Centennial commemorations began with a symposium on Friday, 18 July 2025 at the Clinical Research Centre Auditorium at MD11, with Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health, Singapore, as Guest-of-Honour.

The Symposium brought together leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to share the latest insights on microbiology and immunology. One of the highlights was a keynote presentation by Professor Gao Fu from the Institute of Microbiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the topic “COVID-19: Virus and receptor discovery and development of vaccine and antibody”. His presentation offered a detailed look into how the virus operates—its structure, its mode of transmission—and how this understanding paved the way for the rapid development of vaccines and antibody treatments.

Another key speaker, Professor Tadatsugu Taniguchi, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo, presented on “Interferons and Beyond; What could be the struggle to fill our heart?”. Prof Taniguchi’s research revolutionised how we understand interferons and their regulatory mechanisms, which set the stage for research into immunity, disease treatment, and vaccine development, and laid the foundation for modern cytokine biology.

The day-long Symposium was the culmination of a year-long celebration that began earlier in the year. In March 2025, the Department held a Centennial Roadshow featuring interactive booths and microbiology-themed carnival games that introduced students from a range of disciplines to the exciting frontiers of microbial science. This was followed by a microbial art jamming session on 14 March, where staff and students expressed their creativity by “drawing” with colourful microbes—resulting artworks were later showcased on the department’s Instagram account.

Heads of Department for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, (left to right) A/Prof Vincent Chow (2002 – 2005), Prof Mary Ng Mah Lee (2012 – 2013), A/Prof Kevin Tan (2020 – present), Prof Nicholas Gascoigne (2013 – 2020), Prof David Michael Kemeny (2005 – 2012). Photo credit: Toh Chin Kiat and LiveStudios.

From 13 to 27 May 2025, the Department organised a Centennial Learning Journey, comprising 10 workshop sessions that welcomed approximately 1,000 students from 25 different schools. These workshops offered students a hands-on introduction to the microbial world, the immune system, and the often-overlooked ways in which microbes can support human health and well-being.

An ongoing creative competition, Petri Palette, will have winners announced on 12 December 2025. In this competition, Singaporeans are invited to submit creative works that relate to microbiology and immunology, ranging from digital drawings, hand-painted art, microscopic images from experiments, to poems or even songs. Entries are open until 30 November 2025.

In addition, a Gala dinner on 18 July 2025 was a heartfelt and memorable evening as current and former staff gathered for a cosy reunion to mark the department’s centennial. The event was a celebration not just of history, but the enduring bonds forged over decades of shared discovery, mentorship, and collaboration. Emcee Joe Augustin lent his signature wit and warmth to the evening, keeping spirits high and the programme flowing seamlessly.

A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial cutting of the centennial cake by all five former and current Heads of Department—a symbolic gesture honouring the leadership that has shaped the department across generations. Together, the commemorative events marked the department’s legacy of education, research, and public engagement, even as everyone looks forward to the next 100 years of discovery and innovation in microbiology and immunology.