Biozentrum at a Glance

The Biozentrum is the largest department at the University of Basel’s Faculty of Science. The primary focus of this interdisciplinary institute is basic molecular and biomedical research and teaching. The Biozentrum holds a leading position nationally and internationally, closely networks with partners from the academic world and industry and is an integral part of the education and research landscape.

In 1971, at the time when the Biozentrum was founded, the visionary concept of developing an interdisciplinary research facility was unique. Today, some 40 years later, the success of this interdisciplinary approach to molecular and biomedical research remains evident. It continues to be the Biozentrum's greatest strength, along with its excellent facilities providing leading technologies and its highly motivated staff.

The Biozentrum is home to over 30 research groups. These scientists, representing more than 30 nations, are engaged in investigating the molecular basis of biological processes. Their work covers a broad spectrum of activities, the scientific research is wide-ranging: How does a cell develop, how does it function and how are all its vital processes regulated? Can we make computer assisted models of these processes? How does a stem cell know what to become? How does a blood vessel form or the nervous system develop and how does the body defend itself against bacterial infections? Could the findings lead to new approaches in the treatment of serious diseases such as muscular diseases, Alzheimer's Disease or cancer? Producing more than 200 scientific publications each year, the Biozentrum is regularly rated in the top 25% of the world rankings.

Research at the Biozentrum is grouped into five major areas of focus: growth and development, structural biology and biophysics, neurobiology, infection biology as well as computational and systems biology. These fields, however, can no longer be considered in isolation as there are many overlaps and the research groups closely interact with each other. This has contributed greatly to the scientific success of the Biozentrum. Both its funding and infrastructure make the Biozentrum internationally highly competitive and ensures research of the highest level.

The Biozentrum enjoys an excellent reputation for its scientific training, both nationally and internationally. Students gain much benefit from the Biozentrum's scientific success. They are integrated into a research environment from the start of their academic career and gain first-hand experience of life as a scientist. Being able to link education with research is one of the Biozentrum's major assets. The Biozentrum offers future scientists a range of programs leading to a Bachelor's and Master's Degree, a PhD as well as a postdoc positions in research.

One of the Biozentrum's top priorities is to further the next generation of scientists. Thanks to the Werner Siemens Foundation, exceptionally talented postgraduate students are supported in the international PhD program "Opportunities for Excellence". Young assistant professors benefit from the open and collegial atmosphere that has always been a characteristic of the Biozentrum and are given support in their career planning. This recipe for success has more than proved itself. Today, many internationally successful scientists who began their careers at the Biozentrum are professors at prestigious academic institutions or highly qualified leaders in industry and economy.

The Biozentrum in figures

Members of staff in 2012

Total members of staff: 546
Professors: 33
Postdoctoral researchers: 132
PhD students: 133
Scientific staff, etc.: 41
Master Students: 31
Labor/Technicians: 128
Administration: 48

Annual financial statement

Administration and maintenance technicians: CHF 60.3 million
University of Basel: 66.4%
National Science Foundation: 16.5%
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics: 2.3%
Werner-Siemens Programm 1.4%
Misc. third party Grants 13.4%