A new clinical research site that uses an extensive suite of state-of-the-art imaging tools for advanced biomedical imaging in humans will be set up here, said Singapore?s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

A*STAR and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have collaborated with German technology powerhouse, Siemens Medical Solutions to set up a new Clinical Imaging Research Centre (CIRC).

The centre which aims to undertake world-class research will see Siemens set up a foundation grant of US$2.5 million over five years to support collaborative research in translational medicine as part of its partnership.

The centre will be dedicated to research and focuses on key disease areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases that are of particular relevance to the health of Singapore's population.

The centre, led by Professor Sir George Radda, Chairman of the Singapore Bioimaging Consortium of A*STAR, is one of the few clinical research sites in the world to use the MR-PET, an innovative advanced medical imaging solution developed by Siemens.

It combines two powerful leading edge imaging techniques: the 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3T MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). By conducting both scans simultaneously with the MR-PET, clinical researchers would be able to define and locate diseases accurately while identifying underlying molecular causes. The ability to study disease pathways can be used for the development of new drugs and therapies.

The CIRC will be a focus for development and validation of new imaging methods while enabling the study of novel interventions in humans.

Professor Radda said, "Clinical imaging capabilities and research is highly integrative and collaborative nature. We want to develop CIRC into a major clinical research imaging centre in Asia and a national resource for research and training in the R&D community. CIRC catalyses scientific and medical advances and stimulate industry growth by putting very powerful capabilities into the hands of biomedical and clinical investigators from both the private and public sector. Clinical imaging holds major potential benefit to patients."

CIRC will initially be based in the NUS Centre for Life Sciences Building before moving to the new building at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. This strategic location will enable CIRC to capitalize on the rich clinical research milieu and to foster greater collaborative efforts with the universities, research institutes, hospitals, and specialty centers.