News Coverage Related to Event:
UK-Singapore Partners in Science Symposium on Infectious Disease: Drug Resistance and Diagnostics
Friday, 12 September 2008
Experts in S’pore for infectious disease symposium
By 93.8Live
Full article available at:
http://938live.sg/portal/site/938Live/menuitem.43735da1634c4377d21b2910618000a0/?vgnextoid=987c6f6fd055c110VgnVCM1000001f0aa8c0RCRD&mcParam=18d2638896593110VgnVCM100000e101000aRCRD
Please click here to view the full article [hyperlink to the pdf file]
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Components of cancer drug may help in developing new anti malaria drug
By Chua Hwee Leng, Lianhe Zaobao
Excerpts from the article (translated):
Assistant Professor Zbynek Bozdech, a researcher with the Nanyang Technological University, has discovered that components of a cancer drug may help in developing new anti malaria drugs. At present, there are anti malaria drugs available on the market, but the parasite which causes malaria are able to develop resistance to these existing drugs easily. This discovery is able to disrupt the genetic “programme” which the parasite needs to survive, and overcome the limitations of the current drugs.
Yesterday, at an Infectious Disease symposium held at the Biopolis, Assistant Professor Zbynek Bozdech, a researcher with the Nanyang Technological University, shared his latest findings with over 200 researchers.
Three years ago, Prof Bozdech was offered research positions in both Canada and Singapore. He chose the latter and until today, still stands by his decision. He says: “I am very clear on what I want. To me, the most important thing is to have the space and opportunity to pursue my research. Also, as compared to Canada, Singapore is much closer to malaria stricken countries.”
Prof Bozdech’s research has received funding from A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council. He said “Many people might feel that Singapore does not need to invest so much in this area of research. But you can look at it this way. Although Singapore does not face immediate threats from malaria, we should take advantage of our position/standing (as a leader in the scientific arena) to help the rest of the world.”
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Anti-cancer compound may help fight malaria
Scientists here find it kills disease-causing parasite by disrupting its genetic ‘program’
By Lee Hui Chieh, The Straits Times
Excerpts from the article:
He (Assistant Professor Zbyneck Bozdech) presented the results last week to about 200 scientists at an infectious diseases symposium organized by A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) and the British High Commission.
The finding by his team comes at a time when new drugs are needed because the malaria parasite seems to be developing resistance to even the best drugs.
He (Professor Peter Presier), Prof Bozdech, SIgN’s Dr Laurent Renia and Dr Kevin Tan from the National University of Singapore’s department of microbiology set up the Singapore Malaria Network late last year to link interested scientists.
They plan to meet regularly to update one another on their research and discuss ways to collaborate.