Having established a strong foundation in basic biomedical research and development (R&D), the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) is now focusing on taking new knowledge and technologies created at the "benches" of its research institutes, research centres and BMRC-funded extramural projects, and translating this into new clinical applications for diagnosis and treatment that can one day be delivered at the "bedsides" of our hospitals and disease centres.

To do this, BMRC has established various consortia to coordinate and drive translational research at the national level in strategic thematic areas. These consortia aim to consolidate existing research activities and scientific expertise, optimize the use of critical research resources, fill in gaps in research capabilities, as well as build sufficient synergy and critical mass to make Singapore's efforts in these areas internationally competitive.

The consortia that have been set up to date include:

• Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC)
• Singapore Cancer Syndicate (SCS)
• Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC)
• Singapore Stem Cell Consortium (SSCC)
• Singapore Consortium of Cohort Studies (SCCS)
• Member of the International Cancer Biomarker Consortium (ICBC)
• Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)