Surinder Singh has pioneered the successful genetic modification of fatty acid composition in the seeds of canola so that they produce large amounts of the long-chain omega-3 oils that are essential for human health, and which, to date, have been available predominantly from unsustainable marine sources. He has also modified safflower oil for industrial applications and the fatty acid metabolism in the leaves of certain crops to produce large amounts of valuable oils that are useful for food and industrial applications.