Research

Research is fundamental to everything we do. We have developed a number of key research areas, including our Biomolecular and our Ecology research groups. Individual members of staff also engage in research, publication, and activities related to pedagogy/teaching and learning strategies.

Biomolecular Research Group

The Biomolecular Research Group (BMRG) comprises a range of academic and postgraduate research staff from across the scientific disciplines with the aim of performing fundamental research that informs human health and well-being. Find out more about the BMRG.

Ecology Research Group

The Ecology Research Group (ERG) aims to deliver user-defined solutions through research and consultancy. Research themes include: animal behaviour, welfare and conservation; pests, pathogens and crop protection; and applied ecology and environmental management. Find out more about the ERG.

Individual research

You can find out more about research conducted by individual members of staff by browsing our staff profiles. You can also read about what our PhD students' are currently researching.

Investigating gorilla DNA

Jaimie Morris, a part-time PhD student here, has recently conducted research into gorilla DNA at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. You can find out more about this research by reading our Faculty news. 

Valorisation of Roadside Nature Reserves

Naomi Rintoul (Senior Lecturer) and Hannah Scott (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) are investigating the value of roadside nature reserves in Kent as part of the EU Interreg 2 Seas Grassification project. This includes work on biodiversity, forage quality, soil contamination and the use of grass clippings as a biofertilizer. You can read more about this research.

Student participation in research

We are keen to involve undergraduate students in all forms of research, where they work alongside full-time researchers. This work can take several forms, and gives students invaluable laboratory experience and technical skills, which will benefit them in their future careers.

Examples of student projects that have contributed to peer-reviewed publications include:

• Contributing work undertaken by Oliver George and Claudia Solscheid in:
  George O, Solscheid C, Bertolo E, Fell F and Lisgarten D (2011) Extraction and purification of the lectin found in the tubers of Eranthis hyemalis (winter aconite). Journal of Integrated OMICs  ( JIOMICS ), 1(2):268-271. DOI: 10.5584/jiomics.v1i2.72.
• Contributing work undertaken by Helen Orbidans (Biosciences graduate 2012) in:
  Harvey S.C., Orbidans H.E. (2011) All eggs are not equal: the maternal environment affects progeny reproduction and developmental fate in  Caenorhabditis elegans .  PLoS ONE  6(10), e25840. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0025840.
• Contributing work undertaken by Lucy George in:
  George LA, Bertolo E and Lodeiro C (2010) N,N'-{1,3-Phenylenebis[methyleneoxy-2,1-phenylene(Z)methylylidene]}bis[1-(1-naphthyl)methanamine], Molbank 2010(4), M702, doi:10.3390/M702. Full text available from www.mdpi.com/1422-8599/2010/4/M702/.   

To find out more about other research conducted across our School, visit the School of Human and Life Sciences Research page.