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Life science

Image: Malin Grönborg

Life science is the study of biological life and living organisms. It is a very broad field of study, fundamentally based on chemistry and biology.

Life science encompasses everything from diseases to how we function, as well as our interaction with nature and all its components. Here in Umeå, we have been conducting life science-related research since the university was founded, with a focus on molecular and microbiology as well as chemistry.

One example of groundbreaking life science research at Umeå University is the discovery of the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, for which Emmanuelle Charpentier was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

The Life Science News Council is responsible for this website.

Collaboration with industry

"Collaboration with industry" is an article series that highlights the collaborations between Umeå researchers and life science companies. This is the second article in the series, that's written by the News council in life science.
Bild på Mikael Elofsson
Research collaboration with AstraZeneca provides insights into virus infections

Umeå professor Mikael Elofsson has collaborated with the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca since 2018.

Magnus Wolf-Watz, professor vid Kemiska institutionen, Umeå universitet.
Collaboration with biotechnology company opens new doors for Umeå chemist

Vacona's need for structural biology expertise coincided with Magnus' research group's ambition with Cryo-EM.

Latests news in life science at Umeå university

närbild på händer och fiskenät
Climate change may increase the spread of neurotoxin in the oceans

Researchers: "Raises serious concerns for the future"

Joram Waititu and Kemal Avican work together in a lab
“Molecular bodyguard” helps infections persist

Key protein helps bacteria survive in the body and points to strategies for fighting persistent infections.

Anna Arnqvist lab
New discovery – bacterial “bubbles” hitchhike to reach the cell surface

The discovered mechanism increases understanding of how bacteria and cells interact.

A group of people sitting around a table playing a game.
Researchers' card game teaches children about microorganisms

Hope to spark curiosity about life beneath the water’s surface – with playful game cards.

Renstrykning av bakteriekultur på agarplatta
When Listeria bacteria go to fine dining

Listeria expert Jörgen Johansson is following the outbreak at a top restaurant in Stockholm with interest.

En bäck.
Natural barriers disrupt the ecosystems in rivers

Stop plants from spreading and shape the streams in northern Sweden, new research shows.

En bild från ett mikroskop med runda, lila figurer och mindre grå.
Cell death in microalgae resembles that in humans

Researchers found a type of programmed cell death in single-celled organisms thought to exist only in animals.

People at mangrove forests located in shrimp farm aquaculture in northern Vietnam.
Land use affects carbon storage in mangroves

Restored mangroves boost carbon storage, but may not fully regain natural ecosystem functions.

Man med ont i hjärtat
World Heart Day: Virology and cardiology are combined in new research on the heart

Their aim is to close critical gaps in diagnostics, risk assessment, and patient follow-up.

Students standing around the teacher in a lab, the teacher shows different tools to be used. Some students take notes.

Curious about studying Life Science?

The Bachelor’s programme in Life Science focuses on life, bridging chemistry and biology to explore living systems. The teachers have close links to outstanding research in areas such as microbiology, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, infectious medicine, and plant and forest biotechnology.

Learn more about the programme here.

Study both chemistry and molecular biology

The Life Science programme builds the basis and during the third year you specialize in chemistry or molecular biology.

 

Organisations within life science at Umeå university

Coalition Umeå for Life Science (CU4LS)

An initiative to improve visibility of Umeå life science research activities nationally and internationally

Chemical Biological Centre (KBC)

An interdisciplinary research centre in life/natural science and medicine at UMU and SLU

Del av jordklotet. Europa sett från rymden med atmosfär och moln.
The European CBRNE Center

Learn more about the European CBRNE Center at Umeå university

SciLifeLab logo
SciLifeLab Site Umeå

SciLifeLab national site at Umeå (UMU and SLU) is a local site of the national SciLifeLab network.

Umeå center for functional brain imaging

UFBI is an inter-disciplinary research center using imaging techniques to examine the brain.

Dykare mäter växter på en havsbotten.
Umeå Marine Sciences Centre

UMF is a dynamic environment for marine research including a complete suite of analytical platforms.

UCMR logga
Umeå Centre for Microbial Research UCMR

UCMR is a Linnaeus Centre of Excellence promoting cutting-edge microbial research at Umeå University.

Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine (UCMM)

UCMM is an interdisciplinary research centre

Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine

WCMM strives to enable excellent molecular and translational research

Latest update: 2025-09-18