LEADERS IN LEARNING
CAMBRIDGE-STRATEGIES.ORG A-STAR.EDU.SG/IMB SINGAPORE
“IMB IS AN ENTHUSIASTIC TEAM OF SCIENTISTS WITH SHARED GOALS, GOOD COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS AND A STRONG COLLEGIAL ATTITUDE”
INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL BIOLOGY
TO BRIDGE THE GAP between science and clinical medicine, scientists and clinicians need to come together to share ideas, knowledge and expertise. This is the ethos behind Singapore’s Institute of Medical Biology (IMB). Founded in 2007, it is one of the Biomedical Research Council’s institutes under A*STAR—the country’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research. “IMB is an enthusiastic team of scientists with shared goals, good collaborative networks in Singapore and overseas, and a strong collegial attitude,” says Professor Birgit Lane, IMB’s Executive Director. “Our research aims to understand disease mechanisms, and we work closely with clinical collaborators.” IMB’s research focuses on skin biology, stem cells and genetic diseases.
“These areas often overlap,” says Dr Vandana Ramachandran, Head of Administration, “so, for example, we have strong research programmes in skin stem cells and in genetic skin disease.” With its portfolio of technically innovative projects and high-impact publications, IMB researchers are always looking for opportunities for practical translation of their scientific discoveries.
SKIN HEADS Interest in skin biology is growing, and 60 per cent of IMB’s scientists are now involved in skin-related projects. This led IMB to become a founding member of the Skin Research Institute of Singapore in 2013. IMB’s research attracts much interest from industry, and many multinationals, such as L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble, have collaborating labs on the same campus as IMB. “Working successfully with industry is a matter of understanding what industry needs to know,” says Dr Ramachandran, “and where this
coincides with our own research interests and skills. If there is a good match, we can have a win–win collaboration.” IMB carries out cutting-edge fundamental research leading to clinical
and consumer applications. “Our discovery research on DNA damage, stem-cell control, stress, cell migration, melanocytes or differentiation goes hand-in-hand with clinical unmet needs in skin cancer, chronic wounds, birth defects and skin diseases,” says Professor Lane, “whilst also synergising with industry’s consumer care interests—for instance in skin ageing, pigment irregularities or dry skin treatments.”
AN INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION More than half of IMB’s 200-strong workforce comes from outside Singapore, mainly Europe, the USA, China, India and Australia, leading to a lively, diverse community. Most are doctoral and post-doctoral students, drawn to IMB because of its clinical and industrial connections, and because of the expertise and the learning opportunities available through working with some of the best investigators in the field. “We have 22 research labs here, mostly overseen by top international
scientists, so our PhD and post-doctoral students can collaborate and network at the highest level,” says Dr Ramachandran. “Post-doctoral students mostly come for a three-year contract, but often stay much longer. We help scientists and clinicians to work closely together, to support, inform and refine each other’s strengths and specialisations. IMB’s research helps to build bridges between basic science and clinical medicine that are so necessary to nurture an innovative and productive biomedical industry here in Singapore.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141
