As part of the rejuvenation of Singapore Science Park (SSP), CapitaLand introduces Geneo, a new cluster designed to be a hub for life sciences and deep tech innovation. Geneo seamlessly integrates work, live, and play elements, fostering a vibrant community of forward-thinking tenants from the life sciences, deep tech, and research sectors. Among its many initiatives, one stands out as a symbol of scientific exploration and discovery —The Seed at Geneo.
The Seed at Geneo is more than a green space - it is a collaborative initiative dedicated to biological conservation, research, and education. The Seed builds upon SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Biodiversity Medicine (BD-MED)'s work at the SGH Bicentennial Garden, translating biodiversity insights into practical applications in herbal medicine, food nutrition, and urban wellness. As a biodiversity showcase, The Seed fosters engagement and discovery, allowing visitors to explore the relationship between plants, health, and innovation.
Designed with a ginger theme, The Seed creates an immersive sensory experience. Visitors can explore a spectrum of colors, fragrances, and textures provided by gingers and their botanical relatives.
(Clockwise from left) Red Button Ginger, Tulip Ginger, Peace Lily
Spanning a diverse selection of plant species, The Seed at Geneo prominently features the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and its evolutionary relatives. Gingers are more than just plants—they are part of Singapore’s culinary, medicinal, and cultural heritage. Their resilience, regenerative properties, and aromatic compounds make them valuable in food, fragrance, and medicine.
A total of 22 plant species in the garden are being genomically sequenced, 12 of which belong to the ginger family. These include:
Additionally, The Seed includes ornamental plants such as:
By sequencing these plants, we uncover valuable insights that support biodiversity conservation, medicine, and food innovation.
The flower of the Torch Ginger (left) or bunga kantan is often used in Southeast Asian cuisine, including Nyonya curries and Malaysia’s Asam Laksa (right).
The clear, fragrant liquid from the mature Shampoo Ginger flower heads can be used as a natural shampoo.
Genome sequencing is at the heart of The Seed at Geneo. Much like a book holds the story of an organism, a plant’s DNA contains the blueprint for its growth, survival, and functions. Sequencing these genomes allows scientists to unlock hidden traits, including medicinal properties and resilience to environmental challenges.
These techniques enable researchers to reconstruct complete plant genomes, unlocking their full potential for science and innovation. Imagine a giant puzzle of a plant’s DNA, scientists at BD-MED first sequence long DNA fragments to visualize the full genome, then determine how these pieces interconnect. Finally, they analyze which genes are actively expressed, providing crucial insights into plant growth, medicinal properties, and agricultural applications.
Beyond The Seed at Geneo, the Geneo cluster encompasses two additional key spaces designed to foster interaction, learning, and groundbreaking discoveries:
Geneo is more than just a destination — this is where ideas take root, research flourishes, innovations unfold, and breakthroughs reach new heights. We invite you to explore, learn, and be inspired by nature’s blueprint for the future.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us on Facebook @SingaporeSciencePark and Instagram @sgsciencepark, or even subscribe to our newsletter - your Workplace Community to receive latest updates on our tenant engagement activities.