How genes influence growth and form, jet lag, fear and anxiety, and aging are among the topics at symposium.
-AsiaOne

1. How genes influence growth and form, jet lag, fear and anxiety, and aging are among the topics that 12 scientists will speak on in Singapore from May 4 to 6 at the Euro Gold Singapore 2009 symposium.

2. The 12 eminent scientists are winners of the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) Gold Medal award from 1990-2008.

3. Together with researchers based here, they will discuss a range of topics in developmental, cell and molecular biology which have widespread and profound implications on human health and disease.

4. 'This meeting is an excellent opportunity for networking and scientific progress. Increasingly, the Biopolis is becoming the choice meeting point for such high-level, international science meetings, and IMCB is proud to be part of this growth process,' said Professor Neal Copeland, Executive Director of A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology.

5. Three hundred researchers will attend the Euro Gold Singapore 2009 symposium, which is organized by IMCB and jointly supported by the British High Commission, swissnex Singapore and EMBO.

6. It is also the first organised meeting for EMBO Gold medalists since the inception of the annual award in 1986.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Wang Yunshi
Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Tel: +65 6826 6443
Email: wang_yunshi@a-star.edu.sg

About the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB)

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) is a member of Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and is funded through A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council BMRC). It is a world-class research institute that focuses its activities on six major fields: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Structural Biology, Infectious Diseases, Cancer Biology and Translational Research, with core strengths in cell cycling, cell signalling, cell death, cell motility and protein trafficking. Its recent achievements include leading an international consortium that successfully sequenced the entire pufferfish (Fugu) genome. The IMCB was awarded the Nikkei Prize 2000 for Technological Innovation in recognition of its growth into a leading international research centre and its collaboration with industry and research institutes worldwide. Established in 1987, the Institute currently has 35 independent research groups with more than 400 staff members.

For more information, please visit: www.imcb.a-star.edu.sg

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research, or A*STAR, is Singapore's lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. A*STAR actively nurtures public sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, with a particular focus on fields essential to Singapore's manufacturing industry and new growth industries. It oversees 14 research institutes and supports extramural research with the universities, hospital research centres and other local and international partners. At the heart of this knowledge-intensive work is human capital. Top local and international scientific talent drive knowledge creation at A*STAR research institutes. The Agency also sends scholars for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training in the best universities, a reflection of the high priority A*STAR places on nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.

For more information, please visit: http://www.a-star.edu.sg

About the EMBO Gold Medal
The European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) Gold Medal has been awarded annually since its inception in 1986, in recognition of the outstanding achievements and exceptional promise of a young scientist working in an EMBO member state in the broad field of molecular biology. EMBO Gold Medal winners are regarded as role models for other young scientists in Europe, and have invariably gone on to become leaders in their fields.

For more information about EMBO, please visit: http://www.embo.org