SINGAPORE ENTERS THE WORLD STAGE OF GENOMICS WITH IMCB PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN DECODING THE GENE-RICH PUFFERFISH DNA
3am, Friday, Singapore time, October 26, 2001

Singapore is making its mark in the world genomics scene with the Institute of Molecular & Cell Biology (IMCB) and its Consortium partners announcing the completion of the draft sequence of the genome of the Japanese pufferfish Fugu rubripes. The Fugu draft is the first vertebrate genome to reach this level of completion next to the human genome.

Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman, National Science & Technology Board & Biomedical Research Council which funds the IMCB, said: "It is very satisfying to see the fruition of the Fugu genome project, especially when a Singapore research institute has played such a major role. This is Singapore's first international genomics endeavour. The success of the project will help to propel Singapore into the forefront of the world Biomedical Sciences research scene ".

The Fugu genome project was first initiated in 1989 by Dr Sydney Brenner in Cambridge, England. Dr Brenner, who co-chairs Singapore's International Advisory Council to advise the Singapore government on its Biomedical Sciences initiatives, is renowned for his extensive work in molecular genetics. He established C. elegans (the nematode) as a model organism for genetic research. Dr Brenner is also a Board Director of the Biomedical Research Council of the National Science & Technology Board.

Said Dr Louis Lim, Executive Director, Biomedical Research Council, "Since its inception in 1987, the IMCB has grown into a renowned institute undertaking first rate research, and is now entering the world stage in genomics. IMCB's participation in this collaborative project underscores Singapore's commitment to becoming an international player in genomics research. "

Explaining the significance of sequencing the Fugu genome, Dr Byrappa Venkatesh, Principal Investigator of the Fugu Research Group at IMCB said, "With the high-throughput sequencing technology, we can now read the language of the human and other complex genomes, but we have very little clue to the grammar that underlies this language. The highly streamlined genome of the Fugu will help us to understand the basic grammar that governs the regulation and function of vertebrate genes. The Fugu genome will be a useful tool for identifying novel genes, and deciphering the regulation and function of human genes."

The data from the Fugu genome project will be made public at the 13th International Genome Sequencing and Analysis Conference in San Diego, California, USA on October 26. The Consortium intends to publish the initial findings of the analysis of the draft Fugu genome over the next few months.

About the Fugu Genome Consortium Formed in November 2000, the International Fugu Genome Consortium's goal is to draft sequence, assemble and ultimately finish the Fugu genome and disseminate the information to the greater research community. This major genome-sequencing project, one of the largest international collaborations since the Human Genome Project, was led by the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and the Singapore Biomedical Research Council's IMCB. Also part of the Consortium are the UK Medical Research Council's Human Genome Mapping Resource Centre (HGMP-RC), Cambridge University Department of Oncology, and the Institute for Systems Biology in USA.

About the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) IMCB was established in 1987 at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Its mission is "to develop and foster a vibrant research culture for biological and biomedical sciences which will support the development of biotechnology for the human health care industry in Singapore".

IMCB is one of the 5 biomedical sciences research institutes funded by the Biomedical Research Council. From a modest start with 38 scientists it today has a research staff of 250. These comprise an internationally diverse group representing Asia, North America, and Europe. Their research focuses on cell regulation and signal transduction, development, functional genomics, immunology, virology, infectious diseases and drug discovery. The IMCB has established collaborations with industry, universities, and research institutions worldwide. For more information, please refer to http://www.imcb.nus.edu.sg/

About the National Science & Technology Board (NSTB) and the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) The National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) is the national agency for science, technology and research. Its mission is to promote scientific research and nurture talent for an innovative Singapore.

The Board is organised into two research councils, namely the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) supported by a Policy and Administration Division. Both research councils coordinate and manage public sector R&D from fundamental to applied research and across research institutes and centres as well as universities.

A part of the NSTB, the BMRC oversees and provides support to public sector biomedical research and development activities in Singapore. The Council also aims to strengthen collaborative public research in the biomedical sciences in Singapore. The Council's objectives are to support, sustain and stimulate excellent research for maintaining and improving human health, train people in high quality research skills to meet Singapore's needs of health, quality of life and global economic competitiveness, and promote societal awareness of biomedical research. For more information, please refer to http://www.BioMed-Singapore.com