Directory

Singapore Translational Research (STaR) Award

National Medical Research Council (NMRC),2023

Clinician-Scientist (Senior Investigator) Award

National Medical Research Council of Singapore,,2019

Clinician Scientist Award (Senior Investigator)

National Medical Research Council,2014

The global emergence of epidemic dengue and other Aedes-borne flaviviruses is fuelled in part by an incomplete understanding of the determinants of immunity against these viruses and the molecular underpinnings of disease pathogenesis. My laboratory aims to address the gaps in knowledge on dengue pathogenesis and immunity by combining molecular virology and host response investigations with epidemiological and experimental medicine studies, including clinical trials. We aim to define: (1) the mechanisms that govern the clinical and epidemiological fitness of flaviviruses; (2) the immune responses necessary for flaviviral immunity and infection enhancement; and (3) the molecular correlates of clinical outcome of flaviviral infection. By developing deeper understanding in these areas, we hope to contribute to the development of effective vaccines and treatment against dengue and other Aedes-borne flaviviruses.  

Studies on flaviviral infection and vaccines in humans have also enabled us to bring our approach in interfacing bench and bedside research to bear on other viral infections and development of non-flaviviral vaccines. ViREMiCS is thus actively working with both academic and industry partners to develop molecular correlates of safety and efficacy to evaluate novel therapeutics and vaccines, including those for COVID-19.

Dengue subgenomic RNA binds TRIM25 to inhibit interferon expression for epidemiological fitness.

Science (New York, N.Y.) – Manokaran Gayathri; Finol Esteban; Wang Chunling; Gunaratne Jayantha; Bahl Justin; Ong Eugenia Z; Tan Hwee Cheng; Sessions October M; Ward Alex M; Gubler Duane J; Harris Eva; Garcia-Blanco Mariano A; Ooi Eng Eong (2015)

350 (6257); 217-21

A systematic approach to the development of a safe live attenuated Zika vaccine.

Nature communications – Kwek Swee Sen; Watanabe Satoru; Chan Kuan Rong; Ong Eugenia Z; Tan Hwee Cheng; Ng Wy Ching; Nguyen Mien T X; Gan Esther S; Zhang Summer L; Chan Kitti W K; Tan Jun Hao; Sessions October M; Manuel Menchie; Pompon Julien; Chua Camillus; Hazirah Sharifah; Tryggvason Karl; Vasudevan Subhash G; Ooi Eng Eong (2018)

9 (1);

Metabolic perturbations and cellular stress underpin susceptibility to symptomatic live-attenuated yellow fever infection.

Nature medicine – Chan Kuan Rong; Gan Esther Shuyi; Chan Candice Yuen Yue; Liang Cui; Low John Zhong Heng; Zhang Summer Li-Xin; Ong Eugenia Ziying; Bhatta Ashwin; Wijaya Limin; Lee Yie Hou; Low Jenny Guek-Hong; Ooi Eng Eong (2019)

25 (8); 1218-1224

Positive epistasis between viral polymerase and the 3' untranslated region of its genome reveals the epidemiologic fitness of dengue virus.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America – Syenina Ayesa; Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran; Gan Esther Shuyi; Tan Hwee Cheng; Choy Milly M; Siriphanitchakorn Tanamas; Cheng Colin; Vasudevan Subhash G; Ooi Eng Eong (2020)

117 (20); 11038-11047

Safety and efficacy of a therapeutic anti-yellow fever virus human antibody. N Engl J Med, 383:452-459

N Engl J Med 383:452-459 – Low JG, Ng JHJ, Ong EZ, Kalimuddin S, Wijaya L, Chan YFZ, Ng DHL, Tan HC, Baglody A, Chionh YH, Lee DCP, Budigi Y, Sasisekharan R, Ooi EE  (2020)

Early T cell and binding antibody responses are associated with COVID-19 RNA vaccine efficacy onset.

Med (New York, N.Y.) – Kalimuddin Shirin; Tham Christine Y L; Qui Martin; de Alwis Ruklanthi; Sim Jean X Y; Lim Joey M E; Tan Hwee-Cheng; Syenina Ayesa; Zhang Summer L; Le Bert Nina; Tan Anthony T; Leong Yan Shan; Yee Jia Xin; Ong Eugenia Z; Ooi Eng Eong; Bertoletti Antonio; Low Jenny G (2021)

2 (6); 682-688.e4

Dysregulated metabolism underpins Zika-virus-infection-associated impairment in fetal development.

Cell reports – Yau Clement; Low John Z H; Gan Esther S; Kwek Swee Sen; Cui Liang; Tan Hwee Cheng; Mok Darren Z L; Chan Candice Y Y; Sessions October M; Watanabe Satoru; Vasudevan Subhash G; Lee Yie Hou; Chan Kuan Rong; Ooi Eng Eong (2021)

37 (11);

Adverse effects following anti-COVID-19 vaccination with mRNA-based BNT162b2 are alleviated by altering the route of administration and correlate with baseline enrichment of T and NK cell genes.

PLoS biology – Syenina Ayesa; Gan Esther S; Toh Justin Z N; de Alwis Ruklanthi; Lin Lowell Z; Tham Christine Y L; Yee Jia Xin; Leong Yan Shan; Sam Huizhen; Cheong Charlene; Teh Yii Ean; Wee Ian L E; Ng Dorothy H L; Chan Kuan Rong; Sim Jean X Y; Kalimuddin Shirin; Ong Eugenia Z; Low Jenny G; Ooi Eng Eong (2022)

20 (5);

A fast-growing dengue virus mutant reveals a dual role of STING in response to infection.

Open biology – Ng Wy Ching; Kwek Swee Sen; Sun Bo; Yousefi Meisam; Ong Eugenia Z; Tan Hwee Cheng; Puschnik Andreas S; Chan Kuan Rong; Ooi Yaw Shin; Ooi Eng Eong (2022)

12 (12);