Department of Biology
Research
Biomolecules, cells, species and ecosystems are all characterized by spatial and temporal transitions. By modifying the structure of biomolecules, for example, intracellular processes are triggered. Biomembranes are interrupted by channels that mediate the transfer of substances between interacting cells. Physiological performances of organisms change during their individual development. Likewise, adaptation of species to environmental conditions evolves in the course of evolution, thereby facilitating the colonization of new habitats. Even biodiversity and the structure of whole ecosystems change with the succession, ie the temporal sequence of certain communities.
With our main topic Biological Transitions - Molecules, Organisms and Ecosystems, the Department of Biology is dedicated to processes and mechanisms at biological interfaces and analyzes these transitions of biological systems. We address our guiding theme in various variations in the four main research areas of the Department of Biology.
The research units of the Department of Biology contribute with their work to at least one, but often also to two or three of the mentioned research priorities.