A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI)

The Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) is an A*STAR research institute dedicated to driving innovation for health and wellbeing, particularly for the Asian phenotype. Under its strategy pillar 1: Sustainable Value-Added Ingredients Innovation, SIFBI leads and contributes to the Singapore Food Story R&D Future Foods programme through the Alternative Protein Development Program (APDP), Fungal Protein, and FunProtein programmes. These initiatives focus on designing microbial and plant-based protein ingredients in formats suitable for the Asian palate. Notably, the APDP aims to bridge the technological gap between laboratory and industrial scales.

In collaboration with Nurasa, SIFBI provides pilot fermentation and food processing facilities and technologies to support the ecosystem. Beyond proteins, SIFBI is expanding its research to other specialty ingredients, such as alternative lipids, developing customizable lipids and fat mimetics. Through its strategy pillar 2: Optimizing Health and Wellbeing in Asian Phenotypes, the institute is also enhancing its work in nutritional and sensory sciences, optimizing food design for the Asian palate, and developing methods to increase the bioavailability of macronutrients, all driven by data-informed processes.