Research

Medical Research

Advancing biomedical science through research

Duke-NUS is a research powerhouse, whose cutting-edge biomedical discoveries advance our understanding of human biology and transform the care of patients in Singapore and beyond. Our research both shapes and is shaped by the clinical expertise of our academic medicine partner, SingHealth. Through the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, we create a seamless bench-to-bedside research ecosystem that nurtures clinician-scientists and inspires innovations that address the most pressing healthcare challenges.

Together with our global partners, including experts from our parent universities, Duke University and the National University of Singapore, our scientists, clinician-scientists and clinician-innovators investigate complex and emerging healthcare challenges that span across fields and disciplines to contribute to a healthier future.

Latest breakthroughs

Discoveries by our scientists, often published in top journals such as Nature, Science and The New England Journal of Medicine, help to influence public policies for better health, and transform medicine to improve lives. Explore the latest discoveries our scientists made.

Duke-NUS scientists find new strains of influenza A virus in pigs, potentially posing a pandemic risk (spotlight)

Duke-NUS scientists find new strains of influenza A virus in pigs, potentially posing a pandemic risk

Key differences in immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

New study classifies SARS viruses and variants into three serotypes, highlighting the need for refreshed

Duke-NUS scientists reveal first close-up look at bats’ immune response to live infection (spotlight)

Duke-NUS and Paratus collaborate on a human anti-inflammatory drug based on insights from bat immunology

Signature Research Programmes

With our strategic focus on diseases that are prevalent in Southeast Asia, our five Signature Research Programmes enable our research faculty to pursue multidisciplinary research in basic and translational science to help address some of the leading public health concerns, including ageing, cancer, cardiometabolic, infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Explore how scientists across our five Signature Research Programmes are advancing science and transforming innovative discoveries into better healthcare for patients.

Cancer & Stem Cell Biology

Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Health Services Research & Population Health

Neuroscience & Behavioural Disorders

Research centres

Research centres at Duke-NUS draw on the School’s interdisciplinary expertise and extensive partnerships with academic and industry partners in Singapore and abroad to integrate and enhance research and learning. In creating new insights and building capacity, we help tackle healthcare issues of importance to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Centre for Ageing Research and Education

Centre for Clinician-Scientist+ Development

Centre for Biomedical Data Science

Centre for Outbreak Preparedness

Centre of Regulatory Excellence

Centre for Technology and Development

Centre for Vision Research

Lien Centre for Palliative Care

Pre-hospital & Emergency Research Centre

Research resources and support

From managing laboratory equipment and core research facilities to providing award administration support and managing faculty matters, the research resources and support departments at Duke-NUS are dedicated to empowering our faculty members in their research endeavours and advancing research excellence. Learn more about our research support departments:

Research Operations Department (ROD)

Sponsored Research Department (SRD)

Research Affairs Department (RAD)




Research facilities

Duke-NUS’ core research facilities provide access to highly sophisticated services and equipment for our faculty and students in their pursuit of cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation. Besides the state-of-the-art research facilities housed in the Duke-NUS building, our researchers are also able to tap the specialised research support facilities of our partners including the SingHealth research centres, our parent university NUS, and the A*STAR.


Learn more about our research facilities

Message from the Interim Vice-Dean

Advancing discovery. Translating impact.

For more than two decades, Duke-NUS has contributed research that advances global knowledge and strengthens Singapore’s biomedical ecosystem. Our faculty and researchers are internationally recognised for their scientific leadership, and their work has shaped public health policies, improved patient outcomes, and translated discoveries into real-world impact through start-ups and licensing partnerships.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: to deliver research that matters in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. We are deepening our efforts in critical areas such as ageing, immunity and precision medicine, while continuing to strengthen the research infrastructure and capabilities that support rigorous, high-impact science.

Partnership is central to how we work. Together with the National University of Singapore, Duke University, SingHealth and collaborators across Singapore’s research ecosystem including Nanyang Technological University and A*STAR, we are building an environment where interdisciplinary research can thrive and discoveries can move efficiently from bench to bedside.

Equally important is our commitment to people. We continue to nurture clinician-scientists and support both early-career and senior faculty, providing a collaborative and supportive environment that enables researchers to pursue bold ideas, sustained excellence and innovation.

I invite you to explore our research, engage with our community, and connect with us as we work together to advance biomedical science and improve lives in Singapore and beyond.

Lok Sheemei

Interim Vice-Dean for Research, Duke-NUS

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