BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

The PharmBio cluster invests in and supports programmes that further our understanding of diseases. Using this knowledge, we create novel treatments that:

• Maximise research value
• Create jobs
• Attract private R&D investments into Singapore

Working closely with clinical and engineering research partners, we focus on the following three areas:

• Drug Discovery and Development
• Deep Genotypic and/or Phenotypic Studies of Diseases
• Biomanufacturing

• Medical Imaging
• Surgery
• Patient Care & Monitoring Sensors
• Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
• Rehabiliation & Therapies
• Computer-Aided Detection/Diagnosis (CAD) Systems
• Sample Preparation & Diagnostic Kits

• Personalised OMIC Lattice for Advanced Research and Improving Stratification (POLARIS)

  POLARIS is a large clinical –omics project involving A*STAR researchers and clinical partners from the National Cancer Centre and National University Hospital (NUH). The POLARIS team aims to establish CAP-accredited biomarker validation laboratories for OMICS assays, with an initial focus on common Asian diseases such as lung cancer. By matching the right patient to the right drug at the right time, precision medicine can lead to better patient outcomes through improved clinical response rates and reduced treatment toxicities.

• Companion Diagnostics Project

  The ETC- and D3-based Companion Diagnostics project aims to develop prognostic and predictive biomarkers for targeted treatment by leveraging Singapore’s strengths in research into gastric, liver and haematopoietic cancers.

Our MedTech innovations span a wide range of medical applications:

• Medical Imaging
• Patient Care & Monitoring Sensors
• Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
• Surgical Therapies & Rehabiliation Technologies
• Computer-Aided Detection/Diagnosis (CAD) Systems
• Sample Preparation & Diagnostic Kits

To facilitate new product development in the food and nutrition industry, a complex understanding of the human biology and an extensive knowledge in the integration of engineering solutions are key. With our deep understanding of the Asian phenotype and culture, we are able to innovate new foods that improve health and impact lifestyle choices as well as address Singapore’s food security needs.

Singapore Centre for Nutritional Sciences, Metabolic Diseases and Human Development (SiNMeD)

SiNMeD, a collaboration between the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, studies metabolic diseases, human development and nutritional sciences in Asian populations. Much of these studies are done in close collaboration with clinical partners such as KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH).

SiNMeD's programme include:

• Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC)

  The CNRC is a joint initiative between SICS and the National University Health System (NUHS) and specialises in basic and translational human nutrition research to investigate the impact of micro- and macro- nutrient intake on human physiology, including the role of food structure and diet on metabolic diseases.

  The CNRC is one of the few nutritional centres in Asia that is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to conduct clinical nutrition and whole body metabolism studies, using a whole body calorimeter.

  More details on the CNRC.

• Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO)

  A joint programme between the National University of Singapore (NUS), SICS and KKH, GUSTO is a birth cohort study that involves deep, longitudinal phenotyping of 1,200 mothers and their children from early pregnancy to early childhood.

  The observational study is part of a worldwide academic consortium, EpiGen, which strives to advance understanding of the developmental and environmental processes that influence health through the course of life.

  More details on GUSTO

• Asian Metabolic Phenotyping Singapore (AMPS)

  AMPS is a platform established by SICS, NUH and Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for conducting translational clinical research in metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. It provides deep expertise in metabolic health, diagnostics, systems and molecular biology, as well as clinical imaging for intense phenotyping of adult subjects. AMPS also conducts studies that seek to understand the metabolic differences between the various ethnicities and how they respond physiologically to nutritional interventions.

• Neurocognitive Development Centre (NDC)

  A nexus for interdisciplinary research on brain development and mental health, the NDC partners major international and local institutions to incorporate cognitive science and propose interventions suitable for public health practice.

  The KKH-based centre emphasises evidence-based health care, and is actively involved in local and regional epidemiological studies that assess the molecular fundamentals of environmental influence on brain development, psychological health and function.

Singapore has built up foundational research in stem cells, tissue engineering and skin biology with a focus on Asian skin types. Thanks to our diverse multi-ethnic population, we provide a valuable resource for companies seeking to understand a variety of the world’s skin types in a single location.

Singapore’s focus is to integrate and leverage engineering capabilities in materials, imaging, modelling and simulation to create and develop technologies that address the needs of Asian skin types and preferences.

Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS)

Jointly established by A*STAR, National Skin Centre and Nanyang Technological University, the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS) harnesses the expertise of scientists, clinicians and engineers to conduct high-impact, inter-disciplinary skin research designed to achieve improved health outcomes and quality of life. The Institute specialises in key research areas such as eczema, allergy and inflammation, pigmentary disorders, wound healing, hair conditions and skin ageing.

For more information on SRIS.