Our research

Three students one looking through a microscope

The School of BABS is a powerhouse of biomolecular research. At any point in time, BABS is training more than 150 Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students and employing 35 academics, more than 20 research associates and 15 professional and technical staff. BABS consistently attracts government and industry funding, and top-tier academic accolades. Our achievements in technology development are underpinned by excellence in fundamental research.

The school is particularly proud of its productivity in terms of publications in both fundamental and applied science. Staff and students publish their work in international journals with high impact factors and visibility within their respective fields. Underpinning this, BABS runs an annual research seminar program, hosting high-profile presenters drawn from a wide range of science disciplines and institutions both here in Australia as well as overseas.

We are committed to high quality research training and employ a large number of postdoctoral researchers on a wide variety of grants and research projects. Another important group for BABS is our postgraduate students, the next generation of researchers, with HDR student numbers growing substantially in recent years.

Research clusters

Our research is grouped into three clusters. There are seven strengths distributed across the clusters.

Genomics & bioinformatics

The School of BABS specialises in the evolution, structure and editing of genomes. The Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics is the largest genomics facility at any Australian university.

Microbiology & microbiomes

Our research in microbiology and microbiomes explores the importance of microbes in the environment and microbial contributions to health and disease.

Molecular & cell biology

We incorporate molecular genetics, stem cell biology, microscopy, computer science and epidemiology to answer unsolved biological questions and train the next generation of life scientists.

Microbiologists' warning to humanity

Sign our petition to highlight the critical importance of microorganisms in the climate emergency.

PhD stories

BABS has been producing ground-breaking research for over 50 years. Follow the stories of our postgraduate students.

Our facilities & services

In addition, BABS is home to a number of groups that conduct cutting-edge research and provide specialist services in their respective fields. Research is also greatly facilitated by the presence of a number of discrete research facilities.