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Singapore Oro-Facial Initiative (SOFI)

Overview

SOFI is a tripartite collaboration among academic, clinical and industry partners to drive the development, translation and commercialisation of oro-facial innovations.

SOFI aims to:

  1. Develop oral devices and technologies with a focus on patient-specific implants and digital solutions, particularly for Asian oro-facial conditions and the elderly
  2. Drive oro-facial innovation, accelerate clinical translation and commercialisation by co-locating clinicians, surgeons, engineers and scientists within an integrated healthcare setting in Singapore
  3. Leverage the synergies of a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional and cross-industrial collaborative network to grow industry R&D investments


Background

The oro-facial complex is an organ system comprising a complex network of muscular, skeletal, vascular, neuronal, sensory, respiratory and secretary tissues. Maintaining proper function or restoring function of the oro-facial complex is very important for quality of life, especially as a person ages.


With the rapidly ageing Singapore population, there is a growing need for innovative and cost-effective restorative, replacement and reconstructive solutions for the oro-facial complex, harnessing the latest advancements in the engineering arena, such as new imaging technologies, 3D printing and novel biomaterials.


Key Research Areas

​Patient-specific Devices​Novel Bioactive Materials​Integrated Digital Solutions
  • ​Dental implants
  • Dental prostheses
  • Oral appliances
  • Maxillofacial reconstruction/regeneration/cosmetic devices
  • ​Surface topographical modifications
  • Immunomodulation
  • Controlled-release therapeutics
  • ​3D/4D treatment and surgical planning algorithms for Asians
  • 3D printing


Core Research Platforms

SOFI has four core research platforms to support the key research areas:


  1. Advanced characterisation and manufacturing
  2. Digital technologies
  3. Clinical trials
  4. Business development


​Advanced Characterisation and Manufacturing
  • ​Rapid prototyping systems
  • Industrial scale micro-thermoforming, nano- and micro-patterning and electrospinning equipment
​Digital Technologies
  • ​2D and 3D clinical imaging
  • Clinical simulation for surgical and treatment planning
  • Computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacture and/or 3D printing
Clinical Trials
  • ​Investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trial support
  • GCP-trained clinical research coordinators
  • Administrative support
​Business Development
  • ​Industrial collaboration
  • Intellectual property protection
  • Licensing
  • Incubators
  • Commercialisation


Research & Impact


3D-Printed Dental Plug to Preserve Bone after a Tooth Extraction

3D printing for surgery planning

Modular endoprosthesis for mandible reconstruction


Members

Cl A/Prof Goh Bee Tin (Lead)
Asst Prof Yu Na
Asst Prof Hemant Vijaykumar Unadkat
Dr Song Yi Lin
Dr Lim Wen Yi
Dr Thanuja Darshani Herath
Dr Liu Yuchun
Dr Zayim Razina d/o Seeni Syed