Prof Tan Eng Chye, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost delivered the opening remarks at the official opening of the conference which was attended by more than 130 participants. The 3-day workshop brought together 30 experts that come from 18 top universities and research institutes in Europe, North America and Singapore. This international workshop provided the platform for some intense exchange of scientific ideas in this emerging multidisciplinary area of mechanobiology. [READ MORE]

Automated Emergency Defibrillator

An Automated Emergency Defibrillator (AED) has been provided for CeLS, courtesy of the Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE). The purpose of the AED is to revive cardiac arrest victims. It is located at level 1 behind the security counter for easy access. A training session for the use of the equipment was attended by about 20 persons several of whom were trained first aiders. The device is fully automated and voice-guides the user through the various steps to be taken. While we hope that there will be no occasion to use the AED, we urge all staff and students to note its location in the event of an emergency.

Undergraduate Safety Course at CeLS

An undergraduate safety course covering general, biological, chemical, radiation and fire safety was conducted by OLS in CeLS on the 12 October 2007. It was attended by about 50 undergraduates. This will be used as a compulsory on-line course from 2008 for undergraduates and attachment students working in CeLS.

Coffee vending machine

OLS had approached many food vendors on the possibility of setting up a café at CeLS. However, there has been no takers. To provide refreshments to CeLS users, we have installed a beverage vending machine at level 1. We would be happy to receive any feedback from you concerning this vending machine.

(From left) Professor Shih Choon Fong (President, NUS),
Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Minister for
Education) and Prof Dr Peter Frankenberg (Minister of
Science, Research and the Arts of the State of
Baden-Württemberg).

OLS organized the inaugural NUS-Baden-Württemberg Joint Scientific Conference in Life Sciences that was held from 29 to 30 October 2007 at the Centre for Life Sciences.

The two-day conference brought together 13 experts from 10 universities and research institutes from Baden-Württemberg, Germany and 10 experts from NUS. The speakers focused on the latest developments in five areas – cancer, immunology, stem cells, tissue engineering and translational research – all of which represented major challenges for scientists all over the world. About 180 scientists, researchers and students participated in this joint conference. [READ MORE]

RITA is an online application system for grants/awards from National Research Foundation (NRF).

1. Why is there a need to apply NMRC grants/awards via RITA?

Currently, money for NMRC grants and awards (NIG/ED grants, STaR award, CSA and TCR Flagship Programs) come from NRF, thus it is compulsory to log in electronically and apply for all these grants via RITA. However, IRG, IBG and fellowships from NMRC do not require RITA application. [READ MORE]

Our congratulations to Prof Ong Choon Nam, Deputy Director, OLS who has been appointed Editorial Board Member for “Carcinogenesis”, one of the top 5 international journals on cancer research.