Skin diseases affect more than 25% of our population and its prevalence is likely to increase as populations age.
Skin diseases are also a heavy burden to society e.g. economic and social, in addition to adversely affecting patients and their families. From an economic value capture perspective, skin research has great potential to grow and consolidate the industry-facing research sector of personal care, and to anchor the skin and hair-care, pharmbio and medtech industries.
With these key considerations in mind, SRIS was established as a collaboration between the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National Skin Centre (NSC) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It was launched in September 2013 and harnesses the expertise of scientists, clinicians and engineers to foster and conduct high impact, inter-disciplinary skin research that would translate into improved health outcomes and quality of life.
Since its inception, SRIS has established itself as a skin research centre of global significance, conducting research with strong collaboration between industry, academia and clinical services. SRIS has also established programs to train biologists, engineers and clinicians to strengthen the skin research base in Singapore.
SRIS is headquartered in Health City Novena. It has laboratories running 4 flagship multi-disciplinary collaborative programs, namely, the National Atopic Dermatitis Program, Wound Care in the Tropics program, Acne and Sebaceous Gland program and Asian Microbiome Program. They bring together experts in clinical dermatology, epidemiology, bio-photonics imaging, cell biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, immunologists and genetics to address key clinical questions and to ensure the best chance of success in translating research to improved patient care and health outcomes.
In addition, SRIS will also expand research and innovation in skin imaging, image analysis and artificial intelligence, with the eventual goal of transforming dermatology care through the introduction of our digital dermatology program.
SRIS has much to contribute to the local and global skin research community. We will increase understanding of skin biology in health and disease, and develop new knowledge, technologies and therapeutics. We will improve the lives of patients suffering from skin diseases and reduce the burden of skin diseases in Singapore and globally, while nurturing innovation and value creation.
In doing so, SRIS will establish itself as a global centre of excellence for interdisciplinary skin research and innovation.
