SCELSE - a biofilm & microbiome research centre in NTU & NUS

How can regional universities collaborate to strengthen knowledge exchange and nurture young talents in healthcare through biofilm and microbiome research? This question shaped the visit by Manila Central University (MCU) representatives to SCELSE, where they explored opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration. The MCU delegation concluded their tour with a visit to SCELSE’s sequencing, bioreactor, and advanced biofilm imaging facilities. SCELSE is grateful to MCU for gifting us with their commemorative publication, “Gifts of Grace – The Manila Central University Celebrates 100 Years of Heritage.” Our sincere thanks also to SCELSE's Justine Dacanay and Yong Hwee FOO for their excellent facilitation of the laboratory tours held on 4 November 2024.

‪Manila Central University visited SCELSE to explore collaboration and tour our sequencing, bioreactor & imaging facilities. Group pix (L–R): PAAC NUS's Arthur Ng, MCU's Beverly Bas, Carlo Monterey, Dr Ramil Flores, Dr Charmaine Ng, SCELSE’s Maria Yung, James Ho & SNBC’s Sheela Reuben.

SCELSE hosted Lincoln Agritech, a leading NZ research & innovation company, to explore how biofilm and microbiome insights can translate into sustainable, real-world applications. (L–R): James Ho, Anya Hornsey, Prof Travis Glare, Sheela Rueben & Prof Stefan Wuertz. #SCELSE #LincolnAgritech

Prof Cynthia Whitchurch, SCELSE Research Director and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, joins AMR Research Symposium 2025 to share insights on bacterial biofilms, antibiotic tolerance & host colonization. Scan to register. #AMR #Biofilms #SCELSE @cwhitch.bsky.social

To know about Fecal Microbiota Transplantation #FMT is one thing — but to speak directly with the experts pioneering its application is another. Prof Cynthia Whitchurch, SCELSE Research Director, had the opportunity to meet experts on microbiome at the Microbiome Research Centre (MRC) in Sydney, as she explored potential collaboration opportunities in gut microbiome research. She was impressed by MRC’s laser focus on advancing microbiome science — from uncovering how microbial communities influence disease to translating these insights into evidence-based guidance for clinicians, patients, and the public, while training the next generation of microbiome researchers. Her discussions with Prof Georgina Hold, Dr Howard Yim, Dr Xiato Jiang, and Dr Michelle Fitzmaurice explored the connection between the gut microbiome, mental health, and FMT — a promising avenue for addressing chronic and complex diseases. “Understanding how we can harness the microbiome to prevent and treat disease is one of the most exciting challenges in modern science,” said Prof Whitchurch. “I look forward to continuing this conversation when MRC Director Prof Emad El-Omar visits SCELSE in Singapore.” 📍 Microbiome Research Centre, Sydney, Australia, 31 Oct 2025 Pix(L-R): Dr Howard Yim (MRC), Prof Cynthia Whitchurch (SCELSE), Prof Georgina Hold (MRC), Dr Xiaotao Jiang (MRC), Dr Michelle Fitzmaurice (MRC)

To know about #FMT is one thing — but to speak with experts pioneering it is another. SCELSE's Prof Cynthia Whitchurch @cwhitch.bsky.social visited Sydney's Microbiome Research Centre, to explore gut microbiome links to mental health and disease for future collaborations.

Happening right now! SCELSE’s MSOs let their hair down at the party of the year! Here’s to celebrating NTU’s contribution to nation building!

“Deep-sea microbes play a critical role in ocean carbon storage and climate regulation,” said Assoc Prof Janelle Thompson, supervisor to SCELSE-NTU researcher Dr Jeslyn Poo. Dr Poo and Dr Yvonne Hii (supervised by Dr Stephen Summers) have joined international scientists aboard the state-of-the-art OceanXplorer to explore the Christmas Island Seamount Province in the eastern Indian Ocean. This landmark expedition, led by National University of Singapore with partners from ASEAN and the United States, marks Singapore’s first major research mission to the high seas. Supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore, the voyage seeks to uncover how tiny ocean microbes and viruses help regulate Earth’s climate and sustain marine ecosystems. Watch the video below for highlights from the official launch on 4 Oct 2025.

Singapore’s first high seas research mission sets sail!
Two SCELSE-NTU Dr Jeslyn Poo & Dr Yvonne Hii researchers join the OceanX expedition to uncover how tiny ocean microbes regulate our planet’s climate and more. Watch the launch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSeu...
#OceanX #SCELSE #SingaporeResearch

SCELSE welcomed Global Officers from the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research to explore potential collaboration with SCELSE on all matters marine, such as biofouling and biocorrosion. The visit, hosted by Prof Staffan Kjelleberg and Dr Stephen Summers, highlighted SCELSE’s expertise in marine biofilm and microbiome science and its applications in ocean health, biofouling, and ecosystem resilience. “SCELSE’s strength lies in integrating microbial ecology with advanced systems biology to address complex environmental challenges,” said Dr Stephen Summers. “Collaborations like these are key to developing our research into practical solutions that protect marine environments.” Photo (L–R): SCELSE Snr Research Fellow Dr Stephen Summers and Advisor Prof Staffan Kjelleberg; US Navy's Dr Stephen Turner and Dr Paul Sundaram; and NUS TMSI Dr Serena Teo at SCELSE today.

SCELSE hosted Global Officers from the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research to explore collaboration on biofouling & biocorrosion. “Collaborations like these are key to developing our research into practical solutions that protect marine environments,” said SCELSE Dr Stephen Summers (in red shirt).

Join Dr Ezequiel Santillan, Senior PM, SCELSE & LoopForBio, CEO at 'From Lab to Launch: Turning Your Research Into Revenue' — an evening on transforming ideas into impact.
📅 22 Oct 2025 | 🕕 6–8:30 PM
Register: event.ntu.edu.sg/nationalgrip...

Commentary: Plastic pollution isn’t just trash – it’s alive with microbes that threaten our health Plastics will not only choke coastlines but also incubate antibiotic resistance, disrupt food webs and infiltrate the human body, says SCELSE researcher Stephen Summers.

Dr Stephen Summers reveals how “plastispheres” — microbial worlds on plastics — threaten ecosystems, food chains, and our health in this commentary on Channel News Asia. www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/p...

#SCELSEImpact #PlasticPollution #Microbiome #AMR #Sustainability

Check out this talk on 30 Sep 2025 - Tackling the global spread of AMR using genome-resolved metagenomics and Al - by Dr Niranjan Nagarajan, and hosted by @fillouxlab.bsky.social

Missed SCELSE Open House 2025? Catch the highlights in this 2-min video below. And look out for next year's Open House in Aug 2026! #SCELSE #SCELSEImpact #OpenHouse2025 #Microbiome #Biofilm

Is the future of diabetic wound care in our hands? Hear NTU Prof Peter Torok, SCELSE Director of Imaging, at Signals to Solutions (26 Sep). SCELSE’s Dr James Ho moderates the panel. Register: a-star-engagementportal.glueup.com/event/signal...

Guardians of Singapore’s sea turtles A race against time to protect every marine turtle found as reclamation works shrink nesting habitats.

Check out The Straits Times pictorial spread on Singapore’s sea turtles. SCELSE PI Assoc Prof Kim Hie Lim studies the threats that these critically endangered creatures face. www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...

Missed Prof Patricia Conway’s keynote address at the 6th International Symposium on Insects (ISoI 2025)? Read the paper in Fermentation: www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11...

Prof Alain Filloux (@fillouxlab.bsky.social) will join an international faculty to lecture at this intensive course "Advanced Synthetic Biology & Metabolic Engineering of Pseudomonas" in Suzhou, 7–21 Sep 2025. See www.csh-asia.org?content/2645

What if Danone and SCELSE combined strengths in microbiome science? Yesterday SCELSE welcomed Dr Rocio Martin & Christophe Lay of Danone for discussions and lab tours. Kudos to our team for hosting! @fillouxlab.bsky.social @cwhitch.bsky.social

“A journey into the microbial world” -that’s how Prof @fillouxlab.bsky.social, SCELSE Centre Director, welcomed over 200 guests to our biggest Open House yet. From fireside chats to immersive exhibits and lab tours, visitors explored how microbes shape health, food, oceans, and the future.

Thank you for being part of SCELSE Open House 2025! From all at SCELSE, especially from our Open House Chair, @harisantypas.bsky.social – a heartfelt thank you to all 300 of you who registered and explored the world of biofilm & microbiome with us.
#SCELSEOpenHouse2025 #biofilm #microbiome

Thank you Prof Doralyn Dalisay (University of San Agustin, Philippines) for delivering a SCELSE Seminar on “Natural Product Discovery from Philippine Biodiversity: Advancing Therapeutic Leads and Biotechnological Applications.” Prof Dalisay shared how her team investigates bioactive compounds from marine sediment-derived actinomycetes and ethnobotanically significant plants such as pigeon peas, turmeric, ginger, tawa-tawa, and Philippine honey. Since 2017, their research has yielded prototype products and early-stage technologies in therapeutics, functional foods, and cosmeceuticals, advancing discoveries from the laboratory to the market. “I was deeply impressed by Prof. Dalisay’s work on discovering new bacteria with antibiotic potential from the Philippine seas, showing how groundbreaking science can emerge from countryside cities like Iloilo. This resonated with me personally, as I also began my scientific journey in a countryside city in Argentina, reminding us that world-class innovation in microbiology is not confined to global hubs, but can thrive wherever curiosity meets dedication.” – Dr Ezequiel Santillan, SCELSE Snr Research Fellow. 📅 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 📍 SBS TR+6 (SBS-01n-26), NTU

Thank you Prof @Doralyn Dalisay for the SCELSE Seminar on “Natural Product Discovery from Philippine Biodiversity”. Her team advances discoveries from lab to market—antibiotics, therapeutics & more—showing innovation can thrive anywhere.

To explore new opportunities at the interface of marine and microbial science, SCELSE Centre Director Prof Alain Filloux and Research Director Prof Cynthia Whitchurch visited Singapore’s national marine facility, the St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML). Hosted by Dr Serena Teo (Deputy Director, Tropical Marine Science Institute) and Dr Stephen Summers (Senior Research Fellow, SCELSE), the visit included a tour of the lab’s capabilities and in-depth discussions on marine holobionts, microbial ecology, and the role of microbes in environmental resilience. “There’s a wealth of marine expertise and research at SJINML,” said Prof Alain Filloux. “SCELSE’s strengths in environmental and molecular microbiology present tremendous opportunities to develop solutions to the many challenges facing marine ecosystem sustainability and health.” With its expertise in microbiomes and biofilms, SCELSE is well positioned to complement and deepen Singapore’s marine research landscape. This collaboration highlights the importance of multidisciplinary partnerships in driving scientific progress and advancing ocean health. 📍 Visit to St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory 📸 (L–R): Prof Cynthia Whitchurch FAA Whitchurch (SCELSE Research Dir), Dr SERENA TEO (Deputy Dir, TMSI), Prof Alain Filloux (SCELSE Centre Dir), Dr Stephen Summers (SCELSE Snr Research Fellow) and Dr Ow Yan Xiang (SJINML Snr Research Fellow). Photo credit: Prof Cynthia Whitchurch 📅 20 June 2025

SCELSE + Singapore marine scientists = new possibilities for ocean sustainability. On 20 Jun 2025, SCELSE directors visited St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory to explore future collaborations.
@fillouxlab.bsky.social @cwhitch.bsky.social
#SCELSE #MarineResearch

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the SCELSE roadshow at NUS LT27 yesterday! We gave a sneak peek of the SCELSE Open House on 28 Aug — from meeting our scientists to free snacks. Didn’t make it? You can still register for Open House: scelse.sg/event/scelse.... #SCELSEOpenHouse2025

Just 20 days to SCELSE Open House! Meet our scientists & explore breakthroughs in sustainability, health & industry—from protecting ecosystems to tackling antimicrobial resistance. Join us 28 Aug @ NTU. Register: bit.ly/SCELSEOPENHOUSE25

Check this out! SCELSE PI A/Prof Rebecca Case will be speaking at Singapore Science Centre.

The NOBIC Image Contest 2025 is open! If you’ve used AOBIP (LKCMed) or ABIF (SCELSE), submit your best microscopy shot by 1 Sep. Prizes by Carl Zeiss: iPad, HomePod, AirPods. Pix -Kaleidoscopic walls by Choo Pei Yi (NOBIC Image Contest 2023 finalist) www.nobic.sg/ImContest25....
#Microscopy #NOBIC

Intrigued by how microbes spread, evolve, and shape our world, students at the Science Discovery Camp 2025 got a hands-on glimpse into the unseen. At SCELSE, participants explored the real-world impact of microbial science and how microbial systems influence health and the environment. SCELSE PI and NTU Assoc Prof Rebecca Case, along with her research team, welcomed the students. Dr Clarence Sim and undergrads from the Case Lab—Lionel Ng, Johnson Lim Jin Hui, Isabella Tiaras Cheng Xue En, and Khoh Yek How—led an open forum on starting their microbial journey, followed by a tour of SCELSE’s research labs and facilities. They also played Lockdown!, a card game created by SCELSE PI and NUS Assoc Prof Yann Boucher, which simulates pandemic response and global cooperation. Kudos to NTU College of Science for bringing together curious young scientists and making this event such a success.

Microbes in action! Students at Science Discovery Camp 2025 explored microbial science at SCELSE, toured labs, and played Lockdown!, a pandemic-themed card game. Kudos to NTU College of Science! 📍18–20 Jun 2025 | NTU
🔗 blogs.ntu.edu.sg/science/2025/07/28/science-discovery-camp-2025/

Submit your abstract by 31 July! Register to attend the Microbial Solutions for a Changing World (MSCW) conference in Melbourne. Catch Dr Ezequiel Santillan from SCELSE on 27 Nov for his talk on engineering microbial futures for a circular bioeconomy. appliedmicrobiology.org/ems-event-ca...

Kickstart your journey into the unseen world of microbes at #SCELSEOpenHouse2025 on 28 Aug. Join lab tours, fireside chats, lunch with professors, and explore FYP, PhD, and research paths. Free ice cream too. Limited slots — register now: bit.ly/SCELSEOPENHOUSE25
#SCELSE #MicrobialMarvels