The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) has unveiled the Centre for Integrative Human Cell Research and Translation (CIPHER), the country’s first facility focused on cardiovascular research using heart cells derived from Asian patients’ blood samples. Announced at the 6th NHCS Heart to Heart Gala on 16 October 2026, the centre aims to tailor heart disease treatments to better reflect the biology of patients in the region. Additionally, the Tong Ming Chuan Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery was established to foster leadership in the field.
CIPHER addresses a critical gap in heart disease research, which has traditionally relied on Western models. By using heart cells grown from Asian patients, researchers can gain insights into disease mechanisms and test potential treatments more effectively. Assistant Professor Chrishan Ramachandra highlighted the centre’s unique approach: “When we grow a heart muscle cell from a patient’s own blood and watch it beat in a dish, carrying that patient’s disease, we are looking at something no animal model can replicate.”
The Tong Ming Chuan Professorship, funded by a S$2.5m donation from Dr Tong Ming Chuan, aims to advance cardiothoracic surgical care and research. Dr Tong, who led Singapore’s first heart transplant in 1990, hopes to nurture future surgical leaders.
These initiatives are part of NHCS’s commitment to improving cardiovascular care in Singapore and the region. As Professor Yeo Khung Keong, CEO of NHCS, stated, “CIPHER ensures that the science we build is grounded in the biology of our patients and strengthens Singapore’s position as a biomedical hub.”
