Asia’s first under-one-roof nutritional research center set up in Singapore
Asia’s first under-one-roof nutritional research center has been set up in Singapore as a joint venture by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and National University Health Systems (NUHS).
The $20 million Clinical Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) is the most comprehensive center in Asia that will conduct nutritional studies to understand the causes of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity, and develop products and formulate diets that can reduce the risks of these diseases.
The CNRC will also conduct studies in research areas such as nutrition in women, children and the elderly, and body weight control.
As the first center in Asia to have under-one-roof capabilities to perform research across the food chain and at all levels from the cellular level to whole-body nutrition, the CNRC will play an integral role in developing Singapore as a major hub for food and nutrition research.
Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR said, “A*STAR, working closely with our partners from NUS and NUHS and the wider research community, has made Singapore an attractive and competitive location for food and nutrition research.”
“Last week, we announced a new partnership with the largest food and nutrition company in the world, Nestlé. This new research collaboration will bring together capabilities and expertise from both sides in a complementary way to design better products for the consumers.”
Research on the nutritional needs and preferences of Asians is currently lacking and CNRC aims to fill this gap by applying cutting-edge nutritional science to deliver new and innovative solutions catered to the Asian population, to enhance health and well-being.
Professor Jeyakumar Henry, Director of CNRC, said, “The CNRC is a one-stop research centre that applies state-of-the-art technology to address contemporary nutritional issues.”
“I am confident that the research and technological expertise that we have here will provide deep and clear dietary solutions to nutritional problems amongst Asians.”
Source: Asian Scientist
Published: 05 Feb 2014
Category: Top Story
