Stem Cell Bioprocessing

Today's Research, Tomorrow's Cellular Therapy

The Stem Cell Bioprocessing Group develops scalable biomanufacturing platforms for embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and their derivatives. We establish bioreactor-based suspension processes—leveraging microcarrier or aggregate systems—to enable high-yield, high-quality expansion and differentiation within an integrated workflow that overcomes the scalability limitations of 2D cultures for cell and gene therapy. We also evaluate biomaterials to enhance process performance and overall manufacturing efficiency.

Focus Areas

  • Process development for scalable bioreactor suspension cultures using microcarrier or aggregate systems for stem cell manufacturing
  • Microcarrier-enabled reprogramming of somatic cells into iPSCs
  • CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) platforms for controlled lineage specification
  • Formulation and optimization of culture media for stem cell expansion and differentiation

Our Capabilities

Stem Cell Expansion

We develop scalable stem cell expansion platforms using microcarrier and aggregate suspension cultures in bioreactors, enabling consistent production of high-quality pluripotent and mesenchymal stem cells.

Stem Cell Differentiation

We establish robust, scalable workflows to differentiate stem cells into functional cell types, supporting research, therapeutic development, and cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

Media Formulation

We develop chemically defined, xeno-free, serum-free media optimized for stem cell expansion and differentiation, enhancing performance and reproducibility across bioprocess platforms.
SCB Capabilities (resized)

 

Our Technologies

Aggregate-Based Suspension System

  • Robust and scalable: Supports high-density hiPSC aggregate cultures with 15-25-fold expansion, suitable for allogeneic iPSCs manufacturing
  • High-Yield Differentiation: Drives robust, reproducible hiPSC-to-immune differentiation, delivering 10⁴-fold expansion at industrial scale

Microcarrier-based Bioreactor System

  • Robust and scalable: Proven across pluripotent and mesenchymal stem cells, delivering 3-10-fold higher yields compared with conventional 2D cultures
  • Reprogramming on MCs: Enables >30-fold enhancement in reprogramming efficiency, outperforming standard monolayer approaches
  • Validated for hiPSC expansion and differentiation into red blood cells (RBCs) and cardiomyocytes, delivering high yield and high quality
2D systems

 

The Team

Alan Lam (resized)

Dr Alan Lam

Senior Scientist II
Group Leader

alan_lam@a-star.edu.sg

Leonard Leong (resized)

Dr Leonard Leong

Scientist

leonard_leong@a-star.edu.sg

Our Track Record

Featured Publications

  • Tom A Wyrobnik, Laia Miranda, Alan Lam, Steve Oh, Andrea Ducci and Martina Micheletti (2025) Scalable, High-Density Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Microcarriers Using the Bach Impeller in Stirred-Tank Reactors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 122(10): 2803-2818
  • Alan Tin Lun Lam, Premkumar Jayaraman, Abigail Becker, Ryan Lim, Kim Leng Teo, Jacqueline Ng and Steve Oh (2023) Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Processing for Clinical Applications Using a Closed Semi-Automated Workflow. Journal of Visualized Experiments 193
  • Alan Tin Lun Lam, Valerie Ho, Svetlan Vassilev, Shaul Reuveny and Steve Kah Weng Oh (2022) An allied reprogramming, selection, expansion and differentiation platform for creating hiPSC on microcarriers. Cell Proliferation 55:e13256
  • Alan Tin-Lun Lam, Alison P. Lee, Premkumar Jayaraman, Kah Yong Tan, Deepak Raghothaman, Hsueh Lee Lim, He Cheng, Lihan Zhou, Andy Hee-Meng Tan, Shaul Reuveny and Steve Oh (2021) Multiomics analyses of cytokines, gene, miRNA, and pathway regulatory networks in human mesenchymal stem cells expanded in stirred microcarrier-spinner cultures. Stem Cell Research 53:102272
  • Jaichandran Sivalingam, Yu SuE, Zhong Ri Lim, Alan T.L. Lam, Alison P. Lee, Hsueh Lee Lim, Hong Yu Chen, Hong Kee Tan, Tushar Warrier, Jing Wen Hang, Nazmi B. Nazir, Andy H.M. Tan, Laurent Renia, Yuin Han Loh, Shaul Reuveny, Benoit Malleret and Steve K.W. Oh (2020) A Scalable Suspension Platform for Generating High-Density Cultures of Universal Red Blood Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 16(1): 182-197
  • Alan Tin-Lun Lam, Allen Kuan-Liang Chen, Sherwin Qi-Peng Ting, Shaul Reuveny and Steve Kah-Weng Oh (2016) Integrated processes for expansion and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in suspended microcarriers cultures. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 473(3): 764-8

Landmark Patent & IP

  • Microcarriers for stem cell culture (2014)
  • Culture of pluripotent and multipotent cells on microcarriers (2014)

 

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