Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Institute of Biology

  • Postal addressShow on map

    Ojāra Vācieša iela, 4

    LV1004 Rīga

    Latvia

Organisation profile

Organisation profile

The Institute of Biology is a science-oriented structural unit of the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, that conducts fundamental and applied research, including long-term ecological research, and provides support to students involved in research.

The Institute is the leading or responsible research unit in several research directions in Latvia—in the field of long-term research in ecology (ILTER, eLTER), in the ecology of small rivers and coastal seas, in bird fauna and dynamics studies (including the Latvian Ringing Centre).

Areas of activity:

  • Freshwater and marine hydrobiology, with a main focus in small river and coastal ecology, long-term ecological research within the ILTER network;
  • Terrestrial ecosystem ecology, as well as other bioindication related research, including long-term ecological studies within the eLTER network;
  • Research in acarology, entomology, ornithology, botany, plant physiology, genetics and food biotechnology.

Research areas:

  • Small river ecology, benthos and phytoplankton, macrophytes. Coastal ecological microbial chain, macrophytes. Diatom studies (recent flora, palaeoflora);
  • Bioindicator organisms (small invertebrates, Lemna, Spirodela) in ecological and environmental factor studies;
  • Flora of Latvia, its changes, rare and threatened species, plant ecology and communities, bioinvasion;
  • Studies of mineral nutrition of plants, adaptations and their environmental stress defense mechanisms (nutrient imbalance, salinity, heavy metals, etc.);
  • Economically valuable plants, their practical applications, plant breeding;
  • Long-term studies in bird population dynamics, migration, Latvian bird ecology within the ILTER network, climate change driven changes in bird ecology and behavior;
  • Harmful organisms of plants and their natural enemies, biological pest control.;
  • Fundamental and applied research in genetics, including crop genetic resources and creation of breeding raw material, creation of doubled haploid lines for crops;
  • Food microbiology, biotechnology and other food-related research, for the use of renewable raw materials and production by-products to obtain high-value-added products.

The future vision of the Institute envisages continuing globally significant research directions (long-term ecological studies, impact of climate change and environmental changes, studies within the eLTER and ILTER networks). It is also planned to expand the scope of applied research related to plant and genetic studies. In accordance with the European Union guidelines, to continue and expand research in biodiversity at various research levels (such as ecological, molecular, sociobiological).

The future strategy envisages expanding the scope of applied research and expanding cooperation in interdisciplinary research.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  2. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  3. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  4. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  5. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  6. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  7. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  8. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  9. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  10. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  11. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    SDG 14 Life Below Water
  12. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  13. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  14. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Institute of Biology is active. These topic labels come from the works of this organisation's members. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
View full fingerprint

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Explore network further
View all 39 profiles
View all 1174 research outputs
View all 11 datasets