Research Education & Training
Clinical Trials Resource Centre
Department of Clinical Research

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Department of Clinical Research

About us

The Department of Clinical Research (DCR) was established in November 1990 by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and was funded by the National Medical Research Council when the latter was set up in 1994. In January 1999, the DCR was transferred from MOH to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and came under the SGH Division of Research when it was established in late 2001.

Its objectives, since its establishment in 1990, remain the same and that is to promote laboratory-based research, assist clinicians in pursuing their interest in research and provide technical and scientific manpower through collaborative projects. From an annual block vote of funds from the National Medical Research Council, the DCR awards an average of 40 grants annually, each of value not more than $10,000. To date, the DCR has supported more than 428 research projects.

Over the years, the DCR has grown from 6 to 12 Research Scientists, with 1 Biostatistician, under a Director and the assistance of a Manager, an Executive and two Administrative Assistants. There are currently 17 well-equipped research laboratories, as well as a Resource Centre, with over 500 titles, 20 scientific journals and high-end computing facility with sophisticated software for intensive data analysis.

 

The Resource Centre

Cell Culture Laboratory

Flow Cytometry Room

Laser Scanning Confocal Room
 

Well equipped research facilities

  • Molecular Biology Laboratories
  • DNA Automatic Sequencing & Real-Time PCR Laboratory
  • Analytical Laboratory
  • Endocrine Laboratory
  • Chemistry Laboratory
  • Flow Cytometric Laboratories
  • Cell Culture Laboratories
  • Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy Room
  • Affymetrix Microarray Facilities 
  • Radioactive Laboratory
  • Neurobiology Laboratory
  • Electrophysiology Laboratory
  • Immunology Laboratory
    • A full-time Biostatistician provides researchers of basic science, clinical and epidemiological research with statistical assistance from the planning stage and preparation of grant proposal to the statistical reporting for publication :
    • Study Design
    • Database Setup
    • Data Analysis
    • Interpretation of Results
    • Presentation of Results
    • Statistical Review
    • Staff members of the department are actively involved in laboratory-based research in multi-disciplines such as molecular diagnosis and management of metabolic diseases and infectious diseases, cell transplantation and tissue engineering, central nervous system regeneration, neurochemical and electrophysiology studies, as well as cancer research and cellular pathological studies.

      Regular Journal Clubs and Seminars provide opportunities for interaction between Clinicians, Clinician-Scientists, Research Scientists and Research Technologists.

      Certification

      All DCR laboratories are ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified.

      Our staff

      Staff Member   Subspeciality Interest
      Director
      Dr Aw Swee Eng
      PPA, FAMS, MBBS, PhD (Lond), FRCPath , CBiol, MlBiol

        Biochemistry, Endocrinology
      Research Scientists
      Dr Charles Gullo
      PhD (Virginia, USA)

        Immunology, Cellular Biology
      Dr Mitchell Lai Kim Peng
      BSc (Hons)(Alberta) Ph D (Sydney)

        Neurochemistry, Pharmacology
      Ms Lai Oi Fah
      BSc (Hons), MSc (Monash)

        Biochemistry, Physiology,
      Pharmacology
      Dr Sun Li
      MB, M Med(Melbourne), MD (S'pore)

        Immunology, Stem Cell Biology
      Dr Michelle Tan Guet Khim
      BSc, MSc (Taiwan), PhD (S'pore)

        Molecular Biology of Cancer
      A/Prof Xiao Zhi Cheng
      MD (Harbin), MSc (USTC), PhD(Zurich)

        Neurobiology
      Dr Zhao Yi
      MS, MD, PhD (Changchun)

        Molecular Biology
      Biostatistician
      Ms Stephanie Fook Chong Man Chung
      BSc, MSc (McGill,) CStat

        Clinical & Laboratory Statistics
      Medical Technologist
      Mr Lim Che Kang
      B.Sc (S'pore)

        Biochemistry, Chemistry

      Contact information

      Department of Clinical Research
      Singapore General Hospital
      Outram Road
      Block  6 Level 6
      Singapore 169608

      Tel: (+65) 6321 3730
      Fax: (+65) 6225 7796 
      Email: cindy.goh.j.e@sgh.com.sg