Journal of Zhejiang University

Bio-Design and Manufacturing 2026 Vol.9 No.2 P.206 - 239

Shaping the future of biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Singapore

Author(s): Wei Long Ng,Marin Zhen Lin Yee,Kee Woei Ng,Yanjiao Teng,Seeram Ramakrishna,Yanting Liu,Swee Leong Sing,Sharon Mui Ling Nai,Kun Liang,Hong Liang Tey,Adrian Kee Keong Teo,Andri K. Riau,Jodhbir S. Mehta,Jia Min Lee,Xi Huang,Wai Yee Yeong,Boyang Huang,Cian Vyas,Paulo Bartolo
Affiliation(s): 1. Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore more
Corresponding email(s): ng.wl@ntu.edu.sg, ng.wl@ntu.edu.sg
Key Words: 3D bioprinting, Biofabrication, Sustainable biomaterials, Food biomanufacturing, Cell therapy, Microneedles, Bioelectronics

Wei Long Ng, Marin Zhen Lin Yee, Kee Woei Ng, Yanjiao Teng, Seeram Ramakrishna, Yanting Liu, Swee Leong Sing, Sharon Mui Ling Nai, Kun Liang, Hong Liang Tey, Adrian Kee Keong Teo, Andri K. Riau, Jodhbir S. Mehta, Jia Min Lee, Xi Huang, Wai Yee Yeong, Boyang Huang, Cian Vyas, Paulo Bartolo. Shaping the future of biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Singapore[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science D, 2026, 9(2): 206 - 239.

@article{title="Shaping the future of biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Singapore",
author="Wei Long Ng, Marin Zhen Lin Yee, Kee Woei Ng, Yanjiao Teng, Seeram Ramakrishna, Yanting Liu, Swee Leong Sing, Sharon Mui Ling Nai, Kun Liang, Hong Liang Tey, Adrian Kee Keong Teo, Andri K. Riau, Jodhbir S. Mehta, Jia Min Lee, Xi Huang, Wai Yee Yeong, Boyang Huang, Cian Vyas, Paulo Bartolo",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science D",
volume="9",
number="2",
pages="206 - 239",
year="2026",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/bdm.2500639"
}

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%A Kee Woei Ng
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%A Sharon Mui Ling Nai
%A Kun Liang
%A Hong Liang Tey
%A Adrian Kee Keong Teo
%A Andri K. Riau
%A Jodhbir S. Mehta
%A Jia Min Lee
%A Xi Huang
%A Wai Yee Yeong
%A Boyang Huang
%A Cian Vyas
%A Paulo Bartolo
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE D
%V 9
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%P 206 - 239
%@ 1869-1951
%D 2026
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/bdm.2500639

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A1 - Yanting Liu
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Abstract
Chinese Summary
Academic Network
Reviewer Comment

Abstract: Biofabrication and biomanufacturing are rapidly transforming how materials, therapeutics, and functional biological constructs are produced. These fields integrate developments in sustainable biomaterials, precision fabrication, biological systems, and data-driven engineering to produce scalable, efficient, and environmentally aligned production pathways. This review high-lights recent scientific advances led by researchers in Singapore, focusing on three interconnected pillars: sustainable bio-derived materials, enabling fabrication and manufacturing technologies, and emerging applications. We first examine the expanding use of biomass-derived feedstocks, including human hair keratin, aquaculture side-streams, and plant-derived polysaccharides, which support circular and resource-conscious material development. We then present advances in biofabrication technologies, including electrospinning, three-dimensional bioprinting, and metal additive manufacturing, that enable improved control over the structure, function, and manufacturability of biomedical and functional constructs. Emerging applications, such as machine learning-assisted additive manufacturing, food biomanufacturing, regenerative cell therapy, microneedles, and bioelectronics, exemplify how biofabrication and biomanufacturing are increasingly interrelated across the health, materials, and technological domains. These research contributions from Singapore exemplify how sustainable feedstocks, digital and automated fabrication platforms, and biologically driven applications are shaping the evolving landscape of biofabrication and biomanufacturing. The convergence of materials science, biological engineering, and advanced manufacturing continues to enable new opportunities for innovation in biomedical, industrial, and societal contexts.

Shaping the future of biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Singapore

生物制造正在快速重塑材料、治疗产品及功能性生物结构的生产方式。该领域融合了可持续生物材料、精密制造技术、生物系统以及数据驱动工程的发展,推动形成可规模化、高效率且符合可持续发展的新型生产范式。本文综述了新加坡研究团队近年来在该领域的代表性进展,重点围绕三个相互关联的方向展开:可持续生物来源材料、关键制造技术以及新兴应用。首先,文章系统梳理了生物质来源原料的拓展应用,包括人体毛发角蛋白、水产副产物以及植物来源多糖等,这些材料为资源循环利用与绿色制造提供了重要基础。随后,总结了静电纺丝、三维生物打印及金属增材制造等关键技术进展,这些方法显著提升了结构调控能力与功能实现水平。进一步地,机器学习辅助制造、食品生物制造、再生细胞治疗、微针系统以及生物电子学等新兴应用,体现了生物制造在健康、材料与工程等领域的交叉融合趋势。新加坡相关研究表明,可持续原料、数字化制造平台与生物驱动应用的协同发展,正在共同塑造生物制造的未来格局。材料科学、生物工程与先进制造技术的深度融合,将持续推动该领域在生物医学、工业制造及社会应用中的创新发展。
3D bioprinting; Biofabrication; Sustainable biomaterials; Food biomanufacturing; Cell therapy; Microneedles; Bioelectronics