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Academic Staff

Prof. Chua Song Lin
PolyU Scholars Hub

Prof. Chua Song-lin

Associate Professor

PolyU Scholars Hub
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SCOPUS ID

Research Overview

Our research investigates microbial physiology and the complex interactions between microorganisms, their hosts, and surrounding environments. By bridging fundamental microbiology with translational applications, we contribute to both our understanding of microbial life and the development of innovative solutions to global health and environmental challenges.

[1] Our key focus is on microbial communities and biofilms, which play critical roles in infection, antimicrobial resistance, and ecosystem dynamics. By uncovering the mechanisms that govern biofilm development, host-biofilm interactions and antimicrobial resistance, we develop novel strategies for microbial control and therapeutic intervention.

[2] We integrate microbiology with innovative tools in microfluidics and biosensing. These platforms allow real-time monitoring of microbial behaviors and provide scalable solutions for applications in clinical, industrial, and environmental contexts.

[3] Beyond health-related challenges, we apply microbial engineering to address pressing environmental issues, including pollution control, bioremediation and sustainable technologies. This translational vision has led to the founding of two startups: MicroFish, which develops microbial technologies for infection control, and Plastaway, which pioneers lab-on-a-chip solutions for detecting and mitigating micro/nanoplastics pollution.

Research Interests

  • Microbial Physiology
  • Host-microbe (predator-prey) Interactions
  • Microbial Communities and Biofilms
  • Microbial Systems including Microfluidics and Sensors
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Microbial Control and Drug Discovery
  • Microbial Engineering in Environment and Pollution

Education and Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, National University of Singapore

Academic and Professional Experience

  • Special Issue Editor, Biosensors (2025 - Present)
  • Member, Research Institute for Future Food, PolyU (2024 - Present)
  • Sigma Xi, Elected Full Member (2024 - Present)
  • Editorial Board Member, npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2023 - Present)
  • Executive member, Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, PolyU (2020 - Present)
  • Reviewing Editor, Frontiers in Microbiology (2019 - Present)

Achievements

    • Asia Exhibition of Innovations and Inventions Hong Kong, Silver Medal (2024)
    • The 3rd Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival, Gold Medal (2024)
    • 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Gold Medal (2024)
    • PolyU Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement (Knowledge Transfer: Society) (2024)
    • ABCT Department Excellence Award 2023 (Research Impact) (2023)
    • ABCT Department Excellence Award 2023 and 2024 (Research Output) (2024)
    • 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury (2023)
    • Young Investigator Competition (IUPESM World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) (2022)
    • Interstellar Initiative Early Career Investigator (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and New York Academy of Sciences) (2021)
  • Chua Song Lin, Ma Yeping. Engineered viral particles with magnetic guidance capability and methods of their fabrication for targeted applications. US Patent Pending, 63/822,594 (2025).
  • Chua Song Lin, Chen Chun Kwan. A method for rapid aggregation, separation and detection of micro/nanosized particles. US Patent Pending, 63/727,062 (2024).
  • Chua Song Lin, Khoo Bee Luan, Ma Yeping. Integrated system for multiple cultivations of a biological agent and methods of use thereof. US Patent Pending, 18/486,269 (2023).
  • Chua Song Lin, Khoo Bee Luan & Liao Junchen. Microfluidic device and method for detecting an infected cell in a fluid sample. US Patent Pending, US2022/0258160A1 (2022).
  • Chua Song Lin, Liu Yang. Capture-then-release microbial method and system that accumulate and release plastic particles. US Patent Pending, 63/379,159 (2022).
  • Chua Song Lin, Khoo Bee Luan & Deng Yanlin. Microfluidic Device and Method of Preparing A Cell Model for Disease Associated with Cancer. US Patent Pending, US2022/0113300A1 (2022).
  • Chua Song Lin, Khoo Bee Luan, Liu Yang. Microfluidic platform for in vivo infection model and uses thereof. US Patent Pending, 18/555,292 (2021).
  1. Liu, Y. S.; Zhang, C.; Khoo, B. L.; Hao, P.; Chua, S. L. Dual-species proteomics and targeted intervention of animal-pathogen interactions. Journal of Advanced Research 2025, 73, 397–410. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2024.08.038
  2. Yeung, Y. W. S.; Ma, Y.; Deng, Y.; Khoo, B. L.; Chua, S. L. Bacterial Iron Siderophore Drives Tumor Survival and Ferroptosis Resistance in a Biofilm-Tumor Spheroid Coculture Model. Advanced Science 2024, 11, 2404467. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202404467
  3. Ma, Y.; Tang, W. S.; Liu, S. Y.; Khoo, B. L.; Chua, S. L. Juglone as a Natural Quorum Sensing Inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pqs-Mediated Virulence and Biofilms. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science 2024, 7, 533–543. DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00354
  4. Hu, M.; Ma, Y.; Chua, S. L. Bacterivorous nematodes decipher microbial iron siderophores as prey cue in predator–prey interactions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2024, 121, e2314077121. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314077121
  5. Ma, Y.; Deng, Y.; Hua, H.; Khoo, B. L.; Chua, S. L. Distinct bacterial population dynamics and disease dissemination after biofilm dispersal and disassembly. The ISME Journal 2023, 17, 1290–1302. DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01446-5
  6. Ma, Y.; Aung, T. T.; Lakshminarayanan, R.; Chua, S. L. Biofilm formation and virulence potential of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Lancet Microbe 2023, 4, e489. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00097-6
  7. Chan, S. Y.; Liu, S. Y.; Wu, R.; Wei, W.; Fang, J. K.-H.; Chua, S. L. Simultaneous Dissemination of Nanoplastics and Antibiotic Resistance by Nematode Couriers. Environmental Science & Technology 2023, 57, 8719–8727. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07129
  8. Liu, Y. S.; Deng, Y.; Chen, C. K.; Khoo, B. L.; Chua, S. L. Rapid detection of microorganisms in a fish infection microfluidics platform. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 431, 128572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128572
  9. Li, S.; Liu, S. Y.; Chan, S. Y.; Chua, S. L. Biofilm matrix cloaks bacterial quorum sensing chemoattractants from predator detection. The ISME Journal 2022, 16, 1388–1396. DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01190-2
  10. Liu, S. Y.; Leung, M. M.-L.; Fang, J. K.-H.; Chua, S. L. Engineering a microbial ‘trap and release’ mechanism for microplastics removal. Chemical Engineering Journal 2021, 404, 127079. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127079

  • Rybtke M, Chua SL, Yam JKH, Givskov M, Yang L, Tolker-Nielsen T. Gauging and Visualizing c-di-GMP Levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Fluorescence-Based Biosensors. Methods Mol Biol. 2017;1657:87-98.
  • Yang L, Chua SL. Proteogenomics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis Infections. MALDI‐TOF and Tandem MS for Clinical Microbiology. 2017

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