# Research in biology
**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/study/undergraduate/
Internationally important research across the spectrum of modern biology.
Our research spans the biological sciences - from ecology to biomedicine.
With wide-ranging expertise and strong industrial links, our research has a major influence in areas including environmental policy, tackling disease and biofuels.
We're committed to providing a supportive culture and strive to ensure our staff reach their full potential. We're exceptionally proud to have been awarded an Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of our commitment.
The [Enhancing Research Culture Workshops](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/research/bric-team/research-culture/enhancing-research-culture-workshops/) have been established to inspire and enhance research culture across the University. Each workshop focuses on a different aspect of research culture and aims to showcase examples of best practice both within and outside the University.
## The Research Excellence Framework 2021
Biological Sciences is ranked in the top 10 overall in the UK according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results. Over 55% of our research outputs and 75% of our research environment - the support we give to our researchers - is classed as “world-leading” with 4\* - the REFs highest rating.
[Learn more about the 2021 REF results](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/performance/our-ref-statement/)
## Global challenges
Biological research has a critical role to play in securing a sustainable future. Our research contributes to solutions for three major global challenges:
### [Health and disease](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/global-challenges/health-and-disease/)
### [Sustainable food and fuel](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/global-challenges/food-and-fuel/)
### [Environmental change](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/global-challenges/environmental-change/)
## Research strengths
To tackle these challenges, we channel our expertise in key areas of fundamental research:
- [Biochemistry and Biophysics](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/biochemistry-biophysics/)
- [Bioinformatics and Mathematical Biology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/bioinformatics-biosystems/)
- [Cell and Developmental Biology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/developmental-biology/)
- [Ecology and Evolution](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/ecology-evolution/)
- [Immunology, Haematology and Infection](https://www.york.ac.uk/biomedical-research-institute/immunology-haematology-infection/) (York Biomedical Research Institute)
- [Industrial Biotechnology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/industrial-biotechnology/)
- [Microbiology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/molecular-microbiology/)
- [Molecular and Cellular Medicine](https://www.york.ac.uk/biomedical-research-institute/molecular-and-cellular-medicine/) (York Biomedical Research Institute)
- [Plant Biology](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/plant-biology/)
Our research into artemisinin, the main component of the recommended malaria treatment, benefits malaria sufferers as well as farmers and artemisinin producers in developing countries.
## Impact and engagement
Our research has a major influence on policy, industry and public health.
We work in partnership with businesses of all sizes as well as policymakers and NGOs to translate our research into societal and economic benefits.
### Highlights
- [Developing resilient strategies for conservation under climate change](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/strategies-conservation-climate/)
- [Bladder tissue research verifies safety concerns for a class of drugs developed for type 2 diabetes](https://cms.york.ac.uk/terminalfour/page/content#258070)
- [Improving sustainable palm oil](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/sustainable-palm-oil/)
- [Improving the effectiveness of conservation areas in Africa](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/impact/effectiveness-conservation-africa/)
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the University to participate in the launch of BioYork.
## Centres and initiatives
We are home to a number of centres conducting impact-directed research in specific areas of biological research:
- BioYork
- [Centre for Blood Research](https://www.york.ac.uk/biomedical-research-institute/centre-for-blood-research-at-york/)
- [Centre of Excellence for Anaerobic Digestion](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/centre-of-excellence-for-anaerobic-digestion/)
- [Centre for Novel Agricultural Products](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/centrefornovelagriculturalproducts/)
- [Jack Birch Unit for Molecular Carcinogenesis](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/jack-birch-unit/)
- [Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity](https://www.york.ac.uk/anthropocene-biodiversity/)
- [York Biomedical Research Institute](https://www.york.ac.uk/biomedical-research-institute/)
- [York Environmental Sustainability Institute](https://www.york.ac.uk/yesi/)
## Facilities
Our research is underpinned by excellent facilities including purpose-built laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.
The [Bioscience Technology Facility](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/technology-facility/) provides services in imaging and cytometry, metabolomics and proteomics, molecular interactions and biophysics, bioinformatics and genomic analysis.
We have access to specialist glasshouse and controlled environment facilities. The team provide plant material for research and a range of services.
- [Plant growth facilities](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/plant-growth-facilities/)
We have access to a range of specialist glasshouse and controlled environment facilities.
Publications
Search for research and browse publications in the York Research Database.
[Explore publications](https://pure.york.ac.uk/portal/en/organisations/biology(d8a39d25-a1fb-4b8b-a3f6-7465aa837e59).html)
Research degrees
Push the boundaries of knowledge in our supportive and stimulating environment.
[Study with us](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/study/postgraduate-research/)
Fellowships
Early career researchers at York benefit from a dynamic research culture and excellent facilities.
[Join us as a fellow](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/research_fellowships/)
Our experts
Our department is home to a vibrant community of academic staff with broad-based expertise.
[Our staff](https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/people/)