The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at Ruhr University Bochum is a research-intensive faculty that covers the full breadth of biological sciences, ranging from the molecular level to complex ecosystems. Its research activities are structured around two central thematic areas that reflect key questions in modern biology:
“Performance of organisms in a changing environment” and “Active substance research.” The interdisciplinary fields of bioinformatics and structural biology connect these areas and provide essential tools for the analysis of biological systems and molecules.
Research focus areas of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at Ruhr-University Bochum.
© RUB, Biologie
Performance of organisms in a changing environment
The research area “performance of organisms in a changing environment” focuses on biodiversity and on plants as essential producers of biomass. Biodiversity research seeks to achieve a mechanistic understanding of the processes that govern the loss and recovery of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Plant research aims to identify the molecular strategies that enable plants to grow and thrive under changing environmental conditions.
Bioactive compound research
The research area “active substance research” addresses key questions in neurobiology and microbiology. In neurobiology, research focuses on the identification of ligands, agonists, and antagonists of G protein–coupled receptors that are involved in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In microbiology, the emphasis is on functional natural products that can serve, for example, as the basis for the development of new antibiotics.
Cross-cutting topics: Bioinformatics & Structural Biology
Bioinformatics and structural biology are cross-cutting disciplines that connect different areas of research. They provide essential tools for the analysis of ecosystem functions and molecular structures, as well as for the discovery and development of bioactive compounds.
The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at Ruhr University Bochum is actively involved in a large number of nationally and internationally funded research and collaborative projects – from DFG Collaborative Research Centers and EU-co-financed networks to funding from federal ministries, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, international partners, and, for example, the Alzheimer Forschung Initiative e.V. – thereby contributing to the strengthening of interdisciplinary cooperation and scientific excellence.
The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology has strong interdisciplinary links – both within RUB and within the University Alliance Ruhr.
It cooperates with the faculties of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Geo Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology, and the Faculty of Medicine. In addition, the faculty works with numerous partner institutions throughout Germany and internationally.
The Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology offers young scientists—including doctoral candidates, junior professors, postdoctoral researchers, and junior research group leaders—excellent conditions for interdisciplinary and internationally oriented research and supports them in their scientific and professional development with targeted counseling, funding, and training opportunities.
The research focus of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology is reflected in its teaching, particularly in the main areas of emphasis in the master's programs. The bachelor's programs teach the biological fundamentals in theory and practice, with the high proportion of practical work being an increasingly attractive unique selling point in Bochum. The master's programs build on this and prepare students for independent research projects or a career in teaching.
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Last update: May 04, 2026
