Biological sciences

The focus of our research lies on the evolution of vertebrates. Fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have evolved over millions of years to survive challenging conditions. This lead to a tremendous number of different species (biodiversity), but also resulted in a wide morphological variety (disparity). Physically different habitats, such as the transition from a life in water to a life on land, imposed manifold pressures on the organisms. These dramatic differences of the respective environment require adaptations in the structure and function of the organismal body.

The MarBiotech group focus its main areas of research on different biotechnological exploitations of microalgae and other marine organisms as seaweeds and halophyte plants.

The Genomics Division focuses on the study of the molecular building blocks of life (DNA, RNA and proteins), their role in biological functions, and the ecological and evolutionary processes through which they shape biodiversity.

The Genomics Division covers four main research areas: molecular ecology, molecular biology, aquaculture genomics and developmental biology. 

The Ecology research division has five research units with advanced knowledge of the basic functioning of the high latitude ecosystems, on land, in the fjords and in oceanic waters.

The multidisciplinary research of our group has an emphasis on new technology to enhance the understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

The common theme is to relate traditional ecological observations to genetics at the molecular level.

The objective of the research is increased profitability, safe food production, employment and value creation in Norway. The division educates and does research related to farm animal husbandry. Veterinary studies like farm animal health and farm animal nursing are important. Within farm animal production, precision livestock farming is essential, with focus on animal welfare and efficient production.

The division focuses on basic organisms in aquatic ecosystems, where both microalgae, bacteria and fungi play an important role. Research in blue-biome science and technology focuses on basic organisms in aquatic ecosystems, where both microalgae, bacteria and fungi play an important role, as well as how these organisms individually or in ecological societies interact.