EDUCATION
Courses and Research
GEC1011 | GEH1043
​Course Coordinator: Dr Ch’ng Jun Hong
Co-lecturers: Dr Png Chin Wen, Dr Jaishree Tripathi, Ms Chan Chuu Ling
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The primary aim of the course is to introduce students to the nature of infectious diseases and their impact on human activities. At the end of the module, students will be able to understand the interactions between microorganisms and humans, and the position and role of humans in the living world.
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LSM3225
I teach the parasitology component of this module (2 lectures and 1 practical)
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With the application of advanced technologies in molecular biology to the study of microorganisms, there are many implications on how we can identify and detect microbes, as well as treat and prevent diseases caused by both existing and newly emerged pathogens. In this course, the students will be taught the molecular principles of the physiological processes involved in the life cycle of different types of microbes and how these affect human health and disease. There will be lectures and practical sessions to emphasize the importance of using multiple methodologies to discover, detect and study microbes that infect humans and cause diseases. In addition, there are also specialized talks by guest lecturers who will illustrate how molecular microbiology is used in laboratories that handle the diagnosis and surveillance of infectious diseases.
LSM3228
​Course Coordinator: Dr Ch’ng Jun Hong
Co-lecturers: Dr Png Chin Wen, Ms Chan Chuu Ling
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In nature, microbes exist as multispecies communities (microbiota) interacting with each other and the environment/host. This typically occurs in the context of biofilms where organisms are in proximity within a protected environment of the biofilm matrix. This module primarily explores the human microbiome and its effect on development and disease and explore the role of pre- and pro-biotics in health. Mechanistic insights into microbial communities can also be gained through more controlled studies focusing on experimental biofilms. Appreciating the biology of biofilms allows us to understand the context that both human and environmental microbiota operate in.
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At the end of this module, students should be able to:
1. Recognize in detail what constitutes microbiota, microbiomes, and biofilms.
2. Explain and value the role of microbiomes in human development, health and wellness using a few detailed examples.
3. Explain the role of microbiome dysfunction in human disease with a few detailed examples.
4. Evaluate the role of microbiome modifying strategies and treatments and product claims.
5. Attribute the unique characteristics of mono-species biofilms to biofilm-specific behavior, matrix composition and microenvironment.
6. Attribute the complexity of multi-species biofilms to synergistic or antagonistic interactions.
7. Summarize and critique key findings from microbiome and biofilm research papers.
8. Create (design and perform) simple microbiome and biofilm studies, including analyzing data and reporting results.
Lecture Topics
1. Introduction to microbes, microbiomes and research methods (sequencing approaches, analyses tools)
2. Microbiomes in development, health, beauty and wellness
3. Microbiomes in disease (cancer, metabolic diseases, aging, neurological disorders etc)
4. Microbiome modulation (anti-, pre-, pro-, syn- and post-biotics, phage-editing)
5. Biofilms: stages, architecture, unique biology,
6. Inter-species interactions, from experimental biofilms to complex systems
7. Microbiomes beyond healthcare: agriculture, marine ecosystems, bioremediation etc.
Practical Topics/Sessions
1. Designing a microbiome study, sampling (pre-intervention)
2. Sampling (post-intervention), DNA extraction (all samples) and QC, 16S library prep (barcode PCR)
3. DNA gel, Qubit HS dsDNA, DNA purification with AMPure beads, 16S sequencing
4. Probiotic food/drink preparation and product evaluation
5. Set up biofilm assay. Analyze 16S sequencing results.
6. Biofilm quantification and interpretation of results
LSM3242
I teach the bioremediation component of this course (1 lecture)
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This course covers the underlying principles and wide-ranging industrial, environmental, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications of microbiology. The objectives are (a) to gain an understanding of the role of microorganisms for biotechnology applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture, organic chemistry, synthetic biology, public health, biomass conversion, bioremediation, and biomining; and (b) to review advances in genetics and molecular biology of industrial microorganisms, enzyme engineering, environmental microbiology, food microbiology, and molecular biotechnology. A particular focus will be on the meaning and impact of microbiology on human health and the development of new therapeutic approaches.
MIH2202
​Course Coordinators: Dr Ch’ng Jun Hong & Dr Png Chin Wen
Co-lecturers: (from CDE and SOC)
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This new course is part of the Minor in Integrative Health and will commence in Sem1 of AY2425.
This course will introduce the critical contributions of design and environment, and technological applications for healthcare innovations. Students will engage in various projects to critically identify gaps and solutions for real-life healthcare related issues. Key concepts and application exercises are arranged into topics including, (1) the role and application of design and technology in health, (2) role of environmental and human microbes in health, and the (3) changes in health during growth and aging, At the end of this course, students will be able to communicate and integrate information in an interdisciplinary manner to provide healthcare solutions for the community.
MY MICROBES AND ME: IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH (SSG-FUNDED CET COURSE)
Microbiomes are the communities of microscopic organisms that live in and on our bodies. They can be nurtured through daily lifestyle choices such as the consumption of probiotics, prebiotics and antibiotics, and these may have an impact on how we mature and age gracefully.
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Organised by the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, this one-day course aims to equip participants with basic knowledge and skills in the following areas:
1. Introduction to what microbiomes are
2. Microbiome profiling (DNA sequencing)
3. Microbiomes effect on health (development) and disease
4. Effects of probiotics, prebiotics and antibiotics
5. Preparation of home-made probiotic drink/food
6. Role of microbiome in beauty and hygiene
7. Microbiome research in science/medicine
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Who should attend?
Life sciences and biology teachers/private tutors
Beauty and health wellness practitioners
Community health ambassadors, nurses, allied health professionals
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Pre-Requisites:
Proficient in English
Basic biology knowledge (secondary level)
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