Fly heart research: Osnabrück zoologists decode the function of heart valves in insects

16.05.2025

In humans, heart valves regulate the direction of blood flow. If their function is impaired, this can have serious health consequences. A recent study by Osnabrück biologists Prof. Dr. Achim Paululat and Dr. Christian Meyer has now shown for the first time that heart valves also play an important role in the circulatory system of fruit flies - and that a malformation of the structures leads to reduced cardiac performance, just like in humans. The researchers' findings were recently published in the prestigious journal “PLOS Genetics”.

Biochemist Christian Ungermann officially admitted to the Leopoldina National Academy of Sciences

24.04.2025

Osnabrück biochemist Prof. Dr. Christian Ungermann was officially admitted to the Leopoldina on April 9. Founded in 1652, the „German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina e. V.“ is the oldest academy of science in the world that has existed without interruption. It counts some 1,700 members from numerous scientific disciplines, including around 120 Nobel Prize winners. Admission to this society follows scientific excellence and is thus a very special honour. Christian Ungermann is currently the only scientist from Osnabrück University within the Academy.

Research on scar-free skin regeneration: Kerstin Bartscherer receives funding from the Volkswagen Foundation

17.04.2025

Osnabrück Biology is delighted for Prof. Dr. Kerstin Barscherer: The head of the Animal Physiology group has been selected for the Volkswagen Foundation's “Momentum” program. Kerstin Bartscherer will receive a total of 930,000 euros in funding over four years. She will use the grant to establish a new branch of research into scar-free skin regeneration. The focus will be on the development of so-called “3D skin organoids” from human stem cells, which can then be used to investigate various processes without animal testing.

From the Botanical Garden to the centre of top-level research: The amazing career of an Osnabrück liverwort

12.03.2025

The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha is found all over the world. By comparing specimens from different regions, scientists have the opportunity to obtain valuable information on how plants adapt to very different environmental conditions. As part of a study recently published in the renowned scientific journal ‘Nature Genetics’, an international team has now decoded the genetic material of representatives from over one hundred ecotypes of the liverwort. Among them: Prof. Dr. Sabine Zachgo - and Marchantia plants from Osnabrück University’s Botanical Garden.

Our research

Our research profile covers a wide range of biological disciplines. Here you will find an overview of the different research groups.

Studies

Our curriculum includes both research and teaching-oriented courses that teach fundamentals from across the spectrum of biology.

Science goes public

At the "Osnabrücker Wissensforum", researchers from the university answer questions from interested citizens. Here you can find a selection of contributions of Osnabrück Biology scientists.

University & schools

For many years, the Biology unit at Osnabrück University has supported schools in designing modern biology lessons with the two projects "Explain-OS" and "NaT-Working-OS".