The Structural and Cell Biology pillar cultivates an active network of scientists, engineers, and trainees with expertise in molecular mechanisms, cell organization, and the complex interactions that sustain life at the cellular level. Researchers in this pillar tackle fundamental questions of how proteins, nucleic acids, and macromolecular complexes are assembled, regulated, and remodeled to drive essential cellular processes. Areas of focus include membrane protein structure, intracellular trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics, and structural transitions that underpin signal transduction and cellular responses to stress.

SBS has been a pioneer in Singapore’s structural biology landscape, establishing a dedicated Cryo‑Electron Microscopy (Cryo‑EM) facility, and among the first to implement next‑generation high‑throughput microscopes and sample‑preparation pipelines that enable single‑particle and cryo‑electron tomography (cryo‑ET) structural studies at near‑atomic resolution. By integrating these cutting‑edge imaging platforms with biochemical, genetic, and computational approaches alongside cryo‑ET, cryo‑EM, X‑ray crystallography, super‑resolution and live‑cell imaging, and advanced structural modeling, our research programs deliver high‑resolution insights that advance understanding of the molecular basis of cellular function.

This pillar fosters strong collaborations with leading structural biology centers and biomedical institutes across Singapore and worldwide, ensuring that the latest methods and technologies are applied to our research. These programs not only expand fundamental knowledge in cell and structural biology but also provide a foundation for novel therapeutic strategies and biotechnological applications, creating a dynamic environment for students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators to thrive.