SCELSE - An Interdisciplinary Biofilm & Microbiome Research Institute of NTU and NUS
As Singapore and the world confront challenges such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion, innovative scientific solutions are critical for 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, they include 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. Through interdisciplinary research, SCELSE address global and national challenges including pollution, climate change, resource depletion, public health and environmental sustainability. The shift from single-species investigations to multi-species biofilm studies has opened new frontiers in holobiont biology and enhanced ecosystem management in settings such as coastal marine environments, agriculture, and aquaculture.
SCELSE’s research supports Singapore’s strategic priorities and contributes to societal and economic resilience through innovations in:
• Safe water provision and wastewater treatment
• Public health and human wellbeing
• Sustainable food production and food resilience
• Environmental and urban sustainability
This includes supporting Singapore’s 2035 food resilience goals, where local farms aim to supply:
• 20% of consumption needs for fibre-rich foods, such as leafy vegetables, beansprouts, and mushrooms
• 30% of consumption needs for protein sources, such as eggs and seafood
While SCELSE’s research initially focused on the urban water cycle, its scope has since expanded into broader domains, including:
• Medicine and public health
• Maritime and coastal sustainability
• Food science and aquaculture
• Circular economy solutions
• Vertical farming
• Precision medicine
Today, SCELSE’s interdisciplinary research integrates natural, medical, public health, and engineering sciences to develop microbial-based solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Evidence-Based Policy and Scientific Solutions
SCELSE generates scientific insights that support evidence-based decision-making in areas such as environmental management, public wellbeing and healthy ageing, water systems, food production, and infectious disease control. SCELSE helps develop predictive, preventive, and sustainable solutions for complex real-world challenges. The institute also works closely with government agencies and industry partners to translate scientific discoveries into practical technologies, strategies, and applications that benefit Singapore and the wider region.
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. As a university research institute jointly hosted by NTU and NUS, SCELSE leverages complementary 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 partners across multiple sectors.
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.
International Collaborations and Global Engagement
Internationally, SCELSE collaborates with more than 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.