The discipline of Biosciences is one of a select group participating in BBSRC's Excellence with Impact scheme.
Dr Trish Moore working in the lab
See how we are working with fishermen, non governmental organisations and national fisheries agency in Peru to promote the conservation of marine biodiversity and sustainable fishing.Watch the video.
Our research
Our research ranges from fundamental studies of how biological molecules function to developing an understanding of how organisms interact with one another and within the ecosystems they occupy. We take full advantage of the attributes of our location in the South West as a unique environment to undertake environmental, ecological and conservation studies.
Research groups
Within Biosciences we work in research groups that reflect the interests and expertise of our staff:
Research groups based at the Streatham Campus, Exeter:
Research groups at the Cornwall Campus:
Systems biology and Climate change and sustainable futures are over-arching themes directing research within the discipline. These areas of research are highly relevant to modern times and affect people globally; our world-leading research aims to help tackle the issues involved in these areas by using an interdisciplinary approach, combining researchers’ skills across the University.
PhD study in Biosciences
We welcome people to study for a PhD in the discipline of Biosciences. A PhD offers an exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research; within Biosciences we will provide you with a very supportive environment in which to pursue your research. Find out more about a PhD in Biosciences.
Research centres
The discipline has a number of research centres which run focused research and teaching:
- the Centre for Ecology and Conservation is based at the Cornwall Campus and focuses on whole-organism research in behaviour, ecology, conservation and evolution. The Centre Director is Professor David Hosken.
- the Centre for Bioinformatics, headed by Dr Jamie Stevens, runs the Bioinformatics postgraduate taught programme, plus research in Bioinformatics, which has become a major field of academic research and an important focus for industry, particularly in the post-genomic era
- the Exeter Biocatalysis Centre, headed by Professor Jenny Littlechild, is a multidisciplinary centre established to study the structure, mechanism and commercial application of enzymes
Research seminars
All are welcome to attend our research seminars which run each term. The seminars cover a variety of topics; recent speakers and subjects have included:
- Professor Hans Portner, Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, 'Mechanisms linking climate to ecosystem change: physiological aspects and ecological implications'
- Professor Herbert MacGregor, University of Exeter, 'Darwin's Islands' (in honour of the bicentennary of Darwin's birth)
- Dr Mark Fricker, University of Oxford, 'Transport efficiency and resilience in mycelial networks'
- Professor Bill Holt, Institute of Zoology, London, 'Gamete and cell cryopreservation: are they neglected conservation strategies?'
- Professor Rufus Johnstone, University of Cambridge, 'Local competition and kin selection'
