Singapore Institute of Biology - SIBiol, Singapore (2026)

04/02/2026

Although the 31st IBO which was supposed to be held in Japan was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Singapore team has once again done well at the special IBO Challenge 2020 (a substitute for the 31st IBO Nagasaki, JAPAN), garnering one Gold medal and three Silver medals. Held on 11th and 12th August, students participated virtually in the remote-conducted competition from computer labs in their own schools. All exams (both practical and theoretical) of the IBO Challenge 2020 were created based on questions prepared for IBO2020 in Nagasaki, though some modifications were made so that participants could complete all questions without any lab facilities. During the two grueling days, the team had to complete a diverse range of tasks, from reconstituting and drawing the shape of a structure based on photographs to analysing gene sequences with bioinformatics tools, on top of the challenging theory papers. With their efforts, Singapore won the 5th place in a field of 47 countries
and territories with 186 participants.

（Taken from SiBiol Facebook, posted 8 Feb 2021)

05/09/2025

📚Happy Teachers’ Day! 📚

Did you know that in the animal kingdom, teaching isn’t exclusively for humans?

Some of the most inspiring teachers live in the wild. Take chimpanzee mothers, for example: they spend years patiently showing their young how to use sticks to extract termites, crack nuts with stones, and recognize which fruits are safe to eat 🦍.

These lessons aren’t just cute; they impart life-saving skills. Young chimps rely on their mothers to survive and thrive, learning through observation, practice, and gentle guidance. 🐾

On this Teachers’ Day, let’s celebrate all the incredible teachers in our lives, from our classroom mentors to the animal world’s guides, who show us that learning happens everywhere, and often in the most unexpected places.

29/08/2025

It’s Fun Fact Friday!

Meet Singapore’s Loudest Night Singer: The Tokay Gecko ✨🦎

If you’ve ever been out at night and heard a “to-kay! to-kay!” echoing through the darkness… you’ve just been introduced to one of Singapore’s most unique residents — the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko).

These striking reptiles, with their blue-grey skin dotted with bright orange spots, are among the largest geckos in the world — growing up to 35 cm long! Despite their fearsome looks, Tokay geckos are shy and secretive🫣. They spend their days hiding in tree hollows, crevices, or even tucked away in the rafters of old buildings, only emerging after dark.
�Tokay geckos are excellent pest controllers. Their diet includes cockroaches, moths, beetles, and even small rodents — making them natural pest-management experts in forests and villages alike.

🔊 But what’s with the loud call?�Their famous “to-kay!” call is the male’s way of attracting a mate and defending his territory. Some locals believe the number of “to-kays” a gecko calls out brings good or bad luck — a fun bit of folklore tied to biology.

💡 Fun fact: Tokay geckos have sticky toe pads covered with millions of microscopic hair-like structures called setae. These allow them to climb up vertical walls and even hang upside down on ceilings — a superpower engineers are studying to inspire new adhesives!

So the next time you hear that distinctive call in the night, take a moment to appreciate these fascinating lizards. They’re not just noisy neighbours — they’re part of Singapore’s natural heritage and a reminder that even in our city, wildlife is all around us.

22/08/2025

Today is World Plant Milk Day!🌱🥛

Did you know that the milk you drink doesn’t always have to come from cows? On 22 August, we celebrate World Plant Milk Day, a chance to explore the amazing plant-based milks made from soy, oats, almonds, rice, coconuts, and more!

🌿 Why plant-based milks?
• Plant milks have smaller carbon and water footprints than dairy, making them more sustainable.
• They provide essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and healthy fats (check the labels though, as some are fortified!).
• They are great alternatives for lactose intolerant or vegan individuals, or just people with particular dietary requirements and preferences.

💡 Fun fact: Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine doesn’t make enough lactase (an enzyme that digests lactose), so undigested milk sugars ferment in your gut causing gas and bloating!

This World Plant Milk Day, celebrate biology and sustainability one glass at a time, be it your morning oat milk matcha latte, smoothie, or cereal bowl. 🌾🥥

20/08/2025

🦟 Happy World Mosquito Day!
While many of our hands may be itching just at the sight of these pictures, let’s recognise World Mosquito Day today, celebrating the discovery by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that has saved countless lives: that mosquitoes spread malaria.

Mosquitoes may be small, but they are full of surprises:
1️⃣ Only the females bite! 🩸 They need blood to produce eggs.�2️⃣ Super sensors! 👃 Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide, body heat, and even sweat from humans.�3️⃣ Long-distance trackers! 🌬️ Some can sense a breathing human from over 50 meters away.�4️⃣ Incredible wingbeats! 🕊️ They beat their wings up to 600 times per second, even faster than a hummingbird!�5️⃣ Disease carriers! ⚠️ They can transmit dengue, malaria, and Zika, making them tiny but mighty in global health.�6️⃣ Their life cycle! 🐛 From egg → larva → pupa → adult, mosquitoes transform in water before taking flight.

Even the tiniest creatures can have a huge impact on people and science. On World Mosquito Day, let’s act responsibly by removing stagnant water to keep our communities safe from dengue and other diseases!

19/08/2025

It’s World Orangutan Day! 🌿🦧
Did you know orangutans share about 97% of their DNA with humans? Orangutans are Asia’s only great apes and one of our closest relatives! Found in Borneo and Sumatra, they are intelligent, tool-using animals that help keep forests healthy.

Here are some fun facts about our ‘cousins’:
• Orangutans are “gardeners of the forest,” dispersing seeds.
• They build a new nest every night in the treetops.
• Young orangutans spend up to 8 years learning from their mothers, which is even longer than our primary school!

Unfortunately, orangutans are critically endangered due to:�🌴 Deforestation for palm oil and logging�❌ Illegal hunting and wildlife trade�⚠️ Fragmented habitats

On World Orangutan Day, let’s appreciate these forest guardians and make choices that help secure their future!

19/08/2025

Happy World Humanitarian Day from SIBiol! 🤝🌍

On this day, we honour those who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity. In the world of biology, many scientists have contributed not just to knowledge, but to saving lives and improving human well-being.

One shining example is Dr. Norman Borlaug, often called the Father of the Green Revolution. A plant biologist and agronomist, Dr. Borlaug developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that helped prevent famine in many parts of the world. His work is estimated to have saved over a billion people from starvation, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.

🌱 His legacy reminds us that biology is not only about studying life — it is about protecting it. From developing vaccines, to ensuring food security, to conserving ecosystems that support livelihoods, biologists around the world continue to play vital roles in humanitarian efforts.

On this World Humanitarian Day, let us be inspired by the scientists, educators, and conservationists who work tirelessly for a more sustainable and compassionate future.

16/08/2025

🐝🌼 Happy World Honey Bee Day! 🌼🐝
Different from World Bee Day, this day is specially for celebrating honey bees! The humble honey bee is one of nature’s most important pollinators. Despite their small size, honey bees play a giant role in keeping ecosystems and food systems alive.

Why are honey bees important?
• They pollinate around one-third of the food we eat, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
• They help flowering plants reproduce, supporting entire ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Beyond honey, they provide beeswax and royal jelly, which humans have valued for centuries.

However, bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and diseases. This decline threatens not only honey production, but also global food security and natural ecosystems.

🌱 So what can we do?
• Plant bee-friendly flowers like sunflowers, lantana, or ixora in our gardens
• Avoid using harmful pesticides
• Support local honey producers and conservation efforts
• Spread the word about the importance of pollinators

As biologists and nature lovers, we have a responsibility to protect these vital creatures. On this Honey Bee Day, let’s work together to keep the buzz alive!

16/08/2025

🇸🇬 Happy National Day! 🇸🇬

This SG60, let’s celebrate not only our nation’s journey, but also the amazing biodiversity that thrives alongside us. Here are 6 fun facts about Singapore’s native species to commemorate 60 years of our nation’s independence!

1. 🦔 Sunda Pangolin
The only truly scaly mammal in the world! Their scales are made of keratin, just like our nails and hair. A single pangolin can eat 70 million ants and termites a year.

2. 🦅 White-bellied Sea Eagle
Singapore’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 2.2 metres — wider than the height of an MRT door!

3. 🐒 Long-tailed Macaque
These monkeys are expert adapters, living in both forests and urban parks. They are clever enough to wash food in water before eating it.

4. 🌸 Vanda Miss Joaquim
Our national flower blooms all year round — a symbol of Singapore’s resilience and determination to thrive against the odds.

5. 🐠 Hard Coral Reefs
Though our waters are small in area, Singapore is home to over 250 species of hard corals — more than the entire Caribbean!

6. 🦋 Common Rose Butterfly
One of Singapore’s most striking butterflies, and also our National Butterfly. Its bright red body warns predators that it is poisonous — a natural defence strategy.

Together, these species remind us that Singapore’s story is also one of biodiversity, adaptation, and resilience. Once again, happy National Day from SIBiol!

05/08/2025

The annual SIBiol Public Forum will be held on 23 Aug 2025, 10am to 12pm at the Science Centre Singapore, Maxwell Auditorium.

Join us as we explore the interactions between ecosystems and human health with our two distinguished speakers, A/P Rebecca Case, Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, and Dr Milly Choy, National Environment Agency (NEA).

Feel free to stay back after the event to explore the Science Centre Singapore!

Register at: https://for.edu.sg/sibiol2025

17/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day from SIBiol! 💚
We take this opportunity to honour all dedicated fathers, from researchers and educators to the unsung heroes of the animal kingdom. 🐾
In biology, fatherhood comes in many remarkable forms. Here are a few amazing animal dads that show just how diverse parenting strategies can be:
🦎 Malayan Giant Frog (Limnonectes blythii)
Found in parts of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Singapore, the male Malayan giant frog plays a key role in ensuring its offspring’s survival. After the female lays eggs, the male guards the clutch from predators and keeps the tadpoles safe by staying close and creating a moist environment.
🐟 Seahorse (Genus Hippocampus)
In a rare twist in the animal world, male seahorses are the ones who become pregnant! The female deposits her eggs into a special pouch on the male’s abdomen, where he fertilizes and carries them for several weeks before giving birth to dozens or even hundreds of fully formed baby seahorses.
🦉 Owl Fathers (e.g., Barn Owl, Tyto alba)
While the mother incubates the eggs, the owl father hunts tirelessly to provide food for the whole family. Once the chicks hatch, he continues to supply prey until they’re strong enough to fledge. These avian dads are key to the early development and survival of their young.
👨‍🔬 Once again, happy Father’s Day! Thank you to all fathers for the role you play in nurturing both life and learning.

16/09/2024

Today is International Microorganism Day! Let’s show some appreciation for these quiet change-makers 🙂

Although we can’t see microorganisms with our naked eye 👁️🔎, they are everywhere around us - on our tables, in the air, in the soil, and even on our bodies! Did you know that there are approximately 39 trillion microbial cells 🦠 living on and in our bodies? These include viruses, fungi and bacteria such as Bacillota spp. in our gut. In fact, according to an article by the BBC Science Focus magazine (link below), the number of microorganisms living on and in our bodies exceeds the 30 trillion human cells that make up our body!

Some microorganisms can be beneficial to humans, like our gut flora, while others can be harmful. One example of a harmful microorganism is the unicellular protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria 🩸 in humans. The parasite is transmitted from human to human (host) by the Anopheles mosquito (vector). The parasite rapidly replicates in red blood cells and bursts out of the cells at regular two-day intervals, causing symptoms such as fever and chills. The patient’s red blood cell count rapidly drops over time.

Although microorganisms are so tiny, they pack a mighty punch! 👊💥 Microorganisms are an integral part of the world we live in, quietly influencing millions of biological interactions.

Source: https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/human-microbiome

Singapore Institute of Biology - SIBiol

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