A world-renowned pioneer in the field of molecular biotechnology and currently Emeritus Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS), Professor Jeak Ling Ding’s research focuses on innate immunity in host-pathogen interaction, antimicrobial defense and anticancer immunomodulation. Her work has resulted in around 300 scientific publications and patents, along with a host of awards and honors, including most recently her induction into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame. We spoke with Professor Ding to learn more about her career defining breakthrough to genetically engineer recombinant Factor C, and the importance of creating a sustainable and ethical alternative to replace traditional methods of endotoxin testing.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a term that is not widely recognised by many people globally. What’s even more concerning is that those who are most affected by AMR—patients and their families—are often the ones who lack that awareness and rely on understanding its consequences.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been identified as an increasing threat to modern medicine, leading to higher treatment costs and increased morbidity and mortality.1 The misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics is a major contributor to the rise of AMR — particularly in emergency care, where studies have estimated that 40% to 60% of antibiotics are inappropriately prescribed.2 To understand the cause of this disparity, it is important to provide context on the many unique facets of the emergency department, while exploring how comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship could improve prescribing practices.

Frederick Novy had an extensive career pioneering the development of microbiology as an academic discipline and field of research, and he assisted in setting the framework for modern medical science. Before his time, microbiology was focused on disease prevention, but F.Novy made extensive strides to further the understanding of microbes at their deepest levels. Through research, discipline, and teaching, he persuaded others do to the same. “F.Novy was among the last survivors of that eager group of young American biologists and hygienists who journeyed to Europe in the 1880s to work in the laboratories of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch and learn the fundamentals of the new science of bacteriology at first hand,” noted biographer Esmond R. Long.