Our mission
Our mission is to conduct world-leading research to understand how life works and evolves from molecule to biome and to train outstanding scientists who are ready to address the greatest threats faced by our planet. Through our actions we seek to protect and improve life on earth for the benefit of all.
Bringing together outstanding scientists, educators, professional support staff and students we work across all scales of life to conserve terrestrial and aquatic systems and the biodiversity they sustain; understand disease and advance health in animals, plants and humans; encourage life-long learning for all and to make positive impact for a sustainable, healthy and equitable future.
Recognising the importance of inter- and multi-disciplinary collaboration the School of Biology facilitates much of its research through the leadership of internationally recognised research centres that bring together expertise across biomedical, marine and biodiversity sciences.
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC)
The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC) is an interdisciplinary centre for biomedical research with contributions from the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Physics and Astronomy. The BSRC's main research themes are infection and immunity, biophysics, molecular medicine, and chemical biology.
Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers across St Andrews focused on the measurement, origin and consequences of biological variation. The Centre's objective is to advance scientific understanding of the diversity of life and contribute pro-actively to policy that protects biological diversity.
Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI)
The Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) is an interdisciplinary research institute studying the marine environment which forms a key focus for research excellence in the marine sciences.
Research interests range from the deep oceans to the coasts, and from the people who use and interact with the sea, to the biological and physical processes that make the oceans function.
SOI aims to develop scholarship, commercialisation of research and advanced-level teaching delivered through contributing Schools at the University of St Andrews.
