​​Research Program

Biomedical research on cord blood increases the knowledge about hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, as well as processes for collecting, processing, and storing cord blood. In addition, progenitor cells and other blood components obtained from cord blood are being investigated in the development of new treatments for many diseases. Such stem cell research provides hope for more safe and effective medical therapies in the future. Other biomedical research, which does not relate to HSC, may also be undertaken with cord blood and lead to new discoveries that may improve medical care in the future.

SCBB highly values the contribution of biomedical research to the health and well-being of the community and the advancement of scientific knowledge. SCBB facilitates access to cord blood samples for the purpose of research. This is not necessarily limited to research in the field of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) transplantation.

Donated cord blood that does not meet the requirements for transplants may be used for biomedical research with the donor’s consent. It may be used in future medical research and development, medical education, training, diagnosis and possibly the treatment of experimental medical conditions. Release of the cord blood and its by-products for research shall be in accordance with the requirements of Human Biomedical Research Act 2015 and its regulations.

All research applications go through operational ethical review by an independent Research Advisory Ethnics Committee (RAEC) to ensure protection of the welfare, rights and safety of cord blood donors and research subjects.

Application Guidelines

Applications are accepted from Project Investigators associated with Research Institutions (RI) that have submitted their declaration of compliance for performing research activities to Ministry of Health, Singapore as per the requirements of Human Biomedical Research Act 2015. 

Investigators shall apply to procure cord blood and/or its derived products for research from SCBB. The completed application should provide all relevant information to allow for assessment by RAEC. A research study application should include the scientific, technical, procedural and ethics information necessary for the RAEC to evaluate both the ethics of the study and its intended future application of cord blood in through biomedical research.

The review process includes the following steps:

  1. The Investigators shall contact SCBB to discuss on the sample requirements (type and quantity) before sending an application to Institutional Review Board's(IRB) approval for the research project. SCBB shall share necessary details on sample procurement process, incuding copy of Informed Consent, if necessary to facilitate the IRB application.
  2. Once Investigator receive IRB approval, an application for the assessment by RAEC shall be submitted.
  3. Upon approval by RAEC, execution of Materials Transfer Agreement agreement between SCBB and Research Institution.

The decision to approve the request depends on the information provided in the application. Investigators must share any new knowledge that changes this information with SCBB through an amendment. Investigators must also inform SCBB of any incidental findings, Severe adverse events and privacy breaches.

For further information on the necessary forms and approval process please contact us at: [email protected]


Our RAEC members consist of:
     

    Adj A/Prof Dr. Prema Raj Jeyaraj

    Designations:
    • Senior Consultant, Hepato-pancreato-billiary and Transplant Surgery, Singapore General Hospital
    • Senior Consultant, Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore

    A/Prof Prema Raj started the hepatobiliary service in both Tan Tock Seng and Singapore General Hospital in 1993 and 1995 respectively, the Cadaveric Liver Transplant Program at SGH in 2004 and the Living Donor Program and Liver Transplantation Service at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in 2008. 

    His primary research interests are tolerance induction in liver transplantation, and bioprinting & 3D printing of the liver.

     

    Dr. William Hwang

    Designations:
    • Chief Executive Officer & Senior Consultant, National Cancer Centre Singapore
    • Head, SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre
    • Senior Consultant, SingHealth Duke-NUS Blood Cancer Centre
    • Senior Consultant, SingHealth Duke-NUS Transplant Centre
    • Senior Consultant, Haematology, Singapore General Hospital

    Prof Hwang’s clinical and research focus is primarily on blood and marrow transplants. He had previously led the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program in Singapore General Hospital, and also served as Medical Director of the Singapore Cord Blood Bank.

    In his role as Chief Executive Officer of the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), Professor Hwang plans to help further advance the NCCS into a global leading cancer centre, by improving patient care through the best talents and best research.

     

    Dr. G. Owen Schaefer

    Designation:
    • Assistant Professor, Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yoo Yong Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
    Owen’s research interests cover an array of topics relating to the ethical development of novel biotechnologies, including research ethics, genetics, big data, enhancement, neuroethics, stem cell studies, lab-grown meat, and assisted reproduction.

     

    Dr. Alvin Chua

    Designation:
    • Assistant Director, Transplant Research, Singapore General Hospital

    Dr Chua has 20 years of skin cell culture and tissue banking experience, having been previously trained in Switzerland, the USA and Australia. He is also currently the Regulatory & Compliance Lead for SingHealth Duke-NUS Cell Therapy Centre as well as Assistant Director of the Transplant Tissue Centre at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Transplant Centre (SDTC), where he is responsible for the operations, quality assurance and research of tissue transplantations for skin, cardiovascular tissues and iliac vessels.

     

    Dr. Frances Yeap

    Designations:
    • Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital
    • Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, National University Cancer Institute

    Dr Yeap graduated from St Bartholomew’s and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry and returned to Singapore to work and train in Paediatrics. Her clinical practice involves General Paediatrics and all aspects of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, including Bone Marrow Transplant. 

    She has a special interest in the area of bone marrow transplants, especially that of non-malignant transplants and immunodeficiencies.

     

    Dr. Francesca Lorraine Lim

    Designations:
    • Senior Consultant, SingHealth Duke-NUS Blood Cancer Centre
    • Senior Consultant, SingHealth Duke-NUS Transplant Centre
    • Senior Consultant, Haematology, Singapore General Hospital
    • Senior Consultant, National Cancer Centre Singapore
    • Chief Medical Officer, Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute Singapore (ACTRIS)

    Dr Lim spent 2 years training at MD Anderson Cancer Center on CAR T cell therapy particulary on CAR NK cell therapy under Professor Katy Rezvani as well as in the Good Manufacturing Processing Facility. Since her return from MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr Lim has been instrumental in supporting and coordinating the Cell Therapy Program at SGH Haematology at the clinical, research and translational level.