L. Navarrete, K.-W.
Huang,* D. Kim,* Juan Casado,* C. Chi*, “Antiaromatic bisindeno-[n]thienoacenes with small singlet
biradical characters: syntheses, structures and chain length dependent physical properties ” Chem. Sci,
2014, DOI: 10.1039/C4SC01769B.
A series of bisindeno-[n]thienoacenes (n = 1-4) were successfully synthesized via different strategies.
These molecules can be regarded as antiaromatic systems with small singlet biradical characters. Their
ground-state geometry and electronic structures were carefully studied by various experimental
techniques (X-ray crystallographic analysis, NMR, ESR and Raman spectroscopy) and DFT calculations,
and all of these data interpreted in the context of their antiaromaticity. It was found that with the
extension of chain length the molecules showed gradually increased singlet biradical character and
decreased antiaromaticity. Their optical and electronic properties were systematically investigated by
OPA, TPA, TA and cyclic voltammetry and revealed chain length dependent behavior. The
transformation from antiaromatic to pseudo-aromatic/aromatic systems was conducted by
electrochemical oxidation and reduction followed by UV-Vis–NIR spectroscopic measurements. Our
work provided the first study on a quinoidal thienoacene/polycyclic hydrocarbon hybrid system and
disclosed the close relation between the antiaromaticity, singlet biradical character and their unique
physical properties, which sheds light on the rational material design in the future.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• X. Shi, P. M. Burrezo, S. Lee, W. Zhang, B. Zheng, G. Dai, J. Chang, J. T. L. Navarrete, K.-W. Huang,*
D. Kim,* Juan Casado,* C. Chi* “Antiaromatic Bisindeno-[n]thienoacenes With Small Singlet Biradical
Characters: Syntheses, Structures and Chain Length Dependent Physical Properties” Chem. Sci.
2014, DOI: 10.1039/C4SC01769B.
• Q. Ye, C. Chi*, “Recent Highlights and Perspectives on Acene Based Molecules and Materials”,
Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 4046-4056. (Perspective).
• X. Shi, J. Chang, C. Chi*, “Solution-processable n-type and ambipolar semiconductors based on a
fused cyclopentadithiophenebis(dicyanovinylene) core” Chem. Commun. 2013, 49,7135-7137.
• Z. Sun, Q. Ye, C. Chi*, J. Wu* “Low Band Gap Polycyclic Hydrocarbons: From Closed-Shell Near
Infrared Dyes and Semiconductors to Open-Shell Radicals” Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012, 41,7857-7889.
46
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor CHNG Shu Sin
Postdoc., Harvard Medical School, 2011; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2010; B.Sc.(Hons),
National University of Singapore, 2003
Website: www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/ChngShuSin.htm
Email: chmchngs@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My group focuses on understanding how biological membranes are assembled in cells using bacterial
outer membranes as models. Specifically, we are interested to elucidate the mechanisms of intermembrane lipid trafficking in Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria and to identify protein targets in
these bacteria for antibiotics discovery.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
The folding and assembly pathway of the two-protein complex, LptD/E, that inserts lipopolysaccharide
(LPS) into the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane has been described. Seven in vivo states on the
oxidative folding pathway of LptD have been observed. Proper assembly involved a non-functional
intermediate containing non-native disulfides. Disulfide bond-dependent protein folding of LptD
requires the proper assembly of a two-protein
complex in order to
promote disulfide bond
rearrangement. This, in
turn, is necessary for the
assembly of the full
bacterial LPS exporter
that spans the Gramnegative cell envelope.
Reference: Chng SS, Xue
M, Garner RA, Kadokura
H, Boyd D, Beckwith J,
Kahne D (2012) Science
337:1665-1668.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Chng SS, Xue M, Garner RA, Kadokura H, Boyd D, Beckwith J, Kahne D (2012) Disulfide
rearrangement triggered by translocon assembly controls lipopolysaccharide export. Science
337:1665-1668.
• Chng SS, Dutton, RJ, Denoncin K, Vertommen D, Collet JF, Kadokura H, Beckwith J (2012)
Overexpression of the rhodanese PspE, a single cysteine-containing protein, restores disulfide bond
formation to an Escherichia coli strain lacking DsbA. Mol Microbiol 85:996-1006.
• Freinkman E, Chng SS, Kahne D (2011) The complex that inserts lipopolysaccharide into the
bacterial outer membrane forms a two-protein plug-and-barrel. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:24862491.
• Ruiz N, Chng SS, Hiniker A, Kahne D, Silhavy TJ (2010) Non-consecutive disulfide bond formation in
an essential integral outer membrane protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:12245-12250.
• Chng SS, Gronenberg LS, Kahne D (2010) Proteins required for lipopolysaccharide assembly in
Escherichia coli form a trans-envelope complex. Biochemistry 49:4565-4567.
• Chng SS, Ruiz N, Chimalakonda G, Silhavy TJ, Kahne D (2010) Characterization of the two-protein
complex in Escherichia coli responsible for lipopolysaccharide assembly at the outer membrane. Proc
Natl Acad Sci USA 107:5363-5368.
47
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor CHUA Lay Lay
Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 2007; Research Fellow, ONDL, Physics, NUS (2004-2008);
Research Associate, Cavendish Laboratory, Univ. of Cambridge (2002-2003); Member of
Technical Staff, Bell Laboratories (2001-2002); Engineer, then Principal Engineer, Chartered
Semiconductor Manufacturing (1995-2001); B.Sc. Computational Chemistry, NUS (1995)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/chualaylay.htm
Group webstie: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~ondl/
Email: chmcll@nus.edu.sg
RECENT INTERESTS
Several device chemistry aspects that is central to Organic Electronics, including: (i) structuremorphology–property relations (ii) materials development and (iii) energy-level engineering. (iv)
functionalisation and development of new applications for solution-processsable graphenes and CVD
graphene.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
G.K. Lim, Z.L. Chen, J. Clark, R.G.S. Goh, W.H. Ng, H.W. Tan, R.H. Friend, P.K.H. Ho, L.L. Chua,
“Giant broadband nonlinear optical absorption reponse in dispersed graphene single sheets”, Nature
Photonics, 5(2011) 554. Highlighted by Nature Publishing Group (Asia Materials).
Dispersed single graphene sheets show optical limiting behaviour with limiting threshold lower than the
benchmark carbon black suspension and carbon nanotubes through a new nonlinear optical limiting
mechanism due to the interaction of the sheets with the environment, and not micro-plasma
damage. This leads to the first ever practical non-linear optical-limiting solid-state films that can be
incorporated into protective devices.
Functionalized sub-GOx:
Z-scan
Nd:YAG
laser
f/# = 30
zR = 1.2mm
O
O HN
O O HN
O
basal sp3
carbons
Output power (W)
HO
O OH
OH
10
5
0
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
thin film on silica
3.5ns 532nm
O
basal sp2
carbons
to detector
sub-GOx/Polycarbonate
-10
0
Z (mm)
10
• P. Sonar, J.M. Zhuo, L.H. Zhao, K.M. Lim, J.H. Chen, A.J. Rondinone, S.P. Singh, L.L.Chua, P.K.H. Ho,
A. Dodabalapur, “Furan substituted diketopyrrolopyrrole and thienylenevinylene based low band gap
copolymer for high mobility organic thin film transistors”, J. Mater. Chem., 22 (2012) 17284.
• G.K. Lim, Z.L. Chen, J. Clark, R.G.S. Goh, W.H. Ng, H.W. Tan, R.H. Friend, P.K.H. Ho, L.L. Chua,
“Giant broadband nonlinear optical absorption reponse in dispersed graphene single sheets”, Nature
Photonics, 5 (2011) 554.
• L.H.. Zhao, R.Q. Png, J.M. Zhuo, L.Y. Wong, J.C.Tang, Y.S. Su, L.L. Chua, “The Role of Borderline
Solvents to Induce Pronounced Extended-Chain Lamellar Order in pi-Stackable Polymers “,
Macromolecules, 44 (2011) 9692.
• S. Wang, P-Q. Chia, L-L. Chua, L-H. Zhao, R-Q Png, S. Sivaramakrishnan, M. Zhou, R.G-S. Goh, R.H.
Friend, A.T.-S. Wee, P.K.H. Ho, “Band-like transport in surface-functionalised highly solutionprocessable graphene graphene nanosheets”, Adv. Mater., 20 (2008) 3440.
48
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor Goki EDA
Postdoc, Imperial College London
Ph.D., Rutgers University ; M.Sc., Worcester Polytechnic Institute ; B.A., International
Christian University
Group website: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/~phyeda/index.html
Email: g.eda@nus.edu.sg
Tel : +65 6516 2970
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Graphene and other 2-dimensional solids
• Optical and vibrational spectroscopy
• Charge transport
• Electronic and optoelectronic devices
• Intercalation chemistry and colloidal processin
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Our studies have recently found that layered tungsten dichalcogenides such as WS2 and WSe2 undergo
indirect-to-direct band gap transition when thinned to a monolayer. The transition results in strongly
enhanced photoluminescence from monolayer WS2 and WSe2.
Bright field and corresponding photoluminescence images of
exfoliated sheets of WS2 and WSe2.
Photoluminescence spectra of 1~5 layer WS2 and WSe2.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• W. Zhao, Z. Ghorannevis, L. Chu, M.-l. Toh, C. Kloc, P.-H. Tan, and G. Eda “Evolution of electronic
structure in atomically thin sheets of WS2 and WSe2” ACS nano 7, 791 (2013).
• G. Eda, T. Fujita, H. Yamaguchi, D. Voiry, M. Chen and M. Chhowalla “Coherent atomic and
electronic heterostructures of single layer MoS2” ACS nano 6, 7311 (2012).
• G. Eda, H. Yamaguchi, D. Voiry, F. Takeshi, M. Chen and M. Chhowalla “Photoluminescence from
chemically exfoliated MoS2” Nano Lett. 11, 5111 (2011).
• G. Eda and M. Chhowalla “Graphene Patchwork” ACS nano 5, 4265 (2011).
• P. H. Wöbkenberg, G. Eda, D.-S. Leem, J. C. de Mello, D. D. C. Bradley, M. Chhowalla and T. D.
Anthopoulos “Reduced graphene oxide electrodes for large area organic electronics” Adv. Mater.
23, 1558 (2011).
• G. Eda and M. Chhowalla “Chemically derived graphene oxide: Towards large-area thin film
electronics and opto-electronics” Adv. Mater. 22, 2392 (2010).
• K. P. Loh, Q. Bao, G. Eda, and M. Chhowalla “Graphene Oxide as a Chemically Tunable Platform for
Optical Applications” Nat. Chem. 2, 1015 (2010).
• G. Eda, G. Fanchini and M. Chhowalla “Large-area ultrathin films of reduced graphene oxide as a
transparent and flexible electronic material” Nature Nanotech. 3, 270-274 (2008).
49
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor Christian A. NIJHUIS
Postdoc., Harvard University, 2007; Ph.D., University of Twente, 2002; M. Sc., University
of Groningen, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/nijhuis.html
Email: chmnca@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NRF CRP (2012)
• NRF research fellowship award (2010)
• Veni award, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NWO (2010)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My general research interests include molecular electronics, supramolecular chemistry & self-assembly
to :
- design, characterize, and self-assemble organic-inorganic hybrid nano-structures
- develop test-beds to study the mechanisms of charge transport across nano-structures
- to explore new physics
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Science, 2014, 343, 1496-1499.
Light is used as an information carrier and transmitted in optical fibre
cables. Photonic elements are large but they operate at extremely
high frequencies of 100 terahertz – about 10,000 times faster than
the desktop computer, but current state-of-the-art nano-electronic
devices operate at length scales that are much smaller. This
mismatch in sizes makes it very difficult to combine the ultra-fast
properties of photonic elements with nano-scale electronics. Light
can be captured in the form of plasmons and it has been theoretically
predicated that at very small length scales new phenomena would
exist such as quantum tunneling between two plasmonic resonators.
We directly observed for the first time quantum plasmon resonances
at length scales in the range 0.4 to 1.3 nanometers across molecular
tunnel junctions made of two plasmonic resonators bridged by selfassembled monolayers (SAMs). The tunnel barrier width and height
are controlled by the properties of the molecules which determined
the frequency (140 to 245 terahertz). Our results show that
tunneling can reconcile molecular electronics with plasmonics,
opening up a whole new interdisciplinary field of exploration.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• Suchand, S.S.C.; Wang, A.; Nijhuis, C.A. The equivalent circuits of SAM-based tunnel junctions J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 11134–11144.
• . Yuan, L.; jiang, L.; Thompson, D.; Nijhuis, C. A. On the Remarkable Role of Surface Topography of the
Bottom-Electrodes in Blocking Leakage Currents in Molecular Diodes, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136,
6554-6557
• Wan, A.; Jiang, L.; Suchand Sangeeth, C. S.; Nijhuis, C. A. Reversible Soft Top-Contacts to Yield
Molecular Junctions with Precise and Reproducible Electrical Characteristics, 2014, 24, 4442-4456
• Yuan, L.; Jiang, L.; Zhang, B.; Nijhuis, C. A. The Dependency of the Tunneling Decay Coefficient in
Molecular Tunneling Junctions on the Topography of the Bottom-Electrodes, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
2014, 53, 3377-3381
• Jiang, L.; Yuan, L.; Cao, L.; Nijhuis, C. A. Controlling Leakage Currents: The Role of the Binding Group
and Purity of the Precursors for Self-Assembled Monolayers in the Performance of Molecular
Diodes, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014,136, 1982-1991.
• Nerngchamnong, N.; Yuan, L.; Qi, D.-C.; Li, J.; Thompson, D.; Nijhuis, C. A. The Role of van der Waals
Forces in the Performance of Molecular Diodes Nat. Nanotech. 2013, 8, 113-118.
50
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor YANG Hongshun
Post-doc, University of Maryland, 2013; Auburn University, 2006-2008; Ph.D., Food
Science, University of Minnesota, 2012; Ph.D., Refrigeration & Cryogenics Engineering,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2005; M.S., Henan University of Technology, 2002; B.S.,
Anhui Science and Technology University, 1998.
http://www.fst.nus.edu.sg/OurPeople/YangHS.html
Email: chmynghs@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My overall research interests are sustainable food processing and safety engineering. Our mission is to
improve the sustainability and safety of food production through applying processing and engineering
knowledge and technology, and develop rapid detection and processing technology for detecting and
controlling hazards unintentionally or intentionally added into food supply chain. Specific foci
are: Organic and/or Sustainable Food Processing; Food Safety Engineering; Food Nanotechnology, and
Food Security.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Food Chemistry, 167, 168-174 (2015).
The overall-acceptability of organic tofu prepared with magnesium chloride combined with guar gum or
gypsum was almost the same as conventional tofu made with gymsum while having more beany-flavour.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Li, M., Chen, F., Yang, B., Lai, S., Yang, H.*, Liu, K., Bu, G., Fu, C., and Deng Y. Preparation of organic tofu using
organic compatible magnesium chloride incorporated with polysaccharide coagulants. Food Chem., 167(1),
168-174 (2015).
Yang, H., Hewes, D., Salaheen, S., Federman, C., and Biswas, D. 2014. Effects of blackberry juice on growth
inhibition of foodborne pathogens and growth promotion of Lactobacillus. Food Control, 37(1), 15-20 (2014).
Chen, Y., Chen, F., Lai, S., Yang, H.*, Liu, H., Liu, K., Bu, G., and Deng, Y. In-vitro study of the interaction
between pectinase and chelate-soluble pectin in postharvest apricot fruits. Eur. Food Res. Technol., 237(6),
987-993 (2013).
Yang, H., Feirtag, J.M., and Diez-Gonzalez, F.*. Sanitizing effectiveness of commercial “active water”
technologies on Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Food Control, 33(1), 232-238
(2013).
Wang, H., Chen, F., Yang, H.*, Chen, Y., Zhang, L., and An, H. Effects of ripening stage and cultivar on
physicochemical properties and pectin nanostructures of jujubes. Carbohyd. Polym., 89(4), 1180-1188 (2012).
Yang, H, and Wang, Y.*. Effects of concentration on nanostructural images and physical properties of gelatin
from channel catfish skins. Food Hydrocolloid. , 23(3), 577-584 (2009).
51
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor YEO Boon Siang Jason
Postdoc., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2012; Ph.D., ETH Zurich, 2008;
M.Sc., National University of Singapore, 2004; B.Sc.(Hons), National University of
Singapore, 2001.
Website: http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/yeobsj.htm
Email: chmyeos@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
A major scientific challenge for the 21st century is to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly
energy economy. To contribute to this goal, we aim to understand and develop efficient and robust
materials to catalyze several energy conversion reactions. Systems of interest include reduction of
carbon dioxide to ethylene, fuel cell reactions, and water splitting. We will develop and apply state-ofthe-art analytical tools to understand the mechanistic and structural aspects of these processes with
high spatial and temporal resolutions. This knowledge will then be exploited to design and synthesize
systems with improved functionality.
Energy Production
Performance Testing
Mechanistic and Structural Studies
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Stable and Selective Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene on Copper
Mesocrystals. Chen C.S., Handoko A.D., Wan J.H., Ma L., Ren D. and Yeo B.S. Catal. Sci. Tech.
DOI: 10.1039/C4CY00906A. 2014.
• In Situ Raman Study of Nickel Oxide and Gold-Supported Nickel Oxide Catalysts for the
Electrochemical Evolution of Oxygen. Yeo B.S. and Bell A.T. J. Phys. Chem. C. 2012, 116, 8394.
• Enhanced Activity of Gold-Supported Cobalt Oxide for the Electrochemical Evolution of Oxygen,
Yeo B.S. and Bell. A.T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011,133, 5587.
52
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor Rowan DruryYOUNG
BSc (UNSW), PhD (ANU), Postdoc (Oxon), Postdoc (Edin)
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/academic_staff/youngdr.html
Email: rowan.young@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My group’s chemistry is focused on developing and understanding catalytic chemical transformations. The
ability to streamline the efficiency of current and future industrial catalytic processes is a key element in
societies’ reduction of energy usage for a greener future. This research field encompasses more traditional
redox active metal based catalysis to recently developed Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP) catalysis. In particular I
am interested in accessing alternate reaction pathways and reaction products through the use of Z-type
ligands (electron pair acceptors) and carbocation Lewis acids
1. Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP) Small molecule
activation and catalysis.
The emergence of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) has led to the
activation of small molecules using group 13 and 15 centres.
This chemistry has been developed into useful chemical
transformations, where the group 15 molecule has been
transformed (Figure 1). I am currently exploring catalytic
reactivity of customised FLPs..
Figure 1. Imine hydrogenation catalysed by a
Frustrated Lewis Pair (see: Org. Biomol. Chem.,
2008, 6, 1535).
2.. Carbon-boron activation chemistry
Carbon-carbon coupling reactions are seen as fundamental
towards building complex organic motifs, and are a
foundation of organic chemistry. Increasingly, inorganic
chemists are developing catalytic C-C bond forming reactions
that are proving to be more efficient and economical in
generating a range of organic compounds. A number of these
reactions rely upon transmetallation. For example, the
Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction (Figure 2). This
reaction is already used industrially as a convenient route to
high demand commercial chemicals such as biaryls and
polyaryls. My research interests lie in exploring the activation
chemistry of carbon-boron bonds to better understand the Figure 2. Left – Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling
mechanism (see: J. Organomet. Chem., 1999,
mechanism of transmetallation.
576, 147).
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
Bis(phosphine)boronium salts. Synthesis, Structures and Co-ordination Chemistry”,Shuttleworth, T. A.;
Huertos, M. A.; Pernik, I.; Young, R. D.; Weller, A. S.; Dalton Trans., 2013, 42, 12917-12925 - Selected as a
‘Hot Article’
“[(µ-C){Re(CO)2(η-C5H5)}2]: A surprisingly simple bimetallic carbide complex”, Young, R. D.; Hill, A. F.;
Cavigliasso, G. E.; Stranger, R.; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 2013, 52, 3699-3702 - Featured in “Research
Highlights” in Chem. Aust. (June 2013 issue, page 9)
“Carbon–carbon bond construction using boronic acids and aryl methyl sulfides: orthogonal reactivity in
Suzuki-type couplings”, Hooper, J. F.; Young, R. D.; Weller, A. S.; Willis, M. C.; Chem. Sci., 2013, 4, 1568-1572
- Featured in Synfacts: Swagger, T. M.; Sletten, E. M., Synfacts, 2013, 9, 495
“Observation of a tungsten alkane σ-complex showing selective binding of methyl groups using FTIR and NMR
spectroscopies”, Young, R. D.; Lawes, D. J.; Hill, A. F.; Ball, G. E.; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 8294-8297
- Cover art for issue 20, volume 134, May 2012
- Featured in “Spotlights on recent JACS publications”: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134, 8293-8293
- Work featured in JACS Cover Artpodcast #38
“Transition metal alkane σ-complexes with oxygen donor co-ligands”, Young, R. D.; Hill, A. F.; Hillier, W.; Ball,
G. E.; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 13806-13809
53
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor YUK Hyun Gyun
Research Associate, USDA/ARS/ERRC, USA , 2007-2009; Postdoc., University of
Florida, USA, 2004-2007; Ph.D., Mississippi State University, USA, 2000-2003; B.S.
and M.S., Kyungnam University, Korea, 1993-1999
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/yukhg.html
Email: chmyukhg@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
I am interested in bacterial stress response to elucidate the foodborne pathogen’s ability to survive in
unfavorable environment, in post-harvesting control and preservation technologies to minimize
microbial risk in foods, and in the development and the improvement of rapid methods to detect
foodborne pathogens in foods. The overall goal of research projects is to improve microbial safety of
foods.
Survivors (log CFU/ml)
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current
passes through it. Recently, some studies have begun to be interested in the bactericidal effect of visible
light wavelengths such as LEDs for light therapy in clinical applications, proposing the potential of LED
as a new food preservation technology. Regardless of the bacterial strains, bacterial inactivation was
observed with the range of 4.6 – 5.2 and 1.0 – 2.0 log reductions at 10 and 15 C during illumination
with 461 and 521 nm LEDs, respectively. No bactericidal effect was observed during the 642 nm LED
treatment and the illumination at 20 C with 461 and 521 nm LEDs. These data suggest that 461 nm
LED, in combination with refrigeration, have the potential to act as a novel food preservation
technology. (Ghate et al., 2013. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 166:339-406)
E. coli O157:H7
9
7
Control
461 nm
521 nm
642 nm
5
3
1
0
1.5
3
4.5
6
7.5
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Zheng Q.W., Mikš-Krajnik, M., Yang, Y.S., Xu, W. and Yuk, H.G.* 2014. Real-time PCR method combined
with immunomagnetic separation for detecting healthy and heat-injured Salmonella Typhimurium on raw
duck wings. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 186:6-13.
• Phua, L.K., Neo, S.Y., Khoo, G.H., and Yuk, H.G.* 2014. Comparison of the efficacy of various sanitizers
and hot water treatment in inactivating inoculated foodborne pathogens and natural microflora on mung
bean sprouts. Food Control, 42:270-276.
• Hong, Y.K., Yoon, W.B. Huang, L. and Yuk, H.G.* 2014. Predictive modeling for growth of non- and coldadapted Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut cantaloupe at different storage temperatures. Journal of Food
Science. 79(6):M1168-M1174.
• Yang, Y. S., Khoo, W. J., Zheng, Q. W. Chung, H. J. and Yuk, H.G.* 2014. Growth temperature alters
Salmonella Enteritidis heat/acid resistance, membrane lipid composition and stress/virulence related gene
expression. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 172:102-109.
• Ghate, V., Ng, K. S. Yoon, W. B., Khoo, G. H, Zhou, W. B. and Yuk, H. G.* 2013. Effect of temperature on
inactivation of selected foodborne pathogens by light emitting diode. International Journal of Food
Microbiology,166:399-406.
54
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor ZHANG Chun
Postdoc., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-2008; Ph.D., University of Florida,
2004; M.S., Fudan University, 2000 ; B.S., Fudan University, 1996
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/zc.html
Email: chmzc@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• CNMS Research Scholar Award, Oak Ridge National Lab (US), 2005
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our research interests are theoretical modeling and simulation of materials at nanoscale Specific foci
are:
• Molecular electronics
• Nanocatalysis
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: C Zhang, et. al., Bonding, Conductance, and Magnetization of Oxygenated Au Nanowires,
Phys. Rev. Lett., 100, 046801 (2008)
Spin-density-functional calculations of tip-suspended gold chains, with molecular oxygen, or dissociated
oxygen atoms, incorporated in them, reveal structural transitions for varying lengths.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• C Zhang, Barnett RN and U Landman, Bonding, Conductance, and Magnetization of Oxygenated Au
Nanowires, Phys. Rev. Lett., 100, 046801 (2008)
• C Zhang, B Yoon and U Landman, Predicted Oxidation of CO Catalyzed by Au Nanoclusters on a
Thin Defect-free MgO, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 129, 2228 (2007)
• A Marchenkov, Z Dai, C Zhang, Barnett RN and U Landman, Atomic Dimmer Shuttling and Twolevel Conductance Fluctuations in Nb Nanowire, Phys. Rev. Lett., 98, 046802 (2007)
• C Zhang, LL Wang, and HP Cheng, Spin-dependent Transport through A Magnetic Carbon
Nanotube-molecule Junction, , J. Chem. Phys., 124, 201107 (2006)
• C Zhang, M Du, HP Cheng, et. al., Coherent Electron Transport through An Azobenzene Molecule:
A Light-driven Molecular Switch, Phys. Rev. Lett., 92, 158301 (2004)
55
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Assistant Professor ZHAO Yu
Postdoc., MIT, 2011; Ph.D., Boston college, 2008; B.S., Peking University, 2002
Website: http://zhaoyu.science.nus.edu.sg
Email: zhaoyu@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• To develop simple (asymmetric) catalytic systems to address key problems in chemistry
• To synthesize molecules with a complex structure and/or useful functions
• To deliver chemical tools for applied areas such as pharmaceuticals and material science
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reported the first catalytic resolution of axially chiral diols and amino alcohols that are ubiquitous chiral
ligand structure in asymmetric catalysis
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
"Kinetic Resolution of 1,1’-Biaryl-2,2’-Diols and Amino Alcohols through NHC-Catalyzed
Atroposelective Acylation," Lu, S.; Poh, S. B.; Zhao, Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, early view.
"Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Ag-Catalyzed Double [3+2] Cyclization of a-Imino Esters
with Isocyanoacetate," Shao, P.-L.; Liao, J.-Y.; Ho, Y. A.; Zhao, Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53,
5435-5439.
"Catalytic Enantioselective Amination of Alcohols by the Use of Borrowing Hydrogen Methodology:
Cooperative Catalysis by Iridium and a Chiral Phosphoric Acid," Zhang, Y.; Lim, C.-S.; Sim, D. S. B.;
Pan, H.-J.; Zhao, Y. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1399-1403.
"Practical, Highly Stereoselective Allyl- and Crotylsilylation of Aldehydes Catalyzed by Readily
Available Cinchona Alkaloid Amide," Huang, Y.; Yang, L.; Shao, P.; Zhao, Y.* Chem. Sci. 2013, 4,
3275-3281.
“Kinetic Resolution of Tertiary Alcohols: Highly Enantioselective Access to 3-Hydroxy-3-Substituted
Oxindoles,” Lu, S.; Poh, S. B.; Siau, W.-Y.; Zhao, Y.* Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 1731-1734.
“Enantioselective Silyl Protection of Alcohols Catalysed by an Amino-Acid-Based Small Molecule,”
Zhao, Y.; Rodrigo, J.; Hoveyda, A. H.; Snapper, M. L. Nature 2006, 443, 67-70.
56
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr CHAN Sau Han Edith
Lecturer
Ph.D., The University of Hong Kong; M.Phil., The Chinese University of Hong Kong;
B.Sc.(Hons), The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/chansh.html
Email: chmcsh@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Scientist, GP NanoTechnology Group Ltd., 2001-2003.
• Departmental Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Coordinator, NUS, 2008(Jan.)-2014(Aug.).
• Hon. Treasurer and Scientific Co-Chair, International Conference on Green & Sustainable Chemistry
(ICGSC), 2009.
• Judge, Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF), 2013-2014.
• Organizing committee member, International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC-41),
2014.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
General interests include chemical biology and chemical education.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• S. V. Pavlova, H. L. To, E. S. H. Chan, H. W. Li, T. C. W. Mak, H. K. Lee and S. I. Chan, Synthesis,
structure and dioxygen reactivity of a bis(µ-iodo)dicopper(I) complex supported by the [N-(3,5-ditert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-di-(2-pyridylmethyl)] amine ligand, J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans.,
2006, 2232-2243.
•
Y. L. Wong, Y. Yan, E. S. H. Chan, Q. Ying, T. C. W. Mak, D. K. P. Ng, cis-Dioxo-tungsten(VI) and
molydenum(VI) complexes with N2O2 tetradentate ligands: synthesis, structure, electrochemistry
and oxo-transfer properties, J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1998, 3057-3064.
57
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr CHUI Sin Yin, Stephen
Lecturer
Ph.D., Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 1999. University of Hong Kong,
2001-2011.
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/chuiSY.htm
Email: chmcsys@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
1) Advanced X-ray Structural Methods, 2) Porous Solids and 3) Functional Molecules
1) Structural Determination using Powder Diffraction
Homoleptic metal organothiolates or organoacetylides were long realized to have polymeric structures.
Owing to the problem of low solubility in organic solvents and difficulty in obtaining single crystals, I
firstly used laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data to elucidate their unknown 1-D and 2-D
structures that correlate with the charge-transporting or luminescent behavior. Their unique polymeric
networks of these metal-organic precursors directed facile formations of respective metal sulfide
nanoparticles.
2) Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis using Powder Diffraction
Besides, X-ray diffraction is a simple and non-destructive analytical tool for crystalline solid materials.
i.e. Monitoring solid-solid transformations, determination of crystallite sizes, identification of unknown
phases & quantification of phases in a mixture.
3) Metal-Organic Open Framework
Porous solids is one of emerging areas in materials science and coordination chemistry. Judicious
choices of metal ions and poly-dentate organic ligands will generate a number of novel & robust porous
solids called “metal-organic frameworks “ or MOFs. E.g., copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylates (or
HKUST-1) showed practical applications in gaseous separation (H2, CO2, CH4), and catalysis. Future
direction is to explore the pore micro-environment, that stereochemically catalyzes useful reactions.
4) Structure-Property Relation of Functional Molecules
New molecular materials exhibiting interesting solid-state properties such as charge-transport,
magnetism, ferroelectricity, vapoluminescence, as well as liquid crystallinity could be structurally
investigated by X-ray diffraction method coupled with Rietveld structural analysis and refinement under
normal or in-situ variable-temperature condition. In this aspect, any sort of formal or informal
interdisciplinary collaboration or discussion in a local or worldwide level is highly welcomed.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS (Please refer to my publication list in departmental webpage)
58
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr Adrian M. LEE
Senior Lecturer
Singapore Millenn. Found. Fellow, National Univ. of Singapore, 2002-2004; Postdoc.,
Univ. of Cambridge, 2002; Ph.D., Univ. of Cambridge, 1997; M.A., Univ. of
Cambridge, 1996; B.A., Univ. of Cambridge, 1992
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/aml.htm
Email: chmaml@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• NASA Achievement Award, NASA, 1996
RESEARCH INTERESTS
We study the development and application of fragment-based quantum chemical methods to accurately
describe the properties and interactions of very large molecules. Specific foci are:
• Calculating the interaction energy between a neuraminidase substrate and several inhibitors,
including tamiflu and relenza
• Optimisation of molecules within the energy-based fragmentation approximation and the application
of such techniques to nmr structure elucidation
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: R. P. A. Bettens and A. M. Lee, On the accurate reproduction of ab initio interaction energies
between an enzyme and substrate, Chem. Phys. Lett., 449, 341–346, (2007)
This study reports the fragmentation of an entire enzyme and substrate and shows that the majority of
the small fragment molecule interactions can be accurately evaluated without the need to compute the
ab initio interaction energy. The perturbation approach presented in this work indicates the possibility
to perform accurate first principles molecular dynamics in systems as large as proteins.
The −0.018 a.u. isosurface of the electrostatic potential
for the influenza neuraminidase tetramer computed
from first principles via energy-based molecular
fragmentation. This isosurface reveals that the most
energetically favorable approach of an anion to the
tetramer is only along a path that leads to a region of
the enzyme that includes the active site and secondary
binding site for sialic acid.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• AM Lee and RPA Bettens, First principles NMR calculations by fragmentation, J. Phys. Chem. A, 111,
5111–5115 (2007)
• RPA Bettens and AM Lee, A new algorithm for molecular fragmentation in quantum chemical
calculations, J. Phys. Chem. A, 110, 8777–8785 (2006)
• AM Lee, HK Roscoe, AE Jones, PH Haynes, EF Shuckburgh, MW Morrey and HC Pumphrey, The
impact of the mixing properties within the Antarctic stratospheric vortex on springtime ozone loss,
J. Geophys. Res., 106, 3203–3211 (2001)
• HK Roscoe, AE Jones and AM Lee, Midwinter start to Antarctic ozone depletion: Evidence from
observations and models, Science, 278, 93–96 (1997)
• DJ Wales and AM Lee, Structure and rearrangements of small trapped-ion clusters, Phys. Rev. A,
47, 380–393 (1993)
59
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr LEONG Lai Peng
Senior Lecturer
Ph.D., Univ. of Leeds, 2000; M.Sc., Univ. of Leeds, 1996; B.Sc.(Hon), Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia, 1995
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/leonglp.htm
Email: laipeng@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Main interest is in Kinetics of chemical reactions in application to foods either during processing or
involving the development of methods for the analysis of foods. Specific foci are:
• Analysis of antioxidants in foods especially in relation to synergistic effect of antioxidants in micro
and nanoemulsion.
• Kinetics of Maillard reaction and antioxidant reactions in foods and in model system.
• Shelf life study of foods.
Also involved in the development of new food products for the food industry, sensory analysis of foods
and consumer perception studies. Other research area includes the migration of toxic contaminants in
foods and the authenticity of indigenous foods.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Goh FXW, Itohiya Y, Shimojo R, Sato T, Hasegawa K , Leong LP. Using Naturally Brewed
Soy Sauce to Reduce Salt in Selected Foods. 26 (6) 429-435, 2011.
Soy sauce as a natural flavour enhancer can be used in foods to reduce the sodium content without
compromising on the overall taste intensity of the foods as concluded in the research paper.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Goh FXW, Itohiya Y, Shimojo R, Sato T, Hasegawa K , Leong LP. Using Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce
to Reduce Salt in Selected Foods. 26 (6) 429-435 (2011).
• Thavasi V, Bettens RPA, Leong LP. Temperature and Solvent Effects on Radical Scavenging Ability of
Phenols. J. Phys. Chem. A, 113 (13) 3068-3077 (2009).
• Wong SP, Leong LP, Koh JHW. Antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of selected plants. Food
Chem., 99(4)775-783 (2006)
• Sun CL, Leong LP, Barlow PJ, et al. Single laboratory validation of a method for the determination of
Bisphenol A, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and its derivatives in canned foods by reversed-phase liquid
chromatography. J. Chromatogr. A, 1129(1) 145-148 (2006).
• Shui GH, Leong LP. Analysis of polyphenolic antioxidants in star fruit using liquid chromatography
and mass spectrometry. J. Chromatogr. A, 1022(1-2)67-75 (2004).
• Shui GH, Leong LP. Separation and determination of organic acids and phenolic compounds in fruit
juices and drinks by high-performance liquid chromatography. J. Chromatogr. A, 977(1)89-96
(2002).
• Leong LP, Shui G. An investigation of antioxidant capacity of fruits in Singapore markets. Food
Chem., 76 (1) 69-75 (2002).
• Leong LP, Wedzicha BL. A critical appraisal of the kinetic model for the Maillard browning of glucose
with glycine. Food Chem., 68(1)21-28 (2000).
60
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr LIU Mei Hui
Lecturer
BSc (Hons), National University of Singapore, Food Science and Technology,
2003; Ph.D. ,National University of Singapore (Molecular Biology), 2007
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/lmh.html
Email: chmlmh@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Visiting Fellow, Cornell University, 2010
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Genome Institute of Singapore, 2007-2013
A*STAR Graduate Scholar (2004); A*STAR Postdoctoral Fellow (2010)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Molecular Nutrition- Diet induced transcription regulation of Nuclear Receptors, their co-regulators
and non-coding RNAs in clinically relevant pathways using Genomics and Molecular approaches
• Nutrigenetics- Modulation of individual susceptibility to insulin resistance
• Nutrigenomics- Stratified nutritional strategies for the Asian population
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Liu MH & Cheung E. Book chapter: Systems biology of Nuclear Hormone signalling and gene
regulation. Signaling, Gene Regulation and Cancer. Nova Publishers.
• Mason CE, Shu FJ, Wang C, Session RM, Kallen RG, Sidell N, Yu T, Liu MH, Cheung E, Kallen CB.
Location analysis for the estrogen receptor-alpha reveals binding to diverse ERE sequences and
widespread binding within repetitive DNA elements. Nucleic Acids Research. 2010; 38(7):23552368.
• Fullwood MJ, Liu MH, Pan YF et al. The Estrogen Receptor α-bound Human Chromatin
Interactome. Nature. 2009; 462(7269): 58-64.
• Pan YF, Wansa KD, Liu MH, Zhao B, Hong SZ, Tan PY, Lim KS, Bourque G, Liu ET, Cheung E.
Regulation of estrogen receptor-mediated long range transcription via evolutionarily conserved distal
response elements. Journal of BiologicalChemistry. 2008; 283(47): 32977- 32988 .
• Yong EL, Li J, Liu MH. Single gene contributions: genetic variants of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (isoforms alpha, beta/delta and gamma) and mechanisms of
dyslipidemias. Current Opinion in Lipidology. 2008; 19(2): 106- 112.
• Liu MH, Li J, Shen P, Tai ES, Yong EL. A natural polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor-alpha hinge region attenuates transcription due to defective release of nuclear receptor
corepressor from chromatin. MolecularEndocrinology. 2008; 22(5):1078-1092
• Shen P, Liu MH, Ng TY, Chan YH, Yong EL. Differential effects of isoflavones, from Astragalus
membranaceus and Pueraria thomsonii, on the activation of PPARα, PPARγ, and adipocyte
differentiation in vitro. Journal of Nutrition. 2006; 136(4):899-905
• Loy CJ, Evelyn S, Lim FK, Liu MH, Yong EL. Growth dynamics of human leiomyoma cells and
inhibitory effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand, pioglitazone. Molecular
Human Reproduction (UK). 2005; 11:561-566
61
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr Linda SELLOU
Lecturer
Ph.D. (2008): Bristol University, UK, M.Sc. [Hons] (2004): Lille, France
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/Sellou.html
Email: chmsll@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
Recipient of the University Engagement Awards for 2008 for International Outreach, University of
Bristol.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Colloidal chemistry, Structure in Colloidal Silica and its influence on abrading surfaces
Characterise the physical properties of silica particles on surfaces and relate them to their internal
structures. Understand the relationship between the physical properties of the particles and the
abrasion produced on surfaces by brushing. This research was in collaboration with Professor Martin
Addy from Bristol’s Department of Oral & Dental Science, because the types of silica involved in the
study are used in the manufacture of toothpaste and Professor Rob Richardson from the Physics
Department, Bristol for the X-rays scattering facilities.
CURRENT INTEREST IN OUTREACH AND CHEMICAL EDUCATION
• Developing chemistry outreach and awareness amongst school students and general public in
Singapore and South East Asia and pedagogy to teach chemistry at the undergraduate level.
• Outreach Experience: Teaching Fellowship, Bristol ChemLabS, Centre for Excellence in Teaching
and Learning (CETL). Invited Speaker at Rhodes University (South Africa), National University of
Malaysia (UKM) and Chemistry workshops for both public and schools’ engagement in UK, Jersey,
Ireland, Singapore, Brunei, France and South Africa.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Big smile! Toothpaste chemistry, Chemistry Review, 17, 2.Sellou L and Harrison T.G. (2008)
• ‘Fuelling interest: climate change experiments', Science in School, 11, Spring, 38-43.
• Shallcross D.E., Harrison T.G., Henshaw S. and Sellou L., (2009)
• University-School partnerships: Polymer Chemistry days run at a University for 14-15 year olds and
their impact on attitudes to Science’, Acta Didactica Napocensia, 3, (1), 9-26. A.J. Shaw , T.G.
Harrison , M.I. Medley, L. Sellou, K.L. Shallcross , S.J. Croker , S.J Williams , D.E.Shallcross (2010)
62
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr TAN Sue Qing Emelyn
Lecturer
Ph.D., Univ. of Canterbury, 2006; B.Sc. (Hons), Univ. of Canterbury, 2002
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/tansq.htm
Email: emelyntan@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Faculty Teaching Excellence Award AY2012/2013
• Excellent Young Teacher Award AY2010/2011
TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
• Teach analytical, general, physical and material chemistry modules.
• Educational research interests include chemical education especially technology enhanced education
with the use of mobile apps. Apps published to date are SYM MO, SM2 Chem and Animol.
• Interests also include coordinating outreach and in-reach programmes.
PREMIUM PUBLICATIONS
• E S Q TAN*, D J L TEO, “Appsolutely Smartphones: A Snapshot of Students’ Usage and Perceptions
of Apps for Education”. ASIAN JOURNAL OF THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND
LEARNING (AJSoTL), accepted for publication (Singapore).
•
•
CHIN, C F, Quan Tian, M I SETYAWATI, Wanru Fang, E S Q TAN, DT LEONG and W H ANG*,
"Tuning the Activity of Platinum(IV) Anticancer Complexes through Asymmetric Acylation".
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 55, no. 17 (2012): 7571-7582. (United States).
Rong*, Ji, T.K.L. Dao, B. X. Xu, J. W. Xu, B. L, Goh, E S Q TAN, H. Q. Xie and T Liew,"Lubricant
Pickup Under Laser Irradiation". IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS, 47, no. 7 (2011):
1988-1991. (United States).
•
TAN*, E S Q, W RIDHA and C S Toh, "Heterogeneous and homogeneous aptamer-based
electrochemical sensors for thrombin". ELECTROANALYSIS, 21, no. 6 (2009): 749 - 754. (United
States).
•
Yu, S. S. C., E S Q TAN, R. T. Jane and A. J. Downard*, "An electrochemical and XPS study of
reduction of nitrophenyl films covalently grafted to planar carbon surfaces". LANGMUIR, 23, no. 22
(2007): 11074 - 11082. (United States).
•
Downard*, A. J., D. J. Garrett and E S Q TAN, "Microscale patterning of organic films on carbon
surfaces using electrochemistry and soft lithography". LANGMUIR, 22, no. 25 (Invited publication
on Special Issue on Electrochemistry) (2006): 10739 - 10746. (United States).
63
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Associate Professor Simon WATTS
B.Sc. [Hons]: (1981) Bradford, UK; Ph.D. (1985) : Royal School of Mines, Imperial
College, UK
Postdoctoral: Universities at Norwich (UK), Leeds (UK), Oxford (UK), Wellington (NZ);
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (NZ); Kiwicare Corporation (NZ).
Email: chmwatt@nus.edu.sg
MAJOR RECOGNITION
• Chair of the (UK) Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences, 2006-2007
• Member of Council of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, 2005-2007
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Atmospheric biogeochemistry of Sulfur, and its effects on health and climate. Development of passive
samplers for hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide and a range of atmospheric pollutants. Particular foci are:
• outdoor urban air quality and health
• Indoor urban air quality, cultural artefacts and health
• Passive samplers (particularly for reduced sulfur) to assess air quality
• emissions of reduced sulfur from engine exhaust systems
• reduced sulfur and climate change
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Atmos. Env. 42 (18) pp4079-4088 [2008]
The new class of multi analyte high speed passive samplers.
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• Sekine, Y. Watts, S.F. Butsugan, M. [2012] The use of passive samplers for assessing personal
exposure and air concentrations of nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl compounds in
indoor, outdoor and workplace environments. Chapter 8 in Adv. Chem. Res 11 pp255-275 (ed
James C Taylor) ISBN 978 1 61324 676 4.
• Ankersmit, H. Tennent , N, Watts, S.F. [2005] Hydrogen sulfide and carbonyl sulfide in the museum
environment – part 1. Atmos. Env. 39 pp695-707.
• Watts, S.F. [2000] The mass budgets of carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide.
Atmos. Env. 34 pp761-779.
• Hipkins, S. Watts, S.F. [1996] Estimates of air pollution in York: 1381-1891. Environment and
History, 2 N3, October 1996 , pp 337-345.
• Watts, S.F. Brimblecombe, P. Watson, A.J. [1990] Methane sulfonic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide and
dimethyl sulfone in the marine atmosphere. Atmos. Env. 24A pp353- 359.
64
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr XU Hairuo
Lecturer
B.Sc., 2003, Peking University; Ph.D., 2009, National University of Singapore
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/xuhr.htm
Email: chmxhr@nus.edu.sg
TEACHING
•
•
•
•
CM1131
CM1191
CM2192
CM5131
Physical Chemistry 1
Experiments in Chemistry 1
Experiments in Chemistry 3
Graduate Physical Chemistry
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Synthesis and characterization of semiconductor nanomaterials with tunable optical properties
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Mentor of Singapore team for the International Chemistry Olympiad
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
• X. Lim, H. Xu, Y. H. N. Chew, Y. H. Phua, E. J. Sie, T. C. Sum, G. H. Chia, W. S. Chin, and C. H.
Sow, Nanoparticle Fractionation using an Aligned Carbon Nanotube Array, Nanotechnology, 21 (2010)
295702.
• T. Liu, H. Xu, W. S. Chin, P. Yang, Z. Yong, and A. T. S. Wee, Local Structures of Zn1-xTMxO (TM=Co,
Mn, and Cu) Nanoparticles Studied by X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy and Multiple Scattering
Calculations, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 (2008) 13410-13418.
• X. Feng, Y. L. Ang, J. He, C. W. J. Beh, H. Xu, W. S. Chin, and W. Ji, Three-Photon Absorption in
Semiconductor Quantum Dots: Experiment, Opt. Express, 16 (2008) 6999-7005.
• T. Liu, H. Xu, W. S. Chin, Z. Yong, and A. T. S. Wee, Local Structural Evolution of Co-doped ZnO
Nanoparticles upon Calcination Studied by in situ Quick-Scan XAFS, J. Phys. Chem. C, 112 (2008)
3489-3495.
• Z. H. Zhang, M. H. Lu, H. Xu, and W. S. Chin, Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Zinc Oxide: a Simple
Method to Prepare Metal Oxide Nanocrystals in Nonaqueous Medium, Chem. Eur. J., 13 (2007) 632638.
65
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr ZHANG Sheng
Lecturer
Deputy Director of Laboratories
Ph.D., National University of Singapore, 2008; B.Sc., Peking University, 2003
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/people/Teaching_staff/zhangs.htm
Email: chmzs@nus.edu.sg
TEACHING
CM1121 Organic Chemistry I
CM1401 Chemistry for Life Sciences
CM1191 Experiments in Chemistry I
CM2121 Organic Chemistry II
CM2191 Experiments in Chemistry II
CM3291 Advanced Experiments in Organic & Inorganic Chemistry
CM5121 Graduate Organic Chemistry
RESEARCH INTEREST
Chiral Separation by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Excellent Young Teacher Award
Mentor of Singapore Team for International Chemistry Olympiad
Mentor of Singapore Chemistry Olympiad
Judge of Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF)
66
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Dr ZHAO Jin
Lecturer
Ph.D., Technische Universität München (TUM), 2005; M.Sc., Chinese Acad. of
Science, 1995; B.Sc., Liaoning Univ., 1992
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/ourpeople/academic_staff/zhaoj.htm
Email: chmzhaoj@nus.edu.sg
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Organometallic chemistry and catalysis are our main areas of study. Specific foci are:
• High oxidation state metal complexes and their application in oxidation catalysis and environmental
catalysis
• Transition metal complexes and their application in catalytic ethylene oligomerization and C-C bond
formation.
RECENT HIGHLIGHT
Reference: Chem. Commun.. 2013, 49 (44), 4977-5092
Deprotonation of functional salicylaldimines with NaH invariably result in
cubane or double-cubane Na(I) aggregates which transmetallate with Ni(II)
under different stoichiometric conditions to give Ni(II) complexes that are
catalytically active towards ethylene oligomerization.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
• Z. Wang, S. W. B. Ng, L. Jiang, W. J. Leong, J. Zhao*, T. S. A. Hor*, Cyclopentadienyl Molybdenum(II)
N,C-Chelating Benzothiazole-Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Structure and Application in
Cyclooctene Epoxidation Catalysis, Organometallics, 2014, 33, 2457-2466.
• Ambient Arylmagnesiation of Alkynes Catalysed by Ligandless Nickel(II), F. Xue, J. Zhao*, T. S. A.
Hor*, Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 10121-10123.
• Sodium Cubane and Double-Cubane Aggregates of Hybridised Salicylaldimines and their
Transmetallation to Nickel for Catalytic Ethylene Oligomerisation, X-L. Song, Z. Wang, J. Zhao*, T.
S. A. Hor*, Chem. Commun., 2013, 49 (44), 4977-5092.
• F. Xue, J. Zhao*, T. S. A. Hor*, Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Halides with Aryl or Alkyl Grignards
Catalyzed by Dinuclear Ni(II) Complexes Containing Functionalized Tripodal Amine-Pyrazolyl
Ligands, Dalton Trans., 2013, 42, 5150 – 5158.
• Z. Wang, L. Jiang, Z-P. Liu, C. R. R. Gan, Z-L Liu, X-H Zhang, J. Zhao* and T. S. A. Hor*, Facile
Formation & Redox of Benzoxazole-2-thiolate-Bridged Dinuclear Pt(II/III) Complexes, Dalton
Trans., 2012, 41, 12568-12576.
• S. Li, Z. Wang, T. S. A. Hor,* J Zhao*, First crystallographic elucidation of a high-valent molybdenum
oxo N-heterocyclic carbene complex [CpMoVIO2(IBz)]2[Mo6O19], Dalton Trans., 2012, 41, 1454–
1456.
• F. Xue, J. Zhao*, T. S. A. Hor*, Fe(II) Complexes with Functionalized Amine-Pyrazolyl Tripodal
Ligands in the Cross-Coupling of Aryl Grignard with Alkyl Halides, Dalton Trans., 2011, 40, 89358940.
• Z. Wang, C. W. Kee, S. Li., T. S. A. Hor,* J Zhao*, Aqueous Phenol Oxidation Catalysed by
Molybdenum and Tungsten Carbonyl Complexes, Applied Catalysis A: General, 2011, 393, 269–
274.
• S. Li, C. W. Kee, K.-W. Huang, T. S. A. Hor,* J Zhao*, The Cyclopentadienyl Molybdenum(II/VI) NHeterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity under Oxidative Conditions,
Organometallics, 2010, 29, 1924-1933.
67
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Mr FUNG Fun Man
Instructor
B.Sc. (Hons), 2010, National University of Singapore
M.Sc., 2012, National University of Singapore & Technische Universität München
Email: chmffm@nus.edu.sg
Dr HOANG Truong Giang
Instructor
B.Sc., 2004, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., 2012,University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA
Email: chmhoan@nus.edu.sg
Dr Michael Yudistira PATUWO
Instructor
B.Sc. (Hons), 2007, National University of Singapore; Ph.D., 2011, National
University of Singapore
Email: chmmiy@nus.edu.sg
Ms. Claire Anne TAYLOR
Instructor
B.Sc.(Hons), University of Stellenbosch (2001) M.Sc., University of Stellenbosch
(2003) PhD (in progress), National University of Singapore
Email: chmcat@nus.edu.sg
Ms. THYAGARAJAN Saradha
Instructor
M.Phil., Bharadhidasan University,India, 2005., M.Ed., University of Madras,1998
M.Sc., University of Madras., 1992;
Email: chmthyag@nus.edu.sg
68
Faculty Highlights 2014/2015
Department of Chemistry
Mr CHEN Litai, Jeremiah
Teaching Assistant
B.Sc (Hons) 2008; PhD (in progress), National University of Singapore
Email: chmchlj@nus.edu.sg
Ms ONG Yue Ying
Teaching Assistant
B.Sc. (Hons), 2005, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., National University of Singapore, in progress
Email: chmoyy@nus.edu.sg
Dr Leonard Joachim PEREIRA
Teaching Assistant
B Sc Nanyang University, 1980 (Chemistry, Physics); B Sc (Hons) NUS, 1981
(Chemistry); Ph D NUS, Nov 2004 (Chem); Dip Ed, IE 1983 (Chemistry, Physics)
Email: chmplj@nus.edu.sg
Mr TAN Wee Boon
Teaching Assistant
B. Sc. (Hons), 2005, National University of Singapore
Ph.D., National University of Singapore , in progress
Email: chmtanw@nus.edu.sg
69
NOTES