This resource guide was created as part of a learning package on Pandemics. For other related resource guides, please head to this directory of Learning Packages.

Note: This learning package was created in 2020 and the information was up-to-date at the point of publication. Please check gov.sg for any latest updates on the COVID-19 situation in Singapore.

COVID-19 R&D and Medical Research

Photo credit: Retrieved from pixabay.com/photos/chemistry-crown-coronavirus-cure-4932607/

The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has galvanized the scientific community to combat this disease. Over 120 institutes and publishers have become signatories of the Wellcome Trust’s statement¹ on sharing research data and findings relevant to the outbreak. They have committed to providing all their latest research and publications pertaining to the outbreak free-of-charge or through open access, as well as to share updated information and recent developments. Besides the scientific community, it is also important for such research to be made available to the public to avoid misinformation and rumours about COVID-19.

As research progresses, advances are being made in combating the virus, mitigating its impact on health, and avoiding potential outbreaks. Scientists are searching for the exact source and origin of the coronavirus, which will provide clues about its possible zoonotic history. They are developing multiple and quicker ways to test for the virus to enable early diagnosis and treatment. They are examining data to inform public health interventions and implement measures to limit the impact of the disease. Medical research is ongoing to find a safe and effective way to treat the disease as well as develop a vaccine. All these take time, but a consolidated global effort will reduce the time needed to develop solutions in a safe, scientific and medically sound manner.²

Other studies, such as the social and psychological impact of the virus, its effects on scientific research and policy studies surrounding public health, are also ongoing. As a result, published research is growing week by week.³

Videos and Podcasts

1. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019): Scientists behind A*STAR’s COVID-19 test kits

Source: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019): Scientists behind A*STAR’s COVID-19 test kits. (2020, March 6). govsingapore. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

2. How scientists are confronting coronavirus: Scripps Research COVID-19 updates

Source: How scientists are confronting coronavirus: Scripps Research COVID-19 updates. (2020, March 21). Scripps Research. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

3. Coronavirus pandemic update 47: Searching for immunity boosters & possible lessons from Spanish Flu

Source: Coronavirus pandemic update 47: Searching for immunity boosters & possible lessons from Spanish Flu. (2020, April 1). Medcram- Medical Lectures Explained CLEARLY. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

4. How scientists are trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine | WSJ

Source: How scientists are trying to develop a coronavirus vaccine | WSJ. (2020, February 13). Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

5. Coronavirus is our future | Alanna Shaikh | TEDxSMU

Source: Coronavirus is our future | Alanna Shaikh | TEDxSMU. (2020, March 11). TEDx Talks. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

Websites

1. Coronavirus: Singapore scientists on the front lines of fight against COVID-19

Teo, J. (2020, March 25). Coronavirus: Singapore scientists on the front lines of fight against COVID-19. (2020, March 27). The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

2. COVID-19 – Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health

Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. (2020). COVID-19. National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

3. Accurate science communication is key in the fight against COVID-19

Sholts, S. (2020, March 19). Accurate science communication is key in the fight against COVID-19. World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

4. WHO | Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) R&D

World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) R&D. World Health Organization. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

5. Clinical Evidence Summaries

Ministry of Health Singapore. (2021, January 27). Clinical evidence summaries. Agency for Care Effectiveness. Retrieved 2024, May 20.

6. Testing for COVID-19

Testing for COVID-19 (2024, August 24). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2024, September 20.

Photo credit: Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/microbiologist-scientist-woman-1332376/

For the latest journal articles on COVID-19, please visit these free-to-access academic resource portals.

1. Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

World Health Organization (2020). Global research on coronavirus disease (COVID-19). World Health Organisation. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

2. Links to COVID-19 Resources.

Links to COVID-19 Resources. (2020, April 1). Copyright Clearance Center. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

3. Coronavirus Research Database – ProQuest

Accessible through ProQuest Central via NLB’s eResources website (Select ‘Coronavirus Research Database’; myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

This database curates openly available content from the world’s leading publishers as well as current research related to coronaviruses including COVID-19.

4. COVID-19 Resource Centre.

COVID-19 Resource Centre. (2020). The Lancet. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

5. COVID-19: Novel coronavirus content free to access – Taylor & Francis Group.

Informa UK Limited. (2020). COVID-19: Novel coronavirus content free to access – Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

6. Novel coronavirus – Wiley Online Library.

Novel coronavirus – Wiley Online Library. (2020). Wiley Online Library. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

A selection of resources in Chinese, Malay and Tamil

1. 冠病发病初期病毒量最多传染性或更高

李熙爱、刘智彭。（2020年3月2日）。冠病发病初期病毒量最多传染性或更高。 陈笃生医院，转载自联合早报。 Retrieved 2020, March 30.

Based on cases in Singapore, local researchers discovered that the amount of virus in a patient is the highest at the beginning of the disease, and gradually decreases over time. The article also highlights the development of new test kits.

2. 中药真能抗新冠肺炎 钟南山团队推“连花清瘟”

虞涵棋。（2020年3月23日）。中药真能抗新冠肺炎 钟南山团队推“连花清瘟”。 科学网。. Retrieved 2020, April 1.

This article summarises the latest research on the effects of Lianhuaqingwen (连花清瘟), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, in treating COVID-19. The research findings indicate that Lianhuaqingwen significantly inhibits the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, affects virus morphology and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in vitro.

3. Saintis S’pura rancang uji vaksin COVID-19 tahun ini: Gan Kim Yong.

Saintis S’pura rancang uji vaksin COVID-19 tahun ini: Gan Kim Yong. (2020, March 25). Berita Mediacorp. Retrieved 2020, March 30.

Singapore Health Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed in Parliament on 25 March 2020 that scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School were working with international partners to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, with plans to begin clinical trials this year.

4. COVID-19: Saintis Singapura kaji genetik percepat vaksin.

COVID-19: Saintis Singapura kaji genetik percepat vaksin. (2020, March 24). Berita Harian Online. Retrieved 2020, March 30.

Singapore scientists have developed a method to track genetic changes that can speed up the testing of vaccines for COVID-19.

5. கொரோனா கிருமி ஒழிய பல ஆண்டுகள் ஆகலாம்: அச்சந்தரும் புதிய ஆய்வு முடிவுகள்.

கொரோனா கிருமி ஒழிய பல ஆண்டுகள் ஆகலாம்: அச்சந்தரும் புதிய ஆய்வு முடிவுகள். (2020, March 30). Tamil Murasu. Retrieved 2020, April 4.

Recent research findings have indicated that it may take a few years before the coronavirus is eradicated.

Disclaimer/ Rights statement
The information in this resource guide is valid as of March 2020 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2020.

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References