The Department of Biology is part of a vibrant research ecosystem that connects scientists across IU Indianapolis and partner institutions. Through these centers and institutes, students and faculty work together to advance discoveries in human health, medicine, neuroscience, agriculture, bioinformatics, and more.
Explore the centers and research partnerships that drive innovation in biology.
Researchers in the Hydrocephalus Research Center are working to improve treatments for hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the buildup of fluid in the brain. Through collaborative studies supported by federal funding, scientists investigate the genetic and biological mechanisms of the disease and evaluate potential therapies in animal models.
Students involved in this research gain experience in neuroscience, genetics, pharmacology, and translational medicine.
The INSECt Center explores how insect-based technologies can help create more sustainable food and agricultural systems. Researchers develop innovative products and practices that support environmental sustainability while helping agricultural industries remain economically competitive.
This work connects biology with food science, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and global food security.
The Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH) was established to address the serious need to prevent and treat musculoskeletal disease.
The center’s mission is to discover and develop new treatments, cures, preventative strategies, diagnostic tools, and technologies to address the increasing burden of bone, muscle, and cartilage disorders.
The Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases (CDMD) is a world-renowned center focused on centralizing and fostering research that strengthens the diabetes research base throughout Indiana. It’s one of only 16 centers in the United States that is National Institutes of Health (NIH)-designated.
Learn more about the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases
The Center for Membrane Biosciences examines the complex function of cell membranes in diseases such as diabetes and breast cancer, by exploring the interactions of proteins and membrane structures in the control of cellular signaling processes. Researchers hope their findings will ultimately lead to the development of more effective chemotherapeutic interventions for these diseases.
Stark Neurosciences Research Institute's mission is to bring together the scientific community in a dynamic, collaborative organization that advances discovery of neuroscience-related disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, as well as disseminates and applies this knowledge to prevent, treat, and cure diseases.
INDI is dedicated to advancing nanotechnology-focused research, education, and outreach across campus and throughout the surrounding region. With a growing body nanoscale characterization, fabrication, and analytical instrumentation, coupled with technical expertise and proposal development services, INDI not only boosts research collaboration but also provides enhanced student development via training and integration into coursework. The impact of these efforts span INDI’s diverse 30+ faculty members (from four different IU Indianapolis schools) to surrounding Universities, local industry, and the neighboring K-12 community. Together, INDI is not only meeting the needs of current nanotechnology researchers, but is also working to foster the next generation of the STEM workforce.
The BioHealth Informatics Research Center works to combine intelligent data analytics and solutions with industry engagement for transformative improvement in health outcomes through innovative research and industry collaboration.
