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Dr Eric Yap P H
Head, Population Genetics Laboratory
Defence Medical & Environmental Research Institute @ DSO National Laboratories
Dr Eric Yap has been instrumental in spearheading the build-up of capabilities in Population Genetics and Biological Defence.
Over the past 11 years, Dr Yap has helped to develop Singapore’s laboratory and field capabilities in detecting, as well as identifying biological agents and infections that can affect servicemen during military training and operations. He oversaw the establishment of a laboratory in human genetics for the study of multi-factorial diseases and DNA fingerprinting.
Dr Yap also spearheaded the research in genetic epidemiology which deals with common diseases of military importance such as myopia, and created the unique laboratory genotyping capability in Singapore. He also initiated and continually explores the research in DNA fingerprinting for forensics and population genetics.
Specially trained in genetics and molecular pathology, Dr Yap is particularly interested in developing in the field of defence biomedical research.
In recognition of his significant contributions and breakthroughs in Population Genetics and Biological Defence, Dr Eric Yap is awarded the Defence Technology Prize 2005 Individual (R&D) Award.
More about Dr Yap’s contributions:
Dr Yap has achieved outstanding breakthroughs in two key areas of biomedical science: Population Genetics and Biological Defence.
1) Population Genetics
Myopia Study
Dr Yap pioneered our local R&D in Genetic Epidemiology. He established collaboration with the Singapore Eye Research Institute, National University of Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic to address the growing trend of myopia, its cause, its impact and the best treatment. The results of his work have been presented internationally and won Eric a keynote lecture award at the 2000 International Myopia Conference.
DNA Fingerprinting
Dr Yap drives the R&D in DNA fingerprinting which helps identify human remains in mass casualty or missing-in-action incidents. Through his work, protocols, reagents and databases for DNA fingerprinting of mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome and autosomal markers in the Chinese, Malay and Indian populations have been developed. This enables an unknown sample to be matched with a pre-banked sample of an individual or his blood next-of-kin, with extremely high accuracy. Dr Yap also spearheaded the development of the capability to extract DNA from very old, small or degraded samples such as blood stains, teeth and bones.
2) Biological Defence
Advanced Diagnosis of Melioidosis
Dr Yap led a group which was the first in Singapore to clone and sequence genes to develop molecular tools for the early diagnosis of melioidosis, a soil disease that is an occupational hazard to military personnel. Their work enables extremely sensitive and rapid detection of the bacteria to be completed within hours, which would otherwise take five days using conventional methods. As a result of their work, Singapore is internationally recognised today for its research in this disease.
Expertise in Assay Development for Early Detection of High Priority Biological Agents
Dr Yap also spearheaded a team to develop new assays to detect and counter a wide range of important biological agents. The assays were used to analyse suspected samples in the 2001 Anthrax attacks. This expertise supported Singapore in its quick response to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, by rapidly developing and operationalising new SARS virus tests. After the experience of the Anthrax and SARS threats, this system of testing became a standard way of diagnosing infections in Singapore.
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Dr Yap also developed the real-time PCR (rtPCR) capability for the local defence community. This method of DNA amplification is faster, more sensitive and robust, resulting in cost and time savings. Dr Yap was also involved in evaluating and acquiring several generations of commercial off-the-shelf rtPCR instruments, making high-performance molecular biology available to the end-user. In January 2005, Dr Yap volunteered as part of a two-man Mobile Public Health Laboratory team to serve in Aceh during the post-tsunami medical relief effort. The laboratory provided infectious disease diagnostic services to the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Team, and also supported the World Health Organisation, United Nations and the medical relief community in screening for water-borne and malaria outbreaks. The successful fielding of rtPCR, possibly a world first in disaster relief, was reported in the top medical journal, Lancet.
Bio Chip
In 1999, Dr Yap won a competitive project award from the then National Science and Technology Board to develop a lab-on-chip micro device. Dr Yap invented an integrated rtPCR chip with micro-fluidics, biochemistry, thermal and optical functionalities in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). This project, which resulted in two US patents, was awarded the Bio-enterprise seed funding in 2002. This led to Dr Yap co-founding and serving as technical consultant to one of Singapore’s first biotechnology start-up companies, Attogenix Biosystems Pte Ltd, a joint venture between DSO, Defence Science & Technology Agency and NTU. |
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