An interdisciplinary Research Centre of Excellence
Singaporean and global environments are facing significant challenges, such as pollution, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources. These issues necessitate innovative scientific solutions to ensure sustainable development. The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) was founded in 2011 to address these challenges. SCELSE performs cutting-edge research focused on microbial biofilm communities and microbiomes. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise and advanced technologies, SCELSE is developing sustainable environmental, engineering, public health, and medical applications.
SCELSE Mission
Mission statement: To discover, control, and direct the behaviour of microbial biofilm communities and microbiomes for sustainable environmental, engineering, public health, and medical applications.
SCELSE’s mission is crucial for advancing our understanding and management of microbial communities, which are integral to environmental sustainability and public health. SCELSE’s mission is founded on the premise that controlling microbial biofilms can lead to breakthroughs in pollution control, waste management, and disease prevention. The impact of SCELSE’s research can revolutionise environmental engineering practices, food production and security, and enhance public health.
SCELSE research
Biofilms
What are biofilms?
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. This mode of life is common for microorganisms, providing them with enhanced protection and survival capabilities in various environments.
The importance of biofilms
Biofilms play a critical role in the environment by contributing to nutrient cycling, waste degradation, ecosystem stability and holobiont health. They are involved in processes such as bioremediation, water purification, soil fertility, and host organism resilience, making them essential for environmental health and sustainability.
Microbiomes
What are microbiomes?
Microbiomes refer to the collective microorganisms inhabiting a specific environment, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes. These communities interact with their surroundings and host organisms, influencing broader ecological and physiological processes.
The importance of microbiomes
Microbes are fundamental to environmental processes such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil formation, as well as the health and wellbeing of higher organisms. They help maintain ecosystem balance and contribute to the resilience of natural systems and organisms against environmental stressors.
SCELSE’s Impact in Singapore
Meeting National Strategic Objectives
Since its inception in 2011, SCELSE has significantly advanced the understanding and application of microbial biofilms and microbiomes across various ecosystems. By focusing on the commonalities of these microbial communities, SCELSE addresses global challenges such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. This interdisciplinary research enhances public health and environmental sustainability. The shift from single-species investigations to multi-species biofilm studies has opened new opportunities, including holobiont biology, aiding in ecosystem management in settings such as coastal marine environments, agriculture, and aquaculture.
SCELSE’s research aligns with Singapore’s strategic objectives, benefiting society and the economy by contributing to safe water provision, wastewater treatment, public health, human wellbeing, and sustainable food production, supporting the ’30 by 30′ food production target. Initially focused on the urban water cycle, SCELSE’s research has broadened to include medicine, public health, maritime, urban and environmental sustainability, and food science. New areas such as the circular economy, vertical farming, and precision medicine are now part of SCELSE’s expanded research agenda, addressing strategic needs across natural, medical, public health, and engineering domains.
Evidence-Based Policy and Scientific Solutions
SCELSE’s research foundation supports its mission to enhance natural and urban environmental sustainability, public health, and the development of new technologies and products. As Singapore faces internal and external challenges, such as the need for public wellbeing and healthy ageing, SCELSE’s expertise in microbial communities is crucial for addressing these issues. The centre’s research plays a key role in internalizing food and water supplies, mitigating the effects of climate change, and managing infectious diseases.
Stakeholder Integration and Collaboration
SCELSE’s success relies on the integration of natural, medical, engineering, and social sciences, combined with close governmental and industrial engagement. Hosting the centre at both NTU and NUS leverages specific expertise and capacities, supported by national and international collaborations. SCELSE’s integrative network includes partnerships with local research organisations, clinics, hospitals, national agencies, and industry, facilitated by the Singapore National Biofilm Consortium (SNBC).
Sustainability and Regional Leadership
SCELSE is at the forefront of providing microbial-based solutions for sustainability challenges, aligning with the long-term planning of its host universities. The centre’s R&D contributes to carbon capture, waste treatment, resource recovery, sustainable food production, and public health. SCELSE’s multidisciplinary collaboration promotes regional leadership and fosters international collaborations, driving the development of local talent as future sustainability leaders.
National and International Networks
SCELSE integrates innovative technology and expertise from its host universities with practical applications from agency and industry partners. Faculty and students from various NTU and NUS schools contribute to SCELSE’s multidisciplinary research, addressing global challenges in biomedical and life sciences. SCELSE’s participation in the NTU Integrated Medical, Biological and Environmental Life Sciences (NIMBELS) cluster and the Sustainability Office facilitates comprehensive campus-wide sustainability initiatives.
Internationally, SCELSE collaborates with over 50 research groups and industry partners, maintaining strong R&D ties with prominent biofilm and microbiome centres worldwide. These collaborations enhance SCELSE’s ability to address emerging challenges and opportunities, positioning Singapore as a world leader in biofilm research. SCELSE’s coordination of international biofilm colloquia and the establishment of the npj Biofilms and Microbiomes journal further solidify its global impact.
Key Achievements
- 14 technology disclosures
- Over 600 international conference presentations
- More than 900 peer-reviewed publications
- Collaborations with over 60 international universities and institutes
Director’s Message
SCELSE – beyond a decade of research excellence
“At SCELSE, we are committed to pioneering research that addresses global and local environmental challenges. Our interdisciplinary approach and state-of-the-art facilities enable us to explore microbial communities and develop innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development and public health. We believe in the transformative power of science to create a better future for all.”
The Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) is an interdisciplinary Research Centre of Excellence (RCE), funded by National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), and hosted by NTU in partnership with NUS.
SCELSE’s main premises are on the beautiful green campus of NTU, in a dedicated building connected to the School of Biological Sciences. The centre also enjoys significant shared laboratory and office space at NUS. SCELSE’s operation benefits from its exceptionally state-of-the-art research laboratories and modern facilities for advanced imaging, automated high-throughput sequencing, bioreactor experimentation, and with instrumentation at both NTU and NUS.
Prof Alain Filloux
Centre Director, SCELSE
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, NTU
Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU