Singapore: SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, and the Protein and Proteomics Centre (PPC) under the Department of Biological Sciences of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote joint research and development activities in oncology biomarker discovery and development.

The collaboration will pave the way for accelerated cancer detection and screening. PPC and SCIEX will work closely with academic and industrial partners in biomedical research.

Proteomics is a large scale high-throughput study of the structure, functions and interactions of proteins, and is used in the research of diseases, treatment, and drug discovery. Cancer protein biomarkers may be physical, chemical, or biological parameters that indicate presence of cancer, or its status or progression. The PPC is a multi-user facility focusing on advanced research in proteins with an emphasis on mass spectrometry. Areas of expertise include biomarker discovery, proteomics, quantitative proteomics, and structural mass spectrometry (Amide Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange MS and Ion Mobility MS).

Under the MOU, SCIEX and PPC's areas of cooperation will include facilitating workshops on qualitative and quantitative proteomics to educate the regional research community on alternative methods for proteomics. SCIEX and PPC researchers will also collaborate to develop mass spectrometry approaches for protein and metabolite profiling of zebrafish serum.

"With Asia's growing affluence and ageing population, incidences of lifestyle diseases such as cancers are also on the rise in the region. As a research facility focused on advanced research in proteins, the PPC's expertise in areas such as oncology biomarkers serves to inform future innovation in cancer research. We are pleased to embark on this collaboration with SCIEX, whose technological expertise in mass spectrometry will further enhance and supplement our study in proteomics and spur our work in cancer biomarker discovery," said Professor Paul Matsudaira, head of department, Department of Biological Sciences, NUS.

"It is our honour that SCIEX is one of the trusted industrial partners of PPC to advance cancer biomarker research in Singapore. The partnership between the two entities has been strong over the years. With the MOU in place, it will undoubtedly bring the relationship and cancer biomarker discovery to the next level." commented Johnson Ho, vice president, sales and support, Asia Pacific. "We are delighted to announce that the proteomics centre will be open to regional researchers carrying out research in the same field." added Mr Ho.