The first specialised training center for Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) of its kind has been established in Asia Pacific, to enhance the ART skills of clinicians, embryologists, nurses and administrators from around the region.

Located at the National University Hospital, Singapore (NUH) and founded by Professor PC Wong, Head of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, this flagship Training Center welcomes aspiring ART specialists from around the region to its international meeting place in Singapore.

CREST offers a unique combination of theory and practical hands-on learning opportunities within its purpose-built training site at the NUH. Four state-of-the-art laboratories showcasing the latest equipment for effective ART procedures, together with a low student-teacher ratio, both maximize and encourage learning and growth opportunities. The unique real life, real learningapproach will enable practitioners to immediately apply newly acquired skills.

CREST is made possible by a $3.8-million donation from German pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck-Serono.

Doctors who want to specialise in in-vitro treatment (IVF) as well as scientists keen to become embryologists, can use the facilities to practise their techniques on mice eggs.

National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road

Tel: +65 67795555 or email: [email protected]

Heart disease, not breast cancer, is the leading cause of death among Singapore women. One in three here die from cardiovascular disease and stroke. Yet less than 10 per cent of women are aware of this. Compared to men, women have subtler symptoms, such as abdominal pain, jaw or back aches and nausea.

The lack of awareness of and resources for heart disease in women has spurred the National University Heart Centre Singapore (NUHCS) to start the first Women's Heart Health Clinic (WHHC) in Singapore.

Even when women exhibit the same symptoms as men, they respond differently. "Chest pain - 'I must be too stressed'. Neck pain - 'I need a massage'. Breathlessness - 'I'm really out of shape'. Men, however, will think it's a heart problem and see a doctor. The risk of heart failure in women "skyrockets" after menopause, surpassing the risk in men.

WHHC - to start operating on April 21 - is a one-stop centre in which women will be treated by female cardiologists and receive integrated care from dieticians, occupational therapists and psychologists. There are currently two cardiologists, including Dr Lam, serving the clinic, which is also a research and education centre.

Four more will come on board at a later date. WWHC is looking to build a database for research into cardiovascular disease, particularly of Asian women, where data is sorely lacking. Women who are interested can approach their general practitioners or call NUHCS to make an appointment

5 Lower Kent Ridge Road

Tel: +65 67795555 or email: [email protected]

The Singapore Advanced Imaging Laboratory For Ocular Research (SAILOR) is a colloboration between the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and A*STAR's Institute of Infocomm Research (I2R). SAILOR brings together researchers and clinicians to collaborate on cutting-edge computer image research with clinical impact. Situated at Fusionopolis, SAILOR houses a comprehensive system that includes storage of eye imaging data and novel computer image processing and interpretation techniques to better analyse and extract information from those images. With this, we can significantly improve our ability to track the progression of cardiovascular diseases through the eye, as well as enhance our eye disease screening capabilities so as to detect those at risk of diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The first clinical translational research unit to be located in Fusionopolis, SAILOR is an excellent example of how research can create meaningful impact through disease-focused cross-disciplinary collaboration. SAILOR's capability and capacity in image processing means that it could eventually become Singapore's main ocular image grading centre. Clinicians, biomedical scientists, infocomm engineers, and other experts make up the diversity of talent at SAILOR, one that epitmoizes what Fusionopolis stands for. This integration of talent enables SAILOR to also serve as a Tele-Ophthalmic Ocular Imaging Centre, a hub where medical professionals can access the very best in imaging technology in the region without ever having to leave their clinics. Over the course of three years, it is hoped that SAILOR will build a strong foundation in translational research and technology transfer which can lead to clinical trials, licensing and potential spin-off companies.

SAILOR is the third centre for eye research in the Fusionopolis-Biopolis science hub, following IBN's iCare and the NUH Eye Centre @ Biopolis. IBN's iCare was the first research lab in Singapore to focus on the development of novel nanomaterials for ocular therapy, while the NUH Eye Centre @ Biopolis supports clinical research to facilitate the development of new materials and techniques for ophthalmology practice. It is hoped that all these facilities will serve as new models for the intergration of cross-disciplinary expertise as well as examples of successful bench-to-bedside research.