SINGAPORE: Accent On Applications In New Medical Lab

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

SINGAPORE: Accent On Applications In New Medical Lab
November 1, 2003

When scientists and doctors partner in research, it results in a higher quality 
of healthcare. That's one reason why
the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) is setting up the 
Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMM).

The CMM will bring scientists and doctors together to translate laboratory 
discoveries into useful clinical
applications.

"We've cured mice of many diseases but not human beings," said Nobel laureate 
Prof David Baltimore of a common problem
faced by the scientific community around the world.

Prof Baltimore is a member of Singapore's Biomedical Sciences International 
Advisory Council that meets every six
months. It is made up of 21 prominent scientists from around the world.

Assoc Prof Kong Hwai Loong, executive director of A*Star's Biomedical Research 
Council (BMRC), said the move is to
motivate doctors to take part in Singapore's foray into the biomedical sciences.

The CMM will start operating at the Biopolis in January, but will move to the 
National University of Singapore in the
latter half of the year.

First on its programme will be regenerative medicine, which involves stem cell 
research and tissue engineering.

Other focus areas are expected to be virology, immunology and metabolic 
ailments such as diabetes and hyper-tension.

A*Star will set up an International Scientific Advisory Board to chart 
directions and monitor the CMM's research. ? Tan
Hui Leng

SOURCE: Today (Singapore), Singapore


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