Founder and CEO, JN Medsys Dec 10 – Current
Singapore life science company driven by the desire to make complex genomics tools such as digital PCR accessible to more people. Through constant innovation, JN Medsys aims to deliver simplified solutions to achieve better performance at greater affordability. Our purpose is to make lives better through superior products and outstanding service.
§ Responsible for the company’s overall business strategy and growth
§ Led development of the company’s ClarityTM digital PCR system from concept to market
§ Only company in Asia to have developed and commercialised a digital PCR system.
§ Invented key proprietary technology behind the ClarityTM, enabling it to have the easiest and fastest workflow in the market. Only product in the world capable of running 96 reactions in under 4 hours.
§ Twice featured in Straits Times (2013 and 2014)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Singapore University of Technology and Design Jan 13 – Dec 13
§ Taught the Biology module for the Year 1 undergraduates.
§ Focused on biochemistry and molecular biology.
§ Took 3 cohort classes. Each cohort class was 3 hours/week.
§ Responsibilities included invigilating, marking examinations, and interviewing prospective students.
Project Manager/Scientist, Biochip Devises Pte Ltd Feb 08 – Nov 10
Local start-up company developing a novel molecular diagnostic device. Featured in Straits Times in Mar 2010. Led by well-known Singaporean angel investor Francis Chua. Part of the pioneering team.
§ Co-invented a device for rapid point-of-care molecular diagnostics.
§ Co-invented two patents covering key technologies behind the device.
§ Worked with lawyers to draft, apply, revise and defend patents.
§ Supervised 3 interns from polytechnics including overseeing and grading their final-year projects.
§ Strong knowledge in DNA/RNA isolation, PCR/RT-PCR and optical detection methods for infectious diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis.
§ Made applications and presentations that won S$750,000 in government grants from SPRING.
§ Handled media enquiries including a Straits Times feature on the company.
§ Presented to external parties including venture capitalists, government officials, doctors, businessmen, scientists and academia from locally and overseas for funding, technology, and collaborations.
§ Led projects with external collaborators such as DSO, NUH and overseas institutions.
Research Engineer, Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore Aug 06 – Jan 08
§ Developed a bead-based microarray diagnostic chip for rapid (15 min) detection of beta-thalassemia mutations.
§ Employed a novel method to immobilize and identify beads on the device, which saves several man-hours compared to other methods. Funded by a S$750,000 A*STAR grant.
§ Published a paper on this work in an international peer-reviewed journal.
Research Scholar (PhD research), Graduate Programme in Bioengineering, NUS Jul 02 – Aug 06
§ Developed an integrated imaging system for real-time analysis of DNA microarrays.
§ Developed a bead-based microfluidic device for rapid genotyping, which allowed detection of DNA down to a single nucleotide difference, yet shortened the detection time from hours to 10 min.
§ Developed a bead array chip similar to the above, which used a novel method that shortened development time by hours, and required a sample volume of one hundredth of a millilitre (up to 10 times reduction).
§ Filed a patent on the above work. Patent assigned to NUS spin-off company Ayoxxa that is commercialising the technology.
ü Published five papers in international peer-reviewed journals. Submitted a doctoral dissertation titled “Integrated array-on-a-chip for genotyping”.
EDUCATION
PhD, Bioengineering – National University of Singapore, School of Medicine 2007
ü Awarded President’s Graduate Fellowship (in recognition of outstanding promise in research): ’03, ’05, ’06.
ü NUS Research Scholarship: 2002-06.
ü Best Oral Presentation, Bioengineering Students’ Conference: 2004.
Modules taken:
§ Engineering Principles in Medicine I (BN5101): A+
§ Advanced Molecular Biology (BN5103): A
§ Advanced Cell Biology (MDG5101): A+
§ Quantitative Physiology Principles in Bioengineering (BN5104): A-
§ Current Trends in Biotechnology (BL5204): A-
§ Engineering Principles in Medicine II (BN5102): B+
§ Techniques in Biomedical Research (MDG5102): B
§ Computational Biomechanics (BN5205): B
B.Eng (First Class Honours, Engineering) – National University of Singapore 2002
ü GPA: 4.56 (out of 5) • Dean’s List: 2000 • Awarded A+ for Final Year Project.
ü Environmental Engineering Society of Singapore Medal (Book prize for top graduate in Environmental Engineering specialisation): 2002.
ü Institute of Engineers Singapore Publications Award: 2002.
Extra Curricular Activities:
ü National University of Singapore Colours Award: 2001.
ü Faculty of Engineering Colours Award: 2001, 2002.
§ Participant (2001), Singapore Track & Field Contingent, World University Games.
§ Captain (2001), Vice-Captain (2000) Road Race Team, National University of Singapore.
PATENTS
Method of evaporating liquids in micro-capillaries. Singapore Patent Application 10201504170U. 27 May 2015
An improved device and method for sample preparation. PCT/SG2013/000433. 8 October 2013
An improved device and method. Singapore Patent Application SG 201207597-2. 9 October 2012
Device for nucleic acid amplification. PCT application. PCT/SG2010/00207. 2 June 2010
Method for conducting multiple reactions in a single reaction tube. PCT/SG2010/000227. 16 June 2010
A microarray system and a process for producing microarrays. WO Patent 2007/000232. 3 Aug 2007
PUBLICATIONS
Ng, K.K.J., and Chong, S. 2011. Multiplexing Capabilities of Biosensors for Clinical Diagnostics, Biosensors for Health, Environment and Biosecurity, Pier Andrea Serra (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-443-6, InTech.
Ng, K.K.J., Wang, W., Liu, W.T., and Chong, S.S.C. 2010. Spatially addressable bead-based biosensor for rapid detection of beta-thalassemia mutations. Analytical Chimica Acta. 658(2): 193-196.
Ng, K.K.J., Shah, E.S., and Liu, W.T. 2008. A spatially addressable bead-based biosensor for simple and rapid DNA detection. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 23:803-810.
Ramanamurthy, B., Ng, K.K.J., Shah, E.S., Balasubramaniam, N., and Liu, W.T. 2008. Silicon nanopillars substrate for enhancing signal intensity in DNA microarrays. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 24:723-728
Ng, K.K.J., Feng, H.H., and Liu, W.T. 2007. Rapid discrimination of single-nucleotide mismatches using a microfluidic device with monolayered beads. Analytical Chimica Acta. 582(2): 295-303.
Ng, K.K.J. and Liu, W.T. 2006. Miniaturized platforms for the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 386: 427-434.
Ng, K.K.J. and Liu, W.T. 2005. LabArray: Real-time imaging and analytical tool for microarrays. Bioinformatics. 21: 689-690
Li, S.Y.E., Ng, K.K.J., Wu, J.H., and Liu, W.T. 2004. Evaluating single-base-pair discriminating capability of planar oligonucleotide microchips using a non-equilibrium dissociation approach. Environmental. Microbiology. 6(11):1197-1202.
NATIONAL SERVICE
Lieutenant, 160 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force Feb 96 – Jun 98