Mapping Malaysia's Resource Centres

92 MAPPING MALAYSIA’S RESOURCE CENTRES INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH (IMR) Introduction The Institute for Medical Research (IMR) was established in 1900 based on recommendation by Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham, the Resident-General of the Federated Malay States. The vision for IMR was to carry out research into the causes, treatment and prevention of scourges such as beri-beri, malaria, dysentery, small pox, cholera, plague, rabies and other endemic, sporadic, infectious and contagious diseases. Over the years, this research expanded to include non-communicable diseases, cancers, herbal medicine and pre-clinical drug discoveries. Area of Expertise IMR has 8 key areas of specialties, namely the Specialist Diagnostic Centre (SDC), Infectious Disease Research Centre (IDRC), Allergy and Immunology Research Centre (AIRC), Nutrition, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Research Centre (NMCRC), Cancer Research Centre (CaRC), Environmental Health Research Centre (EHRC), Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC) and Special Resource Centre. Strengths and Achievements Over the years, IMR has conducted research projects of national and international standing through collaborators in Malaysia and overseas. IMR’s researchers publish in national and international journals and provide consultancies globally. There were 59, 76 and 82 research projects as well as 113, 96 and 124 publications in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2018, IMR staff provided 410 consultancies at the national level and 63 at regional and international levels. IMR also provides 450 different specialised diagnostic tests through 30 different laboratories accredited by the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM). Additionally, IMR conducts postgraduate courses such as the Diploma in Applied Parasitology and Entomology (DAP&E) and Diploma in Medical Microbiology (DMM). In 2018, IMR provided attachments for 702 scientists, medical doctors and allied personnel from other departments, local and foreign institutes. Projects Undertaken (Domestic) Projects in IMR are clustered into 4 groups carried out under the Ministry of Health Research Grant. In 2018, there were 39 projects under Burden of Disease (BOD), 3 projects under Non-Communicable Disease (NCD), 13 under Sustainable Environment and Climate Change (SECC) and 27 under Biomedical. Projects Undertaken (International) In the international arena, 2 international projects were undertaken in recent years via extramural collaboration: 1. Wolbachia based control of virus transmission by the mosquito Aedes albopictus. 2. Genetic, lipid and other risk factors in early-onset acute myocardial infarction in Malaysia. H E A L T H C A R E A N D P H A R M A C E U T I C A L