In the heart of Singapore's push for food security, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) are pioneering nanotechnology solutions that could transform how we monitor and protect plant health. Led by Assistant Professor Tedrick Lew from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the Lew Lab is developing nanosensors and delivery systems that enable real-time detection of plant stress and targeted interventions, marking a significant advancement in smart farming technologies.

Singapore, with less than 1% of its land dedicated to agriculture and importing over 90% of its food, faces unique challenges in achieving self-sufficiency. The revised 'Singapore Food Story' aims for 20% local vegetable production and 30% protein by 2035, down from the ambitious '30 by 30' goal, highlighting the need for innovative, high-efficiency farming methods like vertical and urban agriculture. NUS's efforts align perfectly with these national priorities, leveraging limited space through precision tools.

NUS Lew Lab: From Childhood Curiosity to Global Innovation

Tedrick Lew's journey began with observing his mother intuitively assess plant health, sparking a lifelong quest to quantify and enhance that ability scientifically. Now a Presidential Young Professor at NUS, Lew heads the Lew Lab, established in 2022, which intersects nanotechnology, plant biology, chemistry, and engineering to create 'smart' crops. The lab's work is part of broader initiatives like the Research Centre on Sustainable Urban Farming (SUrF), launched in 2022 with S$10 million funding to tackle urban farming challenges through interdisciplinary research.

The lab's multidisciplinary team, affiliated with NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI) and Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), focuses on four pillars: plant nanosensors for monitoring, targeted nanoparticle delivery, biocompatibility studies, and plant-microbe interactions. This positions NUS as a leader in agrotech research in Singapore's higher education landscape.

How Nanosensors Revolutionize Plant Health Monitoring

Nanosensors are tiny devices, typically 1-100 nanometers in size, embedded in plant tissues to detect molecular signals of stress such as nutrient deficiencies, drought, pathogens, or toxins in real-time and non-destructively. Fluorescent nanosensors, for instance, light up under specific wavelengths when binding to stress indicators, allowing imaging without harming the plant. Lew's team has advanced these for arsenic detection and synthetic auxins, building on MIT collaborations.

In practice, these sensors turn plants into 'data nodes,' transmitting information via digital imaging or wearables for predictive analytics. Early detection can boost yields by 10-20% by enabling timely interventions, reducing losses from stress that affect 40% of global crops annually. For Singapore's urban farms, where space is premium, this means optimized resource use in controlled environments.

• Real-time monitoring of H2O2 signaling waves for wound response.
• Detection before visible symptoms, preventing spread.
• Integration with AI for predictive farming models.

Targeted Delivery Systems: SENDS and Microneedle Patches

Beyond detection, NUS research excels in delivery. The Stomata-Engineered Nanoparticle Delivery System (SENDS) uses ligand-engineered nanoparticles that target stomata—tiny leaf pores—for precise release of antimicrobials or nutrients, blocking bacteria entry and cutting pesticide use by up to 50%.

A breakthrough is the amphibious core-shell microneedle patch, published in Nature Communications (November 2025). This 'smart bandage' features water-resistant outer shells and effervescent cores that burst upon plant fluid contact, delivering genes, proteins, hormones, or microbes to land and aquatic plants like water spinach. Tests showed >60% microbial viability after 7 days and enhanced salt tolerance.Read the full study

Lew notes, “This is the first demonstration of a programmable microneedle system that functions reliably in both land and aquatic plants.” Implications include gene-editing for resilient crops, vital for Singapore's aquaculture and hydroponics.

Singapore's Urban Farming Landscape and NUS Contributions

Singapore's smart agriculture market reached US$428 million in 2025, projected to hit $1.5 billion by 2033 (CAGR 17.5%). Precision farming subset: $177M in 2024 to $436M by 2030. NUS SUrF drives this, with Lew's participation in pathogen detection workshops.

Case study: Sky Greens vertical farms produce 10x yield per land unit. Nanosensors could optimize lighting, nutrients, reducing energy 20%. Challenges: high costs, skilled labor shortage—addressed by NUS agrotech programs training interdisciplinary experts.

Benefits and Real-World Impacts

Nano-ag boosts yields 20-55% (wheat/rice), cuts fertilizer use 30-50%, per global studies. In Singapore, reduces import reliance amid climate risks. Stakeholder views: Farmers gain efficiency; policymakers support '30x30' via SFA grants; environmentalists praise low chemical runoff.

• Yield Increase: Targeted nutrients enhance growth 40% in trials.
• Sustainability: 50% less pesticides via precise delivery.
• Resilience: Stress-tolerant crops for heat/drought.
• Economic: Nano-ag market $400B global, SG poised to lead Asia.

Case: Lew's ZnO nanoparticles for nutrient delivery, improving uptake efficiency.

Challenges in Nano-Ag Adoption

Regulatory hurdles for nanomaterials, scalability, cost (initial high but ROI via yields), biocompatibility. Singapore SFA trials ensure safety. Lew Lab addresses via long-term studies.

NUS's Ecosystem for Agrotech Innovation

NUS integrates research via SUrF, NAII (AI institute, S$20M 2024). Careers: Programs in chem eng, biotech train for nano-ag roles. Links to /research-jobs for opportunities.

Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Scaling Nano-Smart Farming

By 2030, expect commercial nanosensor kits, drone-applied patches. Collaborations with SFA, startups for field trials. NUS positions Singapore as agrotech hub, exporting tech regionally.

For more on Asian research unis, see top Asia rankings.