Biomedical Research Entities Capabilities

Listed here are all the research entities under biomedical research. Click on the respective links to visit their web pages.

Bioinformatics Institute (BII)

BII was established in 2001 to train manpower and build capabilities in bioinformatics. BII focuses on theoretical approaches aimed at:

• Understanding biomolecular mechanisms that underlie biological phenomena
• Developing computational methods to support this discovery process
• Experimental verification of predicted molecular and cellular functions of genes and proteins with biochemical methods

Research Capabilities

• Biomolecular Function Discovery
• Biomolecular Modelling and Design
• Genome and Gene Expression Data Analysis
• Imaging Infomatics
• Translational Research (comprising of Natural Product Biology, Natural Product Chemistry and Antibody & Product Development Teams)

Visit BII

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Institute of Medical Biology (IMB)

IMB was established in 2007 from the former Centre for Molecular Medicine. IMB’s Executive Director is Professor Birgit Lane. Its mission is to study mechanisms of human disease in order to discover new and effective therapeutic strategies for an improved quality of life. Our growing portfolio of strategic research topics aims to promote translational research on the mechanisms of human diseases with a cell-to-tissue emphasis that can help identify new therapeutic strategies for disease amelioration, cure, and eradication.

Research Capabilities

• Stem Cells
• Cancer
• Genetic Diseases
• Development and Differentiation

Visit IMB

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Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) was launched on 23 January 1985, with the official opening ceremony held on 2 October 1987 at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It subsequently became an autonomous research institute (RI) of A*STAR, moving to Biopolis in 2004. Today, IMCB has established itself as a world-class research institute in biomedical sciences with a focus on four major fields:

• Animal Models of Development and Disease
• Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics
• Cell Biology in Health and Disease
• Structural Biology and Drug Discovery

Research Capabilities

• Advanced Molecular Pathology
• Antibody Development
• Cell Biology
• Development Biology
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Development for Infectious Disease
• Epigenetics
• Genome-wide RNAi Screens
• Humanized Model Organisms of Human Disease
• Microfluidics Systems Biology
• Quantitative Proteomics
• Structural Biology
• Translational Immunology

Visit IMCB

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Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC)

SBIC was established in August 2004 to serve as a focal point for stimulating, funding, coordinating and reporting on the various bioimaging activities in Singapore. The SBIC plans to harness existing imaging expertise and capabilities in Singapore and develop them into a focused national platform to support the growth of multi-disciplinary research activities and speed the development and translation of biomedical research discoveries into clinical applications. In the SBIC, the four technology platforms used to support research in cancer, metabolic medicine and regenerative medicine are listed below.

Research Capabilities

• Optical imaging
• Image processing and management
• Small animal imaging with Magnetic Resonance
• Development of Chemical/Biological probes

Visit SBIC

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Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS)

Founded in 2007, the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) was the first institute within the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to focus on clinical sciences and translational research. By leveraging on innovative approaches, technologies and seminal nationwide birth cohort studies, our esteemed researchers have made significant strides in pertinent healthcare fields such as metabolic diseases, pathways to normal growth and development, and nutritional sciences. The efficient and effective study of human health and diseases has allowed SICS to build gateways and an evidence base for positive health, allowing our scientific research to positively impact the social and economic fabric of our communities while also making a difference to health and human capacity in Singapore, Asia and globally.

Broad research areas:

• Nutritional Sciences & Human Physiology
• Metabolic Disease
• Developmental pathways to Health and Disease

Visit SICS

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Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI)

In April 2020, the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) was established with the aim of bringing cutting edge biotechnology in the forefront to drive innovation in food and many other applications. The institute pulls together research capabilities in areas such as food, nutrition, public health, biotechnology, manufacturing, agri-food technology, and safety research under one roof.

These capabilities will support the development of solutions for the needs of the Asian market, such as the discovery and production of health and sustainable foods. It also accelerates the transformation of the food industry, capturing new opportunities in established industries such as advanced manufacturing, specialty chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, and food manufacturing.

Research Capabilities

• Discovery
• Biotransformation
• Fermentation
• Safety
• Nutrition
• Shared Analytics Platform
  

Visit SIFBI

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Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)

The Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) was initiated in December 2005 with the aim of expanding and strengthening immunology research capabilities in Singapore to support efficient translation into clinical applications in areas of medical needs. In January 2008, 6000m2 of new laboratory and office space was inaugurated as the home of SIgN, in the Immunos building at Biopolis. Human Immunology will be the focus of SIgN. Researchers at SIgN investigate immunity during infections and inflammatory conditions, including cancer, by using animal models to complement patient cohort studies, in an effort to translate bench discoveries into bedside medical treatments. Our Scientists' work is supported by cutting edge technological research platforms and core services. SIgN was also designed to attract and link up with companies in the biomedical field, feeding their pipelines with novel discoveries, in order to create a positive impact on Singapore’s economy. Since its establishment, SIgN has delivered outstanding scientific output that gained international recognition for Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences.

Research Capabilities

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Immunoregulation

Visit SIgN

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Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS)

The Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS), a collaboration between A*STAR, the National Healthcare Group, which comprises the National Skin Centre, and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was set up in 2013 to conduct research on skin and hair conditions prevalent in Asia and the tropics. SRIS is the largest skin research institute in the world, with over 200 researchers. It harnesses the expertise of scientists, clinicians and engineers in a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to skin and hair research to improve the well-being and health of consumers and patients alike.

The key research programmes at SRIS include:

• Atopic Dermatitis
• Acne & Sebaceous Gland
• Asian Skin Microbiome
• Wound Care
• Skin Ageing and Pigmentation

Visit SRIS