https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/ Explore articles and expert perspectives on precision medicine, genomics, and population health. en Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:10:21 +0800 Isomer (https://www.isomer.gov.sg) https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/when-meditation-meets-metagenomicsurn:isomer:resource:437063By applying new scientific methods to ancient mindfulness practices, Professor Jo Handelsman is mapping the molecular mechanics of the gut-brain axis.Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0800Mental HealthMicrobiome https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/nature-genetics--translating-genomic-data-into-healthcare-practice-with-the-singapore-national-precision-medicine-programme-urn:isomer:resource:388293Singapore's National Precision Medicine programme charts a decade of progress in Nature GeneticsTue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomicsInnovationPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/more-than-a-gut-feelingurn:isomer:resource:174584Interdisciplinary collaboration is the key to unravelling the complex relationship between mental health and the gut, say experts in psychiatry and gastroenterology.Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasMental HealthMicrobiome https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/shaping-precision-medicine-conversations-through-genetic-counsellingurn:isomer:resource:153536With the aim of deepening understanding of clinical genomics and strengthening genetic counselling capabilities across healthcare domains in Singapore, Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) partnered SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre (SDGMC) on the Executive Certificate Programme in Clinical Genomics.Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0800Genomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/what-body-fat-tells-us-about-diabetes-in-asiaurn:isomer:resource:153535Metabolic diseases like diabetes are on the rise globally, but in Asia, the challenge is especially urgent—and complex. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease Areas https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/research-in-the-real-world-taking-precision-medicine-to-patientsurn:isomer:resource:130143When Singapore launched its National Precision Medicine (NPM) initiative a decade ago, it was a calculated bet that the nation’s unique genetic diversity and well-coordinated healthcare system would propel precision medicine to the next frontier. That bet is now entering a pivotal phase: proof of scale as precision medicine expands from healthy cohorts to diverse patient populations.Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0800EthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/mental-health-s-new-frontier-the-microbiome-withinurn:isomer:resource:130115Could the key to tackling rising mental health challenges lie in the microbiome? Researchers at GLOW are leading the charge to find out.Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasMental HealthMicrobiome https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/taiwan-biobank-an-east-asian-resource-for-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130154Taiwan Biobank: An East Asian Resource for Precision MedicineFri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/our-future-health-reimagining-prevention-for-the-nhsurn:isomer:resource:130123Our Future Health: Reimagining Prevention for the NHSWed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/china-kadoorie-biobank-lessons-from-a-visionary-cohort-studyurn:isomer:resource:130060Launched in 2004, China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) recruited over 512,000 participants across China to build one of the world's largest biomedical research resources. Over two decades, CKB has yielded over 600 publications — including findings that challenged assumptions about alcohol's health benefits. With whole genome sequencing now complete and proteomics on the horizon, CKB continues to push the boundaries of disease prediction, prevention, and treatment.Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/finngen-universal-insights-from-a-distinctive-genetic-populationurn:isomer:resource:130088Besides cold winters and timeless architecture, Finland is also known for one of the world’s leading genomic research projects—FinnGen. What can the world learn from FinnGen? Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsDisease AreasGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/cholesterol-metabolite-a-clue-to-asia-s-rising-heart-diseaseurn:isomer:resource:130061As countries across Asia undergo rapid economic development, the region is also experiencing a profound shift in disease burden—from infectious illnesses to chronic, non-communicable diseases. Chief among them is cardiovascular disease, now the leading cause of death and disability in Asia.  Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/all-of-us-advancing-precision-medicine-for-allurn:isomer:resource:130043All of Us was conceived in 2015, with the goal of enrolling one million participants across the U.S.Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/knowledge-to-action-enhancing-patient-care-through-precision-healthurn:isomer:resource:130103Every day, clinicians treat patients diagnosed with the same diseases, and prescribe standardised medications. However, treatment outcomes can vary significantly, even when diagnoses and treatment plans are identical. Precision medicine approaches offer an opportunity for clinicians to move beyond this “one-size-fits-all” approach to care by tailoring care to patients for better health outcomes. Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/bridging-gaps-in-genomic-diversity-to-advance-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130054Bridging Gaps in Genomic Diversity to Advance Precision MedicineThu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/decoding-diversity-with-gnomadurn:isomer:resource:130069The interpretation of rare genetic variations remains one of the central challenges in human genomics. Any two individuals differ by roughly three and five million positions across their 3 billion–base pair genomes. Pinpointing which of these differences in a disease-bearing individual are functionally or clinically relevant remains a formidable challenge and requires nuanced interpretation. Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthCollaborationsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/mapping-health-futures-genomic-screening-and-its-population-impacturn:isomer:resource:130111Genomic screening in newborns offers invaluable opportunities to diagnose and treat diseases, potentially saving lives; in reproductive carriers, there is promise to transform population health through risk identification and prevent the transmission of genetic conditions. However, despite its upsides, ethical concerns impede the widespread implementation of genomic screening globally.Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsDisease AreasEthicsGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/ethical-horizons-in-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130082Ethical Horizons in Precision MedicineMon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthEthicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/nus-mscphm-curiousity-in-precision-health-into-impacturn:isomer:resource:130121Coming from vastly different academic backgrounds and career tracks unrelated to precision health and medicine, Junhao and Zhi Xuan shared their motivations for joining the MScPHM programme—and their experiences thus far.Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0800Innovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/cognitive-health-of-the-asian-populationurn:isomer:resource:130063Cognitive Health of the Asian PopulationTue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/driving-progress-in-precision-health-through-global-collaborationsurn:isomer:resource:130075Three days. Over 50 speakers from more than 15 countries. The inaugural 2024 PRECISE-IHCC Conference sets out to offer delegates an opportunity to learn about wide-ranging topics, from genetic counselling to rare diseases. That's not all—one can also look forward to engaging in discourse ranging from population health to research in limited resource settings and ethics and policy.Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/the-gut-factor-exploring-how-the-microbiome-lends-insights-into-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130158Exploring how the microbiome lends insights into precision medicineThu, 18 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0800Microbiome https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/five-safes-one-trusted-platform-how-trust-is-securing-data-exchangeurn:isomer:resource:130089Singapore has ambitious plans for precision medicine—with large-scale implementation and comprehensive Singaporean genomic databases by 2030. But before that can happen, large volumes of data must be collated, standardised, shared and analysed.Fri, 14 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0800EthicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/close-to-heart-giving-the-heart-a-reseturn:isomer:resource:130062Twenty-three people in Singapore die from cardiovascular disease every day1. The situation is expected to worsen from 482 cases of heart attacks per 100,000 population in Singapore in 2025 to 1,418 per 100,000 population by 2050, representing a nearly three-fold increase2. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/empowering-seamless-access-personalised-pharmacogenomic-information-on-the-gourn:isomer:resource:130079In a study done by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH), about 30% of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) admitted to SGH were caused by at least one drug with a clinical annotation in the Pharmacogenomics KnowledgeBase (PharmGKB).  Furthermore, research findings from the SG10K_Health study further revealed that 26.8% of Singaporeans carry a genetic variant that raises the risk of life-threatening side effects to at least one medication.Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsDisease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/around-the-world-in-10-genomic-projects-part-2urn:isomer:resource:130046Part 2 profiles five more genomic programmes integrating precision medicine with lifestyle and environmental data. Finland's FinnGen (500,000 Finns), Iceland's deCODE Genetics (100,000 Iceanders, with uniquely complete genealogical records), Brazil's DNA do Brasil (addressing underrepresentation of admixed Latin American populations), Mexico's oriGEN Project (15,000 participants, focusing on Indigenous genetic diversity), and the US All of Us program (1,000,000 participants).Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/around-the-world-in-10-genomic-projects-part-1urn:isomer:resource:130045Governments worldwide are investing in national genomic programmes to advance precision medicine. Part 1 profiles five initiatives: Japan's Tohoku Medical Megabank (150,000+ participants), Singapore's NPM programme (scaling to 100,000 genomes), and Australia's Australian Genomics (bridging research and clinical care), South Africa's H3Africa (addressing underrepresentation of African genomes), and Saudi Arabia's SHGP (100,000 participants, one of the region's largest efforts).Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/2403-novogeneaiturn:isomer:resource:130032Supporting the seamless transition of Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme from the proof-of-concept phase to the proof-of-value phase are partners who share the same commitment to the cause.Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/nurturing-in-win-win-partnershipsurn:isomer:resource:130120Singapore is making significant progress through Phase II of the National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme, which is slated for completion in 2025. Thus far, it has reached a milestone of recruiting over 80,000 consented participants and completed 50,000 genomes sequenced as part of the PRECISE-SG100K study. Dr Zheng Weiling, Senior Business Development Lead, PRECISE, attributes these achievements to the collective efforts of like-minded partners.Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/precise-and-dxd-hub-partnership-a-milestone-development-for-precision-health-in-singaporeurn:isomer:resource:130130The inking of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE) and Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub) on 26 February 2024 ushers the beginning of an exciting new phase in Singapore’s National Precision Medicine (NPM) journey.Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthCollaborationsGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/on-the-road-to-success-npm-partnersurn:isomer:resource:130122National Precision Medicine partner journeyMon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800Collaborations https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/driving-the-engine-of-discovery-at-heliosurn:isomer:resource:130076Precision medicine offers an effective means of translating research into more efficient healthcare delivery systems and better health outcomes for Singaporeans. To realise the benefits of precision medicine, Singapore has established the National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme, which is a three-phase roadmap to establish Southeast Asia’s most deeply phenotyped cohort to support the understanding of multi-ethnic Asian health; implement data-driven healthcare systems to identify groups at higWed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/from-reactive-to-proactive-tracing-the-hereditary-cancer-riskurn:isomer:resource:130091About one in 150 Singaporeans has an underlying risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and one in 500 has an underlying risk of Lynch syndrome (LS) according to the recently published findings of SG10K_Health study by PRECISE. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasEthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/improving-access-to-hereditary-cancer-genetic-testingurn:isomer:resource:130099Cancer is the leading cause of death in Singapore. It accounts for over 6,400 deaths in 2022; and between 2013 and 2017, 71,748 persons were diagnosed with cancer . Additionally, at $375 million, cancer drugs accounted for one-quarter of total drug spending in 2019. Following the current trajectory, cancer drug spending is projected to reach $2.7 billion in 2030 . Precision medicine offers an opportunity to change the trajectory of this rising trend.Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasEthicsGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/what-it-takes-bringing-pre-emptive-pharmacogenomic-testingurn:isomer:resource:130163Currently when a patient presents with trigeminal neuralgia or painful neuropathy, doctors would need to do a genotyping test for the human leukocyte antigen B gene’s 1502 allele (HLA-B*1502) prior to the initiation of carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy. This is because patients who carry the HLA-B*1502 allele are at higher risk of experiencing CBZ-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, which can be life-threatening and even prove fatal.[1]Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/pre-emptive-pharmacogenomic-testing-what-is-in-it-for-usurn:isomer:resource:130129Did you know—adverse drug reactions (ADRs) cause Singapore patients to spend an extrapolated 48,000 extra days a year in hospitals[1]? According to a study done by a team of researchers at the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), about 30% of ADRs admitted to SGH were caused by at least one drug with a clinical annotation in the Pharmacogenomics KnowledgeBase (PharmGKB), suggesting that some of these ADRs could have been pre-empted by pharWed, 12 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/making-sense-and-cents-of-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130109According to the National Population Health Survey 2021, over 300,000 people in Singapore suffer from chronic kidney disease but another 200,000 could be undiagnosed[1]. Adding on to that, kidney failure imposes heavy personal and social costs, and is a significant burden on the healthcare system. In 2021, dialysis costs in Singapore were estimated to be about S$300 million[2], and the mean annual costs for patients with type 2 diabetes who had chronic kidney diseases were S$3,385[3].Wed, 05 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/genetic-testing-for-primary-glomerular-disease-life-changingurn:isomer:resource:130095Among adults and children with primary glomerular diseases, about 14-26%[1] are due to genetic causes. But because genetic testing is not part of the routine diagnostic evaluation for primary glomerular diseases locally, patients with genetic causes are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late.Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/innovation-and-regulation-keeping-the-balanceurn:isomer:resource:130100Singapore's Ministry of Health face sthe challeng of balancing safety with innovation in precision medicine. Adj A/Prof Raymond Chua highlights how proactive horizon-scanning, stakeholder engagement, and tools like regulatory sandbox help MOH keep pace with fast-evolving technologies like AI and genomics — while prioritising public safety, data governance, and ensuring healthcare remains accessible and affordable.Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800EthicsGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/sg100k-translating-insights-from-100000-genomic-data-setsurn:isomer:resource:130146Singapore's National Precision Medicine (NPM) Programme spans three phases (2017-2030), aiming to revolutionise healthcare through genomics. The SG100K study, as part of Phase II, maps the genomes of 100,000 Singaporeans and PRs across Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicities. The resulting dataset — will link genetic, clinical, and lifestyle data to better understand disease and improve health outcomes for Singaporeans and Asians.Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/sg10k-discoveries-from-mapping-10000-genomesurn:isomer:resource:130147The SG10K study, Phase I of Singapore's NPM programme, mapped 10,000 genomes across Chinese, Malay, and Indian populations, uncovering millions of previously undetected genetic variants. Key findings include heredity risks for conditions like familial hypercholesterolaemia, breast/ovarian cancer, and Lynch syndrome that differ by ethnicity. The results highlights critical gaps in existing western-dominated genoic databases and pave the wat for more personalised, Asia-relevant precision medicine.Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/taking-breast-cancer-screening-beyond-standard-guidelinesurn:isomer:resource:130155Despite high awareness, fewer than 40% of Singaporean women aged 50-69 have had a recent mammogram. The BREATHE study aims to shift breast cancer screening from a one-size-fits-all aged-based approach to a personalised, risk-based model — factoring in genetics, breast density, and individual risk profiles. Researchers are also exploring digital tools to widen access and make screening more cost-efective at a national scale.Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/mission-breathe-reshaping-the-age-based-paradigm-for-breasturn:isomer:resource:130116Finding a lump in her right breast was the last thing 50-year-old Juvina Lee expected when she signed up for the BREAst screening Tailored for Her (BREATHE) study in March 2023. And her story is not unique. One in six breast cancer cases in Singapore are diagnosed in women under 45 years old, and it is one of the most common cancers in women aged 15 to 34. [1]Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matterurn:isomer:resource:130096Untreated, people with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have up to 20 times higher risk of premature heart disease compared to those without. But low awareness and understanding of the severity of FH lead to undiagnosed and underdiagnosed FH patients. Even among diagnosed FH patients, high default rates for appointments and low adherence to prescribed medication are observed._Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/a-family-affair-familial-hypercholesterolemia-and-the-needurn:isomer:resource:130038Based on a projected prevalence of one in 200 to 300, Singapore has about 22,000 cases of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)1,2,3. However, there is no telling what the real disease frequency is—due to underdiagnosis and undertreatment.Wed, 10 May 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/putting-the-nation-in-singapores-npm-programmeurn:isomer:resource:130140By 2030, around one in four citizens in Singapore, or 23.8%, will be aged 65 and above. Naturally, when it comes to planning for the healthcare system, the implication of a rapidly ageing population is significant.Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/driving-better-health-outcomes-trusted-data-ecosystemurn:isomer:resource:130074Mention precision medicine and what probably comes to mind are cutting-edge technologies such as genome sequencing and pharmacogenomics. But without safe and expedient access to good data, these technologies remain promises.Wed, 19 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0800EthicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/driving-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatmentsurn:isomer:resource:130077Cancer remains to be the leading cause of death in Singapore, accounting for over 28% of all deaths annually. But the good news is, compared to when the Singapore Cancer Registry first began tracking population-based cancer in 1968, the survival rate is decidedly higher today.Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/no-childs-play-in-paediatric-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130119While precision medicine is more frequently associated with adult diseases, it clearly has a role to play in paediatrics. Dr. Saumya Shekhar Jamuar who holds concurrent appointments as Senior Consultant, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), and Deputy Director (Clinical), SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine cannot agree more.Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovationPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/genetic-counselling-job-passion-and-callingurn:isomer:resource:130093Yasmin Bylstra, Senior Principal Genetic Counsellor, SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine (PRISM), appreciates the opportunity to journey alongside patients through different stages of life. “As genetic counsellors, we take the time to understand our patients and their circumstances during appointments. We sit down with them to go through their genetic information and address their concerns which may change over time.”Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0800Genomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/diving-into-the-clinical-side-of-genetic-counsellingurn:isomer:resource:130073Breana Cham, Senior Principal Genetic Counsellor at KKH, shared how genetic counsellors bridge scientific knowledge and patient care. Unlike doctors, they don't diagnose or prescribe — instead, they guide patients and families through the medical and emotional complexities of genetic conditions. Combining thorough pre-consultation research with strong interpersonal skills, Breana advocates for genetic counsellors to be recognised as essentisl partners across all healthcare settings.Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0800Genomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/working-the-nuts-and-bolts-in-a-cohort-studyurn:isomer:resource:130166The recent rollout of SG100K offers the potential to learn factors associated with health and diseases that Singaporeans—and possibly half the world’s population—are predisposed to. More excitingly, this knowledge promises to shape the precision medicine landscape.Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/growing-precision-meds-role-in-paediatrics-and-beyondurn:isomer:resource:130097In celebration of International Women’s Day, meet women who are advancing precision medicine in Singapore. This is Part One of our four-part series celebrating the achievements of women in STEM.Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/exploring-rnas-diverse-structural-landscapeurn:isomer:resource:130084With high throughput technologies, Yue Wan looks to address big-picture questions in cell biology by probing RNA molecular structures.Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/rewriting-the-human-genomeurn:isomer:resource:130144By using emerging gene editing techniques to modify and engineer DNA, Dr Chew Wei Leong and his team at the Genome Institute of Singapore are imagining a world without disease.Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/putting-genomic-data-to-good-useurn:isomer:resource:130137Assistant Professor Adrian Teo and his colleagues at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine believe in the power of localised translation research in support of Singapore’s precision medicine agenda.Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasEthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/a-time-for-non-coding-rna-to-shineurn:isomer:resource:130040Once considered the dark matter of the human genome_, non-coding RNAs now shed light on early signs of cancer and, soon – a wide range of human diseases.Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/banking-on-future-healthurn:isomer:resource:130050By collecting long-term population health data, the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project paves the way for precision medicine and better health in Japan’s earthquake-stricken areas.Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/championing-the-equity-agenda-in-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130059Through her leadership at Australian Genomics, Professor Kathryn North has set the stage for the widespread application of genomics in understanding rare diseases in children.Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/building-a-basis-for-precision-medicine-in-japanurn:isomer:resource:130056Through his work at Japan’s Tohoku University Tohoku Medical Mega bank Organization, Professor Masayuki Yamamoto is bringing precision medicine to where the country needs it most.Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/at-the-heart-of-gene-therapy-prof-victor-dzauurn:isomer:resource:130048With a career spanning four decades, Professor Victor Dzau is spearheading the use of gene therapy for treating cardiovascular diseases and explains the need to translate medical research from the bench to the bedside.Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/to-share-or-not-to-shareurn:isomer:resource:130161Understanding public attitudes and ethical concerns surrounding health data sharing could inform governance strategies for national precision medicine programmes in Singapore.Fri, 16 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthEthics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/at-the-forefront-of-singapores-npm-programmeurn:isomer:resource:130047As the captain of the National Precision Medicine programme, Dr. Claire Bellis from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore is ensuring that the programme functions like a well-oiled machine and is helping Singaporeans live healthier lives.Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/breathe-ing-new-life-to-cancer-research-how-a-woman-of-scienceurn:isomer:resource:130053While most research focuses on finding a cure for the big C, Dr. Jingmei Li, a Group Leader at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singaore, takes the off-beaten path of investigating how precision medicine and early screening can interact. Her work strongly advocates amplifying the importance of preventative measures in breast cancer screening.Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/making-genomics-part-of-the-clinical-routineurn:isomer:resource:130108Through its philosophy of integration and robust understanding of health economics, Australian Genomics is helping embed genomic technologies in medical practice.Wed, 14 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsGenomicsGlobal ProgrammeInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/personalising-drug-prescriptions-with-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130125Through proactive genetic testing and patient-centric initiatives, start-up company Nalagenetics is helping to make precision medicine a staple in clinical practice.Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/filling-in-the-book-of-lifes-missing-chaptersurn:isomer:resource:130087Improvements in sequencing techniques have allowed researchers to completely map out the human genome, setting the stage for a more robust understanding of disease and treatment.Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsGlobal ProgrammeInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/will-genomics-help-make-healthcare-more-equalurn:isomer:resource:130165In a recent online discussion by the NTU’s Institute of Science and Technology for Humanity, experts grappled with the complex consequences that genomics will have on healthcare and society.Wed, 08 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthEthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/exploring-the-ethics-of-precision-medicine-researchurn:isomer:resource:130085For bioethics researcher Tamra Lysaght, proactive responses to public concerns about precision medicine could help encourage acceptance and participation in national programmes.Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthEthics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/making-the-sun-shine-on-a-greying-nationurn:isomer:resource:130110A sociological study finds that HELIOS, Singapore’s most comprehensive and clinically-oriented biobank, lays the groundwork for using precision medicine to tackle diseases of ageing.Wed, 27 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/spreading-the-word-about-research-bioethicsurn:isomer:resource:130152Singapore's Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC) plays a key role in briding public trust and biomedical research by educating citizens and advising policymakers on ethical issues. As precision medicine raises new concerns around genomic data privacy and consent, broad public engagement — across Singapore's diverse communities — becomes increasingly vital. Digital tools and online platforms are seen as promosing avenues to reach wider audiences and strengthen this ongoing dialogue.Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0800EthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/capturing-rare-connections-with-cancerurn:isomer:resource:130058Rare genetic mutations could contribute more strongly to telomere length and cancer-related risk than more common variants in the Singaporean-Chinese population.Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/diversity-in-genetic-studiesurn:isomer:resource:130072Ethnic underrepresentation in genomic research leads to suboptimal healthcare for minority communities. What can be done to improve diversity in this field?Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthEthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/female-scientists-pushing-precision-medicine-forwardurn:isomer:resource:130086In celebration of International Women’s Month, meet seven women who are advancing precision medicine in Singapore.Mon, 28 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/a-new-frontier-in-preventative-healthcareurn:isomer:resource:130039Precision medicine is elevating preventative healthcare by offering a nuanced understanding of individual disease risk and opening the door to novel methods of screening.Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomicsInnovationPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/right-intervention-for-the-right-populationurn:isomer:resource:130145The article highlights diseases with distinct genetic bases in Asia — including XDP (unique to Filipinos from Panay), thalassaemia variants across Southeast Asia, diabetes-linked mutations in East Asians, and rare enzyme disorders in South Asian ancestry groups. By tailoring strategies to population-specific risks, healthcare systems can allocate limited resources more effectively and intervene earlier.Wed, 05 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease Areas https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/looking-back-on-a-landmark-year-for-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130106From early insights into regional variations in drug response to an ambitious transnational project to consolidate genomic data, 2021 saw advances in precision medicine across the board.Wed, 15 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthCollaborationsGenomicsGlobal ProgrammePrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/peeking-into-asias-precision-medicine-programmesurn:isomer:resource:130124As genomic sequencing becomes more affordable, Asian nations are launching major precision medicine initiatives. These include China's US$9 billion genome project, South Korea's KU-MAGIC, Japan's ToMMo Biobank, Thailand's Genomic Thailand, India's Genome India, Singapore's PRECISE, and the regional PREMIA lung cancer registry. Together, these programmes are building population-specific genoic reference databases to drive more targeted, effective healthcare across Asia.Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomicsGlobal Programme https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/enabling-a-precision-approach-to-asthmaurn:isomer:resource:130080A discovery revealing the association between a common genetic variation and allergic responses could facilitate precision treatments and better outcomes for asthma.Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/deciphering-the-genetic-codeurn:isomer:resource:130067By analysing vast amounts of biomedical data, bioinformaticians play a crucial role in translating insights to clinical impact in precision medicine, says Assistant Professor Lim Weng Khong, Director of Bioinformatics at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre.Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/counselling-for-change-in-customised-clinical-careurn:isomer:resource:130065Patient-empowering approaches like genetic counselling could help usher in the era of precision oncogenomics, say experts at the inaugural Hereditary Cancer Symposium organised by Tan Tock Seng Hospital.Wed, 10 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasEthicsGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/decoding-diabetes-in-asiaurn:isomer:resource:130068The largest meta-analysis of people of East Asian origin to date is adding to a growing genetics resource on type 2 diabetes and bolstering precision medicine efforts in the region.Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/adapting-warfarin-to-asian-geneticsurn:isomer:resource:130042A genetics-based approach for tailoring patients’ initial dose of the blood thinner warfarin could make the dosing process more efficient—even in Asia’s genetically diverse population.Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/probing-the-peculiarities-of-asian-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathyurn:isomer:resource:130135Scientists find two novel gene mutations that could explain overly muscular hearts in Asian populations, paving the way for early and accurate detection through precision medicine.Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/empowering-breakthroughs-in-breast-cancer-careurn:isomer:resource:130078From breast cancer screening to treatment selection, advances in precision diagnostics can pave the way towards more accurate predictions about clinical conditions and more effective care.Wed, 06 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/picking-terms-with-precisionurn:isomer:resource:130126Understanding the public’s perception of the terms ‘personalised medicine’ and ‘precision medicine’ can help governments build more effective national precision medicine programmes.Wed, 15 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/pushing-the-boundaries-of-cancer-careurn:isomer:resource:130136Two start-ups are using precision oncology to transform cancer medicine in Singapore and provide better outcomes for patients.Wed, 08 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/taming-the-complexity-of-cancerurn:isomer:resource:130156Precision oncology removes the guesswork in cancer care and allows doctors to tailor treatment to individual patients.Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/analyzing-the-omics-of-angiosarcoma-blood-and-lymph-cancerurn:isomer:resource:130044Through multiomic sequencing, researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanisms governing angiosarcoma, a blood and lymph vessel cancer, opening doors for treatments guided by precision medicine.Wed, 25 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/nabbing-the-genetic-culprit-in-asian-dementiaurn:isomer:resource:130118The discovery of an Asian variant of the NOTCH3 gene opens the doors for a precision medicine approach to young-onset dementia.Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/harnessing-genetics-to-understand-the-hearturn:isomer:resource:130098By using the genome as their guide, clinicians and researchers can enhance diagnosis and treatment in cardiac diseases.Wed, 11 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/viewing-blindness-in-a-new-genetic-lighturn:isomer:resource:130162Through whole-exome sequencing, scientists now have a clearer look at the genetic mechanisms that govern exfoliation syndrome, a common cause of blindness in the elderly.Wed, 04 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/making-genetics-a-family-affairurn:isomer:resource:130107It’s not true that genomic sequencing has relegated family history taking to the backseat in health risk assessments. In fact, comprehensive family history data can complement genomic analysis and advance precision medicine.Wed, 28 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/ending-the-rare-disease-odysseyurn:isomer:resource:130081Debilitating and life-threatening rare diseases can remain undiagnosed for years, sometimes even for life. Precision medicine could change that.Wed, 21 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/piecing-together-genetic-cluesurn:isomer:resource:130127Clinicians like Saumya Jamuar are laying the groundwork to harness the diagnostic potential of genomic sequencing technology to improve the lives of children with rare diseases.Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/disentangling-the-genetics-of-diabetesurn:isomer:resource:130071With several different subtypes, causes and therapies, diagnosing and managing diabetes have become a complicated problem. Precision medicine could hold the answer.Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/bridging-the-diagnostic-gapurn:isomer:resource:130055Singapore’s Undiagnosed Disease Program is leveraging genomic sequencing technology to provide a diagnosis to more patients, helping end their diagnostic odysseys.Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/striking-at-the-belly-of-gastric-cancerurn:isomer:resource:130153Over 60% of gastric cancer cases in Singapore are diagnosed at late stages, when survival rates are poor. MiRXES's GASTROClear blood test — can detect stage 1 gastric cancer with nearly 90% sensitivity, offering a less invasive alternative to endoscopy. Combined with precision medicine's ability to tailor treatments based on a patient's genetic profile, early detection tools like this could significantly improve survival outcomes.Wed, 16 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/completing-the-genome-puzzleurn:isomer:resource:130064Armed with cutting-edge technologies, scientists have assembled the first-ever gapless sequence of the entire human genome, providing new DNA puzzle pieces for precision medicine to probe.Wed, 09 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/beyond-the-genomeurn:isomer:resource:130051Other pieces of the Precision Medicine puzzleWed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/defusing-the-hearts-ticking-time-bomburn:isomer:resource:130070It may be commonly inherited and potentially life-threatening, but familial hypercholesterolemia remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. Precision medicine could change that.Wed, 19 May 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/thought-leader-feature-prof-john-chambersurn:isomer:resource:130159A robust data-sharing framework based on sound scientific principles needs to be in place before Singapore can realise the full potential of precision medicine, says PRECISE CSO John Chambers.Wed, 12 May 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/from-fruit-fly-scientist-to-founder-of-a-biotech-start-upurn:isomer:resource:130090Spurred by his desire to impact human health, Professor Liu Jianjun reflects on his career in precision medicine, which has recently been recognised with the 2020 President’s Science Award.Wed, 05 May 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthDisease AreasGenomicsInnovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/the-anatomy-of-precision-medicineurn:isomer:resource:130157Precision medicine promises to revolutionise the way healthcare is delivered, transforming it from a one-size-fits-all approach to something more tailored. Wed, 28 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0800InnovationPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/putting-singapore-on-the-global-genetics-mapurn:isomer:resource:130139A deep dive into the genomes of Singapore’s three major Asian ethnic groups holds the promise to wide-ranging implications for precision medicine across the globe.Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/thought-leader-feature-prof-tai-e-shyongurn:isomer:resource:130160Precision medicine is already impacting patients’ lives and could help doctors do more for their patients, says PRECISE’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Tai E Shyong.Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/gene-genomes-and-you-precision-medicine-key-words-you-needurn:isomer:resource:130092Precision medicine uses a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environment data to create tailored health strategies for individuals. DNA is built from just four chemical letters, forming a 3-billion-letter genome organised into 23 chromosome pairs. Genes within this genome instruct cells to produce 20,000 proteins that govern everything from eye colour to disease risk — forming the biological foundation that precision medicine draws on to personalise healthcare.Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0800GenomicsPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/precision-medicine-benefits-for-patients-and-populationsurn:isomer:resource:130134While individual patients have much to gain from precision medicine, when done responsibly, it is healthcare as a whole that could potentially be transformed.Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0800Disease AreasPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/what-precision-medicine-is-noturn:isomer:resource:130164As healthcare shifts towards a more personalised, patient-centric approach, it’s crucial to establish what precision medicine can—and cannot—achieve.Mon, 04 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomicsPrecision Medicine https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/putting-precision-into-practiceurn:isomer:resource:130138In light of the RIE2025’s recent launch, here’s how precision medicine and PRECISE will help Singapore achieve its goal to advance human health and potential across all fronts.Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/investing-in-diversity-for-a-healthier-tomorrowurn:isomer:resource:130101Including Asian genomes to increase the diversity of genomic databases is the first step towards targeted, more effective clinical approaches to treat and prevent disease.Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://youtube.com/watch?v=SBpCzYrkQaQurn:isomer:resource:130037Fri, 11 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0800Innovation https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/powering-the-next-generation-of-biomedical-researchurn:isomer:resource:130128Powering the Next Generation of Biomedical Research Singapore’s National Precision Medicine Strategy will not only improve healthcare within the country but enable the next wave of healthcare innovations, says Professor Patrick Tan, Executive Director of PRECISE.Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0800Asian HealthGenomics https://www.npm.sg/news-and-highlights/editorial-features/sharing-health-data-securelyurn:isomer:resource:130148Precision medicine's full potential relies on large, diverse health databases shared openly across researchers, clinicians, and industry partners. PRECISE collects genetic, lifestyle, and clinical data from Singaporeans and makes it accessible to approved, ethically vetted studies. To protect participants, personal identifiers are removed from all datasets. The more people contribute their data, the more accurate and impactful health predictions become for Singapore and Asia.Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0800CollaborationsEthicsGenomics