Research in Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Research is one of the fundamental strengths of the our Department. Our strategy is to develop focused areas of research based on the research questions founded on relevant clinical questions. Our academic and clinical staffs are involved in many research areas in ENT and related cell molecular biology. In addition, our research interests have extended into the identification of genetic predisposition and gene-environmental interaction on disease expression of allergic rhinitis, hearing disorders and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. During the last few years, there have been increasing intra-departmental and international collaborations in our department.

Our Department has a research laboratory in the Clinical Research Centre (CRC). The Department has a Director who assists in corresponding research activities, collaborations, and departmental research meetings in order to share research initiatives. Since 2000, 4 PhD and 6 MSc students have successfully graduated from our Department. Currently, more than 10 research assistants and staff who are working on varies research projects in our department.

Our major research areas include 3 major areas led by surgeons from the Department and funded by various research grants from A*STAR, Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), National Medical Research Council (NMRC), Ministry of Education and Academic Research Funding of National University of Singapore, EDB Proof of Concept Grants, National Health Group (NHG), and etc.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER – NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER RESEARCH
(A/Prof Thomas Loh, Dr Lim Chwee Ming)

1. Detecting early genetic changes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma using the screening model for first degree relatives of NPC patients.
2. A systematic study of trismus in radiate nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and the development of a clinical classification system for the severity and intervention of trismus.
3. The detection of early nasopharyngeal carcinoma using a screening programme for siblings of affected patients.
4. Detection of common genetic changes in clusters of familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma to identify novel biomarkers.
5. The expression of laminin 5 (Ln-5), its correlation with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and the prognostic significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
6. Detection of common genetic changes in clusters of familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma to identify novel biomarkers. (Consortium)


RHINOLOGY, ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY
(A/Prof Wang De Yun, Dr. Chao Siew Shuen, Dr. Mark Tong and Dr Ong Yew Kwang)

1. Clinical and immunologic effects of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, placebo controlled study
2. Investigation of gene important in the development of nasal polyps - Genome-wide expression profiles and promoter methylation approaches
3. A genome-wide association study on atopy and allergic diseases in Singapore
4. Role of fungus in Allergic rhinitis
5. Evaluation of the Allergenicity of Candida Albicals and Cladosporium Herbarum by Nasal Challenge
6. Environmental Control Measures in Persistent Allergic Rhinitis.
7. Clinical Pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea – a comparison between current clinical assessment protocol and computational flow analysis
8. Development of a flexible microdebrider for endoscopic sinus surgery

HEARING, BALANCE & COMMUNICATION SCIENCES
(A/Prof Lynne Lim HY, Dr Loh Woei Shyang, Dr Raymond Ngo)

1. Role of connexin 26, connexin 30, A1555G, pendrin on genetic hearing loss
2. Mitochondrial Hearing Loss
3. Normative data for CAPD diagnosis in Singapore
4. Microbes in otitis media effusion and allergic rhinitis
5. Comparing language therapy and auditory training for CAPD
6. VSB functional outcomes in Asians
7. VSB round & oval window outcomes
8. Functional outcomes in bilateral CI
9. Comprehensive database to coordinate demographic, clinical, audiology, hearing/ speech/ language rehabilitation/ surgical information of patients
10. Neuromonics tinnitus retraining therapy for debilitating tinnitus
11. FDM model to teach temporal bone dissection (CDTL grant) proposed
12. Randomised trial for concurrent intra-tympanic steroid & oral steroid vs oral steroid alone for sudden sensorineural hearing loss
13. Impact of radiation on hearing loss & therapeutic agents in prevention of radiation- induced hearing loss
14. Facial palsy grading using 3D cameras
15. Randomised trial for the effects of Minocycline in Bell’s Palsy
16. Forward placement technique to improve disordered voice resonance in pre-lingual hearing loss
17. Traditional Chinese Medicine & acupuncture for tinnitus & sudden deafness
18. Cortical auditory evoked potential response (CAEP) for hearing aid verification

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