Join us in Setting - Singapore National Eye Centre · 2019-04-05 · • Patsnap • Pfizer • Pharmacia & Upjohn • Quark Pharmaceuticals • Quintiles • Roche • Santen Pharmaceutical

Join us in Setting SIGHT for the Future

The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) was conceived with

the foresight of a visionary leader, Prof Arthur Lim, the founder and

fi rst Medical Director of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC),

who had keenly pursued the idea of an eye research institute in a

period of time when research was hardly in vogue in Singapore.

Established in 1997, SERI is Singapore’s national research institute

for ophthalmic and vision research. SERI’s mission is to conduct high

impact eye research with the aim to prevent blindness, low vision

and major eye diseases common to Singaporeans and Asians. Over

the last decade or so, SERI has conducted landmark research that

has led to tangible outcomes, actual patient benefi t, and success

stories. It has paved the way for signifi cant improvements in how

eye diseases are treated and prevented, not just for Singaporeans

or Asians but on a global scale.

At its inception, SERI saw a national remit in ophthalmic and vision research, and till today, despite the demarcations introduced

by the healthcare clustering system, SERI bridges both entities with a presence in each cluster. SERI ensures that its facilities and

resources are open to researchers across Singapore so that the greatest benefi t may be obtained from what is a relatively small

clinical ophthalmology catchment area in Singapore.

SERI has grown from a founding team of five in 1997 to a faculty of more than 196 staff, encompassing clinician scientists,

scientists, research fellows, PhD students and support staff. This makes SERI one of the largest research institutes in Singapore, as

well as the largest eye research institute in the Asia Pacific region. SERI has also over 220 adjunct faculties from various eye

departments, biomedical institutes and tertiary centres in Singapore. SERI has published an impressive array of 3,405 scientific

papers, and has secured external peer-reviewed competitive grants worth more than $309 million. As of 31 December 2018, SERI’s

faculty has been awarded with more than 506 national and international prizes and filed 123 patents.

SERI Overview

D:16-005 DH160144 GP10B-OLHTitle: Corporate Brochure SIZE: 220mm X 305mm

FA 00_SERI_Res_Broch-ok.indd 2 26/02/2016 17:30

As the research institute of the SNEC, and directly affiliated to the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, as

well the Duke-NUS Medical School, SERI undertakes vision research in collaboration with local clinical ophthalmic centres and

biomedical research institutions, as well as major eye centres and research institutes throughout the world.

SERI ranks first globally in terms of eye publications per capita, far ahead of the US, UK and Japan.

With its impressive publication track record, SERI is comparable to renowned eye institutes, both regionally and internationally.

Publication

While we may be relatively young and lean, SERI is proud to rank

above the global heavyweights, i.e. Singapore is Impact number

one globally in terms of eye publications per capita, far ahead of

the US, UK and Japan.

With its impressive publication track record, SERI is comparable

to renowned eye institutes, both regionally and internationally.

Singapore (where 95% of the publications are generated via SERI) was ranked 3rd in the proportion of papers accepted (success rate)

in the top-ranked eye journal, Ophthalmology, and further ranked 4th in success rate in another high Impact Factor eye journal, the

American Journal of Ophthalmology.

*All searches fi ltered for ‘ophthalmology’ related publications

Ranked 3rd in proportion of papers accepted (success rate) in Ophthalmology*

Ranked 4th in number of papers accepted in American Journal of Ophthalmology**95% of papers from SERI / NUS

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

Uni

ted

Stat

es

Aus

tral

ia

Sing

apor

e

Uni

ted

King

dom

Cana

da

Net

herl

ands

Ger

man

y

Ital

y

Hon

g Ko

ng

Japa

n

Sout

h Ko

rea

Taiw

an

Indi

a

Success rate (manuscripts received vs accepted) for Ophthalmology Journal 2010 Success Rate

Supplemental Table 1. Country of Origina

1042 Full Length Manuscripts Submitted and Accepted to the American Journal of

Ophthalmology between October 1, 2009 and September 20, 2010

a Based on the location of the corresponding authorb Only the tip 17 countries with submitted or

accepted manuscripts are listed here.

United States 273 88

Japan 141 49

China 91 4

Republic of Korea 63 13

Spain 52 9

India 37 2

Germany 35 9

Singapore 33 10

United Kingdom 29 7

Italy 29 7

Turkey 29 6

Brazil 24 4

Taiwan 22 4

France 21 9

Israel 20 4

The Netherlands 17 7

Australia 17 5

36 Other Countries 129 20

Total 1042b submitted 257 accepted

28%25%

23%21% 19% 18%

15%13% 13% 12%

10% 9% 9%

Collaboration“Research is a team sport”SERI has cultivated a symbiotic network of people, including its team of scientists and researchers, trial coordinators and optometrists

as well as ophthalmologists from public sector eye hospitals such as the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), National University

Health Systems (NUHS), Tan Tock Seng Hospital and so on. We work together in close collaboration to achieve a common goal - the

generation of knowledge and/or technology that can potentially improve the clinical management and treatment of eye diseases.

SERI has additionally initiated a steady stream of impactful research collaborations with peers at the A*STAR Research Institutes,

Nanyang Technological University as well as other biomedical institutions and eye centres in Singapore.

The US published the most number of papers.Singapore* published the most number of eye papers per capita

*95% of papers from SERI



Today, SERI is recognized as a pre-eminent pacesetter of ophthalmology and vision research in Asia and the rest of the world. It is a strong

advocate of strategic research alliances and collaborations. The SERI faculty has played key strategic advisory roles in the initiation and

conceptualization of research ideas and technologies with renowned international institutions, including Stanford University and Johns

Hopkins University in the United States, Moorfields Eye Hospital in England, the Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne,

the Centre for Vision Research, University of Sydney and the Lions Eye Institute in Australia, the Capital University and Zhongshan

Ophthalmic Institute in China. This has enabled us to maintain a high level of research competency and skills transference.

SERI has also forged important ongoing research alliances with major industry partners.

Local Collaborations

International/Industry Collaborations

Global Academic Collaborations Industry Collaborations

•AravindEyeCareSystem,India•AstonUniversityBirmingham•AustralianNationalUniversitySchoolofBiologicalSciences,Australia

•CenterforEyeResearchAustralia,UniversityofMelbourne

•CentreforVisionResearch,UniversityofSydney

•CHUV-LausanneUniversityHospital,Lausanne,Switzerland

•CityUniversityLondon•CorneaResearchFoundationof

America•DoshishaUniversity,Kyoto,Japan•DukeUniversityEyeCentre,USA•EastValleyOphthalmology,USA•ErasmusUniversityMedicalCenter,Rotterdam,Netherlands

•HoChiMinhEyeHospital,Vietnam•HospitalKualaLumpur,Malaysia•IndianaUniversitySchoolofMedicine,USA

•InstituteofOphthalmology,MoorfieldsEyeHospital,London,UnitedKingdom

•JohnsHopkinsUniversity,Baltimore,USA

•KingKhaledEyeSpecialistHospital,SaudiArabia

•Kirchhoff-InstituteforPhysics,UniversityofHeidelberg

•KyotoPrefecturalUniversityofMedicine,Japan

•LionsEyeInstitute,Australia•MaxPlanckInstitute,Germany•NarayanaNethralayaFoundation,India•OregonHealth&ScienceUniversity,USA

•St.George’sUniversity,USA•StanfordUniversity,USA•TelAvivUniversity,Israel•TheFirstAffiliatedHospitalofChongqingMedicalUniversity,China

•Queen’sUniversityBelfast,Canada•TheUniversityofWisconsin-Madison,USA

•TheWeizmannInstituteofScience,Israel

•UniversityofAberdeen,Scotland•UniversityofNewSouthWales,

Australia•UniversityofPennsylvania,USA•VietnamNationalInstituteofOphthalmology

•WestVirginiaUniversityEyeInstitute•ZhongshanOphthalmicCentre,SunYat-SenUniversity,China

•AcuFocus•AdvancedMedicalOptics•AdvancedMedicalTechnologies

•Alcon•Allergan•AngioblastSystems•AqueSys•Bausch&Lomb•Bayer•Canon•CapitalOptical•CarlZeiss•Ceepro•Celgene•Ellex•Essilor•EyedetecMedical•FrontierFMC•GlaxoSmithKline•i-Optics•Johnson&Johnson•KendleInternational•Keravision•Laserex•Lenticor•MandarinOpto-Medic

•Menicon•MerlionPharma•NetworkMedical•Neurovision•NorthernLipids•Novartis•OcularTherapeutix•OculexAsia•OptiqueParisMiki•ORA•Oxigene•PARAXEL

International•Patsnap•Pfizer•Pharmacia&Upjohn•QuarkPharmaceuticals

•Quintiles•Roche•SantenPharmaceutical

•SATACommHealth•SkinEthic•Technolas•VisionEx•WelchAllyn



SERI’s success in eye and vision research can be attributed to our state-of-

the-art facilities, a conducive and nurturing environment that encourages

robust and dynamic interactions between clinicians and scientists,

a systematic research governance structure, and a strategic talent

development programme, all of the above complemented by the insightful

vision of a strong leadership team.

Interactions between Clinicians and ScientistsA core underlying principle that furthered the robust interactions between our

clinicians and our scientists was the inherent understanding that impactful

research leads to enhanced clinical outcomes, clinical reputation and increase

in patients, both locally and regionally. This served to nurture this symbiotic

relationship between clinicians and scientists. Hence, our focus at SERI is

geared towards applied translational research, where each research group has

a few clinician drivers who present unmeet clinical needs, and pose the right

clinical questions and challenges, which our scientists undertake to address.

Research Strategy

World-class high quality academic research

Focus on Translational Clinical Research

Broad impact on all aspects of ophthalmology & medicine

Close interaction between Clinicians, Clinician Scientists (CS) & Scientists

Long-term strategiesRobust systems & finances

Inter-disciplinary collaboration

Collaborations with industry

Development of peopleSuccession planning

What is SERI’s Strategy?



Research Governance StructureSERI has a robust research governance structure that is designed for SERI’s multi-disciplinary eye research groups to strategically

tackle major eye diseases, leveraging on multiple core platform technologies that support the entire spectrum of research-from

bench to bedside, to population.

This research structure is augmented by core research support platforms:

• Experimental&BasicSciencesPlatform

• ClinicalResearch&TrialsPlatform

• PopulationHealthPlatform

• TranslationalPre-ClinicalModelPlatform

• Data Science andDataManagementPlatform

These platforms interact with and support our diverse research themes, including: • OcularTherapeutics&DrugDelivery

• GeneticsofEyeDiseases

• TissueEngineering&StemCellresearch

• OcularSurface(Anti-Infectives&DryEyes)

• OcularImaging

•

•

OcularInflammation&Immunology

HealthServicesResearch

The interactions between platforms and themes collectively serve to test key hypotheses, answer major clinical questions and

generate knowledge that will further augment the management and treatment strategies for all the major eye diseases, with

particular relevance for Singapore and Asia, with emphasis on these major eye diseases:

• Glaucoma,withemphasisonAsianglaucoma(e.g.angleclosureglaucoma)

• Myopiaandotherrefractiveerrors

• Cornealandocularsurfacedisease

• Diabeticretinopathyandotherretinalvasculardiseases

• AMDandotherdegenerativeocularconditions

SERI currently has 16 research groups in the following disciplines of eye research:

• OcularGeneticsResearchGroup

• OcularTherapeutics&DrugDeliveryResearchGroup

• TissueEngineering&StemCellResearchGroup

• OcularSurfaceResearchGroup

• RetinaResearchGroup

• HealthServicesResearchGroup

• Anti-InfectivesResearchGroup

• Clinical&OcularImagingResearchGroup

• OcularEpidemiologyResearchGroup

• GlaucomaResearchGroup

• OcularInflammation&ImmunologyResearchGroup

• MyopiaResearchGroup

• Cornea&RefractiveResearchGroup

• Bioengineering&DevicesResearchGroup

• CataractResearchGroup

• VisualNeuroscienceResearchGroup

• TechnologyDevelopment&Commercialization

• Administration,ResearchAffairs&SupportServicesPlatform

• ResearchTraining&DevelopmentPlatform

• ImagingPlatform



SERI: Platforms & ThemesO

cula

r The

rape

utic

s &

Dru

g D

eliv

ery

Gen

etic

s of

Eye

Dis

ease

s

Tiss

ue E

ngin

eeri

ng &

Ste

m C

ell

Ocu

lar S

urfa

ce

Ocu

lar I

mag

ing

Biom

arke

rs o

f Eye

Dis

ease

s

Ocu

lar I

nfl a

mm

atio

n &

Imm

unol

ogy

Hea

lth

Serv

ices

Res

earc

h

PLATFORMS

THEMES

LeadershipSERI’s research strategy is complemented by the articulate

mapping of SERI’s long-term vision by its leadership, who not

only inspired, but imbued all at SERI and SNEC on the need for

research as an integral aspect of our clinical mission and as the

key to future eye therapeutics and interventional strategies. This

vision which began with Prof Arthur Lim was distilled through

SERI’s four Executive Directors - the late Prof Chew Sek Jin, Prof

Donald Tan, Prof Wong Tien Yin and Prof Aung Tin.

The reputation of SERI’s core leadership, in terms of both their

clinical expertise and their distinguished track record and

research know-how, has laid a solid foundation for SERI to attract

top collaborators, advisors and industry partners to collaborate

with SERI on strategic research initiatives.

Experimental & Basic Sciences

Translational Pre-Clinical Model

Clinical Research & Trials

Imaging

Population Health

Statistics & Data Management

Administration, Research Aff airs& Support Services

Technology Development & Commercialization



Talent Development

Conclusion SERI’s desired outcome is the development of fundamental

knowledge and intellectual property in the fi eld of ophthalmic

and vision research, and the generation of scientifi c publications

of signifi cant impact that will lead to better management of eye

diseases. We intend to further build upon the existing robust and

fertile clinician–scientist ecosystem, as well as leverage on the

research environment in Singapore to develop a new generation

of clinician scientists.

SERI’s focus is predominantly geared towards translational

research (research with a clinical focus), hence this certainly

SERI recognizes that human talent is a key factor in the development of scientifi c and biomedical research in ophthalmology. This is

why SERI aims to meet the requirements of the institute in the next decades by proactively seeking and nurturing the next generation

of scientists, researchers and clinician scientists. This will ensure SERI’s longevity and continued progress in the fi eld of eye research.

SERI adopts a holistic approach to the development of research manpower in eye research, focusing on translational and clinical

sciences relevant to ophthalmology.

Over the years, SERI has acted as a global magnet, attracting research talents from all over the world to Singapore, including

professionals from Israel, Germany, the UK, US, Asia Pacifi c, Hong Kong, Korea, China, India, Netherlands and the ASEAN region. This has

contributed to a dynamic expansion of SERI’s research capacity and capabilities, and contributed to a melting pot of research talents

from diverse backgrounds, interacting closely and forming an incubator for the generation of ground breaking research.

paves the way for the generation of knowledge that will have

a direct positive impact on treatment strategy and therapeutic

approaches to major eye diseases, specifi cally to Asia and

beyond.

In the new decade, SERI, a bona fi de “Singapore Inc” organization,

has set its sights on being one of the top 5 eye research

institutes in the world. The achievement of this goal and the

global recognition that it will bring will certainly be a milestone

well worth the signifi cant commitment, passion and hard work

that has been the hallmark of the SERI faculty.

SERI as a Global Magnet



Projects With Positive Impact and Clinical Applicability

Over the last 21 years, SERI has conducted several

successful research projects with clearly positive

outcomes in terms of impact and clinical applicability.

This is a summary of 15 highly successful studies

demonstrating tangible translational values:

Managing Myopia, Eye by Eye

SERI studies on the development of myopia in

Singapore’s children found that the use of atropine

eye drops have achieved close to an 80% reduction

in the worsening of myopia progression. Further

studies, led by Professor Donald Tan and Adjunct

Assoc Professor Audrey Chia, are being carried

out to fi nd the optimal effi cacy and safety of this

procedure in order to help develop a treatment

routine that will manage childhood myopia. As

Singapore has one of the world’s highest myopia

rates, any form of prevention to stem the progress

of myopia would be signifi cant for children in

Singapore.

Tooth In The Eye

out to fi nd the optimal effi cacy and safety of this

procedure in order to help develop a treatment

routine that will manage childhood myopia. As

Singapore has one of the world’s highest myopia

rates, any form of prevention to stem the progress

of myopia would be signifi cant for children in

Singapore.



The SERI team, led by Professor Donald Tan, was

credited as being the first in Southeast Asia to

perform the osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP)

artifi cial cornea procedure on a 19-year-old Thai

patient in 2004, using the boy’s own canine tooth to

implant a plastic cornea into one eye. The team has

won 3 international awards for their work in this

area. This procedure may have signifi cant clinical

impact as it restores sight in severe cases of

blindness due to injuries (burns or acid attacks) that

previously had no therapeutic recourse. Currently,

the team is embarking on the second phase of this

study in collaboration with NTU, which aims to

explore the use of novel biomaterials to replace the

tooth portion so as to make this procedure more

efficient, faster and accessible.

Halting An Epidemic Of Contact Lens InfectionThe team of Professors Donald Tan, Roger Beuerman

and Aung Tin managed to place Singapore in the

spotlight as the fi rst in the world to identify a major

outbreak of fusarium keratitis (a serious fungal

infection of the cornea) associated with soft contact

lens wear, and further proved the link between the

outbreak and use of a specifi c contact lens cleaning

solution. The worldwide withdrawal of this product

resulting from their fi ndings immediately prevented

international escalation of blindness from this most

serious form of eye infection globally.

This was a breakthrough fi nding, as this was the fi rst

time that such an outbreak had been reported among

contact lens wearers anywhere in the world. This

resulted in a review of the international standards in

contact lens care solutions and led to new standards

being proposed.

Pioneering Genetic Eye Therapies A SERI team of researchers led by Professor

Aung Tin and Associate Professor Eranga Vithana

managed to identify the gene that could

potentially blind babies born with a severe form

of congenital corneal blindness, known as

congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

(CHED). The team further discovered similar

mutations in the same gene amongst adults with

the most common form of premature ageing of

corneas, known as Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy.

This discovery provides research opportunities

to develop potential gene therapy to address

corneal dystrophy, a signifi cant problem

amongst the rapidly ageing population of

Singapore.

Professor Aung Tin, Assoc Professor Eranga

Vithana and Dr C.C. Khor, supported by

Professor Wong Tien Yin, had additionally

led an international consortium that discovered three genes linked to primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), a type

of glaucoma predominantly found in Asian patients. This work was also the fi rst in the world to study PACG genetics

using a genome-wide perspective, and was published in the prestigious scientifi c journal, Nature Genetics, on 26 August

2012. This discovery has led to further research to elucidate the full genetic architecture of PACG which will allow the

development of a clinically useful genetic profi le for the identifi cation, risk stratifi cation and treatment of PACG patients

in the future. This was a major achievement for the Singapore team, and this information on the genes involved in PACG

has now opened up new and exciting research areas that have the potential to culminate in new treatment modalities for

angle closure glaucoma in the future.

As these novel medical treatments come close to implementation, a coordinated basic and clinical research base is

essential. Further investment to support this work will translate into treatment and, hopefully, the eventual eradication of

many degenerative and hereditary eye diseases.

Eyes Provide Clues To Stroke RiskA team lead by Professor Wong Tien Yin, led

a major international study involving 1,500

patients from Singapore and Australia with

acute stroke. The study demonstrated that

patients with retinal microvascular signs are

more likely to have “lacunar” or “small blood

vessel” strokes than without signs, providing

important insights into the microvascular

contribution to stroke. Retinal photography

may thus eventually complement cerebral CT

and MR imaging in diagnosis, classifi cation

and risk stratifi cation of acute stroke. This

will have signifi cant implications on how

stroke is treated.



Invigorating our Medical ArmoryKnowing how proteins are constructed and how they interact is part of a relatively new field of study called

proteomics. Defensins are a group of natural protein molecules found in mammals that are known to kill a wide

range of germs and microbes, earning them the name of “natural antibiotics”. The SERI Defensins team,

comprising Professor Beuerman and Dr Zhou Lei, has developed a new research platform using a multi-

disciplinary approach to engineer new forms of anti-microbial molecules based on their work on defensins. This

has allowed us to develop new, natural anti-microbial drugs whose potential goes far beyond that of just the eye,

as they may be able to provide a new set of powerful, yet safe disease fi ghting medicines.

Tan EndoGlideA SERI team headed by Professors Donald Tan and Jodhbir Mehta invented a new donor insertion device,

known as the Tan EndoGlide, for the current form of EK surgery, Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

(DSAEK), which has been patented, licensed and bulk manufactured by Network Medical Products (UK). This device

is now commercially available worldwide.

A paper in the American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO) had demonstrated that the Tan Endoglide reduces corneal

cell damage by more than 50% as compared to other methods. Patients in Singapore have had fi rst access to the

device since 2009. The Tan Endoglide is now used for all patients in SNEC undergoing this new procedure, which is

rapidly replacing conventional forms of corneal transplantation.

SNEC now performs the largest number of these transplants in Asia and is one of the leading eye specialist

centres worldwide, with the best results, largely due to the Tan EndoGlide device. The device is currently being

used by over 50 corneal surgeons worldwide.

The Tan Endoglide 2 is an enhancement of the original design, making it even easier and safer to perform this

complex type of small-incision keyhole surgery. It has been refi ned in part from information derived from

outcomes of SERI’s clinical trials with the Endoglide, which has the best published clinical results of any device in

corneal transplantation.



Use of Fibrin Glue to Develop New Frontiers in Corneal TransplantsA SERI team headed by Professors Donald Tan and

Jodhbir Mehta have also invented a new form of

treatment for corneal transplants, using fibrin glue,

which is a novel approach. A provisional patent for

this treatment has been fi led. The new technique of

enzymatic wound closure could potentially replace the

need for surgical sutures in many ocular surgeries, thus

achieving a better standard of ocular tissue repair for the

patients. This technology could also contribute to faster

recovery and fewer follow-ups, and better cost savings

in healthcare expenditure.

ReLEx and SMILEAnother project led by Professors Donald Tan and

Jodhbir Mehta pioneered a new form of corneal

refractive surgery in collaboration with Carl Zeiss,

which may eventually rival LASIK. The team is now

able to perform keyhole LASIK without making a full

corneal fl ap. This procedure, named the Refractive

Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx), is an evolution of laser

refractive surgery.

A modifi ed procedure known as SMILE (SMall Incision

Lenticule Extraction) involves the creation of a much

smaller keyhole incision through which the lenticule

can be extracted – with a smaller wound. Due to the

smaller wound, SMILE results in a stronger eye, less

immediate postoperative discomfort and tearing and

the potential for less dry eye problems, as compared to

LASIK. Reducing these side-eff ects and complications,

normally associated with LASIK, may make SMILE a

potentially safer option.

The SERI team further came up with the concept of

making ReLEx potentially reversible (which would make

it safer than LASIK). Instead of discarding this lenticule,

they developed the concept and technique of cryo-

preserving (freezing in liquid nitrogen) and storing the

lenticule for the potential future use of the patient. This

process has been patented.

Pre-clinical studies are currently underway. If this

technique proves to be effi cacious, this will be a

major advantage over conventional LASIK, as SERI

would have pioneered the fi rst potentially reversible

refractive surgery procedure. The current priority

is the development of a sound commercialization

strategy to target the biggest ophthalmic market, i.e.

those suff ering from presbyopia. The team is currently

exploring the concept of using the discarded lenticules

as intracorneal presbyopia implants.



Landmark Trilogy of Large-Scale Population-Based Eye Studies Professor Wong Tien Yin and his team, including Professors Aung Tin, Ecosse Lamoureux, Saw Seang Mei and

Cheng Ching-Yu as well as Associate Professor Charumathi, conducted a series of three landmark, community-

based studies to systematically document the frequency, causes and impact of low vision and major eye diseases

in the three diff erent ethnic groups in Singapore.

• The Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES) successfully looked at 3,280 individuals from Singapore’s Malay population

from 2004–2006.

• The Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI), the second of the studies, examined 3,400 Singaporeans of Indian origin

from 2007–2009.

• The Singapore Chinese Eye Study (SCES), the last of the three studies, examined 3,200 Singaporeans of Chinese

origin in 2011.

The Singapore Eye Disease Study (SEDS) - The Singapore Indian/ Chinese Cohort (SICC), initiated via funds from

SERI’s pilot grant which then secured a $2.2 million BMRC grant, is an important population-based, cross-sectional,

epidemiological study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment, blindness and

major eye conditions in adult Indian and Chinese Singaporeans. This project is an extension of the completed SiMES

study. The SICC will therefore complete the trilogy of large-scale population-based eye studies in the three main

ethnic groups in Asia i.e. the Chinese, Indians and Malays.

These studies in totality provide, for the fi rst time, a powerful set of scientifi c data on the causes and impact of

vision threatening diseases in 10,000 Asian people. The strengths and opportunities are unparalleled. Since these

studies observed the same standardized protocol derived from benchmark studies in Western societies (US and

Australia), hence it would facilitate the direct comparison of data not only among the three Asian ethnic groups

in Singapore, but this data is comparable with data from the Western populations. The SICC, along with SiMES,

therefore form the largest, most comprehensive population-based study on vision-threatening eye diseases

aff ecting the three major ethnic groups in Asia, representing half of the world’s population.



SCORM: Identifying the Risk Factors For MyopiaThe Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) led by Professor Saw Seang Mei recruited 1979

Singapore children in 1999 and followed them for 10 years. The environmental and genetic risk factors (Genome-

wide Association Scans) were identifi ed. This study identifi ed modifi able environmental risk and protective factors

for myopia. It was demonstrated that near work, IQ and parental history increased the risk of myopia, while outdoor

activities and breastfeeding were protective factors.

This study further identifi ed several genetic susceptibility variants, which were replicated in other populations such

as the STARS GWAS Family study. Potential genes are currently being investigated in the SCORM, SIMES, SICC, SP2

and STARS Family populations. Additionally, genes from SERI’s myopia mouse and chick model will be replicated in

the human population.

Consequent from this study, the education of the public through the National Myopia Prevention Program, Ministry

of Health has culminated in a decreased trend of myopia (spectacle wear) in the past few years. Thus, nation-wide

economic costs attributed to myopia will decrease. Additionally, the identifi cation of minor genetic variants will

facilitate the recommendation of interventions for children to decrease myopia progression.

Retinal Imaging for Disease Prediction: From Bench to BedsideAnother high impact study led by Professor Wong Tien

Yin and Dr Carol Cheung is based on research fi ndings

which seem to indicate that an assessment of retinal

vascular damage using non-invasive imaging technology

will enable the prediction of one’s predisposition to

certain eye problems and systemic diseases.

This project demonstrated that retinal vascular (blood

vessels at the back of our eye) changes can predict the

risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension,

dementia, kidney and other vascular conditions years before their development and independent of current

diagnostic methods. The early identifi cation of such diseases will enable more targeted and eff ective intervention,

ultimately translating into a signifi cant reduction in disability, morbidity and mortality. This would signifi cantly

impact on the lives of millions in Singapore and around the world, leading to substantial savings in the nation’s

long-term healthcare budget.



Ocular Drug Delivery PlatformA team lead by Associate Professor Tina Wong from SERI,

together with collaborators from the Department of

Materials Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological

University, has come up with a way to free patients from the

need to administer frequent, daily eye drops for years or

even indefi nitely.

The use of nanotechnology allows the successful delivery

of medication via specifi c bioengineered carrier platforms,

which are applied to the eye. These nanocarrier systems

enable a steady release of the drug over several weeks. This

has immediate benefi ts to glaucoma patients who need to

use eye drops every day to control their disease. With the

emergence of sustained-release drug delivery systems

for common glaucoma drugs, the issues arising from non-

compliance will be addressed and signifi cantly reduced.

SERI has completed a pilot clinical trial on a sustained-release drug delivery system, developed in collaboration

with NTU. It is aimed at preventing scarring after glaucoma fi ltration surgery, which is a major obstacle for long-term

success of the surgery. The results have demonstrated the superiority of sustained-release drug delivery system in

terms of clinical effi cacy when compared to conventional treatment.

Work is progressing smoothly and successfully on these new sustained-release drug delivery systems. Early outcomes

seem to indicate high potential as the next generation of ocular drug delivery systems, not only for glaucoma, but for

all other ocular diseases, thus eliminating the need for frequent and long-term eye drops to control such conditions.

The benefi ts to the patients will be the ability to cease carrying multiple bottles of eye drops, and to potentially

reduce the signifi cant risk of disease progression. This will ultimately lead to a notably improved quality of life.

The projects listed above serve as cross–spectrum of the cutting-edge research conducted by SERI over the last 21

years, in our quest to discover knowledge and technology that could improve the clinical management and treatment

of eye diseases.

Singapore Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme (SiDRP)The SERI team led by Professor Wong Tien Yin established the Singapore Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme

(SiDRP), a national comprehensive diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programme aimed at enhancing the current

DR screening programme at the primary health care (polyclinic) level. SiDRP

is based on Professor Wong Tien Yin’s concept of centralized assessment of

DR from retinal photographs, leveraging on the capabilities of SERI’s ocular

imaging research and its team of readers or graders at Singapore Ocular

Reading Centre (SORC), supported by a tele-ophthalmology platform.

SiDRP aims to provide real-time (1 hour turnaround) assessment of DR. SiDRP will facilitate a more eff ective and

prompt service delivery of DR screening by streamlining and automating the entire process.

SORC will function as a national-level centralized grading centre for DR, supporting all government polyclinics in

the early phase, and thereafter will provide more comprehensive coverage for all patients by including private GPs,

opticians and other relevant entities within SORC’s purview.

The SiDRP initiative facilitates the early detection of DR, and thus allows for early intervention and the prevention

of vision loss. It eliminates ineffi ciencies within the current DR screening workfl ow by providing a faster, more cost-

eff ective and better disease diagnoses. In summary, the new SiDRP system serves as a major paradigm shift in the

screening of DR in MOH, and refl ects investment in translational research with direct benefi t to patients, improved

productivity and cost savings to the healthcare system.



Our Achievements

Year Award Name Awardee

2009 AAO Achievement Award A/Prof Jodbhir MehtaProf Saw Seang Mei

2009 SingHealth GCEO Excellence Awards 2009 – Biomedical Research Prof Aung Tin

2009 NUS Outstanding Researcher Award Prof Wong Tien Yin

2009 Inaugural President's Science and Technology Award (PSTA)Prof Donald Tan

Prof Aung TinProf Roger Beuerman

2009 NMRC Clinician Scientist Award A/Prof Louis Tong

2009 Casebeer Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2009 Prof Donald Tan

2009 Alcon Research Prize: Merit Prize (Senior Category) Dr Daniel Su

2010 ASCRS Howard Lieberman MD, Memorial Award 2010 Dr Leonard Yuen

2010 ARVO Basic Science Award Dr Anita Chan

2010 NRF-MOH Healthcare Research Scholarship Dr Marcus Ang

2010 National OutstandingClinician Scientist Award 2010 Prof Wong Tien Yin

2010 Duke-NUS Medical School – Tanoto Initiative for Diabetes Research Award Prof Wong Tien Yin

2010 NMRC Clinician Scientist Award A/Prof Tina Wong

2010 25th APAO Congress – Holmes Lecture Adj A/Prof Ho Ching Lin

2010 25th APAO Congress – De Ocampo Lecture Prof Wong Tien Yin

2010 APAO Achievement Award Prof Aung Tin

2010 NHG Eye Institute Novartis Research Prize Dr Veluchamy A Barathi

2010 President's Science Award (PSA) 2010 Prof Wong Tien Yin

2010 Singapore Prestigious Brand Award 2010 Singapore Eye Research Institute

SERI has received numerous accolades for our impactful research over the years. An overview of these awards as follows:




2011 AAO International Ophthalmologist Education Award A/Prof Jodbhir Mehta

2011 NUS Faculty Research Excellence Award Prof Donald Tan

2011 Australia and New Zealand Corneal Society - Doug Coster Award Prof Donald Tan

2011 Canadian Society of Ophthalmology - Bruce Jackson Award Prof Donald Tan

2012 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012 Symposium on Cataract, IOL and Refractive Surgery Dr Chelvin Sng

2012 NMRC Transition Award Dr Sabanayagam Charumathi

2012 NMRC Clinician Scientist Award A/Prof Cheng Ching-Yu

2012 Global Ophthalmology Awards Program: VERDICT, Bayer Grant A/Prof Gemmy Cheung

2012 NUS Faculty Outstanding Researcher Award Prof Aung Tin

2012 AAO, Senior Achievement Award Prof Donald Tan

2012 NMRC Transition Award Dr Nobuyo Yawata

2012 NMRC Clinician Scientist Award (Senior Investigator) A/Prof Louis Tong

2013 APAO De Ocampo Lecture Prof Aung Tin

2013 APAO Nakajima Award A/Prof Jodbhir Mehta

2013 APAO Distinguished Service Award Adj A/Prof Lee Shu Yen

2013 APAO Outstanding Prevention of Blindness Award A/Prof Gemmy Cheung

2013 APAO Achievement Award Prof Wong Tien Yin

2013 APAO Achievement Award Adj A/Prof Doric Wong

2013 ARVO Fellow (Silver Award) Prof Wong Tien Yin

2013 ARVO Fellow (Gold Award) Prof Roger Beuerman

2013 Alcon Research Institute Awardee Prof Aung Tin

2013 Eisenhower Fellowship Prof Wong Tien Yin

2013 President’s Science and Technology Awards - Young Scientist Award Dr Khor Chiea Chuen

2013 Global Ophthalmology Awards Program (GOAP) from Bayer, Research Award Dr Su Xinyi




2013 IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award

Dr Jimmy Liu,Dr Damon Wong,

Prof Wong Tien Yin,Prof Aung Tin,

Dr Baskaran Mani,A/Prof Cheng Ching-Yu,

Dr Carol Cheung,Haslina Binte Hamzah

2013 2013 Chew Sek Jin Memorial Lectureship Award Prof Saw Seang Mei

2013 Bangalore Ophthalmic Society (BOS) Submit 2013 - Lifetime Achievement Gold Medal Prof Roger Beuerman

2013 SingHealth Publish! Award (Outstanding) Dr Laurence Lim

2013 SingHealth Publish! Award (Outstanding) A/Prof Eranga Vithana

2013 SingHealth Publish! Award (Medical Research) Dr Monisha Nongpiur

2013 Excellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award (XOVA) Dr Marcus Ang

2013 Singapore Translational Research (STaR) Investigator Award Prof Wong Tien Yin

2014 The Macula Society 2014 Arnall Patz Medal Prof Wong Tien Yin

2014 Southeastern Chinese University of Technology Guest Professor Award Prof Roger Beuerman

2014 APAO Nakajima Award A/Prof Gemmy Cheung

2014 APAO Achievement Award A/Prof Cheng Ching-Yu

2014 APAO Outstanding Prevention of Blindness Award A/Prof Cheng Ching-Yu

2014 Singapore Translational Research (STaR) Investigator Award Prof Aung Tin

2014 NMRC Transition Award Dr Queenie Li

2014 NMRC Transition Award Dr Anita Chan

2014 AAO Academy's Achievement Award Dr Chan Tat Keong

2014 AAO Senior Achievement Award Prof Aung Tin

2014 Bombay Ophthalmology Society - Gold Medal in Ophthalmology A/Prof Jodhbir Mehta

2014 The College of OptometristsCollege’s Research Excellence Awards - Bernard Gilmartin OPO Award Prof Saw Seang Mei

2014 Arthur Lim Professorship in Ophthalmology Prof Donald Tan

2014 Andhra Pradesh Ophthalmological Society – Dr. P Siva Reddy Oration Medal A/Prof Jodhbir Mehta

2014 President’s Technology Award (PTA)Prof Wong Tien Yin

Prof Lee Mong LiProf Wynne Hsu

2014 President’s Technology Award (PTA)A/Prof Tina Wong

Prof Subbu VenkatramanProf Freddy Boey

2015 APAO Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Award Prof Ecosse Lamoureux

2015 APAO Distinguished Service Award Adj A/Prof Audrey Looi

2015 APAO Distinguished Service Award Adj A/Prof Doric Wong

2015 ARVO Gold Fellow Prof Saw Seang Mei

2015 ARVO Gold Fellow Prof Wong Tien Yin

2015 IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement AwardsProf Aung Tin

Adj A/Prof Shamira PereraDr Baskaran Mani

2015 SingHealth Publish! Award (Outstanding) A/Prof Eranga Vithana

2015 SingHealth Publish! Award (Medical Research) Dr Wong Chee Wai




2015 XXXIII Congress of the ESCRS – 1st prize, Refractive Poster Award Dr Liu Yu-Chi

2015 XXXIII Congress of the ESCRS –Best Video Award Dr Ronald Yeoh

2015 EMBO Young Investigator Award Dr Khor Chiea Chuen

2015 NMRC Transition Award Dr Danny Cheung

2015 NMRC Clinician Scientist Award-Senior Investigator A/Prof Tina Wong



Our success stories validate SERI’s legacy as a trailblazer of eye research

Success

Our research is innovative, out-of-the-box and constantly challenging new boundaries

Innovation

We stand tall among global heavyweights in eye research due to our impactful research

Global

We seek to heal and strive towards a cure for blindness & vision disorders

Heal

Our research is geared towards tangible outcomes (from bench-bedside-population)

Translational

Our Values



www.seri.com.sg

SERI’s success has no doubt been driven by strong leadership for over 21 years. They have imbued all at SERI/SNEC with the

realization that research is integral and serves as the key to novel eye therapeutics and interventional strategies. Additionally, the

reputation of SERI’s core leadership, as key opinion leaders has led the way for SERI to attract top collaborators and industry

partners to work with SERI on strategic research initiatives.

The late Professor Chew Sek Jin, the

fi rst Director of Singapore Eye Research

Institute (SERI) was a pioneer of

ophthalmic research in Singapore and was

the undisputed driving force propelling

vision research to greater heights, until

his untimely and tragic death in 1998.

A brilliant ophthalmologist and scientist,

the late Prof Chew played indispensable roles as a member of

the Scientifi c Advisory Board of the Myopia Center, New England

College of Optometry, as well as the Glaucoma Foundation.

Prof Chew was also appointed as a Visiting Professor for the

City University of New York and New York Eye & Ear Infi rmary; a

Prof Donald Tan is the Arthur Lim Professor

in Ophthalmology at the Ophthalmology and

Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program,

Duke-NUS Medical School as well as a Senior

Advisor with the Singapore National Eye

Centre. He further holds a concurrent position

as Senior Principal Clinician Scientist at the

Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).

Prof Donald Tan, who was formerly Medical Director of SNEC,

was instrumental in introducing the SingHealth Duke-NUS

Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program which

seamlessly integrates clinical care, education and research. He was

also the architect of SERI, globally recognised as a top eye research

institute, where he served as Chairman till 2013.

Prof Tan is recognised internationally as a leading research pioneer

for his extensive work and innovations in corneal and stem cell

transplantation, refractive surgery, myopia treatments and patented

surgical devices. Involved primarily in clinical and translational

research in cornea, refractive surgery and myopia, he has published

over 330 peer-reviewed articles (h index = 55), contributed more

than 18 book chapters and holds 21 patents in stem cell culture,

myopia prevention, refractive corneal implants and surgical devices

for endothelial keratoplasty, and has further trained more than 30

corneal fellows from over 13 countries. One of his inventions i.e.

the “Tan EndoGlide” - a disposable surgical device is the fi rst device

marketed in the world with both FDA and CE approval for selective

tissue transplantation of the cornea.

Visiting Scientist, Rockefeller University; a Clinical Professor of

Ophthalmology, LSU Eye Centre, as well as an Anatomy Adjucator,

Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

He was a pioneer in myopia research and was the President of

the Myopia International Research Foundation and Director of

its Asia-Pacifi c HQ. Prof Chew received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience

from Rockefeller University and was the recipient of numerous

scientifi c and humanitarian awards. Despite suff ering from a

terminal illness, Prof Chew maintained his usual vigorous pace

of research, teaching and patient care.

The late Prof Chew will always be remembered as one of the

most promising research brains that Singapore had produced.

Prof Tan is concomitantly the Lead Principal Investigator for two

major $25 million Translational Clinical Research programme

grants i.e. the $25 million “Translational Research Innovations in

Ocular Surgery” (TRIOS) programme that ends in the third quarter

of 2013, followed by the $25 million “Eye Surgery and Innovative

Technologies (EyeSITe)” programme grant awarded in August

2013, that will leverage on the TRIOS grant’s past success, with

the ultimate aim to provide new clinical therapies and diagnostic

applications to aid in alleviating ocular morbidity from major eye

diseases, including corneal disease, infection, glaucoma, refractive

errors and retinal disorders.

He is the recipient of over 20 awards, which include the APAO 2001

De Ocampo Award, the AAO 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award,

the ISRS/AAO 2009 Casebeer Award, the Saudi Ophthalmological

Society 2010 Gold Medal, the Australia and New Zealand Corneal

Society 2011 Doug Coster Award, the Canadian Society of

Ophthalmology 2011 W. Bruce Jackson Award, the EuCornea 2012

Medal, the Portland, Oregon Arthur Devers 2012 Lecture. He was

also part of the SERI team conferred the Inaugural President’s

Science Award in 2009, the highest honor bestowed upon scientists

and medical researchers in Singapore. In addition, he was been

conferred the Arthur Lim Professorship in Opthalmology in 2014

and is also the recipient of the the prestigious Binkhorst Medal at

American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting 2015.

Prof Tan established the Asia Cornea Society in 2007 and the

Association of Eye Banks of Asia in 2009, and is currently President

of both societies. In 2012 he assumed the Presidency of the US

based Cornea Society as its fi rst International President.

The SERI Executive LeadershipA Legacy And Catalyst For SERI’s Pre-Eminent Success

First SERI Executive Director: the late Prof Chew Sek Jin

Second SERI Executive Director: Prof Donald Tan

D:16-005 DH160148 GP10B-OLHTitle: Flyer 3 SIZE: 210mm X 297mm

FA 01_SERI_Leadership_OK.indd 1 02/03/2016 16:52

www.seri.com.sg

Prof Wong Tien Yin is currently Professor

and Medical Director of the Singapore

National Eye Centre, as well as concurrently

the Chairman of the Singapore Eye

Research Institute (SERI). He further

serves as the Chair of the Ophthalmology

and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical

Program, as well as the Vice-Dean, Offi ce

of Clinical Sciences, Duke-NUS Medical School. Prior to undertaking

these roles, Prof Wong had served as Professor and Chair of

Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, as well as the Managing

Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia. He had thereafter

undertaken other roles including, Head of Ophthalmology, National

University of Singapore, as well as the Group Director, Research, at

the Singapore Health Services.

Prof Wong is a senior principal clinician scientist, who balances

clinical work and research focused on retinal and macular

diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular

degeneration and retinal vein occlusion. He directs a large multi-

disciplinary research program combining imaging, epidemiology

and clinical trials on retinal diseases, and the use of ocular imaging

technologies to predict eye and cardiovascular diseases. He is cited

as the current world leader in the fi eld of retinal vascular sign, and

their prognostic signifi cance as markers of future cardiovascular

and cerebrovascular risk, and in understanding the impact and

eff ects of diseases like hypertension and diabetes on the retinal

microvasculature.

He has published over 1000 papers, including papers in the

New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet, the Journal of the

American Medical Association (JAMA), Nature, Nature Genetics,

and Annals of Internal Medicine, and is named on 18 patents

as a co-inventor. He has given more than 200 invited lectures

around the world, and acts as the Principal Investigator for more

than US$50 million in grant funding from the Biomedical Medical

Research Council (BMRC) and National Medical Research Council

(NMRC), Singapore, as well as overseas agencies, including the

National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, the National Health and

Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia, and JDRF, USA.

He serves on Editorial Boards of Investigative Ophthalmology

and Visual Sciences, Diabetes Care and many other journals.

He was previously the Executive Editor of the American Journal

of Ophthalmology. He further sits on several national and

international committees, and is a Board member of the National

Medical Research Council, Singapore, and a Council member of

the Asia Pacifi c Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Asia Pacifi c

Vitreo-Retinal Society and the Honorary Treasurer of the College

of Ophthalmologists in Singapore.

For his illustrious career encompassing academic work, clinical

service and research, he has been recognized nationally and

internationally with numerous awards, including the Ten

Outstanding Young Person of the World award for “academic

leadership in people younger than 40 years of age” (1999), the

Asia Pacifi c Academy of Ophthalmology Prevention of Blindness

Award (2003) and Distinguished Service Award (2005), the Sandra

Doherty Award from the American Heart Association (2004), the

Outstanding Researcher Award from the National University of

Singapore (in 2004 and 2009), the Woodward Medal from the

University of Melbourne in 2005, the Alcon Research Institute

Award (in 2006), the Novartis Prize in Diabetes (Global Young

Investigator) in 2006 and the Australian Commonwealth Health

Minister’s Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research in

2006. He further was the recipient of the 2007 Australian Society

of Medical Research AMGEN Medical Research of the Year Award

for “outstanding contributions to translational research”.

In 2008, Prof Wong was awarded the $5 million Singapore

Translational Researcher Award (STaR), and in 2010, the National

Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award. In 2010 and 2014, he was

conferred the highest national honour in Science and Technology

in Singapore, i.e. the President’s Science Award and the President’s

Technology Award respectively. He was also a recipient of the

2013 Eisenhower Fellowship from the USA and was awarded

the Arnall Patz Medal from the Macular Society 2014 as well as

inducted in as an ARVO Fellow (Gold) Class 2015.

Third SERI Executive Director: Prof Wong Tien Yin



www.seri.com.sg

Prof Tin Aung is currently the fourth

Executive Director of Singapore Eye

Research Institute and holds multiple

pre-eminent appointments as Deputy

Medical Director (Research), as well

as Senior Consultant and Head of

Glaucoma department at Singapore

National Eye Centre. He is a Professor

of Ophthalmology, as well as the Director of Research at the

National University Health System (NUHS), Department of

Ophthalmology. Prof Aung is a highly accomplished clinician

and academic in ophthalmology concurrent with his role as

the Academic Vice-Chair (Research), Ophthalmology and Visual

Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School.

Prof Aung is also a senior principal clinician scientist and his

visionary and forward-looking approach has been instrumental in

the establishment of a world leading research program on angle

closure glaucoma in Singapore, a disease that remains a major

cause of blindness across the world, and especially so in Asia.

His research program extends across a broad range of aspects

of treatment, from clinical phenotyping, genetics screening,

and detailed imaging, right through to therapeutics, surgical

techniques and randomized trials. He is the leader of various

global research collaborations spanning about 15 countries,

among which he has directed an international consortium

that was successful in identifying novel primary angle closure

glaucoma (PACG) genes. He has further led major international

clinical trials related to PACG disease management.

Prof Aung is recognized

globally as one of the most

outstanding and prolifi c

clinician scientists in the

field of glaucoma. His

impactful contributions to

ophthalmology, with a

research-specifi c focus on

diseases endemic to Asia, has earned him international repute,

and elevated the positioning of Singapore and the region

on the global ophthalmology road-map. Of special note, he

was featured in The Ophthalmologist as one of the 100 Most

Infl uential People in Ophthalmology today.

Prof Aung has received more than US$15 million in competitive

research grant funding. He is additionally the Co-Lead Principal

Investigator for two $25 million Translational Clinical Research

programme grants awarded to SERI i.e. the $25 million

“Translational Research Innovations in Ocular Surgery” (TRIOS)

programme grant awarded in 2008, and the $25 million “Eye

Surgery and Innovative Technologies (EyeSITe)” programme

grant awarded in August 2013.

He has an impressive record of more than 420 publications,

including articles in high impact factor journals i.e. JAMA and

Nature Genetics. He has been cited as the fourth most productive

researcher in the world for glaucoma research. He has been an

invited lecturer to over 100 international conferences and has

received numerous awards including the Singapore NMRC-BMRC

Clinician Scientist Awards, the SingHealth GCEO Excellence

Award, the Nakajima Award and de Campo Award from the Asia

Pacifi c Academy of Ophthalmology and the Alcon Research

Institute Award.

He was further bestowed with the highest accolade granted to

the scientifi c community in Singapore when he was part of the

SERI team who was conferred the Inaugural President’s Science

Award in 2009.

He is a member of the Editorial Boards of Ophthalmology, Journal

of Glaucoma, Eye, Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental

Ophthalmology and six other journals. He is also currently a

member of the Board of Governors for the World Glaucoma

Association.

Prof Aung has further endeavoured to develop national and

international collaborations with scientifi c and healthcare

institutions and industry players so as to maximize the impact

of this research. He has also played a key role in providing the

vision and leadership in SERI that has helped to establish SERI as

an entity to be reckoned with globally.

In 2015, Prof Aung’s illustrious achievements, visionary

leadership skills and eminent professional standing have

culminated in his appointment as the President of the World

Glaucoma Association.

Fourth SERI Executive Director: Prof Tin Aung



www.seri.com.sg

Prof Roger Beuerman

is currently the Senior

Scientific Advisor of

the Singapore Eye

Research Institute, and

concurrently holds

positions as Professor

of Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders at Duke-NUS Medical School; Adjunct

Professor of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

at the National University of Singapore; Adjunct Professor of

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Nanyang Technological

University and Adjunct Senior Scientist at the Bioinformatics

Institute.

He has more than 20 years of experiences in ophthalmology.

His major research areas include the proteomic biomarkers of

eye disease and development of new antimicrobial peptides

for use in ophthalmology. He has worked to develop methods

for analysing the microliter volumes of tears from the eye as

a diagnostic source and looks to developing population based

studies in proteomics.

Prof Beuerman has further contributed towards the development

of experimental animal models in various areas of research

including myopia and corneal research, which have served

as an important platform in the elucidation of certain clinical

hypothesis. He additionally has a long history of productive work

in the area of ocular surface repair and stem cells and ocular

surface regeneration. He has been instrumental in providing

the basic science support during SERI’s pioneering years, and

was part of the team involved in early conjunctival stem cell

transplants in SNEC.

Prof Beuerman is further personally responsible for peer-

reviewed grant funding exceeding $8,000,000, including grants

from Singapore funding bodies i.e. NMRC, BMRC, SingHealth

Foundation and Exploit as well as international funding bodies

i.e. NIH. He has published more than 300 articles in international

peer-reviewed journals, and has given more than 31 invited talks

and over 500 presentations at international and local meetings.

In addition, he has authored 40 book chapters on subjects as

diverse as bioengineering to ophthalmology. Prof Beuerman

has also edited books in ophthalmology, and sits on several

editorial boards, including as Executive Editor of Cornea, and as

an editorial board member of Ocular Surface.

Prof Beuerman was inducted as an ARVO Fellow (Silver and

Gold) Class of 2009 and 2013 respectively, and is additionally a

Fellow of the Alcon Research Institute, and the Paolo Foundation

in Helsinki, Finland. In 2009, he was the proud recipient of the

Inaugural President’s Science Award together with Professors

Donald Tan and Aung Tin. He is also the recipient of the Lifetime

Achievement Award of the Bangalore Ophthalmic Society, 2013.

SERI Senior Scientific Advisor: Prof Roger Beuerman



www.seri.com.sg

Organizational Chart

www.seri.com.sg

Organizational Chart & Key Contacts

16

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE (as of January 2014)

www.seri.com.sg

Organizational Chart & Key Contacts

Scientific DirectorProf Leopold Schmetterer

DIRECTORADMINISTRATION,

RESEARCH AFFAIRS, & SUPPORT SERVICES

Dr Vandana Ramachandran

DIRECTORTECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCIALIZATION

Dr Danny Belkin

DIRECTORLABORATORY

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

A/Prof Eranga Vithana

DIRECTORCLINICAL

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

A/Prof Tina Wong

DIRECTORPOPULATION HEALTH

Prof Ecosse Lamoureux

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORProf Aung Tin

Senior Scientific AdvisorsAdj Prof Donald TanProf Paul KaufmanProf Michael Belkin

Prof Roger Beuerman


FA 02_SERI_Organizational Chart.indd 1 02/03/2016 11:46

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Prof Jodhbir Mehta

HeadA/Prof Gemmy

Cheung

Retina

HeadProf Aung Tin

Glaucoma

Co-HeadsProf Saw Seang MeiA/Prof Audrey Chia

Myopia

HeadProf Leopold Schmetterer

Ocular Imaging

Co-HeadsAdj Prof Donald TanProf Jodhbir Mehta

Cornea & Refractive

HeadProf Chee Soon

Phaik

Cataract

HeadA/Prof Eranga

Vithana

Ocular Genetics

HeadA/Prof Tina Wong

Ocular Therapeutics & Drug Delivery

HeadProf Louis Tong

Ocular Surface

HeadProf Jodhbir Mehta

Tissue Engineering & Stem Cell

HeadA/Prof Rajamani

Lakshminarayanan

Anti-Infectives

Co-HeadsDr Michael Girard

A/Prof Shamira Perera

Bioengineering & Devices

HeadProf Dan Milea

Visual Neuroscience

HeadProf Ecosse Lamoureux

Health Services Research

HeadProf Cheng Ching-

Yu

Ocular Epidemiology

Co-HeadsProf Chee Soon

PhaikProf Louis Tong

Ocular Inflammation &

Immunology

HeadDr Amutha Barathi

HeadProf Aung Tin

HeadDr Zhou Lei

HeadA/Prof Eranga

Vithana

Genomics

HeadA/Prof Eranga

Vithana

Experimental & Basic Sciences

HeadDr Anita Chan

HeadDr Gary Yam

Experimental Microscopy

HeadProf Ecosse Lamoureux

Data Management

HeadDr Seet Li Fong

Experimental Molecular & Cell

Biology

HeadProf Cheng Ching-

Yu

Data Science

RESEARCH GROUP

RESEARCH PLATFORM

Translational Pre-Clinical Model

Clinical Research / Trials

ProteomicsTranslational Ophthalmic Pathology

PI Designation Research Interests Email

Prof

Aung Tin

Executive Director, SERI

Head, Glaucoma Research, SERI

Deputy Medical Director (Research),

SNEC

Ophthalmic Genetics, Angle Closure

Glaucoma, Glaucoma Imaging

aung.tin@

singhealth.com.sg

Prof

Wong Tien Yin

Chairman, SERI

Medical Director, SNEC

Epidemiology of Eye Diseases, Population

Studies, Hypertensive Retinopathy, Age-

Related Macular Degeneration, Clinical

Trials, systemic reviews, Meta-Analysis,

Ocular Imaging

wong.tien.yin

@singhealth.com.sg

Prof

Jodhbir Mehta

Deputy Executive Director, SERI

Head, Tissue Engineering & Stem Cell,

SERI

Co-Head, Cornea & Refractive, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Corneal &

External Eye Disease Dept, SNEC

Femtosecond Laser Ablation, Selective

Tissue Transplantation, Endothelial Cell

Transplanatation, Biological Tissue Glues,

Corneal Genetics, Ocular

Defensins/Infectious Keratitis , Ocular Drug

Delivery, Corneal Imaging, Artificial Cornea,

Dry Eye Studies

jodhbir.s.mehta

@singhealth.com.sg

Prof

Leopold Schmetterer

Scientific Director, SERI

Head, Ocular Imaging, SERI

Imaging, Optical coherence tomography,

Ocular blood supply, Clinical trials

leopold.schmetterer

@seri.com.sg

Prof

Ecosse Lamoureux

Director, Population Health, SERI

Head, Health Services Research, SERI

Head, Data Management, SERI

Epidemiology of Eye Diseases, Impact,

Adherence, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma,

& Quality of Life

ecosse.lamoureux

@seri.com.sg

A/Prof

Eranga Vithana

Director, Laboratory Translational

Research, SERI

Head, Ocular Genetics, SERI

Head, Experimental & Basic Sciences,

SERI

Head, Genomics, SERI

Ophthalmic Genetics, Genetic Basis of

Corneal Dystrophies, Retinal Dystrophies,

Glaucoma & Myopia, Parametric & Non

Parametric Linkage Analysis, Gene Knock

Out Models of Corneal Dystrophies, Gene

Replacement Therapy

eranga.nishanthie.

[email protected]

A/Prof

Tina Wong

Director, Clinical Translational

Research, SERI

Head, Ocular Therapeutics & Drug

Delivery, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Glaucoma

Dept, SNEC

Cell Biology Of Wound Healing &

Mechanobiology, Ocular Drug Delivery

Systems, Epigenetics of Conjunctival

Inflammation, Biomarkers In Glaucoma,

Wound Healing

tina.wong.t.l

@singhealth.com.sg

Prof

Roger Beuerman

Senior Scientific Advisor, SERI Ocular Surface Disease, Myopia, Proteomics,

Antimicrobials Peptide, Corneal in

Reflective Surgery

roger.wilmer.beuerman

@seri.com.sg

Adj Prof

Donald Tan

Senior Scientific Advisor, SERI

Co-Head, Cornea & Refractive, SERI

Corneal Transplantation Research: Anterior

Lamellar Keratoplasty, Endothelial

Keratoplasty, Femtosecond Laser-Assisted

Keratoplasty, DSAEK & DMEK Surgical

Devices For Donor Delivery,

Epidemiological Studies, Comparative Graft

Survival Studies, Keratoprosthesis Research:

OOKP & Boston Type 1 Trials, Synthetic

OOKP Research, Tissue Engineering: Ocular

Surface Epithelia & Endothelial Cell

Culture/Transplantation, Refractive Surgery

Research: Lasik, Acufocus Trials, Relex Trials,

Infectious Keratitis Research: Asian Disease

Outbreaks, Multicentre Clinical Trials,

Pterygium Research: Surgical Trials, Ebm

Studies, Epidemiology, Etiological Studies,

Myopia Research: Epidemiology &

Environmental Risk

Factors, Clinical Trials on Myopia

Retardation Therapies

donald.tan.t.h

@singhealth.com.sg


Prof

Chee Soon Phaik

Head, Cataract Research, SERI

Co-Head, Ocular Inflammation &

Immunology, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Cataract

Dept, SNEC

Innate Inflammatory Responses Underlying

Various Ocular Conditions, Disease

Mechanisms of Uveitis & Keratitis

chee.soon.phaik

@singhealth.com.sg

Prof

Cheng Ching-Yu

Head, Ocular Epidemiology, SERI

Head, Data Science, SERI

Senior Clinician Scientist, Glaucoma

Dept, SNEC

Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration,

Myopia, Epidemiology & Genetic

Epidemiology of Eye Diseases

cheng.ching.yu

@seri.com.sg

Prof

Dan Milea

Head, Visual Neuroscience, SERI

Senior Clinician, Neuro-Ophthalmology

Dept, SNEC

Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology, General

Ophthalmology, Cataract and Anterior

Segment Surgery, Clinical Research in

Neurosciences (Cortical Control of Eye

Movements, Hereditary Optic Neuropathies,

Nonvisual Retinal Phototransduction, Retinal

Imaging and Neurodegenerative Diseases)

dan.milea

@snec.com.sg

Prof

Saw Seang Mei

Co-Head, Myopia Research, SERI Epidemiology & Gene-Environment

Interactions for Chronic Diseases, including

Eye Diseases, Retinal Vessel Calibre & Myopia

saw.seang.mei

@seri.com.sg

Prof Louis Tong

Head, Ocular Surface, SERI

Head, Research Training &

Development, SERI

Co-Head, Ocular Inflammation &

Immunology, SERI

Senior Consultant, Corneal & External

Eye Disease Dept, SNEC

Ocular Surface Wound Healing, Cell Migration,

Adhesion, Inflammation, Cell Biology

Associated with Pterygium (Matrix

Dysregulation & Angiogenesis), Tear

Biochemistry

louis.tong.h.t

@singhealth.com.sg

A/Prof

Gemmy Cheung

Head, Retina Research, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Medical

Retina Dept, SNEC

Imaging & Treatment of Retinal Disorders

including Age-Related Macular Degeneration,

Idiopathic

Polypoidal Vasculopathy, Diabetic Retinopathy

& Retinal Dysfunction in Association with

Ocular Inflammation (Uveitis)

gemmy cheung.c.m

@singhealth.com.sg

A/Prof

Audrey Chia

Co-Head, Myopia Research, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Paediatric

Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus

Dept, SNEC

Co-Clinical Director, Myopia Centre,

SNEC

Myopia, Strabismus, Retinopathy of

Prematurity, Amblyopia, Visual

Electrophysiology

audrey.chia.w.l

@singhealth.com.sg

A/Prof

Lakshminarayanan

Rajamani

Head, Anti-Infectives, SERI Antimicrobial Peptides, Protein Aggregation &

Protein- Protein Interactions

lakshminarayanan.

rajamani

@seri.com.sg

A/Prof

Sabanayagam

Charumathi

Deputy Head, Ocular Epidemiology,

SERI

Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease,

Cardiovascular

Disease, Role of Sleep, Inflammation, Retinal

Vascular Caliber & Diabetic Retinopath

charumathi.

sabanayagam

@seri.com.sg

A/Prof

Shamira Perera

Co-Head, Bioengineering & Devices,

SERI

Senior Consultant, Glaucoma Dept,

SNEC

Ocular Imaging, Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma,

Lasers, Glaucoma Surgery

shamira.perera

@singhealth.com.sg

PI Designations Research Interests Email

Dr

Anita Chan Head, Translational Ophthalmic Pathology, SERI

Head & Senior Consultant, Ocular Inflammation & Immunology Dept, SNEC Clinical Director, Ophthalmic

Pathology Service, SNEC

Ophthalmic pathology and retinal

immunobiology research

anita.chan.s.y

@singhealth.com.sg

Dr

Michael Girard

Co-Head, Bioengineering & Devices,

SERI

Diagnosis and Therapy for Biomechanically-

related Disorders, Ophthalmology,

Experimental and Computational Soft Tissue

Biomechanics, Optical Coherence Tomography

Theory, Developments and Applications

mgirard

@nus.edu.sg

Dr Seet Li Fong

Assistant Director, Laboratory

Translational Research, SERI

Head, Experimental Molecular & Cell

Biology, SERI

Conjunctival Wound Healing after Glaucoma

Filtration Surgery: Fibrosis, Epigenetic

Regulation, Mirna, Inflammation, Anti-Fibrotic

Drug Discovery & Testing. Cell Biology of

Pterygium

seet.li.fong

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Velachamy A Barathi

Head, Translational Pre-Clinical

Model, SERI

Experimental Myopia, Biochemistry, Molecular

& Pharmacological Aspect of Muscarinic

Acetylcholine Receptors & Transglutaminases,

Animal Models of Ocular Diseases, Eye Growth

Patterns & Mouse Optics, Corneal Wound

Healing, Retina & Scleral Biology in Molecular

Level

amutha.b.veluchamy

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Gary Yam

Head, Experimental Microscopy, SERI Ocular Surface Cell Biology, Stem Cell

Epigenetics, Reprogramming & Therapy,

Protein Folding Disease, Protein Quality

Control & Chaperone-Assisted Protein

Correction

gary.yam.h.f

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Zhou Lei

Head, Proteomics, SERI Ocular Proteomics, Biomarkers of Ocular

Diseases; Antimicrobial Peptide Design,

Synthesis, Characterization & Purification.

Ocular Drug Pharmacokinetics

zhou.lei

@seri.com.sg

Prof

Jonathan Crowston

Clinician Scientist, SERI/SNEC

Professor of Ophthalmology, Centre

for Vision Research, Duke-NUS

Vision regeneration and repair in glaucoma, Functional assessment in glaucoma, Bioenergetics

jonathan.guy.crowston

@snec.com.sg

Dr

Baskaran Mani

Clinician Scientist, SERI

Director, Research Clinic, SERI

Glaucoma - Anterior & Posterior Segment

Imaging Devices – Development & Evaluation,

Epidemiology of Glaucoma, Angle Closure

Glaucoma, IOP Correction Factors, Drug Trials,

Yoga & Eye

baskaran.mani

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Gavin Tan


Consultant, Surgical Retina Dept, SNEC

Co-Head, Ocular Imaging Dept, SNEC

Clinical Director, SNEC Ocular Reading

Centre (SORC)

Diabetic Retinopathy, Cell Replacement

therapy in Retinal Diseases, Retina imaging

Telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence in

Ophthalmology

gavin.tan

@singhealth.com.sg

Dr

Danny Cheung Clinician Scientist, SERI Consultant, Surgical Retina Dept, SNEC

Retinal Disease, Ophthalmic Epidemiology,

Retinal Vessel Analysis

cheung.ning

@snec.com.sg

Dr

Donny Hoang


Consultant, Surgical Retina Dept, SNEC

Novel approaches toward the diagnosis and

treatment of pathologic myopia, Scleral

collagen-crosslinking, Multimodal imaging

(OCT, US, MRI) of staphylomatous pathologic

myopia, In vivo measurement of scleral

stiffness

Stunting progression of short-sightedness

Improvement of surgical outcomes in highly

myopic eyes

donny.hoang @singhealth.com.sg

Research Support Platform Contacts


Dr

Liu Yu-Chi


Clinician Scientist, Corneal & External Eye Disease Dept, SNEC

Corneal Transplantation, Refractive Surgery, Ophthalmic Epidemiology, and Drug Delivery System

liu.yu.chi @seri.com.sg

Dr

Monisha Nongpiur

Clinician Scientist, SERI Glaucoma- Imaging & Risk Factors, Ophthalmic

Genetics, Epidemiology

monisha.esther.

nongpiur

@seri.com.sg

Dr Tyler Rim

Clinician Scientist, Ocular Epidemiology,

SERI

Clinician Scientist, Medical Retina Dept,

SNEC

Machine Learning, Big data analytics, Epidemiology, Medical Informatics

tyler.rim

@snec.com.sg

Dr

Raymond Najjar

Junior Principal Investigator, Visual

Neuroscience, SERI

Visual and Non-Visual Photoreception,

Circadian Biology, Sleep, Pupillometry, Visual

Neurosciences, Cognitive Neurosciences,

Lighting design

raymond.najjar @seri.com.sg

Dr

Gary Peh

Junior Principal Investigator, Tissue

Engineering & Stem Cell, SERI

Cell Biology – Propagation of Primary Human

Corneal Endothelial Cells (HCEnCs)

Tissue-Engineering – Development of

Alternative Graft Material using Cultivated

HCEnCs

Stem Cell Biology – Human Embryonic Stem

Cells (Early Neural Differentiation)

gary.peh.s.l

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Jacqueline Chua Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Ocular Imaging, SERI

Ocular Imaging, Primary Eye Care,

Epidemiology

jacqueline.chua.y.m

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Hou Aihua

Senior Research Fellow, Ocular Surface,

SERI

Molecular Pathogenesis of Human Pterygium hou.aihua

@seri.com.sg

Dr Lee Mei Chin

Senior Research Fellow, Tissue


Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG) lee.mei.chin

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Matthew Jason Lovatt

Senior Research Fellow, Tissue


Directed Differentiation of Human Pluripotent

Stem Cells towards Corneal Endothelial Cells,

Stromal Keratocytes via Neural Crest Induction

lovatt.matthew.jason

@seri.com.sg

Dr

Ryan Man

Senior Clinical Research Fellow,

Heath Services Research, SERI

Clinical health services and translational eye research Ocular epidemiology Patient-centred outcomes in eye and metabolic disorders

man.eyn.kidd.ryan

@seri.com.sg

Name Designation Email

Dr Vandana Ramachandran Director, Administration, Research Affairs & Support Services, SERI

[email protected]

Dr Danny Belkin Director, Technology Development & Commercialization, SERI

[email protected]

www.seri.com.sg

Angle Closure Glaucoma Goal: To improve understanding and management of angle closure glaucoma (PACG)

Current research includes evaluation and phenotypic characterization of primary

angle closure glaucoma patients, improved screening modalities for angle closure

and better management of the disease. An ongoing clinical trial aims to compare

laser iridotomy (LI) with no treatment in subjects with asymptomatic narrow angles,

the anatomical trait that predisposes to PACG, in order to assess the eff ectiveness of

prophylactic treatment in the prevention of blindness due to PACG.

Glaucoma Imaging and Clinical Research Goal: To develop enhanced imaging modality and treatments for glaucoma

This group encompasses research that involves the evaluation of various imaging devices (e.g. Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM),

Optical Coherence Tomography, Retcam etc); studies on medical, laser and surgical management of glaucoma; epidemiological studies

as well as new techniques in glaucoma such as pupillometry, motion detection perimetry, 24-hour IOP monitoring and Oxymap.

Several multi-centre randomized controlled trials were completed. These include:

1. RCT to evaluate the eff ectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients

with PACG, compared to prostaglandin analogues, the current fi rst choice IOP-lowering medical therapy.

2. RCT comparing goniosynechialysis with phacoemulsifi cation vs phaco alone in the management of synechial ACG.

3. RCT on laser iridoplasty in patients with persistent appositional PACG.

Ongoing RCTs include:

1. RCT comparing SLT vs prostaglandin analogues in POAG, including Quality of Life and cost-eff ectiveness assessments.

2. RCT on Trabeculectomy vs Tube implant in POAG.

Glaucoma Genetics Goal: To identify gene(s) underlying glaucoma

Current research involves the identifi cation of novel loci for PACG and POAG, both

monogenic and polygenic, by traditional family-based linkage, candidate gene and

genome wide association analyses. Recently, we identifi ed three novel genetic loci in

PACG and we will be following up patients at risk to evaluate these and other loci in

profi ling genetic and anatomical risks for progression. Further, we are characterizing

the genetic loci in PACG in cell lines and hope to identify molecular targets of

importance in pathogenesis and management of PACG.

Biomechanics and Glaucoma Goal: To develop biomarkers using biomechanical properties of tissues in the anterior segment and Optic nerve head, related to glaucoma

Research related to biomechanics of optic nerve head and anterior segment tissues is the main focus of a team of scientists from

NUS and SERI. Several studies in primates and humans are being conducted to evaluate these properties and eff orts are made to

fi nd their association to diagnosis of the types of glaucoma and prognosis related to progression and management.

Glaucoma Research GroupThe Glaucoma Research Group is further divided into 3 subgroups:

Glaucoma GeneticsAngle Closure Glaucoma Glaucoma Imaging and Clinical Research

D:16-005 DH1601047 GP10B-CGTitle: Flyer 2 SIZE: 210mm X 297mm

FA 04_SERI_Glaucoma-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 16:10

www.seri.com.sg

Selected Publications1. Trikha S, Saff ari E, Nongpiur M, Baskaran M, Ho H, Li Z, Tan PY, Allen J, Khor CC,

Perera SA, Cheng CY, Aung T, Vithana E. A Genetic Variant in TGFBR3-CDC7 Is Associated with Visual Field Progression in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patientsfrom Singapore. Ophthalmology. 2015 Sep 14.

2. Thakku SG, Tham YC, Baskaran M, Mari JM, Strouthidis NG, Aung T, Cheng CY, Girard MJ. A Global Shape Index to Characterize Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Morphologyand Its Determinants in Healthy Indian Eyes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015 Jun;56(6):3604-14.

3. Baskaran M, Foo RC, Cheng CY, Narayanaswamy AK, Zheng YF, Wu R, Saw SM, FosterPJ, Wong TY, Aung T. The Prevalence and Types of Glaucoma in an Urban Chinese Population: The Singapore Chinese Eye Study. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 May 14.

4. Li Z, Allingham RR, Nakano M, Jia L, Chen Y, Ikeda Y, Mani B, Chen LJ, Kee C, Garway-Heath DF, Sripriya S, Fuse N, Abu-Amero KK, Huang C, Namburi P, Burdon K, Perera SA, Gharahkhani P, Lin Y, Ueno M, Ozaki M, Mizoguchi T, Krishnadas SR, Osman EA, Lee MC, Chan AS, Tajudin LS, Do T, Goncalves A, Reynier P, Zhang H,Bourne R, Goh D, Broadway D, Husain R, Negi AK, Su DH, Ho CL, Blanco AA, Leung CK, Wong TT, Yakub A, Liu Y, Nongpiur ME, Han JC, Hon DN, Shantha B, Zhao B, Sang J, Zhang N, Sato R, Yoshii K, Panda-Jonas S, Ashley Koch AE, Herndon LW, Moroi SE, Challa P, Foo JN, Bei JX, Zeng YX, Simmons CP, Bich Chau TN, Sharmila PF, Chew M, Lim B, Tam PO, Chua E, Ng XY, Yong VH, Chong YF, Meah WY, Vijayan S, Seongsoo S, Xu W, Teo YY, Cooke Bailey JN, Kang JH, Haines JL, Cheng CY, Saw SM, Tai ES; ICAARE-GlaucomaConsortium; NEIGHBORHOOD Consortium, Richards JE, Ritch R, Gaasterland DE, Pasquale LR, Liu J, Jonas JB, Milea D, George R, Al-Obeidan SA, Mori K, Macgregor S, Hewitt AW, Girkin CA, Zhang M, Sundaresan P, Vijaya L, Mackey DA, Wong TY, Craig JE, Sun X, Kinoshita S, Wiggs JL, Khor CC, Yang Z, Pang CP, Wang N, Hauser MA, Tashiro K, Aung T, Vithana EN. A common variant near TGFBR3 is associated with primary open angle glaucoma. Hum Mol Genet. 2015 Apr 10.

5. Narayanaswamy A, Leung CK, Istiantoro DV, Perera SA, Ho CL, Nongpiur ME,Baskaran M, Htoon HM, Wong TT, Goh D, Su DH, Belkin M, Aung T. Effi cacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty in primary angle-closure glaucoma: a randomizedclinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;133(2):206-12.

6. Nongpiur ME, Haaland BA, Friedman DS, Perera SA, He M, Foo LL, Baskaran M, Sakata LM, Wong TY, Aung T. Classifi cation Algorithms Based on Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements for Detection of Angle Closure.Ophthalmology 2013; 120(1):48-54.

7. Narayanaswamy AK, Zheng C, Perera SA, Htoon HM, Friedman DS, Tun TA, He M, Baskaran M, Aung T. Variations in Iris Volume with Physiological Mydriasis in Subtypes of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013; 54:708-13.

8. Zheng C, Guzman CP, Cheung CY, He Y, Friedman DS, Ong SH, Narayanaswamy AK, Chew PT, Perera SA, Aung T. Analysis of Anterior Segment Dynamics using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Before and After Laser PeripheralIridotomy. Arch Ophthalmol/JAMA Ophthalmol 2013; 131: 44-9.

9. Vithana EN, Khor CC, Qiao C, Nongpiur ME, George R, Chen LJ, Do T, Abu-Amero K, Huang CK, Low S, Tajudin LS, Perera SA, Cheng CY, Xu L, Jia H, Ho CL, Sim KS, Wu R, Tham CC, Chew PT, Su DH, Oen FT, Sarangapani S, Soumittra N, Osman EA, Wong HT, Tang G, Fan S, Meng H, Huong DT, Wang H, Feng B, Baskaran M, Shantha B, Ramprasad VL, Kumaramanickavel G, Iyengar SK, How AC, Lee KY, Sivakumaran TA, Yong VHK, Ting SML, Li Y, Wang YX, Tay WT, Sim X, Lavanya R, Cornes BK, Zheng YF, Wong TT, Loon SC, Yong VK, Waseem N, Yaakub A, Chia KS, Allingham RR, HauserMA, Lam DSC, Hibberd ML, Bhattacharya SS, Zhang M, Teo YY, Tan DT, Jonas JB, Tai ES, Saw SM, Hon DN, Al-Obeidan SA, Liu JJ, Bich Chau TN, Simmons CP, Bei JX, ZengYX, Foster PJ, Vijaya L, Wong TY, Pang CP, Wang N, Aung T. Genome-wide association analyses identify three new susceptibility loci for Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma. Nat Genet 2012 Oct;44(10):1142-6.

10. How AC, Baskaran M, Kumar RS, He MG, Foster PJ, Lavanya R, Wong HT, Chew PTK, Friedman DS, Aung T. Changes in anterior segment morphology after laserperipheral iridotomy: An anterior segment optical coherence tomography study. Ophthalmology 2012; 119: 1383-7.

Name Designation

Prof Aung TinExecutive Director, SERIHead, GlaucomaSenior Consultant, SNEC

Adj A/Prof Ho Ching Lin Senior Consultant, SNEC

A/Prof Shamira PereraCo-Head, Bioengineering & DevicesSenior Consultant, SNEC

Adj A/Prof Rahat Husain Senior Consultant, SNEC

Dr Boey Pui Yi Consultant, SNEC

Dr Desmond Quek Consultant, SNEC

Dr Michael Girard (NUS) Co-Head, Bioengineering & Devices

Prof Ching-Yu Cheng Co-Head, Ocular EpidemiologyHead, Statistics

Dr Baskaran Mani Clinician Scientist

Dr Monisha Esther Nongpiur Clinician Scientist

Clinical Research Associate

Research Doctors

Name Designation

Serena Ting Manager (Genetics Team)

Teo Soh Chin Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Stella Ng

Ooi Ya Ying Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Cynthia Ong Clinical Research Coordinator

Anna Sim Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Cheryl Tan Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Research Optometrists/ Coordinators/ Assistants

Contact Us: Prof Aung Tin at [email protected]

Name Designation

A/Prof Eranga Vithana Director, Laboratory Translational Research

Dr Khor Chiea Chuen (GIS) Adjunct Clinician Scientist

Dr Lee Mei Chin Senior Research Fellow

Victor Yong Senior Research Officer

Li Yuan Han (Allan)

Senior Research Officer

Genetics Team


FA 04_SERI_Glaucoma-ok.indd 2 01/03/2016 21:17

Dr Tin Aung Tun

Senior Clinical Research Coordinator

Ng Xiao Yu

Dr Wu Mei Hui Research Fellow

Research Associate

Chong Yaan Fun Research Officer

www.seri.com.sg

Ocular Genetics Research Group

Hereditary Eye diseases studied Glaucoma (PACG, NTG, POAG), Retinal degenerations (RP, AMD)

Corneal dystrophies (FECD, CHED) Myopia

For mendelian diseases collect large families and identify the chromosomal location of the

gene by linkage analysisForm clinically well defi ned patient panels

(Chinese, Malay, Indian)

Identify the disease gene by screening genes in the defi ned chromosomal interval

Use for GWA studies to identify susceptibility loci for complex disorders i.e. PACG, (Myopia)

Functionally characterize gene mutationsCreate and study animal models of disease

to understand the molecular pathology of disease

Screen known candidate genes to identify novel mutations unique to

Chinese (Malay and Indian) populationsDevelop and test treatment modalities

Develop markers for Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis

Research is focused on understanding the genetic basis and

biochemical mechanisms of hereditary eye diseases, including

the study of inherited glaucoma subtypes, corneal dystrophies,

retinal dystrophies and myopia. Particular attention is given to

eye diseases and phenotypes common to Asia such as primary

angle closure glaucoma and myopia.

Both parametric and non parametric locus/gene mapping

methods are carried out to identify novel disease genes

disease susceptible loci as well as quantitative traits of ocular

diseases. Candidate genes and novel genes are screened to

identify novel mutations and to carry out genotype-phenotype

correlations for ocular diseases more prevalent within the

main racial groups of Asia. One of the main goals is to establish

ethnic/race specifi c disease database that contain both clinical

and genetic information for identifi cation of genetic markers

with diagnostic, prognostic or pharmacological value.


FA 05_SERI_Oc_Genetics-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 16:28

www.seri.com.sg

Selected Publications1. Vithana EN*, Chen Y*, Lin Y*, Jia L*, … Khor CC, Pang CP#, Sun X#, Yang Z#. Common genetic variants near the ABCA1 gene and in the PMM2 gene are associated

with primary open-angle glaucoma. Nat Genetics (*Joint fi rst authors). Nat Genet. 2014; Oct;46(10):1115-9

2. Hysi PG*, Cheng CY*, Springelkamp H*, Macgregor S*, Bailey JNC*, Wojciechowski R*, Vitart V, Nag A, Hewitt AW, Höhn R, Venturini C, Mirshahi A, Ramdas WD,Thorleifsson G, Vithana E, Khor CC, Stefansson AB, ……………… Wong TY, BMES GWAS Group, NEIGHBORHOOD Consortium, Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, Viswanathan A*, Mackey DA*, Craig JE*, Wiggs JL*, van Duijn CM*, Hammond CJ*‡, Aung T*‡. Genome-wide Analysis of Multiethnic Cohorts Identifi es Four New Loci Infl uencing Susceptibility to Increased Intraocular Pressure and Susceptibility to Glaucoma. Nat. Genet 2014

3. Vithana EN, Khor CC, Qiao C, Nongpiur ME, George R , Chen LJ, Do T, Huang CK, Abu-Amero K, Low S, Tajudin LSA, Perera SA, Simmons CP, Bei JX, Zeng YX, Foster PJ, Vijaya L, Wong TY, Pang CP, Wang N, Aung T. Genome-wide association analyses identify three new susceptibility loci for Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma. Nat Genet 2012 Oct; 44(10):1142-6

4. Vithana EN, Morgan P, Sundaresan P, Ebenezer ND, Tan DT, Mohamed MD, Anand S, Khine KO, Venkataraman D, Yong VH, Salto-Tellez M, Venkatraman A, Guo K, Hemadevi B, Srinivasan M, Prajna V, Khine M, Casey JR, Inglehearn CF, Aung T. Mutations in sodium-borate cotransporter SLC4A11 cause recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED2). Nat Genet. 2006 Jul;38(7):755-7

5. Li Z, Allingham RR, …... Wiggs JL, Khor CC, Yang Z, Pang CP, Wang N, Hauser MA, Tashiro K, Aung T, Vithana EN. A common variant near TGFBR3 is associated with primary open angle glaucoma. Hum Mol Genet. 2015 Jul 1;24(13):3880-92

6. Cornes BK, Khor CC, Nongpiur ME, Xu L, Tay WT, Zheng Y, Lavanya R, Li Y, Wu R, Sim X, Wang YX, Chen P, Teo YY, Chia KS, Seielstad M, Liu JJ, Hibberd ML, Cheng CY, Saw SM, Tai ES, Jonas JB, Vithana EN, Wong TY, Aung T. Identifi cation of Four Novel Variants That Infl uence Central Corneal Thickness in Multi-Ethnic Asian Populations. Hum Mol Genet. 2012; 21(2):437-45

7. Khor CC*, Ramdas WD*, Vithana EN*, Cornes BK, Sim X, Tay WT, Saw SM, Zheng Y, Lavanya R, Wu R, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, Uitterlinden AG, Rivadeneira F, Teo YY, Chia KS, Seielstad M, Hibberd M, Vingerling JR, Klaver CCW, Jansonius NM, Tai ES, Wong TY, van Duijn CM, Aung T. Genome-wide association studies in Asians confi rm the involvement of ATOH7 and TGFBR3, and further identify CARD10 as a novel locus infl uencing optic disc area. Hum Mol Genet. 2011; 20(9):1864-72.

8. Nongpiur ME*, Khor CC* , Jia H*, …. Pang CP#, Vithana EN#, Wang N#, and Aung T#. ABCC5, a gene that infl uences the anterior chamber depth, is associated with primary angle closure glaucoma. Plos Genet. (# Joint last authors) 2014; Mar 6; 10(3):e1004089

9. Trikha S, Saff ari E, Nongpiur M, Baskaran M, Ho H, Li Z, Tan PY, Khor CC, Perera SA, Cheng CY, Aung T*, Vithana E*. Genetic variant in TGFBR3-CDC7 is associated with visual fi eld progression in primary open angle glaucoma patients from Singapore. Ophthalmology. 2015 Dec;122(12):2416-22

10. Lee MC*, Chan AS*, Goh SR, Hilmy MH, Nongpiur ME, Hong W, Aung T, Hunziker W, Vithana EN. Expression of the primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) susceptibility gene PLEKHA7 in endothelial and epithelial cell junctions in the eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; May 6;55(6):3833-41

Current Research AreasGlaucomaAt SERI we study primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), pseudo exfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and congenital glaucoma. In order to elucidate the full allelic spectrum for both POAG and PACG, we plan to conduct large scale GWAS, exome arrays, whole genome sequencing and interrogate related quantitative traits. For the development of a diagnostic and prognostic risk stratifi cation model for POAG and PACG we plan to incorporate genomic as well as demographic, environmental and endophenotypic (clinical and imaging parameters) information. We also aim to investigate whether the recently identifi ed PACG genetic variants are also associated with early stages of angle closure disease or are involved in susceptibility to disease progression. In addition, we plan to characterize the function of the newly identifi ed PACG susceptibility genes to provide insights into disease pathogenesis that will enable future development of novel eff ective therapies. In order to adequately power genomic discoveries and conduct large scale meta-analyses we have entered into several regional and international collaborations to share data from GWASs on glaucoma and related quantitative traits. The International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium (IGGC) has been established for POAG, while for PACG we are leading a global PACG genetic consortium with investigators from across the globe. Additionally we have conducted GWAS studies on PXG and have identifi ed further genetic variants for the condition.

Corneal diseasesTo study genetic basis of numerous corneal dystrophies including Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy (CHED), more frequently occurring Fuch’s Corneal Dystrophy (FCD), keratoconus and Bowman’s membrane and Stromal Corneal Dystrophies (SCD).

Since 2004 the Ocular Genomics Group has produced more than 90 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals in Genetics and Ophthalmology such as Nature Genetics, Plos Genetics, Human Molecular Genetics and Ophthalmology.

Head: A/Prof Eranga Vithana Key Team Members: Prof Aung Tin, Prof Saw Seang Mei, Prof Wong Tien Yin, Prof Jodbhir Mehta, Dr Khor Chiea Chuen (GIS),

Prof Cheng Ching-YuContact Us: A/Prof Eranga Vithana at [email protected]


FA 05_SERI_Oc_Genetics-ok.indd 2 01/03/2016 21:20

www.seri.com.sg

Anti-Infectives Research Group

Millions of people suff er from infectious diseases each year, unfortunately

morbidity is also in the millions and healthcare costs soar in the presence of

infections that are not susceptible to the available antimicrobials. The unchecked

emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a phenomenon that could potentially

transport us back to the pre-antibiotic era if proper measures are not taken.

Mortality and morbidity associated with infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria

such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant

enterococci (VRE) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is on the

rise. Untreatable, multiple drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria in particular will pose the greatest public health threat in the coming

decade. Antibiotic resistance is a world-wide critical healthcare issue. South East Asia is particularly at risk for eye infections that aff ect

thousands of people annually. Of particular signifi cance is the prevalence of fungal infections of the eye and Fusarium as a primary culprit.

Even TB and pneumonia are common in developed and emerging countries. Despite these concerns, the antibiotic drug development

pipeline is depleted and many big pharmaceuticals have long opted out of antibiotic discovery and development. Becoming more

recognized is the emergence of resistance of fungus and yeast to existing drugs which is exacerbated by the very few drugs available

for fungus and yeast. Candiasis and aspergilliosis are becoming common in Europe and fungal infections are major healthcare issues

in Asia. AMOP joins in this eff ort through our validated ElucidatusTM technology platform and promising drug development pipeline

of antimicrobial compounds, targeting ophthalmic, resistant Gram-negative infections, as well as Gram-positive pathogens especially

MRSA, and fungus which are currently underserved segments of clinical need.

Antimicrobials against Ocular Pathogens (AMOP)

Core CompetenciesAside from the list of patents fi led, and know-how, AMOP has developed a portfolio of compounds in the area of antimicrobial

discovery through the use of a multi-disciplinary platform (Figure 1). The research and development capability of AMOP has been

developed through a series of outstanding collaborations among several institutions in Singapore (Singapore National Eye Centre,

Bioinformatics Institute, Genome Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore and School of Engineering, Singapore

General Hospital, Pathology, Nanyang Technological University), China (South China University of Technology, South China

Botantical Garden {State Key Laboratory}), and Switzerland (University of Geneva) and is fortunate to have the support of the

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and SERI in our spin-off quest.

Program Organization and Emphasis

Antibiotics Antifungals

Chemical Synthesis

Biophysics

Microbiology

Animal Models

MolecularDynamics

Cell and MolecularBiology-Toxicology

Fibrosis Biofi lims Pre-INDstudies

Mechanisms ofResistance

Delivery and Release

Bacteria Biosensors

SmallMolecules

Peptides

Antimicrobials againstOcular Pathogens (AMOP)

PLATFORM TECHNOLOGIES

SPECIFIC AREAS OF EMPHASIS

SERI GIS SCBG BII SNEC NUS UG SCUT SGH NTU

SERI SERI


FA 07_SERI_Anti-Infectives-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 17:04

www.seri.com.sg

Educational Programs

References1. Hanxun Zou, Jun-Jie Koh, Jianguo Li, Shengxiang Qiu, Thet Tun Aung,

Rajamani Lakshminarayanan, Xiaoping Dai, Charles Tang, Fang Hui Lim, Lei Zhou, Ai Ling Tan, Chandra Verma, Donald T. H. Tan, Hardy Sze On Chan, Padmanabhan Saraswathi, Derong Cao, Shouping Liu, Roger W. Beuerman, Design and Synthesis of Amphiphilic Xanthone Based Membrane Targeting Antimicrobials with Improved Membrane Selectivity, J Med Chem, 2013; 56(6): 2359-73.

2. Bai Y, Liu S, Li J, Lakshminarayanan R, Pasmanabhan S, Tang C, Ho D,Verma C, Beuerman RW, Pervushin K. Progressive structuring of a branched antimicrobial peptide on the path to the inner membrane target. J BiolChem. 2012 Jun 14.

3. Koh JJ, Qiu S, Zou H, Lakshminarayanan R, Li J, Zhou X, Tang C, Saraswathi P, Verma C, Tan DT, Tan AL, Liu S, Beuerman RW. Rapid bactericidal action of alpha-mangostin against MRSA as an outcome of membrane targeting. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Sep 13 .

4. Tan XW, Lakshminarayanan R, Liu SP, Goh E, Tan D, Beuerman RW, MehtaJS. Dual functionalization of titanium with vascular endothelial growthfactor and ß-defensin analog for potential application in keratoprosthesis. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2012 Nov Epub 2012 Jul 23.

5. Li J, Lakshminarayanan R, Bai Y, Liu S, Zhou L, Pervushin K, Verma C,Beuerman RW. Molecular dynamics simulations of a new branchedantimicrobial peptide: A comparison of force fi elds. J Chem Phys. 2012 Dec 7;137(21):215101

6. Bai Y, Liu S, Jiang P, Zhou L, Li J, Tang C, Verma C, Mu Y, Beuerman RW,Pervushin K. Structure-dependent charge density as a determinant ofantimicrobial activity of peptide analogues of defensin. Biochemistry.2009 Aug 4;48(30):7229-39.

7. Liu S, Zhou L, Chen L, Dastidar SG, Verma C, Li J, Tan D, Beuerman R. Eff ect of structural parameters of peptides on dimer formation and highly oxidized side products in the oxidation of thiols of linear analogues of human beta-defensin 3 by DMSO. J Pept Sci. 2009 Feb;15(2):95-106.

8. Liu S, Zhou L, Li J, Suresh A, Verma C, Foo YH, Yap EP, Tan DT, BeuermanRW. Linear analogues of human beta-defensin 3: concepts for design ofantimicrobial peptides with reduced cytotoxicity to mammalian cells.Chembiochem. 2008 Apr 14;9(6):964-73.

9. Seebah S, Suresh A, Zhuo S, Choong YH, Chua H, Chuon D, Beuerman R,Verma C. Defensins knowledgebase: a manually curated database andinformation source focused on the defensins family of antimicrobialpeptides. Nucleic Acids Res. 2007 Jan;35(Database issue):D265-8. Epub2006 Nov 7. database has had over a million hits.

AMOP off ers educational programs at

all levels from fi nal year projects in

undergraduate programmes to PhD and

post-graduate level studies. A distinct

advantage of working in a multi-disciplinary

environment is that the student becomes

familiar with all aspects of infections from

the chemistry of therapeutics to the clinical

and all stages of antimicrobial development.

Head:

A/Prof Rajamani Lakshminarayanan, PhD

• •

Collaborators:

• Donald TH Tan, MD, SNEC

• Konstatin Pervushin, PhD, Biological Sciences, NTU

• Jodhbir Mehta, MD, SERI/SNEC

• Swaine Chen, MD, PhD, Singapore NRF Fellow, GIS, Infectious

Diseases, NUS, School of Medicine

• Ai Ling Tan, MD, Pathology, SGH

• Howard Reizman, PhD, Department of Microbiology,

University of Geneva

• Thomas Dick, PhD, Department of Microbiology, NUS

• Seeram Ramakrishna, FREng, VP-Research Strategy, NUS,

Mechanical Engineering, NUS

• Derong Cao, PhD, Department of Chemistry, South China

University of Technology

• Timothy Barkham, Laboratory Medicine, TTSH

• Josh Granek, PhD, Lab of Microbial Genomics, Duke

Univeristy

• Takashi Suzuki, Eihme Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Research Fellows:• Thet Tun Aung, MBBS, MS

Contact Us:

Prof Rajamani Lakshminarayanan at

[email protected]


FA 07_SERI_Anti-Infectives-ok.indd 2 01/03/2016 21:24

Key Personnel:

Prof Roger Beuerman , PhD, SERI, SingaporeChandra Verma, PhD, Bioinformatics Institute, Singapore Saraswathi Padmanabhan, PhD, SNEC, Singapore

•

www.seri.com.sg

Ocular Therapeutics & Drug Delivery Research GroupThe need for controlled, sustained-release drug delivery systems has been recognized by the ophthalmic

community and industry. Recent advances in technology have enabled the rapid progression in this

fi eld of research and product development. Sustained drug delivery platforms are designed to meet the

varying specifi c duration of eff ects, ranging from weeks to months to meet the therapeutic indications of

diff erent ophthalmic conditions. Drug delivery not

only encompasses the various platforms for achieving

the sustained drug release eff ect, but also the mode

of delivery of the delivery platform e.g. intravitreal,

contact lens, subconjunctival, punctual, intrascleral

and intracameral. Sustained release encompasses small protein molecules,

drugs, antibodies and nucleic acid entities.

The Ocular Drug Delivery Research Group is based at the Ocular Therapeutics

and Engineering Centre at the School of Materials Science and Engineering,

Nanyang Technological University.

To achieve this, a team of dedicated bioengineering scientists, material scientists and clinician scientists work together to develop,

design and evaluate novel drug delivery platform solutions for a wide range of ophthalmic medications encompassing glaucoma,

corneal and vitreoretinal infl ammation, fi broproliferative disorders and ocular infections. Sustained delivery carriers for existing

topical drugs commonly prescribed in the clinic such including anti-glaucoma, anti-scarring, anti-angiogenic and anti-infl ammatory

drugs are currently pipeline products being developed.

MissionTo deliver new and improved drug delivery solutions to the clinic for use in all disciplines in ophthalmology

GoalTo be recognized as the fi rst ocular drug delivery research centre in Singapore and in the surrounding region

Examples of current areas of research and emerging technologies are as follows:

• A sustained release of 5-fl uorouracil (5FU) for the treatment of post-operative

scarring following glaucoma surgery. Commercialisation of this product, HA5FU gel,

is now in progress.

• A sustained release carrier for Latanoprost (LipoLat) is in clinical trials to establish

safety and effi cacy in lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. Lipolat is

the fi rst sustained drug delivery system that has been developed in Singapore for

the medical treatment of glaucoma.

• A new sustained release ophthalmic implant of prednisolone acetate for the

indication of anterior segment infl ammation and post cataract surgery is expected

to commence clinical trials in the near future.

• Evaluation of diff erent carriers suitability for the sustained delivery of proteins and

drugs to treat vitreoretinal disorders outside of intravitreal injection is a major

focus for the team.

New drug delivery formulations developed in our laboratory will provide an alternate

therapeutic solution for ophthalmic patients worldwide. This will improve quality of

life through freedom from eye drop instillation and from associated complications from

eye drop allergy and challenges of patient compliance to any given treatment regime.Prednisolone sustained release implant in rat eye

Head: A/Prof Tina WongContact Us: [email protected]


FA 08_SERI_Oc_DrugDelivery-ok.indd 1 25/02/2016 17:11

www.seri.com.sg

Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research Group

Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Program is focused on:

• Understanding and investigate the reconstruction and replacement of the cornea by the use of novel biomaterials

• Investigating the principles of corneal tissue engineering in order to improve surgical outcomes

• Understanding the principles of in-vivo expansion of stem cells for the reconstruction of the cornea

Our Goals

• Innovate in corneal tissue engineering and stem cell reconstruction from both a basic science and primarily a translational

research point of view

Some of the key research areas of the group are as follows:

1. Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Ocular SurgeryThe use of femtosecond laser has revolutionized the way clinicians perform refractive

and cataract surgery. The laser has become an important tool to perform accurate

and fi ne dissections with minimal collateral damage in ocular tissues. The main work

to date in this area of study has been focused on investigation on the laser-ocular

tissue interactions, optimization of the laser technology in performing myopic ReLEx

(refractive lenticule extraction), analyzing the eff ects of laser in cataract surgery and

various keratoplasties, as well as tissue engineering the extracted lenticule from

ReLEx as corneal inlay to correct presbyopic errors.

2. Corneal Endothelial Cell ResearchThe human corneal endothelium (CE) is perhaps the physiologically most important

layer of the cornea. Although cells of the CE are unable to undergo any functional

regeneration within the eye, studies have demonstrated the capacity for primary

human CECs to proliferate within a laboratory setting. We have since further improved

the cultivation of isolated human CECs using a patented dual media culture system.

The cultivated human CECs can be consistently propagated to the third passage,

retain characteristic cellular morphology and expression markers indicative of the

human CE layer. This has enabled down-stream development of potential graft alternatives through tissue-engineering. Currently,

we are looking at the use of various constructs, both synthetic and biological, as potential scaff old for tissue-engineering, and

characterizing the growth of the cultivated human CECs on each of these constructs. We are also looking at ways to improve

the culture of human CECs using diff erent small molecules that have shown potential in improving the adherence, and/or the

proliferation of cultivated human CECs.

Culture of Human Corneal Endothelial cells for transplant

(A) Whole-mount ß3-tubulin staining of cornea after undergoing LASIK procedure.

(B) Helium ion micrograph of a crater on corneal stromal bed, created by a cavitation bubble during

femtosecond laser photodisruption process.(C) In-vivo confocal micrograph of femtosecond

laser photodisrupted plane (refl ective layer) and side cut (refl ective line).

(D) Topography of rabbit cornea captured by handheld videokeratographer.


FA 09_SERI_TissueEngr_StemCell_OK.indd 1 24/02/2016 14:27

www.seri.com.sg

3. Anterior Segment Drug Delivery SystemsWe have developed a biodegradable, prednisolone acetate-loaded microfi lms made of poly (d,l-lactide-co-∑-caprolactone) (PLC).

This drug delivery system is capable of delivering sustained and therapeutic drug levels to the anterior segment over 4 weeks

and therefore eliminates patient compliance and dependency on a frequent dosing regimen after surgery. It also circumvents the

limitations of the conventional eye drops, such as low bioavailability and short duration of action. We have demonstrated that this

novel microfi lm has good biocompatibility and surgical feasibility in animal models. The implantation of the microfi lm into the

subconjunctival space is a single, simple and non-invasive procedure. The microfi lm degrades to non-toxic metabolites with time

hence no extra procedure is needed to remove the implant after the depletion of the drug. Furthermore, the microfi lm has the

capacity to be customized to deliver diff erent drug release profi les depending on diff erent clinical scenarios.

Slit lamp biomicroscopy photo showing the subconjunctivally-implanted predinisolone acetate-loaded microfi lm.

Corneal allograft control (A) and corneal allograft treated with predinisolone acetate (PA)-loaded microfi lm (B). The PA microfi lm signifi cantly reduced the graft opaque, edema and

neovascularization, prolonging the graft survival.

4. Ocular Surface Stem Cell ReconstructionThe presence of a smooth ocular surface is vital for normal vision. The corneal epithelium is the outermost region of the cornea

and has a primary protective function. Its renewal relies on limbal stem cells. Their destruction is a major debilitating cause

of ocular morbidity. Transplantation to replace the damaged corneal epithelium can principally restore the vision, however

allogeneic transplants in patients with bilateral disease do not have satisfactory long-term treatment due to the persistent use

of immunosuppression. As a long-term goal, we are examining the role of other autologous cell sources to develop a safe, stable,

eff ective and functional tissue engineered construct for patients with bilateral ocular surface disease.

5. Artifi cial CorneaArtifi cial corneas (or keratoprostheses) currently in common use, are preferred for chronic infl ammatory and ocular surface

diseases. However, keratoprosthesis technology is still lacking – both these devices utilize older polymers and outdated designs.

The Osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP) is reserved for

the more severe ocular surface diseases, and has a high rate

of device retention, but involves highly complex surgery

requiring removal of an autologous tooth. Our team’s goal is the

development of a synthetic OOKP-type device not requiring a

tooth will signifi cantly improve the time to visual rehabilitation

for patients requiring this surgery and simplify the surgical

procedure tremendously. Our previous work shows that TiO2

has excellent biocompatibility as a substrate to support cornea

fi broblast integration, enhanced surface cell spreading and

adhesion. We are developing a semi-fl exible carbon mesh skirt

for a synthetic OOKP artifi cial cornea.



www.seri.com.sg

6. Protein Aggregation and TGFBI Related Corneal Dystrophy

Stromal corneal dystrophies (CDs) are characterized as a group of bilateral, heterogeneous inherited disorders. The majority of

these CDs in the stromal layer of the cornea have been attributed to mutations found on the TGFßI gene coding for a 683-amino

acid transforming growth factor-induced protein (TGFßIp). Defects in this gene lead to progressive accumulation of protein

aggregates in the cornea that can result in loss of corneal transparency and hence vision. At present, 63 distinct pathogenic

mutations have been identifi ed in TGFßI that are associated with diff erent clinical phenotypes. Though TGFßIp is present in various

other tissues, only cornea-specifi c aggregation is triggered

by the occurrence of these mutations. Current treatment

relies on laser/surgical intervention, which often involves

high recurrence rates. Since there are no eff ective medical

treatments of TGFßI-associated CDs, this research project aims

to look into the mechanism of the disease and develop viable

therapeutic strategies to treat these dystrophies. Biophysical,

biochemical and structural aspects of the mutations will be

analyzed. The present study will involve the development of

in-vitro models of protein aggregation and evaluating the role

of pharmacological chaperones (PCs) capable of inhibiting

or dissolving the aggregates. This will allow us to develop a

novel therapy for these stromal dystrophies.Slit lamp photography shows the multiple radially oriented linear opacities in the anterior to midstromal depth of the central cornea with subepithelial and anterior stromal scarring in the right (A) and left eye (B) with a novel A620D mutation. Slit lamp photograph showing radially oriented linear opacities in the cornea (C) of a H626R mutation, which are more clearly seen on retroillumination (D).



www.seri.com.sg

Selected Recent Publications1: Liu YC, Peng Y, Lwin NC, Wong TT, Venkatraman SS, Mehta JS. Optimization of

subconjunctival biodegradable microfi lms for sustained drug delivery to the anterior segment in a small animal model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Mar 21. doi:pii: iovs.12-11466v1. 10.1167/iovs.12-11466. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed

2: Chung HW, Mehta JS. Fibrin glue for gundersen fl ap surgery. Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:479-84. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S42105. Epub 2013 Mar 6. 23493670;

3: Ang M, Mohamed-Noriega K, Mehta JS, Tan D. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: surgical techniques, challenges, and management of intraoperative complications. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2013 Spring;53(2):47-58. doi: 10.1097/IIO.0b013e31827eb746.

4: Khor WB, Teo KY, Mehta JS, Tan DT. Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in complex eyes: results with a donor insertion device. Cornea. 2013 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]

Contact Us: Head: Prof Jodhbir Mehta at [email protected]



www.seri.com.sg

Retina Research GroupThe SERI Retina group comprises of clinicians, clinician-scientists and scientists with a broad focus and expertise in basic, translational and clinical research in characterizing molecular mechanisms and pathways, epidemiology, imaging and management of retinal disorders. Particularly, the group emphasizes on Asian Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), including polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other retinal disorders such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR).

1. Does Genetic Variation in the CFH region of age-related macular degeneration patients allowbacteria to trigger the disease? Prof Wong Tien Yin

2. Singapore Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Imaging (DREAM) Program Prof Wong Tien Yin

3. Phenotyping Asian Macular Diseases – a prospective functional and angiographic study ofthe clinical course of three common acquired retinal conditions in an Asian population A/Prof Gemmy Cheung

4. Detailed choroidal sub-layer analysis of age-related macular degeneration A/Prof Yasuo Yanagi

5. Pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and novel drugs for diabetic retinopathy using DRmouse model Dr V A Barathi

6. Screening of novel drugs in laser-induced CNV model in rodents and non-human primates Dr V A Barathi & A/Prof Gemmy Cheung

7. Genome-wide association studies on diabetic retinopathy in Asians Dr Gavin Tan

8. Ocular Biomarker Study for Retinal Angiogenic Diseases (OBSRAD study) PI: A/Prof Gemmy CheungCo-I: Dr Danny Cheung

9. Identifi cation of novel targets for macular degeneration and macular edema Dr Raj Patil

10. Investigation of LGR5 as a bonafi de retinal stem cell marker Dr Shweta Singhal

11. Investigation into the use of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC) as a source of retinal stem cells PI: Dr Shweta SinghalCo-I: Dr Gary Yam & Dr Goh Bee Tin (NDC)

Selected Projects

Team Members

HeadA/Prof Gemmy Cheung, Head & Senior Consultant, Medical Retina Department

1. Prof Wong Tien Yin, Medical Director2. A/Prof Gemmy Cheung,, Head, Medical Retina

Department 3. Adj A/Prof Doric Wong, Head, Retina Centre 4. A/Prof Ian Yeo, Deputy Medical Director (Education)5. Dr Edmund Wong, Deputy Medical Director (Clinical Services)6. Adj A/Prof Lee Shu Yen, Deputy Head, Surgical Retina

Department and Clinical Director, Retinal Service7. Dr Ranjana Sanjay Mathur, Clinical Director, PEC and Visual

Electrodiagnostic Service8. Dr Chan Choi Mun, Senior Consultant9. Dr Gavin Tan, Co-Clinical Director, Ophthalmic Imaging Services10. A/Prof Yasuo Yanagi, Clinician Scientist11. Dr Danny Cheung, Clinician Scientist12. Dr Anna Tan, Consultant13. Dr Shweta Singhal, Registrar

SNEC/SERI Clinical Team

SERI Research Team

Contact UsA/Prof Gemmy Cheung at [email protected]

1.

2.

Dr V A Barathi, Head, Translational Pre-Clinical Model

3.

PlatformProf Ching-Yu Cheng, Head, Ocular Epidemiology Research Group and Data Science Platform

4. Prof Ecosse Lamoureux, Director, Population Health

5.

A/Prof Charumathi Sabanayagam, Deputy Head, Ocular EpidemiologyDr Carol Cheung, Adjunct Research Scientist

Strengths• CLINICAL EXPERTISE in management of Asian

retinal diseases

• CLINICAL COHORTS on > 2,000 patients withAMD and DR

• EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC DATABASEon >10,000 patients

• State-of-the-art ANIMAL FACILITY with animalmodels for retinal diseases

• World Class RETINAL IMAGING & OCULARGRADING Centre

• SIPRAD-an industry standard platform inretinal angiogenic diseases

FA 10_SERI_Retina-ok.indd 1 29/02/2016 20:56

www.seri.com.sg

Ocular Surface Research GroupSERI’s ocular surface research group engages in international

level highly competitive research related to the ocular surface.

The main focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of ocular

surface diseases such as dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction

and pterygium, and understanding the molecular basis of these

diseases. The type of research ranges from epidemiology,

health service, biochemical, cell- and animal-based research to

imaging and human clinical trials.

In recent years the group has performed research related to

ManpowerThe ocular surface research team is led by a principal clinician

scientist, A/Prof Louis Tong, and currently comprises a post-

doctoral research fellow, two graduate students, two research

optometrists, one project coordinator and one research

assistant. The group is dedicated to nurturing post- and

undergraduate medical students, undergraduate fi nal year

project students as well as polytechnic students who are

welcome to join the lab for long or short term attachments.

EquipmentThe ocular surface research lab houses cutting edge facilities and equipments,

such as centricollation system (Prospect Biosystems), fl ow cytometry facility (BD),

cell impedence tracking device (xCELLigence, Roche), microscopy imaging station

and basic laboratory setups including qPCR machines (Roche), fi lm development

and cell culture facilities.

ocular surface T cells, induction of ocular surface infl ammation in animals, the epigenetics of pteryigum, infl ammatory signaling

such as the NFkB signaling, the eff ects of S100 calcium-binding proteins and the regulation of wound healing by molecules such as

SPARC and transglutaminase-2. In particular, they have investigated molecular cell adhesion mechanisms as well as biomechanics

of cell movement relevant to the ocular surface. The group is dedicated to the evaluation and use of state-of-the-art technologies

in dry eye, such as non-invasive meibography, tear evaporimetry, thermopulsation treatment, and comprehensive lipid analysis by

mass spectrometry. The group is currently very active in various projects with commercial potential such as the establishment of

an image analysis software for meibography, tear protein markers for evaluation of ocular surface infl ammation and development

of anti-infl ammatory drugs.

As part of the eff ort to translate research fi ndings to clinical care, the ocular surface research group has published in topics such

as selection of eyedrops for dry eye based on acidity, use of patient logs for activities in dry eye and use of autologous plasma

drops for recalcitrant dry eye. Our research audience includes diverse groups of people, including for example, optometrists and

ophthalmologists in the International Dry Eye Workshop 2, ocular surface scientists in a report of the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

International Workshop, and general medical practitioners, in a paper published in British Medical Journal. Emphasis is therefore

not only in innovative research, but the promotion of education of public and health professionals, and championing the healthcare

of patients with ocular surface diseases.


FA 11_SERI_Oc_Surface-ok.indd 1 01/03/2016 21:27

www.seri.com.sg

Head: Prof Louis TongContact Us: [email protected]

Selected Publications1. Tong L, Seow G, Tan J, Thumboo J. Dry eye practice pointer. BMJ. 2012; 345:e7533.

2. Tong L et al. The eye: A window of opportunity in rheumatoid arthritis? Nature Reviews Rheumato.2014 Jun 10.

3. Waduthantri S, Yong SS, Htoon HM, Tong L. Randomised controlled trial of Systane Ultra® vs Refresh Tears® in Asian dry eye patients. Optom Vis Sci. 2012;89: 1647-53.

4. Lam SM, et al. Extensive characterization of human tear fl uid collected using diff erent techniques unravels the presence of novel lipid amphiphiles. J LipidRes. 2014 Feb;55(2):289-98. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M044826.

5. Koh YW, Celik T, Lee HK, Petznick A, Tong L. Detection of meibomian glands and classifi cation of meibography images. J Biomed Opt. 2012; 17(8):086008.

6. Tong L, Png E, Hou AH, Yong SS, Yeo HL, Riau A, Mendoze E, Charausia SS, Lim CT, Yiu TW, Iismaa SE. Molecular Mechanism of Transglutaminase-2 in CornealEpithelial Migration and Adhesion. BiochimBiophysActa 2013;1833:1304-1315.

7. Png E, Samivelu GK, Yeo SH, Chew J, Chaurasia SS, Tong L. Hyperosmolarity mediated mitochondrial dysfunction requires transglutaminase-2 in humancorneal epithelial cells. J Cell Physiol. 2011; 226: 693–699.

8. DA Schaumberg, JJ Nichols, EB Papas, L Tong, M Uchino, KK Nichols. The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: Report of the subcommittee on the epidemiology of, and associated risk factors for, MGD. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011; 52 (4): 1994-2005.

9. Lan, Wanwen; Chen, Silin; Tong, Louis. MicroRNA-215 Regulates Fibroblast Function: Insights from a Human Fibrotic Disease. Cell Cycle. 2015 Jun18;14(12):1973-84.

10. Riau AK, Wong TT, Finger SN, Lan WW, Chaurasia SS, Hou AH, Chen SL, Yu SJ, Tong L. Aberrant DNA methylation of matrix remodeling and cell adhesionrelated genes in pterygium. PLOS One. 2011; 6(2): e14687.

11. Selva KJ, Liu YC, Siak JK, Lan WW, Tong L, Yawata M, Mehta JS, Yawata N, Dynamic change in natural killer cell type in the human ocular mucosa in situ asmeans of immune evasion by adenovirus infection. Mucosal Immunol 2015 Jun 17.

12. Gong L, Sun XH, Ma ZZ, et al, Tong L. A Randomized, Parallel-Group Comparison Study of Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution in Patients with Dry Eye(Comparison with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution) in China and Singapore. Br J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jul; 99(7):903-8.

Grant supportOur research is supported by national competitive grants (National Medical Research Council) including two clinician-scientist

awards, one individual research grant and the Biomedical Research Council Translational Clinical Research Project grant, two

international awards, as well as various sources of industrial fundings.


FA 11_SERI_Oc_Surface-ok.indd 2 29/02/2016 20:14

www.seri.com.sg

Myopia Research GroupThe Myopia Research Group at the Singapore Eye Research Institute, in conjunction with the Singapore National Eye Centre and National University of Singapore, has been involved in various aspects of myopia research over the last 20 years. The group’s research focus is on fi ve sub-themes: Genetics, animal experimental models, epidemiology and community-based interventions, treatments to retard myopia progression and visually-disabling pathologic myopia. The aims of our group are to better understand the epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis and public health implications of myopia, to develop and evaluate novel interventions to prevent or slow myopia progression in young children, and to formulate better management strategies for myopia-related complications in older adulthood. The multi-disciplinary team will address important key questions to tackle the epidemic of myopia.

Several large population-based studies have helped determine the prevalence of myopia in children, including the School Cohort of Refraction Myopia (SCORM) cohort which followed children aged 7-9 years for a period of 10 years, and the Strabismus Amblyopia and Refractive Error Singaporean preschool children (STARS), a cross-sectional study of children aged 6 months to 6 years. Data are also available from several adult studies including the Singapore Malay, Indian and Chinese eye studies (SIMES, SINDI, SCES) which provide information of myopic prevalence in Singaporeans aged >40 years. Early life data are available from the GUSTO birth cohort involving 1200 children in whom refractive status is measured at aged 3 years. Together, these studies provide us with great detail of the size of the myopic problem in Singapore, and an opportunity to study risk factors associated with myopia.

Ongoing work include an SAF study assessing pathologic lesions in 700 myopic individuals and controls; and a SEED study looking at the impact of pathologic myopia on quality of life in Singapore adults. Pilot studies investigating the 10-year longitudinal pathologic changes from the teenage to young adulthood in SCORM and the 10 year follow-up visit of the STARS study to evaluate role of outdoors (using wristband outdoor light meter), near work and genes on myopia.

As active members of the Meta-PM International Consortium, an international group formed to evaluate the natural history of pathological myopia, we hope to help develop new pathologic myopia grading guidelines and clinical practice guidelines for the screening of pathologic myopia lesions adults with very high myopia with early treatment of ocular problems when present, and visual rehabilitation when required.

Genetic studies in myopia show a complex interaction of multiple genetic infl uences. Our work with the international Consortium for Refractive Errors And Myopia (CREAM) has uncovered several novel genetics variants by meta-analyzing genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from more than 30 population-based studies in Europe, Asia, United States and Australia. The challenge now is to consolidate information to see if we could identify high risk children with genetic susceptibility for extreme myopia with the Singaporean Chinese population who will benefi t from early interventions to retard the progression of myopia.

Myopia and Genetics

Myopia Research ProgramPicture of people

Manhattan plot of top snps for axial length identifi ed in the CREAM consortium

The Epidemiology Studies


FA 12_SERI_Myopia_Research_OK.indd 1 02/03/2016 11:39

www.seri.com.sg

Over the years, we have also studied the factors that infl uence myopia in mouse and chick models. Our studies show that atropine

reduces myopia progression in both pigmented and non-pigmented mice eyes, and that atropine may act on one or more muscarinic

receptors to diff erentially regulate expression levels of specifi c receptors which in turn infl uence axial length and vitreous depth,

the main morphological parameters associated with myopia.

Our muscarinic receptor knockout mouse study has provided in vivo evidence to support an important role for the M2/M3

muscarinic receptor in myopia development. The data indicate that the actions of the M2 receptor are mediated by changes in

the expression of key extracellular matrix proteins, linking the functional role of M2 with scleral remodeling in myopia. The study

also highlights the utility of the mouse as a model for myopia, particularly in conjunction with new technologies that can measure

ocular dimensions and optical properties with high precision. Further mouse studies are needed to pinpoint and validate the

downstream targets of M2 and to investigate the role of the M3 receptor subtype in myopia development.

More recently, we have also shown that manipulation of the chromaticity of light can also infl uence myopia progression with chicks

raised in red/green environment becoming more myopic while those in blue/green light became more hyperopic. We intend to see

if similar chromatic manipulation could also slow myopic progression in children.

Researchers at SERI/SNEC have been exploring ways of slowing or stopping myopia using optical (e.g. progressive add, bifocal and

myopic defocus glasses) and pharmacological (eg. pirenzepine and atropine) interventions. Of these, results from the Atropine

Treatment of Myopia (ATOM) studies have been most promising. There are 2 major ATOM studies, ATOM1 and ATOM2, involving a

total of 800 subjects and testing a variety of doses of atropine over a 3-5 year periods. These studies suggest that even a low dose

of atropine (0.01%) could slow myopia progression by 60% with no/minimal side-eff ects. This has translated into clinical practice

with many clinicians locally and worldwide now converting to lower doses. More work still needs to be done to better understand

the exact pharmacological mechanism of the medication, and to determine the best possible treatment regime. Low-dose atropine,

however, has been one of the more exciting new developments in myopia management for some time.

There are, however, other novel optical (eg. peripheral defocus optics or corneal modifying contact lenses) and pharmacological

treatments which need to be explored. The role of diff erent treatment modalities (either on its own or in combination) is still

unclear and much work still needs to be done on the subject.

We do also know that environmental factors (such as the lack of outdoor activity and too much near work) may infl uence myopia

onset and progression. Reasons for this are uncertain but it is believed that levels of light intensity, chromatics and frequency may

be important. The FIT outdoor trial evaluated a weekend Park outdoor program. Novel school or family-based outdoor programs

could help to stop or slow myopia onset and progression in our local Singaporean context. Steps have been made to undertake an

exploratory randomized controlled study both locally and in conjunction with collaborators overseas.

Eventually, the importance in this research is how it can be used clinically to prevent or slow myopia in childhood, minimize

the subsequent impact on quality-of-life and quality-of-vision in adulthood (eg. through optical and surgical correction) and to

manage any myopia-related complications which may occur in mid to late adulthood.

The myopic epidemic in Singapore started in the 1980s, and individuals from that generation of Singaporeans, with a prevalence

of high myopia of 20-30%, are now entering their 5th decade when myopic complications (such as retinal detachment, macula

neovascularization, schisis or atrophy, early cataracts and glaucoma) start to manifest.

The Biology of Myopia

Interventional Studies: Slowing, Stopping and Reversing Myopia

Clinical Myopia



www.seri.com.sg

Our plans of the future include programs encompassing fi ve sub-themes: genetics, animal experimental models, epidemiology and community-based interventions, treatments to retard myopia progression and visually-disabling pathologic myopia to cover diff erent aspects of myopia research. The epidemiological studies have already led to modifi cation of behavior in the community and changes in national policies. Our proposed outdoor physical activity program will be integrated in schools and rolled out nationwide in conjunction with the Ministries of Education and Health (Health Promotion Board). The ATOM studies have led to changes in our clinical management of children with progressive myopia. There is still much that needs to be learnt and our hope is that we can continue in discover ever better ways to control and manage myopia and to evaluate the predictors and natural history of pathologic myopia.

Directions of Myopia Research

1. Samarawickrama C, Mitchell P, Tong L, Gazzard G, Lim L, Wong TY, Saw SM. Myopia-related optic disc and retinal changes in adolescent children fromSingapore. Ophthalmol. 2011;118:2050-7.

2. Morgan IG, Ohno-Matsui K, Saw SM. Myopia. Lancet. 2012; 379(9827):1739-48.

3. Fan Q, Zhou X, Khor CC, Cheng CY, Goh LK, Sim X, Tay WT, Li YJ, Ong RT, Suo C, Cornes B, Ikram MK, Chia KS, Seielstad M, Liu J, Vithana E, Young TL, Tai ES, Wong TY, Aung T, Teo YY, Saw SM. Genome-wide meta-analysis of fi ve Asian cohorts identifi es PDGFRA as a susceptibility locus for corneal astigmatism. PLoS Genet. 2011; 7(12):e1002402.

4. Low W, Dirani M, Gazzard G, Chan YH, Zhou HJ, Selvaraj P, Au Eong KG, Young TL, Mitchell P, Wong TY, Saw SM. Family history, near work, outdoor activity, and myopia in Singapore Chinese preschool children. Br J Ophthalmol.2010;94(8):1012-6.

5. Lim W, Kwan JL, Goh LK, Beuerman RW, Barathi VA. Evaluation of gene expression profi les and pathways underlying postnatal development in mouse sclera. Mol Vis. 2012;18:1436-48.

6. Barathi VA, Weon SR, Tan QS, Lin KJ, Tong L, Beuerman RW.Transglutaminases(TGs) in ocular and periocular tissues: eff ect of muscarinic agents on TGs in scleral fi broblasts. PLoS One. 2011;6(4):e18326.

7. Barathi VA, Beuerman RW. Molecular mechanisms of muscarinic receptorsin mousescleral fi broblasts: Prior to and after induction of experimental myopia with atropine treatment. Mol Vis. 2011;17:680-92.

8. Sng CC, Lin XY, Gazzard G, Chang B, Dirani M, Chia A, Selvaraj P, Ian K, Drobe B, Wong TY, Saw SM. Peripheral refraction and refractive error in Singapore Chinese children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Feb 28;52(2):1181-90.

9. Chia A, Chua WH, Cheung YB, Wong WL, Lingham A, Fong A, Tan D. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia: safety and effi cacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% doses (ATOM2). Ophthalmol. 2012;119(2):347-54.

10. Dharani R, Lee CF, Theng ZX, Drury VB, Ngo C, Sandar M, Wong TY, Finkelstein EA, Saw SM. Comparison of measurements of time outdoors and lightlevels as risk factors for myopia in young Singapore children. Eye (Lond). 2012;26(7):911-8.

11. Chang L, Pan CW, Ohno-Matsui K, Lin X, Cheung GC, Gazzard G, Koh V,Hamzah H, Tai ES, Lim SC, Mitchell P, Young TL, Aung T, Wong TY, Saw SM. Myopia-related fundus changes in Singapore adults with high myopia. Am J Ophthalmol. 2013;155:991-9.e1.

12. Verhorven VJM, Hysi PG, Wojciechowski R, Fan Q, Guggenheim JA, Hohn R, MacGregor S, Saw SM, Bailey-Wilson J, Stambolian D, Klaver C, Hammond C. Genome-wide meta-analyses of multiancestry cohorts identify multiplenew susceptibility loci for refractive error and myopia. Nature Genetics 2013, 45(3): 314-317.

13. Chia A, Lin XY, Mohamed D, Guzzard G et al. Risk factors for strabismus and amblyopia in young Singapore Chinese children. Ophthalmic Epidemiology 2013;20(3):138-47.

14. Zheng YF, Pan CW, Chay J, Wong TY, Finkelstein E, Saw SM. The economiccost of myopia in adults aged over 40 years in Singapore. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54(12):7532-7.

15. Fan Q, Wojciechowski R, Ikram KM, Cheng CY, Chen P, Zhou X, Pan CW,Khor CC, Tai ES, Aung T, Wong TY, Teo YY, Saw SM. Education infl uences the association between genetic variants and refractive error: a meta-anlaysis of fi ve Singapore studies. Human Molecular Genetics. 2013.

16. Foulds WS, Barathi VA, Luu CD. Progressive myopia or hyperopia can be induced in chicks and reversed by manipulation of the chromaticity of ambient light. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54(13):8004-12.

17. Barathi VA, Kwan JL, Tan QS, Weon SR, Seet LF, Goh LK, Vithana EN, Beuerman RW. Muscarinic cholinergic receptor (M2) plays a crucial role inthe development of myopia in mice. Dis Model Mech. 2013;6(5):1146-58.

18. Chia A, Li W, Tan D, Luu CD. Full-fi eld electroretinogram fi ndings in children in the atropine treatment for myopia (ATOM2) study. Doc Ophthalmol. 2013;126(3):177-86.

19. Chang L, Pan CW, Ohno-Matsui K, Lin X, Cheung GC, Gazzard G, Koh V,Hamzah H, Tai ES, Lim SC, Mitchell P, Young TL, Aung T, Wong TY, Saw SM. Myopia-related fundus changes in Singapore adults with high myopia. Am J Ophthalmol. 2013;155(6):991-999.e1.

20. Chia A, Chua WH, Wen L, Fong A, Goon YY, Tan D. Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia: changes after stopping atropine 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5%. Am J Ophthalmol 2014;157(2):451-457.

21. Ngo CS, Pan CW, Finkelstein EA, Lee CF, Wong IB, Ong J, Ang M, Wong TY, Saw SM. A cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating an incentive-based outdoor physical activity programme to increase outdoor time and prevent myopia in children. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2014.

22. Chia A, Li W, Chua WH, Goon YY, Fong A, Tan D. Changes after cessation of atropine: ATOM2. Am J Ophthalmol 2014; 157(2):451-7.

23. Verkicharla PK, Ohno-Matsui K, Saw SM. Current and predicteddemographics of high myopia and an update of its associated pathological changes. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 35.5 (2015): 465-475.

24. Ramamurthy D, Chua L, Yu S, Saw SM. A review of environmental risk factors for myopia during early life, childhood and adolescence. Clinical andExperimental Optometry. 2015 Nov 1;98(6):497-506.

Selected Publications

Co-Heads:

Prof Saw Seang Mei A/Prof Audrey Chia

Contact Us:Prof Saw Seang Mei at [email protected]/Prof Audrey Chia at [email protected]

Key Team Members:• Prof Donald Tan• Prof Roger Beuerman• Prof Wong Tien Yin

• Prof Cheng Ching-Yu• Dr Velachamy A Barathi• Prof Terri Young• Prof Wallace Foulds• Dr Khor Chiea Chuen

• Dr Victor Koh• Dr Qiao Fan• Dr Pavan K Verkicharla• Dr Dharani Ramamurthy• Dr Suan Pu



www.seri.com.sg

Ocular Infl ammation & Immunology Research Group

Role of defensins on ocular surface protection. Upon pathogen attack, tissue wounding or the

presence of infl ammatory cytokines, the secretion of ß-defensins from epithelial cells increases.

Infection and proinfl ammatory cytokines also brings neutrophils to the site and increase HNP

concentration locally. Defensins stimulate the secretion of selective cytokines from epithelial

cells and the proliferation of both epithelial cell and stroma fi broblasts. Both defensins

and cytokines will recruit more immune cells to the site and thus mark the progression of

infl ammation.

Infl ammation of the ocular surface following injury, infection or

from chronic conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome takes a

toll in the work place and in visual morbidity. Chronic infl ammation

associated infections is a major problem in Asia which often result

in corneal blindness. Intraocular infl ammation is another commonly

seen condition associated with various other eye diseases.

The Ocular Infl ammation and Immunology Research group seeks to

unveil the mechanisms and markers of major ocular infl ammatory

diseases with the goal of improving current diagnostic and

therapeutic approaches. The group is interested in both infectious

and sterile infl ammation as well as ocular autoimmune disorders

of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, such as keratitis,

pterygium, dry eye, uveitis, retinitis and infl ammation associated with

glaucoma and retinal diseases.

VISIONOur scientists and clinicians work at the forefront of ocular infl ammation, furthering the understanding of infl ammatory mechanisms

and developing new diagnostics and therapeutics. Infl ammation plays a signifi cant role in many ocular diseases. Understanding how

dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune responses leads to diseased ocular conditions is key. To combat infl ammatory diseases

in the eye, identifi cation of diagnostic and predictive biomarkers and of potential targets for new therapeutics is underway with

genetic-, proteomic- and cell-based approaches using human samples.


FA 13_SERI_Oc_Inflammation-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 19:48

www.seri.com.sg

Ongoing Projects1. Targeting the infl ammatory mechanisms in adenovirus infection and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis - Dr Nobuyo Yawata

2. Development of biomarkers for corneal transplantation wound healing and severe corneal chemical and other injuries - Prof Jodhbir Mehta, Dr Nobuyo Yawata

3. Ocular surface infl ammation: The role of T cells in dry eye - Prof Louis Tong

4. Ocular surface infl ammation: Animal models - Prof Louis Tong

5. Use of autologus plasma eye drops therapy for severe dry eye in Singapore - Prof Louis Tong

6. Identifi cation of the infl ammatory mechanisms in fi brosis - Prof Roger Beuerman

7. Proteomics study on ocular surface infl ammatory diseases; S100 protein family as potential biomarkers - Prof Roger Beuerman

8. Understanding the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms of CMV-related anterior uveitis - Prof Chee Soon Phaik, Dr JaySiak, Dr Nobuyo Yawata

9. Immunogenetics of CMV-related anterior uveitis - Prof Chee Soon Phaik, Dr Jay Siak, Dr Nobuyo Yawata

10. Development of new diagnostics for TB-related uveitis - Prof Chee Soon Phaik, Dr Jay Siak, Dr Nobuyo Yawata

11. Standardisation of uveitis nomenclature for disease entities-formation of database for classifi cation criteria for specifi cdisease entities - Prof Chee Soon Phaik

12. Validation of a Novel Micro-fl uid Cytokine Analysis Platform for aqueous and vitreous humour in normal and eyes with DiabeticRetinopathy - Dr Kelvin Teo, Dr Marcus Ang, Dr Nobuyo Yawata

Ocular Surface Infectious Diseases(Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis, CMV keratitis)

Ocular Surface Non-Infectious Diseases(Corneal Injury, Dry Eye, Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Infl ammatory Mechanisms Diagnostic Development Therapeutics Development

Clinical DataIn-vivo confocal microscopy

Laser Flare Photometry

In-vitro analysisHuman primary cells

Human cell lines

In-vivo Animal modelsKnockout miceDisease models

Imaging

Human Sample AnalysisqPCR

DNA sequencingMultiplex protein analysis

High dimensional fl ow cytometry

Intraocular Infectious Diseases(CMV-related Uveitis, Tuberculosis associated Uveitis)

Intraocular Non-Infectious Diseases(Diabetic Retinopathy, Uveitis)

Co-Heads: Prof Chee Soon Phaik, Prof Louis Tong

Team Members: Prof Chee Soon Phaik, Prof Louis Tong, Dr Siak Jyh Kuen, Prof Roger Beuerman, Prof Jodhbir Mehta,

A/Prof Tina Wong, Dr Li Fong Seet, Dr Yu-Chi Liu

Contact us: Prof Chee Soon Phaik at [email protected], Prof Louis Tong at [email protected]


FA 13_SERI_Oc_Inflammation-ok.indd 2 02/03/2016 14:57

www.seri.com.sg

Ocular Epidemiology Research Group

Overview The Ocular Epidemiology Research Group, led by Prof Ching-Yu Cheng,

conducts epidemiological studies and population-based projects under the

Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) programme. Our strategic

vision is to provide novel knowledge in the population eye health to enable

dissecting, detecting and preventing the most important eye diseases in both

our children and ageing populations in Singapore and Asia, and also to promote

and improve global eye health.

Our VisionA world-leading research programme focusing specifi cally on the epidemiology and

impact of eye diseases in Asia

• Provide a one-stop “data portal” and information source on epidemiology of Asian eye diseases

• Cover an entire spectrum of prevalence, incidence, risk factors and impact of Asian eye diseases in 3 major racial/ethnic groups(Chinese, Malays, Indians)

Aims• To document the prevalence, incidence, risk factors and public health signifi cance of blinding eye diseases in Singapore and Asia

through the conduct of large scale epidemiological studies

• To foster international collaborations with other public health and ophthalmic institutes in Asia and worldwide

• To provide research expertise, training and consultation to other researchers and ophthalmic institutions in Singapore and Asia

SEED Population CohortsThe SEED programme includes more than 25,000 adult and children participants from 7 large population-based studies, with a focus on

studying major eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, refractive errors and cataract.

Study name Age range Ethnicity Number Data Collected

Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES) 40-80 years Malays 3280

Prevalence, environmental and genetic risk factors, and impacts of visual impairment and major eye diseasesSingapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI) 40-80 years Indians 3400

Singapore Chinese Eye Study (SCES) 40-80 years Chinese 3353

The Singapore Prospective Study Programme (SP2) Ancillary study 24-95 years

Chinese, Malays, and Indians

5000Prevalence, environmental and genetic risk factors, and impacts of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus)

Singapore Consortium of Cohort Studies – Multiethnic Cohort 21-75 years


6000 Genetic and lifestyle risk factors for ocular and systemic diseases (e.g., cancer and heart disease)

Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) 7-9 years


1600 Prevalence, incidence rates, progression and risk factors of myopia in children

STrabismus, Amblyopia, and Refractive Error study of preschool Singapore children (STARS)

6 to 72 months Chinese 3000 Magnitude and causes of refractive errors and other ocular

diseases

AD

ULT

S &

TH

E E

LDE

RLY

CH

ILD

RE

N

Research Competencies & ExpertiseThe Ocular Epidemiology Research Group and SEED Programme bring together innovative and cutting-edge epidemiological

research for a focus and theme-oriented strategy, with multi-disciplinary expertise in all aspects of clinical and epidemiological

research. Our group has developed upon the following major focus areas:

• Basic & Advanced Epidemiology • Genetic Epidemiology • Infrastructure of Population Health


FA 15_SERI_Oc_Epidemiology-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 19:55

www.seri.com.sg

Selected Publications1. Sabanayagam C, et al. Retinal microvascular caliber and chronic kidney disease in an Asian population. Am J Epidemiol 2009;169:625-32.2. Fan Q, et al. Education infl uences the association between genetic variants and refractive error: a meta-analysis of fi ve Singapore studies. Hum Mol Genet

2014; 23:546-54.3. Tham YC, et al. Global prevalence of glaucoma and projections of glaucoma burden through 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology

2014;121: 2081-90.4. Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-

analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106-e116. 5. Liao J, et al. Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in multiethnic Asians identifi es two loci for age-related nuclear cataract. Hum Mol Genet

2014;23:6119-28.6. Hysi PG, Cheng CY, et al. Genome-wide analysis of multi-ancestry cohorts identifi es new loci infl uencing intraocular pressure and susceptibility to glaucoma.

Nat Genet 2014;46:1126-30.7. Cheng CY, et al. New loci and coding variants confer risk for age-related macular degeneration in East Asians. Nat Commun 2015;6:6063. 8. Tham YC, et al. Aggregate eff ects of intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio genetic variants on glaucoma in a multiethnic Asian population. Ophthalmology

2015;122:1149-57.9. Chua J, et al. Prevalence, risk factors, and visual features of undiagnosed glaucoma: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study. JAMA Ophthalmol

2015;133:938-46.10. Gupta P, et al. Relationship between peripapillary choroid and retinal nerve fi ber layer thickness in a population-based sample of nonglaucomatous eyes.

Am J Ophthalmol 2016;161:4-11.

We provide data towards public health planning and resource allocation in the region. The data collected from our group has been used widely by national and international agencies (e.g., the Ministry of Health Singapore, WHO, the Global Burden of Disease program) and clinical guidelines (e.g., 2014 Ministry of Health Diabetes Guidelines). Furthermore, we have established Singapore as a leading hub of ophthalmic epidemiology, clinical and genetic research in Asia through particular focus on diseases that are prevalent in this region. We also provide research expertise, resource, and consultation to other research centres, hospitals and ophthalmic institutions in Singapore and Asia, and conduct training programmes for clinicians, research fellows, and graduate students interested in ophthalmic epidemiology.

Head Prof Ching-Yu Cheng

Team membersDeputy Head: A/Prof Charumathi Sabanayagam Investigator & Fellow: Dr Yih Chung Tham, Dr Simon Nusinovici, Dr Yijin TaoResearch Associate: Dr Shivani Majithia, Dr Sahil Thakur Clinical Team: Cong Ling Teo, Cynthia Ong, Binu Thapa, Rosesita Binte Shaikh, Manivannan Udayaraj Biobank Laboratory: Miao Ling Chee, Michelle Ng Research Admin: Ho Kee Ka, Angelina Lee, Riswana Banu, Munirah Naser

Contact us:Prof Ching-Yu Cheng at [email protected]


FA 15_SERI_Oc_Epidemiology-ok.indd 2 26/02/2016 19:54

www.seri.com.sg

Health Services Research (HSR) GroupThe Health Services Research (HSR) is the translational eye research unit at SERI. Headed by Prof Ecosse Lamoureux, the unit is

focused on the epidemiology and risk factors of major eye diseases in Singapore; patient-centered outcomes research; low vision

outcomes and rehabilitation; and translational clinical research in eye diseases, particularly in diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

About the HSR Unit:Established in April 2009, the HSR Unit is strategically placed to interface with health research, clinical practice and health policy, and therefore able to improve the utilization of research knowledge and best evidence to effi ciently and eff ectively inform on:

i. Eye health care practices

ii. Implementation of complex interventions to improve self-effi cacyand quality of life

iii. Guidelines and ocular program development

iv. Policies development related to improving eye care in Singapore

Major Projects:• An Innovative and Patient-Centric Research Program Targeting the Ageing Singaporeans: The PRevention Of and interVentIon for

eye Diseases in the Elderly (PROVIDE) programme• Singapore Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme (SiDRP)• Evaluating the Feasibility and Short-term Eff ectiveness of a Novel Diabetic Retinopathy-Specifi c Integrated Care Model (DR-ICM)

for poorly controlled patients with diabetic retinopathy: A Pilot Study• Improving Diabetes and Health Outcomes: Enhancing Health Literacy in Patients with Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy• The Clinical and Economic Impact of Extending Screening Intervals for Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema in Singapore• Improving the measurement of vision-specifi c quality of life in Singaporeans using item banking and computer adaptive testing:

The ‘VisBank’ study• Investigating the Prevalence and Impact of Vision Impairment, Hearing Loss and Dual Sensory Impairment in Residential Care

Facilities in Singapore• Developing a Predictive Model for Non-compliance to Tertiary Ophthalmological Referrals in Persons with Diabetic Retinopathy

(PM-DR)

Members

Prof Ecosse Lamoureux • Director, Population Health

• Head, Health Services Research Group

• Head, Data Management Platform

•

•

Deputy Director, Academic MedicalResearch Institute (AMRI)

Professor, Duke-NUS and NUS

Dr Ryan Man Eyn KiddResearch

Fellow

Dr Preeti Gupta Dr Pauline Soh Research

Dr Eva Fenwick Research Fellow

Amudha Aravindhan

Research Associate

Alfred Gan Senior

Statistician


FA 16_SERI_HealthServices-ok.indd 1 29/02/2016 20:42

FellowResearch

Fellow

www.seri.com.sg

Publications (Selected from 250+)1. Rooney D, Lye WK, Tan G, Lamoureux E.L., Ikram MK, Cheng CY, Kumari N, Zheng YF, Mitchell P, Wang JJ, Wong TY, Sabanayagam C. Body mass index and retinopathy

in Asian populations with diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetol. 2015 Feb; 52(1):73-80. 2. Chan EW, Chiang PP, Liao J, Rees G, Wong TY, Lam JS, Aung T, Lamoureux, E.L. Glaucoma and Associated Visual Acuity and Field Loss Signifi cantly Aff ect Glaucoma-

Specifi c Psychosocial Functioning. Ophthalmology. 2015 Mar; 122(3):494-501. 3. Sabanayagam C, Khoo EY, Lye WK, Ikram MK, Lamoureux, E.L., Cheng CY, Tan ML, Salim A, Lee J, Lim SC, Tavintharan S, Thai AC, Heng D, Ma S, Tai ES, Wong TY.

Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus using HbA1c in Asians: Relationship between HbA1c and Retinopathy in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population. The Journal of ClinicalEndocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). 2015 Feb;100(2):689-96.

4. Man RE, Sasongko MB, Wang JJ, MacIsaac R, Wong TY, Sabanayagam C, Lamoureux, E.L. The Association of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate With DiabeticRetinopathy and Macular Edema. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015 Jul 1;56(8):4810-4816.

5. Fenwick EK, Ong PG, Sabanayagam C, Rees G, Xie J, Holloway E, Cheng CY, Wong TY, Lim B, Tan PC, Lamoureux, E.L. Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Chinese Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire in a population-based study: fi ndings from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study. Qual Life Res [Accepted 23 September 2015].

6. Fenwick EK, Xie J, Man RE, Lim LL, Flood VM, Finger RP, Wong TY, Lamoureux, E.L. Moderate consumption of white and fortifi ed wine is associated with reduced odds of diabetic retinopathy. J Diabetes Complications. 2015 Nov-Dec;29(8):1009-14.

7. Wah W, Earnest A, Sabanayagam C, Cheng CY, Ong ME, Wong TY, Lamoureux, E.L., Composite Measures of Individual and Area-Level Socio-Economic Status AreAssociated with Visual Impairment in Singapore. PLoS One. 2015 Nov 10; 10(11):e0142302. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142302. eCollection 2015.

8. Ansah JP, Korne DD, Bayer S, Chong P, Thiyagarajan J, Matchar DB, Lew N, Phua A, Koh V, Lamoureux, E.L., Quek D. Future requirements for and supply of ophthalmologists for an aging population in Singapore. Human Resources for Health. (2015) 13:86 DOI 10.1186/s12960-015-0085-4.

9. Sasaki M, Kawasaki R, Rogers S, Man RE, Itakura K, Xie J, Flood V, Tsubota K, Lamoureux, E.L., Wang JJ. The Associations of Dietary Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Diabetic Retinopathy in Well-Controlled Diabetes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015 Nov 1;56(12):7473-9.

10. Man RE, Sabanayagam C, Chiang PP, Li LJ, Noonan JE, Wang JJ, Wong TY, Cheung GC, Tan GS, Lamoureux, E.L. Diff erential Association of Generalized and Abdominal Obesity With Diabetic Retinopathy in Asian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015 Dec 17. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.5103.

Contact Us: Prof Ecosse Lamoureux at [email protected]

Others: • Understanding the impact of unilateral and bilateral glaucoma on QoL

• Acceptance and attitudes of patients and family members towards an implant for glaucoma drug delivery

• Accelerometer-based measurement of physical activity in Singaporean adults before and after cataract surgery

• Development of Glaucoma Utility Index-S (GUI-S) in Singapore

• Evaluating a novel eye care model for visually impaired people in various communities in Singapore

Collaborations:• Health Services System Research SRP, Duke-NUS Medical School

• Centre of Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School

• Lions Home for the Elders

• SingHealth and National Healthcare Group Polyclinics

• The Singapore Advanced Imaging Laboratory for Ocular Research (SAILOR)

• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

• Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)

• Department of Family Medicine and Continuing Care, Singapore General Hospital

• Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia

• Aging Centre, Duke University, USA

• University of Sydney, Australia

• Queensland University of Technology, Australia

• Gloucestershire Eye Unit, UK


FA 16_SERI_HealthServices-ok.indd 2 29/02/2016 20:18

www.seri.com.sg

Bioengineering & Devices Research GroupBiomedical Engineering (often used synonymously with Bioengineering) is a relatively modern fi eld that has made a considerable

impact on global healthcare by producing translational advances from research. The fi elds of cardiovascular research and

orthopedics represent excellent examples whereby biomedical engineering solutions are used routinely in clinical practice.

Currently, there are several opportunities for biomedical engineers to make a similar impression in Ophthalmology as this arena is

ripe for development.

The Bioengineering & Devices Research Group was established as a new initiative at SERI in January 2014. It aims to foster

knowledge exchange and collaborations between biomedical engineers from the various biomedical engineering institutions in

Singapore (e.g. NUS Biomedical Engineering, NTU Bioengineering, A*STAR, SUTD) and clinician scientists at SERI. Our mission is to

drive translational impact by

1) Identifying current and imminent clinical needs that require biomedical engineering solutions

2) Attracting and inspiring early stage biomedical engineers to pursue careers in Ophthalmology

3) Enhancing networking among clinicians, clinician-scientists, basic scientists, and biomedical engineers

4) Actively leading and seeking large research grant funding

5) Aiding patent fi ling and commercialization of outputs born from new collaborations

6) Reporting on current collaborations

• Development, verifi cation and validation of novel ophthalmic devices

• Advanced ophthalmic imaging solutions

• Biomechanics

• Biomaterials

• Cell and Tissue Engineering

• Bioelectronics

• Bioelectricity

• Robotic microsurgery

Interests for CliniciansThere are still several achieveable unmet needs and opportunities within Ophthalmology requiring a BME solution: in fact the

2015 Institute of Engineers Singapore-Prestigious Engineer award was won by a collaboration between A*STAR and SERI/

SNEC team involving Prof Tin Aung, Dr Baskaran Mani and Assoc Prof Perera.

Dr Girard has been teaching the Biodesign class at NUS for 2 years, where biomedical engineering students designed and developed

working prototype medical devices within 12 weeks. Clinicians may be interested in proposing and co-supervising projects to help

these projects evolve to their highest potential. However, the focus on commercialization means that only the most promising

projects are carried through.

Serving on SERI’s Patent review committee, a reviewer for several innovation grants and as a member of A*STAR’s Diagnostic

Development hub, have led to a deep commitment to advancing commercialization in Singapore for Adj Assoc Prof Perera. His

work with TouchSurgery in creating a successful Cataract Surgery training app has opened up important routes of collaboration in

new pastures.

Together, both co-heads work to facilitate projects between Clinicians and Engineers via networking events and in conjunction

with third party stakeholders for funding and mentorship.

Developed devices and techniques that can be applied to wider domains. We are interested to hear about novel developments and

can help you rapidly maximize your exposure through its application to Ophthalmology.

Example of a custom-designed and 3D printed glaucoma drainage device (NUS Biomedical Engineering – BN3101: Course on Biomedical

Engineering Design)

Biomedical Engineering Areas of Interests:

Interests for Biomedical Engineers


FA 17_Biomedical Engineering_Fin-ok.indd 1 29/02/2016 20:23

www.seri.com.sg

Contact Us:Dr Michael J.A. Girard at [email protected]

Assoc Prof Shamira Perera at [email protected]

Mari JM, Park SC, Strouthids NG, Girard MJA. Enhancement of Lamina Cribrosa Visibility in Optical Coherence Tomography Images Using Adaptive Compensation. Invest Ophthal and Vis Sci. 2013; 54(3):2238-47.

Girard MJA, Strouthidis NG, Desjardins A, Mari JM, Ethier CR. In Vivo Optic nerve Head Biomechanics: Performance Testing of a 3D tracking algorithm. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 2013; 10(87):20130459.

Lamina cribrosa visibility using optical coherence tomography: comparison of devices and eff ects of image enhancement techniques. Girard MJ, Tun TA, Husain R, Acharyya S, Haaland BA, Wei X, Mari JM, Perera SA, Baskaran M, Aung T, Strouthidis NG. IOVS 15;56(2):865-74.

Selected Publications

Dr Michael J.A. Girard Assoc Prof Shamira Perera

Co-Heads:

1) Development of Novel Intraocular Lens Injectors

2) Development of Smart Pupil Expanders

3) Improved Diagnosis of Age-related MacularDegeneration using Novel Protein Multiplexing Technology Dr Dieter Trau, co-founder of AYOXXA Biosystems Pte Ltd, and

Dr Marcus Ang are currently validating AYOXXA’s multiplexing

technology to improve the diagnosis of age-related macular

degeneration.

4) Development of Novel EngineeringTools to Characterize Ocular Biomechanics In Vivo Dr Michael Girard is currently developing novel

engineering tools that will allow clinicians to quantify

scleral, retinal, choroidal, corneal, iris, and optic nerve

head biomechanics in vivo. These tools help the diagnosis and treatment of multiple ophthalmic disorders including

myopia, glaucoma, corneal disorders and AMD.

Current Projects and Collaborations An early prototype for the LensGun – A tool to facilitate IOL insertion during cataract surgery

Novel smart pupil expander


FA 17_Biomedical Engineering_Fin-ok.indd 2 29/02/2016 20:24

www.seri.com.sg

Visual Neurosciences Research Group The Visual Neurosciences Research Group is interested in the neurobiological interactions between the eyes and the brain

and aims to translate fundamental scientifi c knowledge into clinical settings. More specifi cally, our group is investigating the

visual, and non-visual behavioral and physiological consequences of clinical conditions aff ecting the retina and the optic nerves,

including glaucoma, as well as other infl ammatory, compressive, hereditary optic neuropathies. Through our collaboration with

the Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders group at Duke-NUS, we also aim to study the non-visual cerebral responses originating

from the eye, using modern techniques in a sleep-lab, as well as functional neuro-imaging.

1. Dysfunction of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in ophthalmicconditions. Our initial pupilometric studies (Rukmini et al, Ophthalmology, 2015) have shown dysfunction in the melanopsin expressing

retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) system in primary open angle glaucoma, and significant correlations with the severity of

the disease. In collaboration with the Glaucoma group (Prof Tin Aung, Dr Baskaran Mani, Adj A/Prof Shamira Perera) we

are currently evaluating the efficiency of chromatic pupillometry with a novel photic stimulation paradigm (implemented

with Dr J Gooley, Duke-NUS), for detecting early and pre-perimetric glaucoma. We also aim to assess the functions of the

intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in other neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions, affecting the

visual pathways and the central nervous system.

2. Retinal Neurobiology of Myopia.We are currently exploring (in collaboration with Prof Wallace Foulds, Dr Veluchamy Amutha Barathi, Dr Rajamani

Lakshminarayanan and Dr Ouria Dkhissi Benyahya (INSERM Unit 846, France), the impacts of dopamine and different light

exposures stimulating different photoreceptors on the progression and devolvement of acquired myopia, in different animal

models.

3. Cerebral Projections of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells.explored with functional MRI. Collaborative work with Dr Brown Hsieh (Duke-NUS) and Prof Francoise Vienot (CNRS and

Museum d’Histoire Naturelle, France).

4. Hereditary optic neuropathies.Our group has recently identified patients with genetically confirmed Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy in Singapore,

a condition which is only rarely reported in South-East Asia. Collaborations with a group of geneticists in Angers, France,

have allowed identification of novel genetic mutations in the OPA1 gene, responsible not only for visual loss due to optic

atrophy, but also deafness. Various other mitochondrial genetic mutations affecting the optic nerves are explored through

collaborations with a team of geneticists in Angers, France, lead by Prof Reynier and Prof Procaccio.

5. Ocular motor dysfunctions associated with conditions of the afferent pathways.Evaluation of the patterns and consequences of disrupted ocular motor behaviour, studied with infrared oculography,

associated with various retinopathies and optic neuropathies.

Projects:


FA 18_Vis Neuroscience-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 20:25

www.seri.com.sg

Selected Recent publications1. Annweiler C, Milea D, Whitson HW, Cheng CY, Wong TY, Ikram K, Lamoureux EL, Sabanayagam C. Vitamin D insuffi ciency and cognitive impairment in Asians: a multi-

ethnic population-based study and meta-analysis. Journal of Internal Medicine, 2016, in press.

2. Najjar RP, Zeitzer JM. Temporal integration of light fl ashes by the human circadian system. Journal of Clinical Investigations, 2016, in press.

3. Rukmini AV, Milea D, Baskaran M, How AC, Perera SA, Aung T, Gooley JJ. Pupillary Responses to High-Irradiance Blue Light Correlate with Glaucoma Severity. Ophthalmology. 2015;122(9):1777-85.

4. Milea D, Aung T. Flavonoids and glaucoma: revisiting therapies from the past. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2015;253(11):1839-40.

5. Uro M, Beauchet O, Cherif M, Graff e A, Milea D, Annweiler C. Age-Related Vitamin D Defi ciency Is Associated with Reduced Macular Ganglion Cell Complex: A Cross-Sectional High-Defi nition Optical Coherence Tomography Study. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 19;10(6):e0130879.

6. Nissen C, Rönnbäck C, Sander B, Herbst K, Milea D, Larsen M, Lund-Andersen H. Dissociation of Pupillary Post-Illumination Responses from Visual Function in Confi rmed OPA1 c.983A > G and c.2708_2711delTTAG Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy. Front Neurol. 2015 Feb 4.

7. Ebran JM, Milea D, Trelohan A, Bonicel P, Hamel JF, Leftheriotis G, Martin L. New insights into the visual prognosis of pseuoxanthoma elasticum. Br J Ophthalmol , 2014.

8. Najjar RP, Wolf L, Taillard J, Schlangen LJM, Salam A, Cajochen C, Gronfi er C. Chronic Artifi cial Blue-Enriched White Light Is an Eff ective Countermeasure to Delayed Circadian Phase and Neurobehavioral Decrements. PLoS ONE.2014 Jul 29;9(7): e102827.

9. Ronnbaeck C, Milea D, Larsen M. Imaging of the macula indicates early completion of structural defi cit in autosomal-dominant optic atrophy. Ophthalmology, 2013 Dec;120(12):2672-7.

10. Herbst K, Sander B, Lund-Andersen H, Wegener M, Hannibal J, Milea D. Unilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: chromatic pupillometry in aff ected, fellow non-aff ected and healthy control eyes. Front Neurol. 2013 May 10.

Head: Prof Dan MileaContact Us: [email protected]

From left to right, collaborators and group’s members:E Atalay, S Sharma, AV Rukmini, RP Najjar, D Milea, JJ Gooley, B Mani, ZL Jing


FA 18_Vis Neuroscience-ok.indd 2 26/02/2016 20:25

www.seri.com.sg

Translational Pre-Clinical (Animal) Model Platform

The animal models of ocular diseases continue to be an important experimental tool for SERI with the fundamental knock-out mice becoming an integral part of SERI’s research. The animal facility at the Singapore Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC) is well-equipped with instrumentation necessary for ocular research and is an essential adjunct facility utilized extensively by SERI scientists.

This group involves a multi-disciplinary team that provides expertise and instrumentation facilitating translational and basic ocular disease research using animal models. The group works with all SERI project teams that require the use of disease-specifi c animal models. They provide technical support, as well as expert guidance on the selection of the appropriate animal to be utilized as an experimental model for human ocular disease study.

Many animal models are currently being explored for ongoing SERI

First Lab Equipped With Femto-Second Laser & Technolas Excimer Laser System For Corneal Surgery

Femtosecond-laser surgery on rabbit

studies. Future SERI plans involve shifting the focus to understanding the cellular, genomics, proteomics and molecular levels of major ocular diseases in both anterior and posterior segments.

This will be greatly aided by both the in-vitro and in-vivo models of disease studies that would facilitate the SERI team to explore new therapeutics that are currently being developed.

Ocular Imaging Facilities

In-vivo Confocal Microscopy Keratometry Corneal Topography AS-OCT Slit-lamp Microscopy


FA 19_SERI_PreClinicalModel-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 20:30

www.seri.com.sg

• Carl Zeiss Femtosecond Laser Suite• Baush & Lomb Technolas Excimer laser

Suite • Heidelberg HRT in-vivo Confocal

Microscope• Topcon Slit-lamp microscopy with video

captures function • Specular Microscope for in-vivo

endothelial cell count • Topcon Fundus Microscope

• Heidelberg HRT Posterior Segment OCT• Carl Zeiss Anterior Segment OCT • Topcon Purepoint Laser Slit lamp

Delivery System• Micron IV comprehensive suite for rodent

eye research • Autorefractor• Real-Time IOP device• Tonopen for both large and small animals• Dissecting/Surgical Microscope

• Retinoscopy• A-Scan Ultrasound for Biometry

measurements• Carl-Zeiss OLCI AC-Master for mouse

biometry measurements• Automated Infrared Photorefraction Set-

up for mouse & chicken• Vitrectomy and Indirect Ophthalmoscope• ESPION & Roland ERG set-up for small

and large animals

SERI has staff who are well versed in the principles of Good Lab Practice (GLP) that attributes to the quality of our animal model research. The strength of SERI Experimental & Translational / Pre-Clinical has a team mainly: Principal Investigators (18); Veterinarians (4); Clinician Scientists/Fellows (14); Research Associates (5); Research Offi cers (6); Research Assistants (6)

Selected Publications1. Lai CM, Barathi A, et al. Long-term evaluation of AAV-mediated sFlt-1 gene therapy for ocular neovascularization in mice and monkeys. Mol Ther 2005; 12(4):659-668. IF =

6.825.

2. Lei Zhou, Amutha Barathi, et al. Proteomic analysis of rabbit tear fl uid: Defensin levels after an experimental corneal wound are correlated to wound closure. Proteomics 2007; 7(17): 3194-3206. IF = 5.5.

3. Barathi VA, et al. Two models of experimental myopia in the mouse. Vision Res. 2008 Mar;48(7):904-16. IF = 2.2.

4. Barathi VA, Beuerman RW and Schaeff el F. Eff ects of unilateral topical atropine on binocular pupil responses and eye growth in mice. Vision Research, 2009,Mar;48(7):904-16. IF = 2.2.

5. Barathi VA, et al. Transglutaminases (TGases) in Ocular and Periocular Tissues: Eff ect of Muscarinic Agents on TGases in Scleral Fibroblasts. PLOS One. 2011 Apr 6;6(4):e18326. IF = 4.56.

6. Remya Robinson, Barathi VA, et al. Fluvastatin Downregulates VEGF-A Expression in TNF-∂ –Induced Retinal Vessel Tortuosity, 2011 Sep 27;52(10):7423-31 IOVS. IF: 3.431.

7. Remya Robinson, Barathi VA, et al. Current update on animal models of diabetic retinopathy. 2012. Dis Model Mech. 2012 Jul;5(4):444-56. IF: 4.584.

8. Fan Q, Barathi VA. et al. Genetic variants on chromosome 1q41 infl uence ocular axial length and high myopia. PLoS Genet. 2012 Jun;8(6):e1002753. Epub 2012 Jun 7. IF: 9.543.

9. Lai CM, Barathi VA, et al. Preclinical safety evaluation of subretinal AAV2.sFlt-1 in non-human primates. Gene Ther. 2012 Oct;19(10):999-1009. IF: 4.5.

10. Khanh-Nhat Tran-Viet, Barathi VA, et al. Identifi cation of a Novel Gene for Autosomal Dominant High-Grade Myopia Using Whole Exome Sequencing. Amr J Hum Genet, 2013 May 2;92(5):820-6. IF: 11.202.

Head: Dr Velachamy A BarathiContact us: [email protected]

The animal lab is shared with SingHealth Experimental Medical Centre (SEMC) of Singapore General Hospital. SERI has 4 rooms in SEMC, which are fully equipped with ophthalmological instruments (see listing below) to aid in ocular translational research and pre-clinical testing.

SERI provides comprehensive translational research expertise and facilities within the confi nes of a single institution. SERI has a highly skilled and competent personnel group. It has a well-established infrastructure to orchestrate and support research projects in accordance to the highest international standards. A team of professional staff (scientifi c, veterinarian, clinician and technical) helps support a broad range of in-vitro and in-vivo animal research.

SEMC became the fi rst academic animal research facility in Singapore to be fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) in 2006.

“Understand the disease processes at the cellular and molecular level in order to design better, innovate methods and dosage for the treatment of human ocular diseases” - Research Goal


FA 19_SERI_PreClinicalModel-ok.indd 2 29/02/2016 20:25

www.seri.com.sg

DevelopingAntimicrobial Peptides

DevelopingBiomarkers for Clinical

Diagnosis

Ocular Proteomics Support PlatformThe Ocular Proteomics Laboratory is a core platform in Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and provides expertise and

instrumentation in cutting-edge proteomics and metabolomics research. Established in 2004, the Ocular Proteomics Laboratory

has focused on application of proteomics to clinical samples from the eye to fi nd new biomarkers and understand the disease.

Additionally, we collaborate with other research groups within Singapore Eye Research Institute/Singapore National Eye Centre and

off er a broad range of proteomics/metabolomics and biological mass spectrometry (MS) services, including protein identifi cation,

quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ, high resolution - MRM, SWATH, etc.), characterization of post-translational modifi cations (PTMs),

MS-based non-targeted and targeted metabolomics, and drug analysis. Recently we have been asked to participate in the Human

Proteome Organisation (HUPO) Eye Proteome project which aims to establish the human eye proteome database.

Capability• Protein identifi cation (identify proteins from a gel band, or whole proteome)

• Quantitative proteomics and proteomic profi ling (iTRAQ, mTRAQ, high-resolution

MRM, SWATH, etc.)

• Post-translational modifi cation discovery (glycosylation, phosphorylation,

acetylation, methylation, etc.)

• MS-based metabolomics

• Small molecule quantitation (drug level, targeted metabolomics, etc.)

Facility• AB SCIEX TripleTOF 5600 Mass

Spectrometer

• Dionex UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano

system

• AB SCIEX API 2000 MS/MS system

• Waters 2695 HPLC system

• Waters Acquity UPLC I-Class system

2 PATENTS 3 PATENTS

Dry Eye Human

LASIKHuman

Keratoconus Human

Lacrimal Gland Tumor Human

Glaucoma Medication Human

Thyroid Eye Disease Human

OCULAR PROTEOMICS IN SERI

Cornea WoundRabbit Model

MyopiaMouse Model

Diabetic Retinopathy Human

Cornea InfectionsHuman

PROTEOMICS PLATFORM


FA 20_SERI_Oc_Proteomics-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 20:33

www.seri.com.sg

One of our focuses is on tear fl uid proteomics and metabolomics. We believe that tear fl uid is a useful source for discovering

biomarkers associated with the various components of the lacrimal functional unit because of the close relationship of tears to the

disease sites. Recent studies by our group showed that more than 1500 proteins and 60 small molecule metabolites were identifi ed

in healthy human tears using the latest proteomics and metabolomics technology. This comprehensive tear composition repertoire

can be served as a background for future biomarker research of ocular diseases.

The current biomarker research projects which use tears as the source are:

• Validation study of tear biomarkers for dry eye

• Epidemiologic studies of tear proteomics in normal Chinese, Malay and Indian population

• Tear proteomic profi les in post-LASIK (Laser in-situ keratomileusis) dry eye

• Eff ect of glaucoma medication on tear protein profi les and use them as biomarkers to predict the risk of glaucoma surgical failure

• Tear biomarkers in lacrimal gland tumor

• Tear proteomic profi les in thyroid eye disease

• Tear proteomic profi les in keratoconus

Other important proteomics/metabolomics projects include:

• Integrated “Omics” in ocular important drug-resistance

pathogens

• Circulating biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy using a

metabolomics approach

• Molecular mechanism of myopia and atropine treatment in a

mouse model using quantitative proteomics

• Vitreous proteomic profi le in diabetic retinopathy

Selected Recent Publications1. Chen L, Cheng CY, Choi HW, Ikram MK, Sabanayagam C, Tan GS, Tian DC, Zhang L, Venkatesan G, Tai ES, Wang JJ, Mitchell P, Cheung CM, Beuerman RW, Zhou

L*, Chan ECY*, Wong TY*. Plasma Metabonomic Profi ling of Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes. 2016, Accepted. (IF = 8.474). * Corresponding author.

2. Chen L, Li J, Guo T, Ghosh S, Koh SK, Tian D, Zhang L, Jia D, Beuerman RW, Aebersold R, Chan EC, Zhou L*. Global Metabonomic and Proteomic Analysis ofHuman Conjunctival Epithelial Cells (IOBA-NHC) in Response to Hyperosmotic Stress. Journal of Proteome Research. 2015, 14, 3982-3995. (IF = 5.001). *Corresponding author.

3. Tong L, Zhou XY, Jylha A, Aapola U, Liu DN, Koh SK, Tian D, Quah J, Uusitalo H, Beuerman RW, Zhou L*. Quantitation of 47 Human Tear Proteins usingHigh Resolution Multiple Reaction Monitoring (HR-MRM) Based-Mass Spectrometry. Journal of Proteomics. 2015, 115, 36-48. (IF =5.080). *Correspondingauthor.

4. Barathi VA, Chaurasia SS, Poidinger M, Koh SK, Tian D, Ho C, Iuvone MP, Beuerman RW, Zhou L*. Involvement of GABA transporters in Atropine-treated MyopicRetina as revealed by iTRAQ Quantitative Proteomics. Journal of Proteome Research. 2014, Nov. 7; 13(11): 4647-4658. (IF = 5.001). *Corresponding author.

5. Zhou L*, Wei Ruihua, Zhao Ping, Koh Siew Kwan, Beuerman Roger W, Ding Chuanqing, Proteomic Analysis Revealed the Altered Tear Protein Profi le in aRabbit Model of Sjögren’s Syndrome-Associated Dry Eye. Proteomics, 2013, 13(16), 2469-2481. *Corresponding author.

6. Zhou L, Beuerman RW. Tear analysis in ocular surface diseases. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 2012, 31(6), 527-550. (IF = 11.207).

7. Zhou L*, Zhao SZ, Koh SK, Chen L, Vaz C, Tanavde V, Li XR, Beuerman RW. In-depth analysis of the human tear proteome. Journal of Proteomics, 2012, 75(13),3877-3885. (IF = 5.080). *Corresponding author.

8. Chen L, Zhou L*, Chan E, Neo J, Beuerman, RW, Characterization of The Human Tear Metabolome by LC-MS/MS. Journal of Proteome Research. 2011, Oct7;10(10):4876-82. (IF = 5.617). *Corresponding author.

9. Wong TT, Zhou L, Li J, Tong L, Zhao SZ, Li XR, Yu SJ, Koh SK, Beuerman RW, Proteomic profi ling of infl ammatory signaling molecules in the tears of patientson chronic glaucoma medication, Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011, Sep 22;52(10):7385-91. (IF = 3.933).

10. Zhou L, Liu SP, Li J, Ong LB, Guo L, Wohland T, Tang C, Lakshminarayanan R, Mavinahalli J, Verma C, Beuerman RW. The structural parameters to antimicrobialactivity, human epithelia cell cytotoxicity and killing mechanism of 10-AA synthetic analogues and covalent dimer derived from hBD3 C-terminal. AminoAcids. 2011 Jan;40(1):123-33. (IF = 4.106).

Head: Dr Zhou LeiContact Us: [email protected]


FA 20_SERI_Oc_Proteomics-ok.indd 2 26/02/2016 20:33

www.seri.com.sg

The newly established Experimental Microscopy Sub-platform provides collaborative and

advisory assistance for scientists in Singapore Eye Research Institute/Singapore National Eye

Centre to use high resolution imaging for their research programs. To conduct fundamental

and advanced research relating studies of morphological and expression characteristics to

biological and material properties, the platform is equipped with “state of the art” light,

stereo and confocal microscopes, including

• Carl Zeiss AXIOVERT 200 Motorized Microscope (AxioVision 4.8)

• Carl Zeiss AXIOPLAN 2 Imaging Microscope (AxioVision 4.8)

• Carl Zeiss AXIO Imager System with ApoTome (AxioVision 4.7.1)

• Nikon C2 Confocal Laser Point Scanning System (NIS-Elements

Ar-4)

• BioRad ZOE Fluorescence Cell Imager

• Nikon SMZ1500 Stereomicroscope

• Nikon Eclipse TS100-F Stereomicroscopes (NIS-Elements D)

Most of them are outfitted with digital imaging to allow investigator

to quickly use images for manuscripts, presentations and grants.

Experimental Microscopy Support Platform

Facilities

• Live cell and time-lapse imaging (cellular dynamics for biological functions)

• Fluorescence microscopy (target protein expression in sub-cellular structures and single molecule tracking and

quantification)

• Phase contrast/differential interference contrast DIC microscopy (contrast-enhanced topographic imaging)

• Confocal microscopy (high-resolution point scanning imaging for 3D image reconstruction)

• Polarized light microscopy (anisotropy, birefringence composition)

• Stereomicroscopy (for close work and micro-dissection)

Capabilities

This platform has a team supported by Scientists, Research Offi cers and Laboratory Executives,

who are committed to ensuring a high standard of research excellence and facility support.

Manpower

• Advanced Bio-imaging Core Platform, Academia, SingHealth

• Electron Microscopy Unit, National University of Singapore (transmission and scanning

electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, cryosectioning and immunoelectron

microscopy)

• NanoCore, National University of Singapore (helium ion microscopy)

• Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR Singapore (laser capture micro-dissection)

Collaborators

AXIOVERT Motorized Microscope System

C2 Confocal Microscope System

AXIO Imager System

ZOE


FA 21_Experimental Microscopy-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 20:51

www.seri.com.sg

Selected Recent Publications1. Lee MC, et al. Expression of the primary angle closure glaucoma susceptibility gene PLEKHA7 in endothelial and epithelial cell junctions in the eye. Invest

Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 May 55(6):3833-41.

2. Yam GH, et al. Ex vivo propagation of human corneal stromal “activated keratocytes” for tissue engineering. Cell Transplantation 24(9), 1845-61 (2015).

3. Chaurasia SS, et al. Hevin plays a pivotal role in corneal wound healing. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 26;8(11):e81544.

4. Zhang T, et al. The eff ect of amniotic membrane de-epithelialization method on its biological properties and ability to promote limbal epithelial cell culture. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013 Apr 30;54(4):3072-81.

5. Tan XW, et al. In vivo biocompatibility of two PEG/PAA interpenetrating polymer networks as corneal inlays following deep stromal pocket implantation. JMater Sci Mater Med. 2013 Apr;24(4):967-77.

6. Chaurasia SS, et al. Eff ect of fi brin glue on biomechanical properties of human Descemet’s membrane. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e37456.

7. Seet LF, et al. Involvement of SPARC and MMP-3 in pathogenesis of human pterygium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Feb 2;53(2):587-95.

8. Peh GS, et al. Cultivation of human corneal endothelial cells isolated from paired donor corneas. PLoS One. 2011;6(12):e28310.

9. Riau AK, et al. Nanoscale helium ion microscopic analysis of collagen fi brillar changes following femtosecond laser dissection of human cornea. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2014 Aug;10(8):1552-62.

Head: Dr Gary YamContact Us: [email protected]


FA 21_Experimental Microscopy-ok.indd 2 23/02/2016 20:16

www.seri.com.sg

Data Science and Data Management Platform Both data science and data management units serve to support all research themes across SERI that requires

data collection, database management, statistical analysis, inference and reporting.

The data science team in SERI consists of a group of

experienced statisticians with background in epidemiology,

clinical trials and genetics analysis.

The data science team is essential in the support of

research platforms across all themes that require planning

and analysis of experiments. The overall coordination and

assignment of statisticians to research projects from various

research themes will be managed by the statistics

manager who will also monitor research projects and

workload. Principal investigators, clinician scientists, research

fellows from all research platforms are able to tap onto the

statistics expertise of the team:

The data science team have been actively involved in large population based studies such as Singapore Eye Epidemiology

Disease (SEED) programme, and have established good collaboration within SERI, SNEC and other academic and research

institutes such as NUHS, TTSH and Duke-NUS. In order to further upgrade the capability within the team, internal

research meetings are conducted regularly to learn, share and discuss on statistical methods, problems and new methods

with mentorship from statistics professors in NUS and Duke-NUS.

Contact UsHead: Prof Cheng Ching-Yu at [email protected] Contact Details: Prof Cheng Ching-Yu at [email protected]

Team Members: Dr Htoon Hla Myint (Research Scientist) Dr Marco Yu (Senior Statistician)

1. Study design and planning: Discussion with principal investigators/clinician scientists/research fellows to understand

their research aims and to assist in the planning and design of their research study. Sample size and power calculations

will be performed. Statistical analysis plans and statistical sections for grant application will be drafted by statisticians.

2. Statistical analysis and reporting: Primary and secondary analysis will be conducted to investigate research aims.

Statisticians will collaborate in the writing of reports, abstracts and manuscripts as well as assist in reviews. Further

insights and sub-group analysis will be investigated.

3. Statistical consulting: Provide an avenue to discuss and resolve ad-hoc statistical questions or post-hoc analysis for

researchers in all themes.

4. Statistics workshop: Introductory statistics sessions could be conducted for researchers who would like to learn statistical

software to perform their own analysis.

Data Science Platform

What we do?


FA 22_SERI_Stat_DataMgmt_OK.indd 1 01/03/2016 22:15

Mr Nguyen Duc Quang (Biostatistician)Ms Chee Miao Li (Biostatistician)

www.seri.com.sg

Data Management Unit (DMU) serves to support all research and clinical studies across SERI and SNEC that requires complete data

management starting from Case Report Form designing to preparation of cleaned datasets.

DMU is fully trained for

• Best DM practices, Data Management policies and

procedures

• Programming and computerized system validations to

ensure high quality and well organized databases with

thorough documentation.

At present, DMU is working on numerous SERI and SNEC

projects from database design to data entry, quality checks

and maintenance. DMU consists of Assistant Director,

Database Programmer, Data Coordinator, Data Management

Offi cers along with Temporary Data Management Assistants

working on large population based epidemiological cross-

sectional studies, cohort studies, clinical trials, genome-

wide association studies, laboratory data and other projects with various organizations such as NUHS, NUS and overseas projects

besides SERI and SNEC. Besides clinical research projects, DMU is involved in developing robust electronic data capture system

(EDC) required for various departments in SERI and SNEC using object-oriented programming languages.

Data Management Platform

PI / Co-PI Discussion with DB Manager

Query Resolution &

Data UpdatingReport Generation

Data Archive & Backup

CRF Design

QC on Data Collection and Data

EntryComplete DM

Documentation

Final Dataset to PI/Statistician

Data Cleaning & Final Query

Resolution

QC Document Preparation & Study

DM Orientation

Edit Checks & Final QC

Develop DB, Data Dictionary

& DM Plan

CRF Filing into MRO

Overview of Data Management Workfl ow

Contact UsHead: Prof Ecosse Lamoureux

Email: [email protected]

Assistant Director: Ms Sangeetha Nagarajan

Email: [email protected]

Team Members: Ms Anandaraj Anita

Ms Sophia Man She Yunn

Ms Farjana Begum

Ms Habibah Banu binte Zakir Hussain

Ms Nurul Huda binte Ramli

Ms Fatimahtul Zuhra bte Yacob Marican


FA 22_SERI_Stat_DataMgmt_OK.indd 2 01/03/2016 22:51

www.seri.com.sg

SERI Graduate Academy

SERI Graduate Academy is an education

collaboration of Singapore Eye Research

Institute with various local and international

research institutions, universities and

industrial partners forming specialized

education centres that propels SERI’s

vision in academic ophthalmology. As

SERI recognizes that human talent is the

key factor in the development of scientifi c

and biomedical research in vision and the

ocular realm, the Academy aims to meet the

requirements of the eye research institute

of the next decades by launching and

supporting quality education initiatives in

eye research.

SERI Graduate Academy’s Strategic InitiativesThe Academy has a comprehensive approach in the development of manpower in eye research, focusing on translational and

clinical sciences relevant to ophthalmology. As of 2018, SERI has a full time staff more than 196, excluding the adjunct research

and clinical staff . It has supported the development and training of more than 100 students and fellows in the last 21 years. SERI

Graduate Academy taps into a network of potential trainees and applicants from research and health centres from Singapore and

all over the world, via its education brochure and recently enhanced website, to identify the critical talent of tomorrow.

Fellowships, Traineeships and AttachmentsIn line with its eff orts to develop scientifi c talent for SERI, the Academy off ers a variety of programs and scholarships to nurture

people from young students and undergraduates to postdoctoral fellows. This includes research internships with education

centres such as polytechnics and universities, medical undergraduate research attachments, PhD studentships in conjunction with

various universities and National Research Foundation, short term overseas fellowships with National Medical Research Council

and Ministry of Health, SingHealth fellowship awards and Singapore National Eye Centre education awards, post-doctoral training

fellowships, research training programmes for ophthalmic residency and various visiting professorships. Recently SERI Academy

has played pivotal roles in setting up a PhD scholarship as well as a clinician-scientist residency research program.

SERI Graduate Academy PartnersSERI Graduate Academy collaborates with universities such as the National University of Singapore, the Duke-NUS Medical School,

and the Nanyang Technological University. It is also involved in major partnerships with prestigious research institutes such as the

A*STAR research institutes and various industrial partners such as Pfi zer, Novartis, Allergan and Alcon.

International Advisory Panel (IAP)SERI has an IAP which consists of several prominent academic staff from internationally renowned universities, and the role of the IAP

is to advise SERI on its education and development programmes, to ensure that these meet an internationally competitive standard.

Head: Prof Louis TongContact Us: [email protected]


FA 24_SERI_GraduateAcademy-ok.indd 1 29/02/2016 19:59

www.seri.com.sg

Research Clinic

The Singapore Eye

Research Institute (SERI)

is pre-eminent in its

position as a centre for

leading ophthalmic and

vision research in Asia-

Pacifi c. Our multiple

collaborations with

renowned local and international research and academic institutions, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, as well as other industry

organizations, serve as a testament to the quality and credibility of the research conducted at SERI.

The SERI Research Clinic is a research facility that houses several consultation rooms with specialist “state-of-the-art” equipment and

“cutting-edge” tools to conduct comprehensive clinical trials and research studies. This is further supported by a symbiotic network

of research personnel, including a dedicated team of research fellows, optometrists, coordinators, nurses, imaging technicians, data

entry personnel and statisticians, as well as ophthalmologists from the various public-centre eye hospitals i.e. SNEC, NUHS, TTSH etc.

This research team is able to conduct a wide range of long and short term studies, encompassing the entire spectrum of FIM (First

-In-Man) phase I to phase IV clinical trials for drugs, implants and devices. Since its inception in 1997, the SERI Research Clinic has

performed more than 500* clinical and epidemiology studies (including more than 100* random controlled trials) and evaluating

visual impairment in the community. Today, the SERI Research Clinic typically has more than 100* on-going studies (encompassing

clinical trials and research studies, epidemiology studies, ocular imaging studies, Health Services Research studies etc.) at any one time.

Facility DescriptionLocated over one fl oor of the Singapore National Eye Centre (the largest eye specialist centre in Singapore) and with a well-equipped and patient-friendly environment, our facility includes:• 6 consultation rooms including refraction rooms, all equipped with phoropters andslit-lamp biomicroscopes with applanation tonometers.• An in-house pharmacy and an Investigational Products (IP) room with the appropriateand secure drug storage refrigerators and cabinets.• Ample and secure storage facility with freezers for biological samples/ specimens.

• State-of-the-art equipment such as the Optical Coherence Tomography (e.g. Spectralis, Cirrus and CASSIA OCT for posteriorsegment imaging, Visante OCT for anterior segment imaging), Ultra Biomicroscopy (UBM), Confocal Microscopy, Heidelberg Retinal Tomography (HRT II) and HRT III, Specular Miscroscopy, IOL Master, Dynamic Vessel Analyser, Humphrey Visual Field Analysers, Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), Pneumatonometer, RAPDx pupilometer, Retcam, CORVIS, LipidView, LipidFlow and digital ophthalmic cameras such as the slit lamp and retinal cameras (e.g. Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) and Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG)) are also available. • A robust and systematic schedule of equipment inspection and maintenance, to ensure the smooth and eff ective conduct of alltrial-related activities.

Manpower ResourcesCommitted to ensuring a high standard of research excellence, our more than 50 study personnel, includes clinical research fellows,

optometrists, coordinators, nurses, data management and statistical support teams, are CITI-certifi ed and GCP-trained. In most

instances, a clinical trial conducted at the SERI Research Clinic will be assigned a team comprising of the following personnel:

Conducting Clinical Trials at SERI

• Principal Investigator

• Project Manager

• Co- Investigators

• Clinical Research Coordinator

• Research Optometrist

• Clinical Trial Coordinator

• Data management and statistical support

expertise, as and when required.


FA 25_SERI_Clinic-ok.indd 1 01/03/2016 21:29

www.seri.com.sg

• Sponsor liaison/contact point

• Feasibility queries and negotiation of research-related legal contracts

• Consultation on study costs/budget and pricing of research at SERI/SNEC, as well as assistance to formulate and formalize study budgets

• Logistics, administrative and planning support for new studies, including the required due diligence in terms of ethical (IRB), legal

and regulatory (HSA) requirements

• Development of knowledge transfer, intellectual property management, technology exploitation and commercialization activities.

• Advice and information on funding opportunities

• Administration of peer-reviewed competitive grants, as well as intra-mural grants i.e. from initial point of submission to the disbursement

of funds and concurrent claims to funding body

Clinical Trials CapabilitiesSERI has the expertise and experience to conduct all forms of ophthalmic and vision research clinical trials/studies, involving both

drug-related and/or medical devices, in all of the sub-specialties including:

Participant RecruitmentThe SERI Research Clinic personnel are diligent and experienced

in recruiting study participants, with emphasis on personalised

attention, as well as strict adherence to the highest ethical

standards. This has resulted in our studies enjoying a high and

exemplary retention rate, as well as a cohort of happy and

compliant study participants. The centralised location and the

easy accessibility to the eye clinics at the Singapore National

Eye Centre, as well as Singapore’s multi-ethnic (Chinese, Malay,

Indian and Caucasian) population, makes the SERI Research Clinic

one of the most ideal and conducive hub to conduct impactful

and successful clinical trials and research studies.

As the comfort, safety and well-being of our study participants are of paramount importance to us, we consistently solicit feedback

from them, in the form of surveys and questionnaires, so as to continuously improve our services and concurrently ensure a safe and

comfortable environment for all our study participants.

The SERI Research Clinic remains steadfast in its unwavering commitment to address sight-threatening disorders within our society

and across Asia. This is clearly refl ected in our concerted and sustained eff orts to conduct high quality and impactful clinical trials/

research studies, with the ultimate aim to tackle and combat the region’s most prevalent eye diseases. In this quest of ours, we are

humbled and remain grateful to our study participants who have supported and participated in our studies, and remain the focus of

our research.

• Corneal Diseases & Refractive Surgery

• Ocular Infl ammation / Uveitis

• Pediatric-Ophthalmology

• Health Service Research

• Cataract

• Neuro-Ophthalmology

• Retinal Diseases

• Epidemiology studies

• Glaucoma

• Oculoplastic

• Optometry

• Dry Eyes

Support Services by SERI Administration(in conjunction with research conducted at the SERI Research Clinic)

Head: Prof Aung Tin Director, Research Clinic: Dr Baskaran Mani

Contact Us: Prof Aung Tin at [email protected], Dr Baskaran at [email protected]


FA 25_SERI_Clinic-ok.indd 2 26/02/2016 21:21

www.seri.com.sg

Technology Development and Commercialization Offi ce

Background

SERI researchers continuously produce world-class results that

have received widespread international recognition. In addition to

generating an impressive publication track record and a growing

reputation, the outcomes of this research include multiple

commercially promising technologies which we are looking

to bring to market, either via licensing to industry or via spin-

off s. The SERI Technology Development and Commercialization

(TD&C) offi ce proactively pursues the translation of SERI’s

research into tangible products - encompassing therapeutics,

devices, diagnostics and software.

The TD&C offi ce serves as a one-stop support entity for all technology transfer and business development activities, working closely

with academics, clinicians and industrial partners to bring potentially impactful ideas to market. We are involved in commercialization

of technologies emanating from the entire breadth of our scope of research; often beginning the process with ideas are still in the

infancy of development, reviewing inventions to explore potential applications, evaluating technical and commercially-related risks,

establishing development and commercialization strategies (including locating development and strategic partners), and providing

support on IP protection together with the SingHealth IP offi ce. Our entrepreneurial approach and diverse expertise enable us to

drive the development of our promising technologies to create social and economic impact, always seeking to bring value to patients.

We believe fi nding the right industrial partner is key to taking an invention to marketplace. As such, the team forms a channel

through which inquiries regarding potential external collaborations fl ow in and reach SERI research staff , as well as being central

to facilitating, formalizing and developing these research activities from a commercial point of view. It is also involved in external

communications towards key stakeholders with regard to commercialization, aiming to attract further industry and academic partners

to form collaborations with SERI.

The TD&C team further oversees the operation of the SNEC ophthalmic technologies incubator. This framework is intended to

facilitate the close, focused, fl exible and rapid nurturing and development of a series of technologies which will later form a string

of medical technology companies. Building on the continuously growing SERI IP portfolio, these technologies arise from diverse

domains, including devices, therapeutics, software and diagnostics, giving SERI a unique portfolio which has market attractiveness

in a wide range of fi elds. Incubator and other SERI and SingHealth staff provide administrative, fi nance, market research, business

planning, legal and IP support as well as links to potential industry and funding partners.

The SERI TD&C offi ce seeks to engage any party, industrial or academic, which has an interest in collaborating with SERI on

commercially-oriented ophthalmology research projects. We can provide information regarding SERI’s research interests,

licensable IP, the commercializable research currently underway, our common models of collaboration, as well as arrange for more

in-depth contacts with SERI researchers and clinicians from the Singapore National Eye Centre. If you have an interest in working

with SERI to bring promising ophthalmic technology to the market, we welcome your inquiry and look forward to hearing from you!

Danny BELKINDirector, TD&CEmail: [email protected]: +65 6576 7214

Tarun Kumar MAHESHWARISenior Manager, TD&C Email: [email protected] Tel.: +65 6576 7254

XiaoQin FANGSenior Manager, TD&C / SNEC Incubator Email: [email protected] Tel.: +65 6576 7253

Alvin KOKSenior Manager, TD&C Email: [email protected] Tel.: +65 6576 7257

Cassandra LIM Administrative Executive, TD&C Email: [email protected] Tel: +65 6576 7252

Contact Us:


FA 26_SERI_BizDev-ok.indd 1 01/03/2016 21:09

www.seri.com.sg

Administration, Research Aff airs & Support ServicesPlatform

An integrated part of SERI, this platform works in partnership with the SERI faculty to provide a multi-spectrum and comprehensive

administrative support to facilitate world-class research and knowledge transfer.

In this context, the Administrative core

serves as “enablers” i.e. to enable SERI to

effi ciently fulfi ll its purpose in accordance

with its pre-determined strategies in

key areas of research. In line with this

role, the administrative core provides

comprehensive support (encompassing

fi nance, human resource, corporate

aff airs, research administration, as well as

philanthropy and development), to meet

the research needs of SERI so as to ensure

its continued success and sustainability.

This support is multi-prong as not only

does this platform provide core administrative, operations and systems support, it further facilitates in the nurturing process of

research talents and the cultivation of a robust research culture through concerted communications initiatives and stakeholder

engagement. In essence, this core remains integral in supporting the entire length and breadth of SERI’s research and its potentially

impactful outcomes.

An overview of this platform’s scope of responsibilities include the following:

• Remit encompasses the entire Administrative, Human Resource, Finance, Operations, Research Aff airs and Philanthropy

Development portfolios.

• Responsible for the tabulation and monitoring of SERI’s research outcomes and key performance indicators on a regular basis, so

as to ensure that the stipulated parameters are met, in line with SERI research aspirations.

• Assists with the implementation and monitoring of the Institute’s SOPs, strategies, as well as short and long-term plans, so as to

ensure the effi cient and smooth operations of the Institute.

• Renders support for all Finance and Accounting functions, as well as the monitoring and tabulation of SERI’s CAPEX, manpower as

well as the annual operating budget.

• Extends support for the overall provision of Human Resources services (including recruitment and retention), policies, and

promotes talent development programs that have high value-add and are knowledge-based.

• Supports the diverse aspects of research administrative functions for SERI, including ethics/regulatory and legal governance;

SOPs and compliance, research fi nance and trial budgeting, intellectual property and commercialization, quality assurance,

organization of research-specifi c events, conferences and meetings.

• Provides comprehensive support for SERI’s fundraising and development activities via the execution of a purposeful development

plan, and managing all fund-raising initiatives and related charitable or development projects for the Institution.

• Acts as the point of contact and key liaison between diff erent collaborators across Singapore, as well as funding bodies such as

NMRC, BMRC, NRF, A*STAR and other external agencies.

• Performs grant administration and management duties, and reports grant outcomes to funding bodies. This includes monitoring

and tracking the budget of each project and acting as pre-emptive prompter for under-utilized budgets, or over-spending of

budgets, and so on.

• Responsible for all corporate, communication and branding eff orts, including the conceptualization of branding collaterals for

professional meetings, seminars and conferences.


FA 27_SERI_Admin_Fin-ok.indd 1 26/02/2016 21:24

www.seri.com.sg

Study/Budget/Cost Tabulation Grant Management

Corporate Communication/

Events Management

Feasibility/NDA Contract Negotiation/ Legal Issues RCA/Patents

Finance Management

Research Database/Outcome Tracking

Ethics/Regulatory/ Insurance

Administration, Research Aff airs & Support Services: Our Capabilities

Director, Administration, Research Affairs & Support Services: Dr Vandana Ramachandran Contact Us: [email protected]


FA 27_SERI_Admin_Fin-ok.indd 2 29/02/2016 20:28

SERI-IMCB Programme in Retinal Angiogenic Diseases (SIPRAD)

OverviewSIPRAD is Singapore’s strategic response to the unmet medical needs of the global population suff ering vision loss due to retinal angiogenic diseases (RAD). Retinal angiogenic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) represent the leading causes of vision impairment in developed countries.

Our VisionTo develop an industry standard platform in retinal angiogenic diseases that leverages SERI & IMCB’s complementary expertise in clinical and pre-clinical science, with an aim to identify and validate novel biomarkers and targets, and evaluate potential anti-angiogenic therapeutics in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Diabetic Retinopathy

SIPRAD – An Integrated Entity

Aims• To conduct clinical studies in

order to identify new biomarkers and targets underlying RAD

• To investigate a portfolio of10-20 previously identifi edtargets, and to validate theirroles in RAD; to establishnew relevant RAD animal modelsbased on the mostpromising new targets

• To collaborate with industry indrug repurposing for RAD

FlyerSize: 210(W)x297(H)mm-ISO39L Seri M Y

C K 16-004DH

DH1600474 GP1B 26.02.2016 175#LLL

3

FA 21_SERI_Oc_Surface.indd 1 26/02/2016 18:09

www.seri.com.sg

SIPRAD Capabilities Overview

Choroid Sprouting Assay Akimba Mice Vascular Leakage Rabbit Retinal Neovascularization

In Vitro Cell-Based Assays-Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cell Proliferation Assay-Vascular Cell Migration Assay

Ex Vivo Organotypic Culture-Choroid Sprouting Assay-Metatarsal Assay

Rodent Models of RAD including Transgenic Mouse Model (Akimba, Akita, Kimba)

New Rabbit RAD Models

Non-human Primate Laser-Induced CNV

Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Large, well characterized cohorts of AMD and DR subjects with biosamples available

Ability to rapidly execute clinical recruitment and trials with an established & experienced clinical research team

Extensive relationship with local & overseas institutions enabling multi-centre eff orts

Clinical, imaging and blood biomarkers can be used to identify potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets

GAMA (Genetics of AMD in Asians) consortium with 6300 AMD cases and 16,000 controls from around Asia

Leverage and align SERI & IMCB expertise to create a unique “Target to Clinic” platform

Aligns its operations with industry standards (timelines, communication, and deliverables)

Focus on communication, culture of urgency and hires with industrial experience

Adopt Dual Business Model (CRO and Discovery Business Models) to increase potential Return on Investment (ROI)

Clinical Industrial Alignment & Business Development

Pre-Clinical

FlyerSize: 210(W)x297(H)mm-ISO39L Seri M Y

C K 16-004DH

DH1600474 GP1B 26.02.2016 175#LLL

3

SIPRAD TeamSERIProf Wong Tien Yin (PI) Assoc Prof Gemmy Cheung Dr Gavin TanProf Cheng Ching-Yu Dr Veluchamy Amutha Barathi Assoc Prof Yasuo YanagiDr Zhou Lei

IMCB Prof Hong Wanjin (Co-PI) Prof Walter Hunziker Asst Prof Wang Xiaomeng Dr Wang HaishanDr Jayantha Gunaratne Dr Vladimir KorzhDr Tom CarneyDr Vinay Tergaonkar Asst Prof Choi HyungwonContact us:

Senior Manager Dr Srivani [email protected]

FA 21_SERI_Oc_Surface.indd 2 26/02/2016 18:09

Documents

Join us in Setting - Singapore National Eye Centre · 2019-04-05 · • Patsnap • Pfizer • Pharmacia & Upjohn • Quark Pharmaceuticals • Quintiles • Roche • Santen Pharmaceutical