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Research in Ophthalmology and Vision in the Asia-Pacific Region: The ingapore Eye ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Research Institute Story The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) was established in 1997, with a mission to conduct research in sight threatening disorders and eye diseases of particular relevance to Asia-Pacific and to develop new and effective treatment modalities for eye disorders. SERI today is one of the world leaders in myopia research, and with its close integration of clinical, basic science and epidemiological research, the institute is now one of the leading centers for ophthalmic research in Asia. M edical research in the fields of ophthalmology and the visual sciences is on an upward trend in the Asia-Pacific region. Asian scientists feature significantly in the ophthalmic research literature, and with the growth and maturity of major ophthalmic clinical centers and institutes in East Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, the development of new research capabilities and major programs in Asian eye disease research in these and other Asia-Pacific nations is a major aspect of the growing industry in biomedical and life sciences research in the region. Donald Tan Singapore Eye Research Institute and Singapore National Eye Center Wallace S. Foulds University of Glasgow and Singapore Eye Research Institute A model example of the rapid development of vision research in the Asia-Pacific is the establishment of the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI). SERI was established in 1997, with a mission to conduct research in sight threatening disorders and eye diseases of particular relevance to our part of the world, and to develop new and effective treatment modalities for eye disorders. Since its foundation, SERI has established a high international profile for its work, and is gaining recognition for its specialized research at the cutting edge of the visual sciences. SERI today is one of the world leaders in myopia research, and with its close integration of clinical, basic science and epidemiological research, the institute is now one of the leading centers for ophthalmic research in Asia. With the collaboration of key clinicians and scientists from many institutions worldwide, SERI’s role in the promotion of international and global exchange in vision research has significantly aided the development of strategic research initiatives for Asian eye diseases. APBN • Vol. 6 • No. 2 • 2002 35 www.asiabiotech.com An Asian Focus with Research Impact First SERI International Meeting in Singapore To be relevant, ophthalmic and vision research in Asia In line with Singapore’s drive to develop research in must center on Asian eye diseases in which significant impact the biological life sciences, SERI recently hosted the First can be generated. This strategy has been adopted by SERI, SERI International Meeting, in September 2001, in which remains focused on those major ophthalmic disorders conjunction with the third Singapore National Eye Research pertinent to Singapore. The four major eye disorders on Meeting, and the second meeting of the Asia-Pacific Society which SERI is concentrating its research effort are myopia of Eye Genetics. The meeting coincided with the official and diabetic eye disease, both opening of SERI in its new common in Singapore, and premises within the new The four major eye disorders on which glaucoma and ocular surface wing of the Singapore SERI is concentrating its research d i s o rd e r s t h a t h a ve National Eye Center. The effort are myopia, diabetic eye disease, peculiar Asian characteristics. meeting was the first in glaucoma and ocular surface disorders. Each of these diseases carries the region to focus presignificant morbidity. Unlike dominantly on research in cataract, which is an easily ophthalmology and the treatable disorder, much research is still needed for the vision sciences. International scientists and research clinicians understanding and development of prophylaxis or effective from the UK, US, Italy, China, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong treatment for the clinical conditions being researched. To and Australia participated in this three-day meeting that this end, SERI has developed core research competencies attracted over 300 delegates. that include a clinical trial center, an epidemiological work force, and research laboratories for molecular and cell biology, This special issue of the Asia Pacific Biotech News tissue engineering and stem cell culture, micro-analytical features key events occurring in ophthalmic research in the chemistry, and functional genomics, including DNA microAsia-Pacific, and new findings and discoveries in vision array technology. science that were presented at the First SERI International Meeting. Image courtesy of Singapore National Eye Centre 36 APBN • Vol. 6 • No. 2 • 2002