School of Biological Sciences

General information

Biology is the science of the 21st century. This is, in part, because of the breakthrough in new genomic and visualisation technologies that allow us an unprecedented window into the functioning of organisms. Also, critically, because an understanding of how organisms interact with each other and the physical environment will be at the core of how we deal with the challenges of climate and other anthropogenic change. The intellectual and practical challenges, and research opportunities, lie at opposite ends of the biological spectrum, from the functioning of genes and biomolecules, to whole networks of genes, tissues, individuals and ecological communities. The School of Biological Sciences at Bristol is well-placed to lead in these key research challenges, with internationally outstanding research in functional genomics, plant physiology, animal behaviour, sensory biology, and ecosystem structure and conservation. Also, as befits a department at the cutting edge of modern biology, Bristol's School of Biological Sciences embraces interdisciplinary research, with strong research links with the departments of Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Geographical Sciences, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Experimental Psychology and Veterinary Medicine. Staff from the School are a key players in university-wide research themes such as the Cabot Institute, Complexity, Predictive Life Science, Nanoscience, Bristol Vision and Animal Behaviour and Welfare.

Although much of the research activity crosses boundaries, the staff and associated researchers are organised in three main groupings: Behaviour, Sensory & Neurobiology, Plant & Pathogen Biology, and Ecology & Evolutionary Processes. As such, the research focus is firmly on the non-human organism and we are unusual among the leading, medium-sized, UK Biology departments in that we have maintained strength at all levels of biological organisation, from molecules to ecosystems.

During the Summer of 2014, the School will move to a new £50M Life Sciences Building which, placed at the heart of the central university precinct, will form a hub for research and teaching. The building will boast 13,500 square meters of accommodation split into three zones, including a five-storey laboratory wing complete with '-omics' facilities, ultra-low-noise acoustic chambers, spectroscopy and microscope rooms, clean rooms, a double height plant room and green houses for plant studies. A central atrium will provide the focal point, leading to both the laboratory wing and a four-storey office wing, which will largely house administration, computer facilities, seminar rooms and a cafe. The central location and cutting-edge facilities will improve collaboration with departments across the University, including the next-door Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information plus other science departments and the Medical School.

The School also benefits from being embedded in the exceptionally strong Science Faculty at Bristol, and having excellent collaborative links with cognate departments within other faculties. This facilitates the interdisciplinary approaches typical of innovative modern science, and creates novel research opportunities