Labs and research facilities for Biological Sciences

We have high-specification teaching laboratories and internationally-leading research facilities, particularly for structural, computational and chemical biology, together with microbiology.

Our bustling, fully-equipped teaching labs and computing resources give our students access to real-world, hands-on experience throughout their courses. Our students build a portfolio of practical and data-handling skills during their studies and these are integrated with fundamental biosciences knowledge to give a rounded study experience in biological sciences.

Our research is shaped by our membership of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB), a joint research institute between Birkbeck and University College London (UCL). Together, we integrate our work with chemical and physical sciences to investigate diverse biological systems, in particular, the mechanisms of intracellular molecular machines. From this work, we aim to increase our understanding of human diseases and how best to combat them.

We take bookings for teaching purposes for our three teaching laboratories during the day.

ISMB Facilities

ISMB Electron Microscopy and Image Processing

The ISMB Electron Microscopy and Image Processing lab provides access to bio-imagining equipment, including an electron microscope.

ISMB BiophysX Centre

Instruments and expertise in x-ray crystallography and biophysical characterisation of macromolecules and their interactions.

Other laboratories

Biomedical Chemistry Laboratory

We use state-of-the-art equipment to research chemistry for biomedical applications.

Conservation and Art Preservation Laboratory

We analyse environmental allergens and the microbial ecology that damage art and cultural artefacts.

Mycobacteria Research laboratory

We focus on researching unique chemical entities that can contribute to new drugs to combat tuberculosis.

Rayne and Wolfson Laboratory

We provide state-of-the-art equipment for research in biochemistry and crystallisation.

Rosalind Franklin Molecular Biology Laboratory

We investigate DNA repair, protein interactions, cell signalling and the molecular mechanism of disease.

Wolfson Laboratory

We investigate molecular mechanisms using techniques ranging from molecular biology to electron microscopy.

Teaching Laboratory and Facilities hire

We take regular bookings of our three teaching laboratories during the day. Please note we only accept bookings for teaching purposes. The ISMB BiophysX Centre is also available for academic or commercial use via Clustermarket.

Teaching laboratories for hire

Three teaching laboratories available for (day) booking for teaching purposes. All are equipped for biology, chemistry, microbiology, microscopy, molecular biology and physics.

Other information

Research resources

Users of our labs are supported by online tools and databases and by dedicated computer support services.

Safety policy

All staff, students and visitors working in biological sciences research and teaching laboratories are expected to comply with these policies.