Duke-NUS and NUS launch joint metabolomics research center

Duke-NUS Medical School and the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine have opened a new research center called the Systems Metabolomics Centre (SysMeC). This is the first joint effort between the two institutions in the field of metabolomics, which studies small molecules called metabolites. The aim of SysMeC is to enhance metabolomics research to help detect diseases earlier and personalize treatments. By analyzing cells, tissues, and organisms, researchers hope to understand disease development and find ways to prevent them. The center plans to focus on diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. SysMeC will utilize advanced technologies over two locations. The center will concentrate on large population studies to identify metabolic indicators of chronic diseases, facilitate foundational scientific discoveries, and encourage collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders. This collaboration aims to improve patient care with new analytical tools. Assistant Professor Federico Torta will coordinate the center. He highlighted the goal of uniting expertise and technology to advance metabolomics research. The center's first project will enhance the diagnosis of cardiometabolic diseases in Singapore using mass spectrometry. This technology can quickly measure ceramides in blood, which may be better indicators of cardiovascular health than traditional tests. Other research at SysMeC will explore fluxomics, a method to measure metabolism rates in cells. This research could improve understanding of stem cell differentiation and metabolic diseases. Professor Patrick Tan from Duke-NUS emphasized the collaboration's potential to improve precision medicine. Both institutions aim to develop non-invasive tests, detect diseases earlier, and customize treatments for patients. Overall, the SysMeC launch marks a significant step in Singapore's push toward advanced precision medicine, with broader implications for disease detection and treatment worldwide.