SCELSE - a biofilm & microbiome research centre in NTU & NUS
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scelse.bsky.social
SCELSE - a biofilm & microbiome research centre in NTU & NUS
@scelse.bsky.social
74 followers 7 following 59 posts
SCELSE advances sustainability and translational impact through cutting-edge research and innovative solutions, driving progress in:
• Healthcare,
• Industry,
• Society, and
• Environment
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scelse.bsky.social
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
November 26, 2025 at 6:17 AM
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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
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.
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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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.
November 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
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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
November 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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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
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
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November 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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November 17, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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‪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.
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.
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
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November 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
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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
November 10, 2025 at 6:34 AM
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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
November 5, 2025 at 5:38 AM
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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.
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)
November 5, 2025 at 4:55 AM
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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!
October 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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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
“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.
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 AM
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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).
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.
October 28, 2025 at 11:49 AM
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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...
October 13, 2025 at 6:25 AM
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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
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.
www.channelnewsasia.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:24 AM
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September 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
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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
September 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
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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
September 18, 2025 at 7:26 AM
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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...
September 17, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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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...
Guardians of Singapore’s sea turtles
A race against time to protect every marine turtle found as reclamation works shrink nesting habitats.
www.straitstimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
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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...
September 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
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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
September 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
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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
September 5, 2025 at 3:35 AM