Established in October 2000, the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) supports, oversees and coordinates public sector biomedical research and development activities in Singapore. The BMRC:

• Oversees the development of core research capabilities within A*STAR research units specializing in bioprocessing; chemical synthesis; genomics and proteomics; molecular and cell biology; bioengineering and nanotechnology and computational biology.
• Actively promotes translational medicine and cross-disciplinary research, as part of its efforts to advance human healthcare.
• Supports biomedical research in the wider scientific community such as public universities and hospitals.
• Engages in human capital development in the biomedical sciences and promotes societal awareness of biomedical research through outreach programmes

BMRC works in close partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board’s (EDB) Biomedical Sciences Group and Bio*One Capital, in spearheading the Biomedical Sciences Initiative to develop Singapore into the Biopolis of Asia - an international biomedical sciences hub advancing human healthcare, through the pursuit of excellence in research & development, manufacturing, and healthcare delivery. The BMS International Advisory Council (IAC), comprising eminent international scientists and visionaries in the biomedical field, shares their perspectives and insights and advises Singapore on major global trends in biomedical research and industry, and critiques and advises Singapore on our BMS initiatives. Some current IAC members include Sir Richard Sykes (Rector, Imperial College London), Dr John Mendelsohn (President, MD Anderson Cancer Center), Dr Tadataka Yamada (President, Global Health Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and Nobel Laureate Dr Sydney Brenner (Distinguished Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies).

There are 7 research institutes under BMRC:

• Bioinformatics Institute (BII)
• Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI)
• Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS)
• Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN)
• Institute for Medical Biology (IMB)
• Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)
• Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS)

In addition, BMRC has established the following research consortia to focus on developing capabilities in translational research:

• Singapore Cancer Syndicate (SCS)
• Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC)
• Singapore Stem Cell Consortium (SSCC)
• Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)
• Singapore Consortium for Cohort Studies (SCCS)

 Prof Lee Eng Hin is currently the Executive Director of BMRC.