Biology

The Biology department at Queen Mary focusses on ecological, evolutionary and developmental processes, at the scale of DNA up to ecosystems. We have particular research strengths in Evolution and Development, and in Community Ecology and Ecosystems, and we teach in these areas at Foundation, BSc, MSc and PhD levels.

Teaching

The Biology department is responsible for the delivery of the Biology, Genetics, Medical Genetics and Zoology BSc programmes. In addition, we jointly deliver the Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics BSc programmes with The School of Medicine and Dentistry. Learn more about these programmes below:

• Biology
• Genetics
• Medical Genetics
• Zoology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics

The department also delivers a number of our MSc programmes including:

• Aquatic Ecology
• Bioinformatics
• Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Freshwater and Marine Ecology
• Plant and Fungal Taxonomy, Diversity and Conservation

Research

Evolution and Development

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.

Learn more about our sub themes Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics and Invertebrate Neurobiology and Development at the bottom of the page.

Community Ecology and Ecosystems

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.

Learn more about our sub themes Animal Networks and Ecology and Invertebrate Molecular Microbial Ecology below.