In memoriam Professor Peer Bork

The SCELSE community acknowledges with profound sadness the passing of Professor Peer Bork, who died of natural causes on 16 January 2026. As we mourn this immense loss, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and the global network of colleagues he inspired throughout his distinguished career. At the time of his death, Peer was serving as Interim Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a position he assumed in March 2025. In this role, he provided steady leadership and deep scientific insight across all six EMBL sites, working alongside Interim Executive Director General Ewan Birney with unwavering commitment to the wider scientific community.

Peer’s influence on SCELSE was both foundational and enduring, as he was a primary force in anchoring the centre within the international community of molecular biologists and researchers focused on microbiomes and biofilms. For 15 years, he served as a vital member of SCELSE’s International Science Advisory Board (SAB), where his scientific vision and strategic guidance were instrumental in shaping our international excellence and success. Despite significant global responsibilities, Peer remained deeply committed to our centre, regularly attending SAB meetings and maintaining a constant presence for our researchers. Even when he could not be in Singapore, he ensured his ideas were shared in advance or made a point of engaging with our team during his travels.

As a pioneer in computational biology, systems biology, and microbiome research, Peer was a generous mentor who consistently challenged our researchers to look beyond the boundaries of conventional scientific understanding. His selfless support and scientific excellence have left an indelible mark on our centre, and he will always be remembered as an inspirational leader, a true friend, and a giant in his field. We honour his memory today, confident that his scientific legacy will endure for many years to come.

The SCELSE Community