As increasing reports of outbreaks of H1N1 influenza continue to pose serious concerns globally, we are heartened not only by the enhanced preparedness and awareness of public health officials but also by the swift response mounted by the scientific and medical community in attempting to combat the threat of this viral foe. As at May 28, there are currently 1,317 sequence submissions of H1N1 strains deposited at Genbank (NCBI). There is already an increasing list of fast-track publications in Pubmed reporting on work on this virus. On the bench, there are concerted efforts by major groups in different countries in developing rapid assays and approaches to detect viral presence, identify H1N1 mutations and screen for drug resistance. These enhanced activities reflect the close link between the different disciplines of science and medicine, and the ability to harness cutting-edge technologies as well as genomics, bioengineering and bioinformatics knowledge into translational applications to meet current or urgent health-care needs. 

      In BRETSS, we embrace the same multi-disciplinary outlook in achieving our aims of promoting biomedical research and providing a forum for scientific interactions & networking. BRETSS was founded more than 20 years ago by a group of pioneering clinicians and researchers when biomedical research and experimental therapeutics was still in its infancy in Singapore. We have grown over the years and evolved with the changing developments in science and the need to stay relevant in the midst of demands of work commitments and the increasingly busy schedules of our members. Access to information is now instantaneous and most journals are available in digitalized and online forms. Web-seminars are common and modern forms of web-based communications ensure rapid and immediate transfer and exchange of scientific information. Despite this, meetings and seminars still have a place in bringing people together. Our vision is to provide the networking facility for bringing like-minded people together in a congenial environment to encourage professional interaction and promote broad scientific interests. We are proud to say that our membership, although small, consists of a group of kindred souls sharing the time-honored scientific ideals of a curiosity in exploring the world around us, and the pursuit of knowledge regardless of our respective scientific fields of specialty. Albeit small, we have seen some membership increase this year with a few new faces, as well as a return of some old members.  

      In the past year, we have had talks with topics ranging from the therapeutic value of forests to high throughput technology screening techniques for drug discovery to acute stroke treatment to molecular diagnostics. The Society had also organized a series of five webcasts of the 2008 Nobel Prize lectures in Medicine and Physiology as well as a very successful Annual Luncheon talk on “Journey through Egypt and Israel”. These activities complement the themes of our lectures in the past years which explored the historical, philosophical, socio-  
 

anthropological or eco-environmental aspects of recent biological discoveries and medical technologies. Our past speakers have spoken about the history of the optical and confocal microscopes; the archaeology of pre-colonial Singapore; the use of radiology and genetics in bioarchaeology; new 3D display technologies, marine biology research, molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases, etc.  And of course, adding to this is today’s very timely talk on “Devious Influenza” with a demonstration of an H1N1 RT-PCR mobile lab.  

The Society is indebted to the dedicated team of council members (Dr Bernard Chan, Prof Vernon Oh, Dr Elizabeth Taylor, Dr V Boopathi, Dr Cheong Kam Khaw and Assoc Prof  Shabbir Moochhala) and especially, to the office-bearers, Assoc Prof Eric Yap (Vice-President), Dr Lee May Ann (Hon Secretary) and Rita Yong (Hon Treasurer) who have worked hard to co-ordinate the activities, manage the official correspondences and maintain the Society’s accounts; and Dr Bernard Chan who served as our Hon Auditor. In particular, Eric has been instrumental in the webcast lectures, talks and maintaining our website at www.bretss.org. Do visit this website and we encourage you to help contribute your ideas on how to improve our content.  

      In moving forward, the Society plans to continue with activities that will meet the needs of busy members who have to juggle with work and other committments. We have a healthy balance of funds from prudent management and past fund-raising activities over the years to support our future activities. I would also like to point out that we have had a few Constitutional changes approved by the Singapore Registrar of Office. Among them is a name change in the “Department” for the official business and registered address of the Society (From Department of “Medicine” to the Department of “Paediatrics”). This is to facilitate receipt of bank statements, official correspondences, etc. and this move has helped us maintain our financial accounts and official returns up-to-date.  

      BRETSS is committed to co-organizing an international meeting the following year. This is the Congress of the Federation of Asian and Oceania Biochemists & Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) and we are at the stage of planning venue, programmes, etc. jointly with our two other traditional partners, Singapore Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (SSMB) and Singapore Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SSBMB). We welcome inputs from members for this meeting, as well as share ideas for our own immediate activities for the coming year.  

      On behalf of the current Council, I wish to thank all members for the strong support and the stimulating camaraderie shared over the past year. I look forward to your continued support for the Society! 
 
 

Assoc Prof Lai Poh San

Hon President

Biomedical Research & Experimental Therapeutics Society of Singapore

(BRETSS) 

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered, the point is to discover them” - Galileo Galilei 

“At twenty years of age, the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgement” – Benjamin Franklin.