Main research areas

The department's main theme is addressed from four different perspectives in the research areas of ‘evolutionary biology,’ ‘molecular and cell biology,’ ‘ecology and biological resources,’ and ‘microbiology and infection biology’:

Evolutionary Biology

In the research concentration Evolutionary Biology, the Department of Biology analyzes what caused the origin and maintenance of biological diversity: By which genomic and functional mechanisms do individuals and populations adapt to their environment? Which strategies ensure their survival? Which evolutionary relationships exist between various organisms? How do species boundaries occur and what factors allow them to be transgressed again? What are the consequences of hybridization?

To answer these questions, research in this topic investigates the functions and mechanisms in behavioral and human biology that underpin individual decision-making strategies involved in maximizing reproductive fitness. In Evolutionary Biology, Physiology and Population Genomics, adaptations to environmental conditions and their specific signals are analyzed. As in biodiversity research, the reconstruction of speciation events and species boundaries using molecular methods and the study of structural characteristics plays a pivotal role in evolutionary biology research. Multiple research groups also collaborate to uncover and analyze the causes and consequences for the convergence of distinct evolutionary lineages through hybridization.

Molecular and Cell Biology

In the research concentration Molecular and Cell Biology, the Department of Biology investigates the biochemical functions of molecules and their role in the control and structure of cells, tissues and organisms. To understand molecular interfaces and boundaries, we pose questions like: How is the amount of particular protein regulated in the cell? How is cell replication regulated? How do cells communicate with each other? Which molecules and cellular processes enable the survival of an organism under stress? How does cell translation occur in a developmentally and environmentally dependent manner? How has the evolution of genes and proteins changed?

In this field, molecular processes are analyzed on the levels of individual proteins, cells, and complex organs. Research questions in this concentration target a mechanistic understanding of often highly dynamic processes. To this aim, a broad spectrum of methodologies are used ranging from the live observation of individual molecules and functional characterization of molecular complexes to bioinformatics analysis of genomes and proteomes.

Ecology and Biological Resources

In the research concentration Ecology and Biological Resources, the Department of Biology works on current fundamental questions in the future sustainability of our society: What effects do climate change and resource use by humans have on biodiversity? How do organism respond to changes in their environment? What role do plants, animals and microorganisms play in the Earth’s climate system? How can the societal use of biological resources be improved?

To answer these questions, colleagues within the department in the areas of animal and plant Ecology gather information on biodiversity patterns and how these change over time from all around the globe: In the forests of Madagascar, in the deserts of Africa, in the coastal ecosystems of Europe and in the North and Baltic Seas. Ecophysiological techniques are used to study the response of plants and animals to environmental changes and stress and hydrobiological analyses help to investigate the functionality of marine ecosystems.

In parallel, colleagues in the fishery and forestry sciences work to develop sustainable practices for the use of marine and terrestrial resources. In the Institute of Wood Sciences, raw wood materials and other lignocelluloses stand at the forefront of research. Here, the biological and chemical structures of these substances as well as their physical characteristics are closely investigated. In addition, processes are being developed to make use of renewable raw material as base chemicals and in composite materials.

Microbiology and Infection Biology

Microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, viruses, and microbial eukaryotes) are the most abundant life form on Earth. Therefore, microorganisms are of crucial importance in all ecosystems and infection processes. They influence our climate as well as global nutrient cycles. Furthermore, they are highly relevant for sustainable and modern biotechnology. In the research concentration “Microbiology and Infection”, the Department of Biology pursues multiple research topics:

Bacteria and archaea play a significant role in all global nutrient cycles. Currently, we are most interested in uncovering the function of these microorganisms in nitrogen and carbon metabolism. To this aim, we identify and analyze the microbial community and the major players involved in these nutrient cycles. Our research primarily investigates the physiology, phylogenetic diversity, and biochemistry of these organisms and their role in global nutrient cycling.

Microorganisms can also be useful tools in applied science and therefore are used in biotechnology and other biological industries. We develop novel biocatalysts for the production of high-grade biomolecules like antimicrobial substances, explore the ability of bacteria to degrade plastic, and search for solutions to inhibit the formation of biofilms. Moreover, our research includes the construction of designer bacteria using synthetic biology.

In the field of infection research, we search for answers to the following questions: How do microorganisms infect their prey and what are the most important mechanisms involved in the process of infection? How does the microbiome influence the development and adaptation of higher organisms? How do (pathogenic and nonpathogenic) microorganisms communicate with each other and with their prey?

For all of these research topics, we employ a wide spectrum of methods and technologies from the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology.