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Singapore Institute of Biology - SIBiol Celebrating 53 years of Biology and Biology Education

The annual SIBiol Public Forum was held on 22 August 2026 at the Science Centre Singapore Maxwell Auditorium. In line wi...
06/09/2026

The annual SIBiol Public Forum was held on 22 August 2026 at the Science Centre Singapore Maxwell Auditorium. In line with the United Nations’ International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, the topic of this year’s public forum was “Youth Volunteers for Sustainable Development”. The Forum began with a talk from our keynote speaker, Dr Maxine Mowe, on her experience with volunteering for a sustainable Earth, followed by a panel discussion with two youth volunteers, Miss Kanishka Selvakumar and Mr Andres Neo, moderated by Dr Toh Tai Chong. Finally, we presented the prizes for the top 10 schools and individuals that participated in the SJBO 2026 Theory Round, as well as announced the recipients of the SIBiol RTF 2026. Congratulations to all prizewinners! 

Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to a successful Public Forum 2026, hope to see you again next year!

The annual SIBiol Public Forum will be held on 22 August 2025, 10am-1pm at the Science Centre Singapore, Maxwell Auditor...
01/08/2026

The annual SIBiol Public Forum will be held on 22 August 2025, 10am-1pm at the Science Centre Singapore, Maxwell Auditorium!

Please join us as we explore the theme “Youth Volunteers for Sustainable Development”!

Register by scanning the QR code above!

Although the 31st IBO which was supposed to be held in Japan was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Sing...
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)

📚Happy Teachers’ Day! 📚Did you know that in the animal kingdom, teaching isn’t exclusively for humans? Some of the most ...
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.

It’s Fun Fact Friday!Meet Singapore’s Loudest Night Singer: The Tokay Gecko ✨🦎If you’ve ever been out at night and heard...
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.

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...
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. 🌾🥥

🦟 Happy World Mosquito Day! While many of our hands may be itching just at the sight of these pictures, let’s recognise ...
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!

It’s World Orangutan Day! 🌿🦧Did you know orangutans share about 97% of their DNA with humans? Orangutans are Asia’s only...
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!

Happy World Humanitarian Day from SIBiol! 🤝🌍On this day, we honour those who dedicate their lives to the service of huma...
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.

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