Singapore biomed is $64 million richer

Biomedical research projects in Singapore have landed $S62.6 million (nearly $AU64 million) in the first round of a new grant scheme launched by the island nation's Agency for Science, technology and Research (A*Star).

The 55 grants range in size from $S500,000 for three years, to $S2 million per year for core competency grants (comprising three research components) for a five-year period.

The research projects cover areas such as cell and tissue engineering, cancer biology and treatment, gene therapy and stem cell research, neurosciences, pharmacogenetics and structural biology.

They address diseases and illnesses such as cancer, stroke, hepatitis and malaria. Among the projects are the development of novel materials for the replacement of bone and cartilage tissue, and improving the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.

Prof Louis Lim, chairman of Singapore's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), said the council was encouraged by the healthy response to its first grant call. "It shows a strong interest in the local biomedical research community to pursue excellent research," Lim said.

"The research grants are awarded to scientific researchers who not only have a proven track record in their research work, but have also clearly demonstrated sound and innovative scientific ideas, which promise to yield much potential benefits in their research proposals."

A*Star chairman Philip Yeo said the BMRC was committed to supporting top-quality research and talent.

"Given that biomedical sciences is a knowledge-intensive industry, we need to create opportunities for biomedical research to attract and establish a critical mass of highly-skilled research expertise in Singapore," Yeo said.

"As such, about 150 positions will be made available through these grants, from research fellows to lab technicians.

"Some of the research projects have also managed to attract collaborations with scientists from renowned public research institutions overseas, such as Stanford University, Duke University and the University of Melbourne."

Yeo said such collaborations showed that research being carried out in Singapore was on par with international standards.

Lim said the BMRC was delighted by positive reviews of Singapore science from the US, Europe, Japan and Australia.

"These international experts are highly regarded and renowned for their research work," he said. "Their review and comments are invaluable in ensuring that research carried out in Singapore is at the highest level."

Grant structures include project grants (seed funding up to three years for young investigators), program grants (five years for extensive research), cooperative grants (two or more research groups up to five years) and core competence grants (cohesive research units in strategic areas, up to five years).

A*Star has issued a call for the next round of grant proposals.