About Medical Research Fund
Tanoto Foundation supports medical research with the aim of improving population health in Singapore and beyond. We believe that the goal of improving quality of healthcare and health standards can be achieved through partnerships with leading healthcare and research institutions in Singapore.
Through the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund (MRF), the foundation aims to support research excellence and collaborative efforts to generate new knowledge and innovations that will help address prevalent diseases in Singapore and the wider region, such as diabetes, cardiology, oncology, infectious diseases and maternal and child health. In position as the first private philanthropic foundation to launch such a fund, Tanoto Foundation seeks to foster a culture of sustainable giving that amplifies the long-term impact of philanthropic-funded research.
The MRF’s main objectives are to support effective research (new discoveries), catalyze additional funding and cultivate local research talent in Singapore. Ultimately, the research outcomes should be made accessible and beneficial for the public good.
Research Scope
Proposed studies may cover basic, translational or clinical research and should aim for outcomes that have the potential to advance the prevention, management, diagnosis or treatment of the following focus areas prevalent in Asia:
Diabetes,
Oncology,
Maternal and Child Health,
Cardiology, and
Infectious Diseases.
Award Recipients
2023 Award Recipient
“Understanding and managing cardiovascular risks is crucial for diabetes patients’ long-term health. Our research team of clinicians, engineers and immunologists, funded by the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund, aims to explore Colchicine’s potential as a low-cost solution to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients by addressing gaps in managing low-grade inflammation.”
Associate Professor Rinkoo Dalan
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
2023 Award Recipient
“Allergies impact up to 30% of the global population, with increasing prevalence in Southeast Asia. Research emphasizes the lasting impact of allergies on childhood wellbeing, yet strategies to prevent allergic responses remain elusive. With support from the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund, we will investigate how allergies are transmitted from mothers to infants during pregnancy. Our goal is to understand why infants develop allergies to the same allergens as their mothers and find ways to prevent transmission, ultimately diminishing infant allergy cases.”
Associate Professor Ashley St John
Duke-NUS Medical School
2023 Award Recipient
“Our society is evolving with declining fertility rates posing challenges for women considering later pregnancies due to ovarian aging. At present its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Addressing these modern medical challenges and developing solutions is crucial. With support from the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund, we aim to investigate the causes of ovarian aging and explore ways to promote ovarian health and extend female fertility.”
Professor Brian Kennedy
National University of Singapore
