International
journals publish NCC research
The Biophotonics, an international journal
for photonics solutions in biotechnology and medicine, has
in its May issue, highlighted the work of researchers from
NCC and SGH (Zheng W, Lau W, Cheng C, Soo KC and Olivo
M, International Journal of Cancer, vol. 104, 477-481, 2003).
The paper, mentioned in Biophotonics, examined the use of
laser-induced fluorescence in early detection of recurrent
bladder cancer, which is otherwise hard to detect visually.
The method is also useful in initial diagnosis of individuals
at high risk of developing bladder cancer.
NCC
Principal Investigator, Dr Philip Karuman's work was also
published. As the first co-author of a paper published in
Cell, he and a team of scientists (from US, France and Netherlands)
identified a new phosphoinositide receptor (vol. 114,
99-111, 2003). Phosphoinositides are important for growth
regulation, survival and proliferation of cells. His research
has contributed to the understanding of how cells can become
malignant at the molecular level.
New
computer software for genetic profiling
NCC scientists and researchers have collaborated with
Genedata to achieve better research results when analysing
gene expressions in cancers. Genedata specialises in developing
a computer software system Expressionist™, which identifies
different tumour subtypes, based on genetic profiling called
microarray. As pathologically similar solid tumours of the
same organ-type may have different genetic profiles, the use
of Expressionist™ will improve prognostication and prediction
of tumour response to treatment.
NCC
researchers win awards
Researchers Ong Choon Kiat and Caine Leong won first and second
prize for Best Presentation respectively at the Graduate Student
Society - Faculty of Medicine 3rd annual scientific conference
organised by National University of Singapore, on 4 July 2003.
Their work on a gene structure related to carcinogenesis of
renal cancers, and a protein that is over-expressed in ovarian
cancers, won unanimous acclaim from the judges.
The
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Avon International
Scholar-in-Training Award was awarded to Caine Leong for his
poster on Molecular Cloning and Characterisation of a Putative
Oncogene in Ovarian Carcinogenesis.
BreastScreen Singapore
The Health Promotion Board (HPB), as part of BreastScreen
Singapore Project, will be organising the second multi-disciplinary
seminar, 'Striding into the second year: Progress and Updates',
on 8-9 November, 2003. The seminar is aimed at pathologists,
radiographers, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals
involved in breast screening work. Distinguished local and
foreign guest speakers from UK and Australia will update the
audience on the BreastScreen project and share expert knowledge
on breast cancer screening. All lectures will be held in the
HPB auditorium, except radiology workshops, which will be
held in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
NCC bags multiple research grants
Please visit www.nccs.com.sg/epub/cu/vol3_03/Rnd_up.htm
for the grants list awarded to NCC investigators for various
research projects.
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