SCELSE - a biofilm & microbiome research centre in NTU & NUS's Avatar

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

@scelse.bsky.social

SCELSE advances sustainability and translational impact through cutting-edge research and innovative solutions, driving progress in: • Healthcare, • Industry, • Society, and • Environment

85 Followers  |  7 Following  |  70 Posts  |  Joined: 06.02.2025  |  1.602

Latest posts by scelse.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Science works best when more voices are at the table. At SCELSE, 56% of our researchers are women — above the global average of 33.3%. Kudos to all the women researchers at SCELSE driving scientific excellence & impact!
@cwhitch.bsky.social #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #SCELSEImpact

11.02.2026 04:11 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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SCELSE welcomed Prof Carlo Ratti and Dr Fabio Duarte (MIT Senseable City Lab) to our labs on 26 Jan 2026. Discussions focused on rethinking air quality in the urban environment - moving beyond conventional pollution metrics. @fillouxlab.bsky.social

30.01.2026 07:53 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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SCELSE welcomed a delegation from the Embassy of France in Singapore, reaffirming a shared One Health approach and the central role of partnerships in the France–Singapore relationship. The visit included lab tours and talks on lab-to-market translation. @fillouxlab.bsky.social @cwhitch.bsky.social

29.01.2026 07:33 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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SCELSE hosted CNRS@CREATE delegates to explore translating science into impact: from biofilms & microbiomes to human-centric, trustworthy AI. The visit included tours of sequencing, imaging and bioreactor facilities, with discussions on the DesCartes Hybrid AI programme. @fillouxlab.bsky.social

27.01.2026 08:51 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
See - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-study-finds-new-way-to-disarm-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-speed-up-healing-of-chronic-wounds

See - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-study-finds-new-way-to-disarm-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-speed-up-healing-of-chronic-wounds

SCELSE research, featured in the Straits Times, shows a new way to potentially help chronic wounds heal by disarming E. faecalis with catalase — reducing infection risk and potential amputations without antibiotics. L–R: Prof Kimberly Kline, Dr Aaron Tan Ming Zhi, Assoc Prof Guillaume Thibault

20.01.2026 10:18 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Discover how SCELSE advanced biofilm & microbiome research in FY2024. From top-ranked publications to education, industry engagement, and real-world impact. Scan to read the SCELSE Year in Review flipbook now.
@fillouxlab.bsky.social @cwhitch.bsky.social @drlauranolan.bsky.social

15.01.2026 09:49 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
SCELSE, Haleon & PC Biome Form Strategic Partnership in Microbiome Health
YouTube video by SCELSE SCELSE, Haleon & PC Biome Form Strategic Partnership in Microbiome Health

Check out this 2-minute video on the SCELSE-Haleon-PC Biome MOU signing ceremony which underscores how microbiome science moves from lab to translation-ready health solutions. Explore partnerships with SCELSE today! #SCELSEImpact @fillouxlab.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Qz...

14.01.2026 05:36 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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From generous spreads to laughter-filled games, the SCELSE year-end party reminded us that taking time to celebrate together matters. Wishing all a refreshing break and a strong 2026 ahead. Happy New Year! @fillouxlab.bsky.social @cwhitch.bsky.social @drlauranolan.bsky.social

30.12.2025 08:21 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

SCELSE is in the news! Check out the story - Haleon taps into tripartite partnership to drive microbiome R&D in Singapore- by Koe T. in NutraIngredients: www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2025...

11.12.2025 05:57 — 👍 0    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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Registration is open for the SJINML Public Lecture with Dr Margaret McFall-Ngai: The Power of Symbiosis in Shaping Our Biosphere. If you’ve wondered about sustainability or if probiotics really work, this talk may have the answer.
3 Dec, SMU. Light refreshments available.

01.12.2025 06:34 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Prof Cynthia Whitchurch @cwhitch.bsky.social, SCELSE Research Director, is a keynote speaker at the Asia-Pacific Biofilm Conference 2026, presenting “When death becomes a biofilm”. Registration and abstract submissions are now open — join the region’s biofilm community in Melbourne.

01.12.2025 06:13 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Congratulations Prof Alain Filloux on being elected Fellow of the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI). This honour recognises his leadership in microbiology and his global contributions to advancing biofilm and microbiome science. @fillouxlab.bsky.social

26.11.2025 06:17 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
It’s World AMR Awareness Week — themed Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future. SCELSE is doing exactly that with this week’s sharing on exploiting cell wall-deficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa for new AMR solutions.
 
Presented at the SCELSE Scientific Retreat, Alicia P. — a SCELSE PhD student under the supervision of Prof Cynthia Whitchurch FAA Whitchurch — highlighted a promising vulnerability in this highly drug-resistant pathogen.

When exposed to very high beta-lactam levels, P. aeruginosa can enter a temporary cell wall-deficient state that increases drug influx and weakens efflux. In this window, the bacterium becomes far more sensitive to antibiotics and even FDA-approved non-antibiotic compounds.

From a 1,443-compound screen, 81 showed potentiated activity, including 41 non-antibiotics that worked only in this weakened state. This opens new opportunities to repurpose existing drugs against Gram-negative infections.
 
Next steps: To uncover mechanisms of action and explore how this vulnerability can be harnessed for therapeutic strategies.

It’s World AMR Awareness Week — themed Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future. SCELSE is doing exactly that with this week’s sharing on exploiting cell wall-deficient Pseudomonas aeruginosa for new AMR solutions. Presented at the SCELSE Scientific Retreat, Alicia P. — a SCELSE PhD student under the supervision of Prof Cynthia Whitchurch FAA Whitchurch — highlighted a promising vulnerability in this highly drug-resistant pathogen. When exposed to very high beta-lactam levels, P. aeruginosa can enter a temporary cell wall-deficient state that increases drug influx and weakens efflux. In this window, the bacterium becomes far more sensitive to antibiotics and even FDA-approved non-antibiotic compounds. From a 1,443-compound screen, 81 showed potentiated activity, including 41 non-antibiotics that worked only in this weakened state. This opens new opportunities to repurpose existing drugs against Gram-negative infections. Next steps: To uncover mechanisms of action and explore how this vulnerability can be harnessed for therapeutic strategies.

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World AMR Awareness Week calls us to act now. At the SCELSE retreat, PhD student Alicia Pek, supervised by Prof Cynthia Whitchurch, showed how cell wall-deficient P. aeruginosa reveals a vulnerability that boosts antibiotic & non-antibiotic activity.
#WorldAMRWeek #AMR #SCELSE @cwhitch.bsky.social

21.11.2025 13:17 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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Two intense days underscored SCELSE’s strength in true multi-disciplinarity — broad enough to collaborate, deep enough to push boundaries. A retreat filled with ideas across health, climate, and food. Kudos to Prof Whitchurch @cwhitch.bsky.social for organising a strong event.

20.11.2025 07:45 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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SCELSE’s annual Scientific Retreat begins tomorrow. Two days of presentations, posters, and breakout discussions will sharpen the next phase of our biofilm and microbiome research aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. @cwhitch.bsky.social @fillouxlab.bsky.social

17.11.2025 11:59 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
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Join SCELSE's Prof Cynthia Whitchurch @cwhitch.bsky.social in welcoming Prof Edward Ruby at this SCELSE Seminar on 4 Dec 2025

17.11.2025 11:31 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Post image Post image 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.

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.

11.11.2025 09:26 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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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

10.11.2025 06:33 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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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

05.11.2025 05:38 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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 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.

05.11.2025 04:55 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 2    📌 0
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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!

30.10.2025 13:41 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
“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.

“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

29.10.2025 02:11 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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 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).

28.10.2025 11:49 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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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...

13.10.2025 06:25 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
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

09.10.2025 05:24 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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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

24.09.2025 09:13 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

@scelse is following 7 prominent accounts