Opening speech by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR, at the second Biology of Ageing Conference on 14 November 2017

Distinguished guests,

Friends and colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good afternoon to all of you, and welcome to the second Biology of Ageing Conference, jointly organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University Health System (NUHS), in partnership with King’s College London.

Let me also extend a very special welcome to the many renowned international speakers and guests who share our vision, and who have travelled some distances to share their expertise with us.

Introduction

This conference represents Singapore’s commitment to tackling the issue of ageing through our research and development efforts.

The international makeup of this conference demonstrates that ageing is a topic with growing interest worldwide.

Impact of Ageing on Societies

Many developed countries are facing rapidly ageing populations as a result of a combination of lower birth rates and rising longevity.

By 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to more than double to 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015¹.

In Singapore, the percentage of residents aged 65 years and above will double from 7% in 2000 to 14% by 2020.

By 2030, about one in five Singapore residents will be above the age of 65².

Globally, ageing is seen as a problem because it is often associated with debilitating conditions, reduced quality of life and escalating healthcare costs.

Ageing populations typically face major health, societal and economic challenges.

However, when we look at aging from the perspective of longevity, it should actually be good news – it means we have made successful advancements in public health, medicine, science, and technology, and this is why people can live longer.

We can positively transform the experience of ageing if we are able to innovate, to borrow from the theme of this conference, to deliver “Impactful Interventions” to lessen or prevent the disabilities and illnesses currently associated with old age.

If we can find practical solutions to help the elderly maintain or restore their functional capabilities, they will be able to age with dignity, enjoy their twilight years, and contribute their wealth of experiences to societies.

Understanding the Biology of Ageing

In this regard, fundamental biological research in ageing is more essential than ever, as it helps us to understand the ageing process to better inform our healthcare policy and approaches to this challenge.

In recent years, researchers in this field have made substantial progress in understanding the genetics, biology, and physiology of ageing.

Ultimately, research and innovation will be the key enabler to unleashing the potential of increased longevity.

Continued innovation in ageing research is aligned with Singapore’s Action Plan for Successful Ageing.

This Plan was launched by the Ministry of Health last year to empower Singaporeans to age confidently and lead active lives.

Collaborative Studies to Advance Ageing-related R&D

To date, Singapore has already started various ageing-related research initiatives, many of which involve multiple research players including A*STAR, NUHS, and other universities and hospitals.

At the first Biology of Ageing Conference in 2015, I launched the SG90 Longevity Cohort Study, an A*STAR-NUHS initiative to study a cohort of approximately 1,500 elderly individuals in Singapore aged 90 years old and above.

This is intended to select those with the best health status as a model of successful ageing.

The purpose of the SG90 study is to identify biomarkers and signatures for healthy ageing and longevity, be it genetics, diet or lifestyle factors.

These insights will go a long way to help us design impactful interventions to maximise the health span of the elderly in our society.

Preliminary findings from the SG90 study have yielded interesting observations, such as gender difference as a factor in healthy ageing.

SG90 researchers have found that Singaporean men appear to be healthier in old age compared to Singaporean women, as they are less likely to have impaired cognition (30% in men versus 39% in women), and are also more likely to be independent in their activities of daily living (47% in men versus 34% in women).

Initial results also indicate that more men have a positive outlook of their health, and are less depressed or anxious compared to women.

Moving forward, the SG90 researchers hope to delve further into uncovering the reasons for this gender difference as a factor in healthy ageing, and understand whether it stems from educational differences, family support, or other considerations with a view to removing this gender disparity.

A*STAR is also involved in another cohort study, the ongoing second Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS-2) alongside the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This study commenced in 2009 and involves 3,200 Singaporean men and women aged 55 and above.

As part of SLAS-2, Dr Anis Larbi and his colleagues at the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have identified a population of immune cells, known as gamma delta T cells, that does not show signs of ageing – what we call resistance to senescence.

Even their epigenetic clock confirms this discovery.

By studying this population of cells further, the SIgN team could potentially isolate the factors that have led to this quality of ageing resistance, and find ways to harness these factors to slow down the body’s overall ageing process. The possibilities are indeed exciting.

Perhaps, the most recent feather in the cap for ageing research in Singapore came in August this year, when the Centre for Healthy Ageing was established at NUHS, under the leadership of ageing expert, Professor Brian Kennedy.

The mission of the Centre is to find strategies to keep the Singapore population healthier longer.

This Centre is a further testament to Singapore’s commitment to leverage on advances in science and medicine to help our elderly live disease-free and active lives.

I look forward to many fruitful collaborations that will be fostered between A*STAR and the Centre for Healthy Ageing as well as the wider research community for the benefits of Singapore and beyond.

Closing Remarks

In closing, I would like to thank the Singapore Immunology Network and the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, both A*STAR research institutes, for organising this important conference together with NUHS.

More pertinently, I hope that the discussions at this conference over the next few days will further advance our understanding of ageing and serve as catalysts to jumpstart fruitful interventions and programmes to benefit our ageing societies over time.

With that, let me wish everyone a meaningful and productive conference.

Thank you.