The Straits Times highlights A/P Rosa’s research on AI-enabled “living” laboratory models

A/P Rosa’s research on “living” laboratory models featured in The Straits Times

Associate Professor Vinicius Rosa’s research on AI-enabled “living” laboratory models was recently featured in The Straits Times. The article highlights work developed by A/P Rosa and his team at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Dentistry to create advanced hydrogel-based systems that can better replicate the behaviour of human tissues during biomedical testing.

Associate Professor Vinicius Rosa from NUS Dentistry using a light source to shine on a hydrogel at his lab at the National University Centre For Oral Health Singapore on April 30. Source: The Straits Times

The feature, titled “‘Living’ lab models by NUS Dentistry team could make developing medical treatments safer, faster”, presents the team’s efforts to address one of the major limitations in biomedical research: many laboratory tests are still performed using simplified and static models that do not accurately represent the complex and changing conditions found inside the human body. As a result, conventional systems may fail to predict how treatments or biomaterials will perform in real clinical settings, contributing to long development timelines and continued reliance on animal testing.

A/P Rosa’s work focuses on developing dynamic hydrogel-based models that behave more like living tissues. Hydrogels are water-rich materials that can be engineered to mimic important physical and biological features of human tissues. Unlike traditional petri dish-based systems, these models can be designed to change over time, allowing researchers to study how cells respond to evolving biological environments, such as inflammation, changes in acidity, tissue degradation, or repair.

A key aspect of the research is the integration of artificial intelligence with biomaterials design. Instead of relying only on conventional trial-and-error approaches, the team uses AI models developed from real experimental data to guide the composition and properties of the hydrogel systems. This allows materials to be designed around expected cell behaviour and specific biological conditions, creating more predictive platforms for testing safety, bioactivity, and treatment response.

Although the work has been initially developed using dental pulp models, its implications extend beyond dentistry. The same approach could be adapted to study other tissues, including gum, cartilage, bone, and potentially disease-related environments such as cancer models. This broader applicability positions the research as part of a larger shift toward more human-relevant, data-driven, and translational platforms for biomedical innovation.

The national media feature follows A/P Rosa’s recent recognition with the 2026 IADR Innovation in Oral Care Award, a highly competitive international award given by the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and sponsored by Haleon. The award supports the development of innovative technologies, biomaterials, compounds, and devices with the potential to improve oral health at the population level.

Together, the IADR Innovation in Oral Care Award and The Straits Times feature reflect growing recognition of the scientific, translational, and societal relevance of this research. They also highlight Singapore’s growing role in advancing biomedical innovation with potential impact beyond oral healthcare.

By combining biomaterials science, biological testing, and artificial intelligence, A/P Rosa’s research contributes to an emerging generation of laboratory models that may help reduce the gap between experimental testing and clinical reality. The work also reinforces the role of NUS Dentistry in developing interdisciplinary research platforms with potential applications in oral health, regenerative medicine, cancer modelling, and broader healthcare innovation.