Award of Excel­lence 2024

News

One Whale in Ten Liters of Water

Effective and non-invasive whale and biodiversity monitoring is now possible with the help of citizen scientists, opening up new opportunities for marine conservation. Water samples collected during whale-watching tours contain enough whale DNA to yield detailed information about the animals sighted using molecular methods. However, as two independently published papers show, samples must be collected promptly and following specific protocols.

Cancer cells ‘power up’ when pressed to the limit

Cancer cells mount an instant, energy‑rich response to being physically squeezed, according to a study published by a team around Verena Ruprecht and Sara Sdelci in the journal Nature Communications. The surge of energy is the first reported instance of a defensive mechanism which helps the cells repair DNA damage and survive the crowded environments of the human body.

Nerve cells in colour

A novel antibody colors all nerve cells in the model organism Hydra: Scientists were able to observe astonishing details of neuronal stimulus transmission in the nerve network of the freshwater polyp. Bert Hobmayer and his team from the Institute of Zoology contributed to the recently published findings, which are relevant for neurobiology and developmental biology.

Span­nen­dem Schutz­pro­tein auf der Spur

Sie lebt versteckt im Totholz, in Felsen, auch in unseren Gärten. Während die Gemeine Schließmundschnecke (Alinda biplicata) um diese Jahreszeit ihre „Haustüre“ fest verschlossen hat, sorgt ihr Innenleben – genauer ihr spezielles Schutzprotein – fächerübergreifend in den Laboren von Innsbrucker Forscher:innen für Überraschungen...

Events

Zoology goes YouTube

NEW VIDEOS - every week!
Spannende Einblicke in die Welt der Zoologie.

Presentation of the zoology master program

Start: 
More Information here: 

Mission Statement

Understanding animals at all levels

We are a community of researchers, students, staff, and visitors interested in how animals develop, function, behave, and interact. We conduct research at multiple levels of organization - from the cellular basis, function, and behavior of animals to the interactions between organisms and humans. To this end, we maintain intensive relationships on a national and international level and cooperate with other institutes and scientific institutions around the world.