More than 200 researchers from major universities, research institutions and hospitals in Singapore and the region were at Biopolis, Singapore, to hear 14 internationally renowned infectious disease and malaria experts from the United Kingdom, Singapore and the region present their latest research findings on the anti-malaria drug resistance and diagnostics for infectious disease on 12 September 2008. Some topics that were discussed at the symposium include “Clinical Responses to Artesunate (anti-malaria drug) in Cambodia and Thailand”, “Rapid Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases: Promises and Challenges”. Please refer to the press release for more information.

Keystone Symposium on "Stem Cells, Cancer and Aging" on 29 Sep - 4 Oct 2008 in Singapore

This symposium is organized by Sir David P. Lane, Hans C. Clevers, Arnold J. Levine and Xin Lu. Find out more about the scientific programme for this event at http://www.keystonesymposia.org/Singapore

Integrated lab-on-a-chip developed by IBN allows rapid DNA testing

IBN has succeeded in developing an all-in-one rapid gene diagnosis device that integrates biological sample preparation with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on a chip. Using this device, the IBN research team led by Senior Research Scientist Dr Juergen Pipper achieved miniaturized PCR gene detection in only 17 minutes, which is radically faster than conventional laboratory methods. Find out more from the press release.

BTI develops first cytotoxic antibody against undifferentiated stem cells

A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) researchers have developed a monoclonal antibody that is able to specifically target undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and cause them to undergo induced cell death. This could lead to safer stem cell use for clinical applications in the future. Their findings were published in the journal Stem Cells. Find out more from the press release.

Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Programme: Eye disease and neuroscience

Two programmes have been awarded S$25 million each under the Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Programme to conduct extensive research in major causes of blindness and schizophrenia & related psychotic disorders. The TCR programmes for eye disease and neuroscience were awarded to teams led by the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) respectively. Find out more from the press release.

Two initiatives to build a strong team of clinician scientists and translational researchers in Singapore

A*STAR and MOH have put forward 2 programmes -the Singapore Translational Research (STaR) Investigator Award and the Clinician Scientist Award (CSA), which are targeted at building up a talent pool to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications. Four renowned translational and clinical researchers formed the inaugural batch of STaR awardees and five Clinician Scientists joined this batch of CSA. Find out more from the press release.

Eminent Stem Cell Biologist joins A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology (IMB)

Eminent stem cell biologist Professor Davor Solter from the Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology (Germany) and the Wistar Institute at Philadelphia (USA) will set up a research programme at the Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) to study gene expression in early mammalian embryos. Concurrent with his A*STAR appointment, Prof Solter will also hold a joint appointment as at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. Find out more from the press release.

1st Hungarian - Singaporean Workshop on Drug Discovery and Biomaterials

The 1st Hungarian - SIngaporean Workshop on Drug Discovery and Biomaterials was held successfully on 10 - 11 March 2008 at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest. This event featured speakers from A*STAR's research institutes and Hungary, and is part of the partnership established between A*STAR and Hungary's National Office for Research and Technology (NKTH). For more information on this event, please visit http://www.1hsw.mke.org.hu/.

UK-Singapore Partners in Science Stem Cell Symposium

More than 300 researchers from four countries¹ will be at Singapore's Biopolis for a two-day Stem Cell Symposium on cutting edge advances in stem cell research today. A total of 11 leading stem cell researchers from major universities, research institutes and hospitals in the United Kingdom and Singapore presented their latest research findings to the participants. A broad spectrum of stem cell topics ranging from basic stem cell biology to clinical applications was discussed at this event. For more information, please refer to the press release.

Official Inauguration of the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)

The official inauguration of the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) on 15 January 2008 was launched by Mr S Iswaran, Minister-of-State for Trade and Industry at the Biopolis. SIgN, which was set up to stimulate basic, translational and clinical research in the strategic field of immunology, will strengthen and expand Singapore's capabilities in immunology at A*STAR laboratories, the universities, national health centres and hospitals. In the longer term, the Network also aims to establish partnerships and collaborations with local and international biotech and pharmaceutical companies in areas of antibody platforms, cancer immunotherapies, vaccine development and diagnostic kits for infectious diseases.

SIgN has also catalysed the formation of the Singaporean Society of Immunology (SSI), which was also launched at the inauguration of SIgN, to forge a community amongst the various immunology research groups in Singapore to foster and nurture an environment for information exchange and collaboration. In conjunction with the inauguration, SIgN and SSI have brought together more than 400 researchers, clinician-scientists, medical doctors as well as key players from pharmaceutical and biotech companies at the first International Singapore Immunology Conference held at the Biopolis.

Dr Bruno Reversade Receives Inaugural A*STAR Investigatorship Award

Dr Bruno Reversade, a developmental biologist and the first A*STAR Investigatorship (A*I) recipient started his appointment as Principal Investigator at the Institute of Medical Biology (IMB) last month. He has published 14 papers in prestigious journals such as Cell and Nature Cell Biology, several of which are landmark discoveries explaining how embryonic twins can be seamlessly produced from a single fertilized egg. His current research suggests that the birth of natural human clones or identical twins could well be genetically triggered.

Launched by A*STAR and modelled after the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigatorship award, A*I was initiated as a platform to support and promote the independent early career development of the next generation of world leaders in scientific research in biomedical sciences, physical sciences and engineering research. Find out more from the press release.

Prof Lee Eng Hin to take over as Executive Director of A*STAR's BMRC

Professor Lee Eng Hin, a well-respected orthopaedic surgeon and biomedical researcher, will assume his role as Executive Director of A*STAR Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) from 7 January 2008.

Professor Lee will take over from Dr Beh Swan Gin, an Administrative Service officer and concurrently Assistant Managing Director (Planning and Policy) of the Economic Development Board (EDB, to lead BMRC in continued efforts to strengthen its basic research capabilities and to focus translational and clinical research (TCR) in this current phase of Singapore’s BMS Initiative.

A*STAR Investigatorships - a prestigious award to recognize young scientist talent

The A*STAR Investigatorships aim to support and promote the early independent career development of the next generation of world leaders in scientific research. Please click here for more information.

Archive:

Highlights & Announcements in 2007