🌱 Revolutionizing Plant Resilience at NUS: Tedrick Lew's Nanotech Breakthroughs

At the National University of Singapore (NUS), Assistant Professor Tedrick Thomas Salim Lew is leading a charge in plant nanotechnology that could transform how we protect crops from diseases and environmental stresses. His Lew Lab, nestled within the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, bridges nanotechnology, plant biology, chemistry, and engineering to create tools that make plants smarter and tougher. This work is particularly vital for Singapore, where limited arable land—less than 1% of the total area—is dedicated to agriculture, pushing the nation toward innovative solutions for food security.

Lew's latest innovation, a core-shell microneedle patch dubbed the 'nanotech guardian,' allows precise delivery of protective agents into both land and aquatic plants. This amphibious patch addresses longstanding challenges in agricultural delivery systems, offering controlled release that works even underwater—a game-changer for crops like watercress and seaweed grown in Singapore's urban farms and aquaculture setups.

The patch features short microneedles that gently pierce plant tissue, creating microscopic pathways without causing damage. Its outer shell provides water resistance during application, while the inner core—loaded with genes, proteins, hormones, or beneficial microbes—dissolves upon contact with plant fluids, mimicking the fizz of an effervescent tablet for tunable release. Experiments have shown successful delivery and gene expression in submerged freshwater plants, enhancing traits like salt tolerance.

From Childhood Curiosity to Presidential Young Professor

Tedrick Lew's path to pioneering plant nanotech began with simple observations of his mother's backyard plants in Singapore. Fascinated by how she gauged their health, young Lew dreamed of tools that could 'talk' to plants. This curiosity propelled him to a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT in 2020, followed by his return to NUS as a Presidential Young Professor in 2022. Today, he leads a multidisciplinary team at the Lew Lab, affiliated with NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI) and Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART).

Under his guidance, the lab tackles four pillars: plant nanosensors for real-time health monitoring, targeted nanoparticle delivery, biocompatibility studies, and plant-microbe interactions. With over 3,200 citations on Google Scholar, Lew's work exemplifies NUS's role in fostering homegrown talent to solve global challenges like climate-impacted agriculture.

Overcoming Delivery Hurdles in Plant Protection

Traditional methods like spraying or injecting protective agents into plants suffer from inefficiencies: sprays wash off wet leaves, injections damage tissue, and both lead to broad dispersion and waste. Submerged aquatic plants are nearly impossible to treat. Lew's solutions target these pain points. The microneedle patch, published in Nature Communications in November 2025, enables programmable delivery with minimal loss, supporting everything from genetic editing for nutrient enhancement to deploying beneficial microbes.Read the full study

• Precision targeting: Microneedles access hard-to-reach tissues.
• Controlled release: Tunable based on plant fluid interaction.
• Versatility: Works on 20+ crop species, land or water.

This precision reduces chemical runoff, aligning with Singapore's '30 by 30' goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030 amid rising disease pressures from climate change.

The Smart Spray Precursor: Stomata-Targeted Defense

Building on earlier successes, Lew's team introduced SENDS (stomata-targeting engineered nanoparticles) in May 2025, also in Nature Communications. These zinc-based nanoparticles deliver antibacterial agents directly to stomata—the plant's breathing pores and pathogen entry points. Treated plants showed 20-fold greater resistance to bacterial infections across pak choy, beans, rice, and barley, even enduring rainfall.Access the paper

Porous nanoparticles adhere selectively, release payloads, and biodegrade harmlessly, preserving photosynthesis. Lead author PhD candidate Suppanat Puangpathumanond highlighted its potential: “This spray fortifies plants before infection strikes, revolutionizing disease management.” For Singapore's vertical farms battling humidity-fueled pathogens, this means fewer pesticides and healthier yields.

Nanosensors: Reading Plants Like Never Before

Beyond protection, Lew's nanosensors enable non-destructive, in vivo monitoring of plant metabolites, hormones, and stresses. These tiny devices detect early disease signs or nutrient deficiencies, allowing farmers to intervene precisely. Integrated into smart farming systems, they support data-driven decisions, crucial for Singapore's high-density agriculture where every square meter counts.

Lab projects explore biocompatibility, ensuring nanomaterials don't harm plants or ecosystems—a key concern in urban settings. Early prototypes already promise real-time alerts via apps, empowering smallholder farmers.

Singapore's Agri-Tech Landscape and NUS's Pivotal Role

Singapore faces acute food security risks: 90% of food imported, vulnerable to supply disruptions, climate shifts exacerbating diseases like rice blast or bacterial wilt. The Singapore Food Agency notes disease outbreaks as a top threat, with vertical farms and aquaculture hit hard by pathogens thriving in tropical humidity.

NUS, through Lew's work, positions itself as a hub for agri-nanotech. Collaborations with NERI and SMART amplify impacts, while grants like PREPARE and NUS Robotics Seed funding accelerate translation to farms. This aligns with national initiatives like the S$800 million decarbonisation challenge and RIE2030 for sustainable tech.

Awards, Recognition, and Growing Influence

Lew's innovations earned the Next ASEAN Innovator Award 2025 from 94 applicants, recognizing implantable nanosensors and delivery systems. His Presidential Young Professorship underscores NUS's investment in rising stars. With publications in top journals and industry buzz, Lew exemplifies Singapore's higher education driving real-world solutions.

Future Horizons: From Lab to Field and Beyond

Next steps include scaling via 3D printing, robotic integration for automated application, and field trials under real stresses. Long-term, expect gene-edited crops with enhanced flavors, nutrition, or climate resilience. For aquatic biotech, seaweed fortification could boost biofuel or food production. Lew envisions: “Efficient inputs where needed, not dispersed broadly—sustainable agriculture redefined.”

Challenges remain: regulatory approval for nanomaterials, cost reduction, and ecosystem safety. Yet, with Singapore's pro-innovation ecosystem, Lew's tech could export globally, aiding ASEAN neighbors facing similar woes.

Broader Impacts on Singapore Higher Education

Lew's success highlights NUS's strength in interdisciplinary research, attracting talents like his MIT-trained team. It inspires students in chemical engineering and biotech, with labs offering hands-on projects. Amid Singapore's push for research-intensive universities, such breakthroughs secure funding and partnerships, positioning NUS as Asia's agri-tech leader.

Stakeholders—from SFA to startups—praise the potential. One farmer noted: “Targeted protection means less waste, higher yields in our limited space.” As climate pressures mount, NUS innovations like these fortify Singapore's resilient future.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Real-World Cases

Aquaculture operators in Singapore report disease losses up to 20-30% annually; Lew's patch could slash this via underwater delivery. Vertical farm trials with SENDS showed 15-25% yield boosts. Experts from A*STAR echo: “Precision nanotech complements Singapore's smart nation vision.”

Timeline: Lab founding (2022) → Smart spray (2025) → Microneedle patch (2026). Actionable insights: Farmers can prototype simple nanosprays; researchers collaborate via Lew Lab openings.

Photo by Trung Thanh on Unsplash