Dr. Wing Sung

Dr. Wing Sung solves problems using proteins. As the leader of his own research team in the National Research Council Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS), Dr. Sung has produced hormones for treating diseases and designed enzymes that reduce the use of chlorine in the pulp and paper industry. He is currently working to find ways to improve the quality of hemp fiber.

Enzymes—natural proteins made and used by living organisms to perform special tasks—are the tools he uses to achieve his goals. But natural proteins don’t always work the way we want them to and often break down under industrial conditions. Natural xylanase, an enzyme that can be used to cut down on the use of chlorine dioxide as bleach in the paper-making process, becomes inactive when subjected to the high temperatures it encounters in a pulp mill.

Structure of a molecule of the Biobrite enzyme.

Using his expertise in molecular biology and collaborating with the Canadian biotechnology firm Iogen, Dr. Sung developed a modified version of xylanase—trademarked BioBrite—that can be used to bleach pulp. BioBrite helps to reduce organic chlorine waste, which helps the environment and saves pulp mills money.

Hemp is a plant that can be grown widely in Canada, and its fibers can be used in everything from clothing to car parts. But extracting high quality hemp fibers in an affordable and environmentally friendly way has eluded many experts around the world. Using current methods, the hemp fibers produced for clothing are not as white nor as soft as cotton. As a result, hemp clothing is actually a hemp-cotton blend, a situation that consumes far more resources than using hemp alone.

Industrial hemp is the same plant species as marijuana but contains only traces of the drug THC. It is now grown across Canada by farmers with a licence from the federal government.

Partnering with a Canadian hemp products manufacturer, Dr. Sung and his colleagues are working to modify a commercially available enzyme to produce hemp fibers that are stronger, longer-lasting, warmer, and more absorbent than cotton, but just as soft and bright.

Early Influences

Growing up in the countryside outside of Hong Kong, Dr. Sung developed a fascination with the natural world as most children do. He caught frogs, collected praying mantis eggs, and hunted for crickets. He raised silkworms and was amazed by their lifecycle. Toy cars and trains sets also fascinated him as a child. “I liked to pull apart their motors to find out how they worked, and then try to put them back together so that they could run again.”

But his interest in science did not translate into good marks at school. Throughout his primary and high school years, he struggled with the subjects that are hallmarks of future scientists: math, physics, and biology. An auditor, his father was a tireless advocate for him, even when teaching authorities suggested that the young Wing Sung would be more suited to arts or social science courses. His father stressed that no matter how hard it was for him, it was important not to limit his options.

Steps Along the Way

Dr. Sung’s academic performance did not allow him to enter university in Hong Kong upon graduating from high school. Landing a job as a science teacher, he discovered that he was very skilled at identifying his students’ needs and helping them work through their problems. He credits his own experience in high school in helping him develop this skill. Dr. Sung was finally accepted on scholarship as a second-year biology student at Oregon State University. But his troubles as a student were far from over. His marks plummeted, and his scholarship was in jeopardy. The following year, after switching to the field of chemistry, he made the honour roll, and eventually obtained his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in less than five years. As a master’s student, Dr. Sung took courses in oceanography. “Any thoughts of becoming an oceanographer were cut short when I learned that I suffered from extreme seasickness.” He went on to obtain his PhD from the University of British Columbia and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta for 11 months. He joined NRC in 1978.

For Dr. Sung, life had gone full circle. His job offer at NRC was for work that, in his view, required a biologist—his originally intended career path that had caused him so much trouble in school. So much so that he wrote back to NRC to ask them if they had made a mistake. He ended up working in a new field of study, genetic engineering, eventually using his expertise in chemistry to become one of the first researchers to synthesize the human insulin gene.

Tips for Success

Dr. Sung would counsel anyone considering a career in science to pursue an area they feel passionate about, and persevere even when times are difficult. “A career in science must be more than just a job—it has to give you a feeling of accomplishment and discovery, and it has to be fun too.” But along the way, it is important to keep as many options open as possible so that you have the flexibility to switch paths when a good opportunity comes along.

Why a Career in Government?

Dr. Sung believes that increasing our understanding of science will help us to live in greater harmony with nature, rather than constantly combating it or fighting to control it. As a government scientist, he takes pride in knowing that the work he does benefits the lives of Canadians, and can be used to help people around the world. The patents that have resulted from his many technological advancements earn royalties that NRC uses to fund additional cutting-edge research.