Botanical Garden

Welcome to the Faculty of Biological Sciences

Botanical Garden
Image: Anne Günther/FSU

The Faculty of Biological Sciences represents a broad variety of biological disciplines as well as the nutritional sciences and pharmacy. Famous scholars such as the botanist Matthias Jacob Schleiden (1804-1881) and the zoologist Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) worked here with their sunny and dark sides.

The Faculty of Biological Sciences cooperates with other faculties of the Friedrich Schiller University and non-university research institutes of the Max Planck Society and the Leibniz Association in several coordinated research projects. These projects are part the Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse" External linkfunded by the German Research Foundation.  

Image: Anna Schroll
Exzellence cluster Balance of the Microverse
Research Cluster Balance of the MicroverseExternal link
The Research Cluster investigates the complex interactions of microorganisms with other organisms and with their environment, which are of great significance for the functioning of ecosystems, our climate and the well-being of plants, animals and humans.

Latest News

· Life
Hemp helps to heal
International research team clarifies mode of action of cannabinoids in inflammatio
Cannabis is a traditional medicinal plant.
Image: Marco Körner (Universität Jena)
· Life
Timing is key
How cortisone preparations work in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disease
PhD student Elena Brunner (l.) and Dr Markus Werner have investigated how cortisone effects inflammation.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
· Life
Bacterial signallers in the soil
Streptomyces bacteria produce a group of signalling molecules that trigger a variety of processe
An Aspergillus nidulans reporter strain that produces green fluorescent protein (GFP).
Image: Maira Rosin/Leibniz-HKI
· Life
Diverse landscapes help insects cope with heat stress
Habitat diversity can mitigate effects of climate change on insects
The movements of this beetle (Carabus coriaceus) have been tracked with the help of a RFID tag.
Image: Stefan Bernhardt/iDiv
· Life
iDiv celebrates its 10th anniversary
Chancellor, Minister of State, and Prime Ministers acknowledge the success of international biodiversity research in Central Germany
Scientists of iDiv use the Leipzig Canopy Crane to investigate the hidden habitat in the treetops.
Image: Steffen Schellhorn
· Life
Large animals travel more slowly because they can’t keep cool
New study makes it possible to estimate the optimal migration speed of animals based on size
Elephants have to spend a lot of time cooling down their muscles, which lowers their speed.
Image: Bernd Adam
All short news