A new research institute that will look at new technologies in health and medicine was launched on Monday.

Called the Nanyang Institute of Technology in Health and Medicine, it aims to drive research projects between Nanyang Technological University and major healthcare groups and hospitals.

The new research institute has eight medically-related focus areas, including nanomedicine and tissue engineering. Among the projects underway is an artificial liver that can detect potentially fatal toxicity in the liver during early stages of drug development.

Said the director of the centre, Professor Jan Carlstedt-Duke: "Creating an effective and well-connected platform for doctors, scientists and engineers to collaborate is crucial for next-generation medical treatments. The best treatments for patients have been borne out if interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts in recent years."