His research focuses on studying the engineering of biology to develop autonomous, programmable cells for grand challenge applications, supported by local and international organizations, and industry. In particular, he has significantly contributed to the development of microbial cells programmed to perform targeted biological functionalities, with over 100 publications and patents. His scientific contributions have been recognised with honours and awards, including the Investigatorship Award from the National Research Foundation of Singapore, and the Scientific and Technological Achievement Award from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and have received media recognitions worldwide. He serves as an editor and editorial board member for leading scientific journals and as an advisory committee member for key international research programmes. He co-chairs the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Synthetic Biology.

He has trained over 50 undergraduate and high school students, 20 Ph.D. students and 40 research scientists, many now in leadership roles in academia, government and industry. He is a strong advocate of promoting interdisciplinary science that marries engineering, biological, medical and social sciences through education and public science outreach.