Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

Established	August 2002
Location	1, Research Link, National University of Singapore , Singapore 117604
Affiliations	NUS, NTU
Website	http://www.tll.org.sg

Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) is a non-profit life sciences research organization located within the campus of the National University of Singapore. TLL is affiliated with the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. TLL was established in August 2002. The philosophy at TLL is to carry out research work of broad and exceptional significance.

TLL is governed by a management board, which is chaired by Mr. Tan Guong Ching. Advice on scientific matters is provided by an eminent scientific advisory board, which is chaired by Nobel Prize Winner Sir Paul Nurse. Professor Steve M. Cohen is the Executive Director of TLL.

Research Overview

Research work in TLL is carried out by small and interactive teams of scientists. TLL scientists carry out research in cell biology, developmental biology, and molecular pathogenesis. TLL follows a unique research and development model that allows for the creation of knowledge as well as its translation into biomedical, agricultural, and microbiological innovations. TLL scientists carry out research using several "model" organisms such as yeast, fungi, Arabidopsis, rice, Drosophila, and Zebrafish. TLL scientists also participate in research of national relevance. These strategic research activities have led to tools for the diagnosis of SARS corona virus and the bird flu virus, H5N1.

There are 26 research groups within TLL, each led by a Principal Investigator. In addition, a variety of staffed core facilities provides an array of technical support to all laboratories. Laboratories are staffed by a mix of graduate students, postdoctoral scientists and research technicians. Currently, approximately 50 graduate students working towards a PhD degree are carrying out their thesis research in various laboratories within TLL. As is common among US biomedical graduate schools, the TLL PhD graduate program provides a living stipend and University tuition fees for each student. A similar number of postdoctoral researchers and fellows, many holding international fellowships, have also chosen TLL to continue their training.

Research Programs

Cell Biology Program

• Cell Division Group, Prof Mohan K. BALASUBRAMANIAN
• Cell Migration Group, Dr. Pernille RORTH
• Cell Dynamics Group, Dr Snezhana OLIFERENKO
• Cell Stress And Homeostasis Group, A/Prof Davis NG
• Comparative Cell Biology Group, Dr Gregory JEDD
• Germ Line Biology Group, Dr Toshie KAI
• Mammalian Cell Biology Group, Dr Maki MURATA-HORI
• Molecular Neurogenesis Group, Dr Feng Wei YU

Developmental Biology Program

• Chromatin & Reproduction Group, A/Prof Frederic BERGER
• Developmental Neurobiology Group, Dr Suresh JESUTHASAN
• Drosophila Development Group, Prof William CHIA
• Epigenetics Group, Dr Yuehui HE
• Germ Cell Development Group, Dr Yu CAI
• Growth Control and Metabolism Group, Dr Stephen COHEN
• Plant Biotechnology Group, Dr Yan HONG
• Plant Functional Genomics Group, Dr Hao YU
• Plant Systems Biology Group, Dr Toshiro ITO
• Biomaterials and Biocatalysts Group, Dr Liang Hui JI
• Vertebrate Development Group, Dr Karuna SAMPATH

Genome & Structural Biology Program

• Reproductive Genomics Group, A/Prof Laszlo ORBAN
• Rice Functional Genomics Group, Dr Srinivasan RAMACHANDRAN
• Structural Biology Group, Dr Adam YUAN
• Genome and Structural Biology Group, Dr. Jose DINNENY

Molecular Pathogenesis Program

• Animal Health Biotechnology Group, Prof Jimmy KWANG
• Fungal Patho-Biology Group, Dr Naweed Isaak NAQVI
• Molecular Plant Pathology Group, Dr Zhong Chao YIN