Biology (BIOLO)

We conduct diverse research with a focus on quantitative methods and systems thinking. We study the structure, dynamics, and sustainability effects of ecological and socio-ecological systems.

We often use large-scale data sources to study everything from food webs in the Baltic Sea and disease spread in the US livestock population to yield losses in agriculture. Our team members have academic backgrounds in biology, mathematics, physics, and environmental science.

Team Members:

Anna Eklöf (Professor, Ecological networks and community ecology)

Uno Wennergren (Professor, Large-scale ecological data for society)

Tomas Jonsson (Guest professor)
Tom Lindström (Senior associate professor, Statistical and computational modelling for ecology and epidemiology)

György Barabas (Associate professor, Theoretical community ecology)

Stefan Sellman (Principal research engineer)
Doortje Theunissen (PhD student)
Izabel Eriksson (PhD student)

Göran Bergqvist (Adjunct associate professor)

Our research in conservation ecology primarily focuses on species-rich grasslands and deciduous forests. The area of grasslands and deciduous forests has significantly decreased, and their management and use have drastically changed over the past century. Many species living in these habitats have become rare, and their existence is threatened.

To preserve biodiversity, we need to understand what species require for long-term survival and how this is affected by the surrounding landscape.

Team members:

Markus Franzén (Senior associate professor)
Karl-Olof Bergman (Associate professor)
Viktor Johansson (Lecturer)
Kjell Carlsson (Lecturer)
Nicklas Jansson (Adjunct associate professor)

The research of the Cell and micro biology group largely concerns interactions between molecules and eukaryotic/prokaryotic cells. The researchers work on several topics: tailored nucleic acid probes as diagnostic and therapeutic systems for treating infectious diseases and cancer, developing new antimicrobial compounds, toxicological reactions in cell cultures, and interactions between bacteria and various surfaces, microbial communities, and chronic infections.

Our work encompasses a wide range of interdisciplinary and international research programs.

Team members:

Frank Hernandez (Associate Professor)
Yasuhiko Irie (Associate Professor)
Agneta Johansson (Associate Professor)
Åsa Rybo Landelius (Lecturer)
Baris Ata Borsa (Principal Research Engineer)
Khadija-Tul Kubra Akhtar (PhD student)

In Evolution and genetics, we study evolutionary changes in both animals and plants. Using model systems such as fruit flies, chickens, and crop plants, we explore how genetic adaptations arise in response to the environment, domestication, feralization, stress, and sex-specific selection pressures. The focus is on understanding how the genome influences behaviour, physiology, reproduction, ageing, and survival, and the role these traits may have for human use of domesticated species.

Team members:

Dominic Wright (Professor)
Urban Friberg (Professor)
Jenny Hagenblad (Senior Associate Professor)
Rie Henriksen (Associate Professor)
Willian Silva (Principal Research Engineer)
Martina Elvsén (Research Engineer)
Zeeshan Syed (Postdoc)
Subhasish Halder (Postdoc)
Gaia Resmini (Technician)
Diego Vittorio Stingo Hirmas (PhD student)
Ricky Ansell (Adjunct Associate Professor)

Zoology, ethology, and animal welfare are closely linked areas within animal science. Zoology provides an understanding of animal anatomy, physiology, and sensory biology, while ethology focuses on how and why animals behave as they do. We primarily focus on our domesticated animals but also other animals in captivity. By combining these disciplines, we can contribute to better animal welfare, ensure that animals' needs are met, and minimise stress in both natural and human-controlled environments.

Team members:
Jordi Altimiras (Professor)
Per Jensen (Professor)
Matthias Laska (Professor)
Hanne Løvlie (Senior Associate Professor)
Lina Roth (Senior Associate Professor)
Johan Lind (Senior Associate Professor)
Christina Hansen Wheat (Assistant Professor)
Annelie Andersson (Lecturer)
Eva Mattsson (Lecturer)
Austeja Rutkauskaite (Research Engineer)
Johanna Gjöen (PhD student) 
Rebecca Oskarsson (PhD student)
Enya van Poucke (PhD student)
Andreas Fahlman (Adjunct Professor)
Louise Hedlund