The research of Biology is embedded within two centres:
Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability
Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics
We are working to understand the genetic, evolutionary and functional changes that underpin population structure, adaptation, development and behaviour. For this we combine a variety of methodological approaches, from high-throughput sequencing and microscopy to computer modeling.
The impact of our research includes: the conservation management of loggerhead turtles in Cape Verde; the development of policy to reduce the spread of disease in wild plants, especially of ash dieback, acute oak decline and emerald ash borer; the localization of disease hotspots that can be used to target health interventions; and the establishment of a new National Park in Tanzania.
We study the organisation and function of ecosystems, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Our research covers a broad range of scales, from individuals and populations, to communities and global biogeochemical cycles. We employ multi-disciplinary approaches that include metagenomics, mass spectrometry, field ecology and theoretical modeling.
The impact of our research includes: work to measure the effectiveness of Glastir Advanced, a location-targeted, cost-effective sustainable land management scheme in Wales; development of a new UK River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT), now being used by the Scottish government to manage sediment pollution, and; the development of Typical Length (TyL) indicator, to underpin an “ecosystem approach” to fisheries management.