Research across Natural Sciences
Research in the School of Natural Sciences explores scientific questions and challenges across the natural world. Research ranges from the molecular basis of cell and tissue function, to the behaviour of microbes in health and disease, to earth and planetary systems, including environmental change, natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes, and astrobiology.
Our researchers are working to understand and combat antibiotic resistance, to explore the molecular machinery that drives cell movement, understand the physical controls underpinning earthquake recurrence and building science diplomacy projects through environmental science.
Many aspects of our research are carried out together with colleagues at UCL including individual projects, strategic development, shared facilities and training (e.g., through the joint UCL/Birkbeck Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology). There are also strong links with other research organisations across London, such as the Natural History Museum.
Take your research further with us:
Featured research projects
Labs and our research environment
Our research is enabled by an excellent research environment. This includes outstanding laboratory facilities and high-performance computing resources, developed and maintained by specialists who drive method application and support training.
Our School's environment is further enriched by other research activities, including seminars by international experts and a mentoring scheme to support the career development of early career researchers.
Research Institutes and Centres
Research support
Rosalind Franklin Centenary Videos and blog
Rosalind Franklin, biophysicist and x-ray crystallographer, is a celebrated Birkbeckian, whose scientific legacy runs through the Faculty of Science. The Rosalind Franklin Molecular Biology Lab is part of the research facilities in the School of Natural Sciences.
In 2020, to mark the centenary year (#Franklin100) celebrating her birth on 25 July 1920, PhDs from across Biological Sciences and the Genes Environment Lifespan (GEL) lab recorded short talks highlighting their research and links to her work.
