Singapore

Singapore is home to the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and the Singapore Stem Cell Consortium (SSCC). Importantly, the SSCC hosts the Singapore Stem Cell Bank (SSCB), which provides the research community access to quality stem cell lines. The SSCBs initial focus will be the distribution of research grade versions of GMP-manufactured human embryonic stem cell lines.

Guidelines on the practice of stem cell research in Singapore were published in 2002 by the Singapore Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC), in its report entitled "Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Human Stem Cell Research, Reproductive and Therapeutic Cloning". The BAC recommendations have been endorsed by the Singapore Government, and are strictly observed by the local research community. In addition, a number of the recommendations, including the prohibition of human reproductive cloning, have been given legal effect through legislation. Further details of the various reports and activities of the BAC can be found at www.bioethics-singapore.org.

A*STAR

The mission of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is to foster world-class scientific research. The agency comprises the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), the A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA), the commercialisation arm Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL) and the Corporate Planning and Administration Division (CPAD). Both BMRC and SERC promote, support and oversee the public sector's research and development (R&D) activities in Singapore. A*GA supports A*STAR's key thrust of human capital development through the promotion of science scholarships and other manpower development programmes and initiatives. ETPL manages the Intellectual Property created by the research institutes and facilitates the transfer of technology from the research institutes to industries. CPAD comprises functions such as Finance, Human Resource, Corporate Communications and Legal.

BMRC

Established in October 2000, the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC)
oversees and coordinates public sector biomedical R&D activities in Singapore. The BMRC:

    • Oversees the development of core research capabilities within A*STAR research units specializing in bioprocessing; chemical synthesis; genomics and proteomics; molecular and cell biology; bioengineering and nanotechnology and computational biology.
    • Actively promotes translational medicine and cross-disciplinary research, as part of its efforts to advance human healthcare.
    • Supports biomedical research in the wider scientific community such as public universities and hospitals.
    • Engages in human capital development in the biomedical sciences and promotes societal awareness of biomedical research through outreach programes.
       

Research Societies and Networks

SSCC

The Singapore Stem Cell Consortium (SSCC) is an initiative of the BMRC with the aim of facilitating a coordinated and focused translational research programme in stem cells.  SSCC activities include funding collaborative grant calls, developing key resources needed by the stem cell research community and building linkages between basic science and clinical research groups. Importantly, the SSCC hosts the Singapore Stem Cell Bank (SSCB), which provides the research community access to quality stem cell lines. The SSCBs initial focus will be the distribution of research grade versions of GMP-manufactured human embryonic stem cell lines (Crook et al, 2007).

Stem Cell Society Singapore

The Stem Cell Society, Singapore (SCSS) was registered in January 2008. SCSS is a non-profit organisation which seeks to serve the community with a threefold objective; (i) to bring together researchers, clinicians, health professionals, and companies interested in stem cells, (ii) to provide information to lay persons about stem cells and (iii) to provide a focus for all issues connected with stem cells.

To achieve these objectives;

  • SCSS will run regular monthly meetings on academic/clinical, and technical aspects of stem cell research. These monthly meetings will comprise of talks followed by a networking session.
  • SCSS will hold an annual Stem Cell Conference covering a wide range of stem cell related topics including; research, clinical, ethical and legal.
  • SCSS will also run an outreach programme to educate the public about stem cells


For more informaiton visit their website. 

The BMRC is a major provider of funding for research activities in Singapore.

The Singaporean public provides a high level of support for scientific research, including embryonic stem cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer and regenerative medicine.