一本道

Biology (BIOLO)

Biology covers all aspects of life science, from subcellular molecular processes, via organisms to whole ecosystems.

Basic scientific challenges in the area concern the way in which genetic instructions influence the development of organisms, which interact and constitute a complex biological system. This is knowledge which is strongly requested from society. It influences a wide range of societal issues from the use of gene technology for altering and affecting the function of various organisms, to questions of animal welfare in modern farming and the management of species and ecosystems for biological conservation purposes.

Within Biology at IFM, research is organised in research groups, which are ad hoc associations of people working on a common scientific theme. The groups are dynamic, and can change their composition as deemed suitable by the involved people.

Bild

butterfly sitting on wild flower Photographer: Karl-Olof Bergman

Research areas

Ecological modelling

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)

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)
Anugraha Arun Puthenpura (PhD student)

Göran Bergqvist (Adjunct associate professor)

Conservation biology

Apollo butterfly

Apollo butterfly

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 Franz茅n (Senior associate professor)
Karl-Olof Bergman (Associate professor)
Viktor Johansson (Associate Professor)
Kjell Carlsson (Lecturer)
Nicklas Jansson (Adjunct associate professor)

Cell and micro biology

 

Photographer: Olov Planthaber

 

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 (Senior Associate Professor)
Yasuhiko Irie (Associate Professor)
脜sa Rybo Landelius (Lecturer)
Baris Ata Borsa (Principal Research Engineer)
Khadija-Tul Kubra Akhtar (PhD student)

Evolution and genetics

 

Fruit flies.
Fruit flies contribute to research. Photographer: Magnus Johansson

 

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:

Urban Friberg (Professor)
Jenny Hagenblad (Senior Associate Professor)
Rie Henriksen (Associate Professor)
Martina Elvsén (Research Engineer)
Gaia Resmini (Research Engineer)
Zeeshan Syed (Postdoc)
Subhasish Halder (Postdoc)
Willian Silva (postdoc)
Erik Widén (PhD student)
Ricky Ansell (Adjunct Associate Professor)

Zoology, ethology, and animal welfare

One dark chicken, one yellow and one in mixed colours.

Chickens that are a cross between the domesticated chicken and its wild counterpart, the red junglefowl from south-east Asia.聽Photographer: Dominic Wright

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听(笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤)
Per Jensen听(笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤)
Matthias Laska听(笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉辞谤)
Hanne L酶vlie聽(Senior Associate Professor)
Lina Roth聽(Senior Associate Professor)
Christina Hansen Wheat聽(Assistant Professor)
Annelie Andersson听(尝别肠迟耻谤别谤)
Eva Mattsson听(尝别肠迟耻谤别谤)
Austeja Rutkauskaite聽(PhD student)
Louise Hedlund听(笔辞蝉迟诲辞肠)
Rebecca Oskarsson聽(PhD student)
Florian Moix聽(PhD student)
Andreas Fahlman聽(Adjunct Professor)
Enya Van Poucke (Postdoc)

Organisation

The division is integrated with overlap between research groups and subjects but can broadly be organised into five main research and teaching areas: Ecological modelling; Conservation biology; Zoology, ethology and animal welfare; Evolution and genetics; and Cell and micro biology.

Doctoral education

Contact

Staff

Visiting Address

Campus Valla, B-building

Mail Address

一本道
IFM
581 83 Linköping

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