Yay, finally, something positive to read about Singapore, after a dismal surfeit of negative court proceedings and workplace bashing. Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) supposedly helped develop a molecule that will kill cancer cells without destroying healthy ones. Called Hamlet (Human Alpha-lactabumin Made Lethal to Tumour), the protein-lipid complex is based on a protein present in human breast milk. But why did the scientists name it after a Prince of Denmark instead of choosing a Singapore sounding label, say HAMTAM (Human Alpha-lactabumin Mainly Targeted At Tumours)?
Apparently it was a Swedish team who first discovered Hamlet in 1995. A Catharina Svanborg, Swedish microbiologist best known for her work on proteins in breast milk, sought out Professor Gerhard Grueber (Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany, 1995) for his expertise in structural biology. Latter, currently an associate professor, had joined NTU in August 2005. The collaboration with the local university which started 3 years ago in 2010 was led by Prof Svanborg and Dr Manoj Puthia from Lund University of Sweden, and Prof Guber from NTU's School of Biological Sciences. Maybe if Guber had spear headed the team, the name would be more Aryan sounding, say ADOLF (Alpha-lactabumin Destroy Only Lethal Foreign cells).
Of course, if the foreigners take up citizenship in 5 to 10 years' time, the time frame within which the team hopes to develop a commercially available product, Singapore can take more credit for the fight against cancer.
Based on our past experience with ping pong paddlers, future developments can be hard to predict. In one notable instance, a PRC import took the Olympics medal and prize money and headed straight home for the Motherland. Including her kid, before he comes of age to warrant posting a financial bond to ensure he has to return to fulfill his National Service obligation.
Apparently it was a Swedish team who first discovered Hamlet in 1995. A Catharina Svanborg, Swedish microbiologist best known for her work on proteins in breast milk, sought out Professor Gerhard Grueber (Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany, 1995) for his expertise in structural biology. Latter, currently an associate professor, had joined NTU in August 2005. The collaboration with the local university which started 3 years ago in 2010 was led by Prof Svanborg and Dr Manoj Puthia from Lund University of Sweden, and Prof Guber from NTU's School of Biological Sciences. Maybe if Guber had spear headed the team, the name would be more Aryan sounding, say ADOLF (Alpha-lactabumin Destroy Only Lethal Foreign cells).
Of course, if the foreigners take up citizenship in 5 to 10 years' time, the time frame within which the team hopes to develop a commercially available product, Singapore can take more credit for the fight against cancer.
Based on our past experience with ping pong paddlers, future developments can be hard to predict. In one notable instance, a PRC import took the Olympics medal and prize money and headed straight home for the Motherland. Including her kid, before he comes of age to warrant posting a financial bond to ensure he has to return to fulfill his National Service obligation.