IRI for the Life Sciences

Berlin's visibility in science has been on a steady incline throughout the past years, not least in the field of Life Sciences. The city's research and medical institutions, both those affiliated with and independent of universities, enjoy an excellent reputation internationally. Recognizing the potential of this infrastructure, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (HU) has founded the Integrative Research Institute (IRI) for the Life Sciences in collaboration with the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max-Delbrück-Center (MDC) as part of the Institutional Strategy of the German Excellence Initiative. 

Campus Nord of the HU and der Campus Mitte of the Charité (Institutions of Members of the IRI for the Life Sciences are highlighted).

The IRI for the Life Sciences can take advantage of the potential for synergies at the Campus Nord, where various university research facilities neighbor various other research institutions. The interdisciplinary and cross-institutional structure of the Institute brings together expertise ranging from biological foundational to clinical research. The IRI for Life Sciences is defined at its core by the following research priorities:

• systems biology and theoretical biology
• the neurosciences
• infection biology and immunology

Taking the participating institutions' current focus research areas as its starting point, the IRI for the Life Sciences strengthens the links between experimental and theoretical biology on the one hand and areas of clinical application on the other, especially regarding:

• diseases of the nervous system
• cancer research
• regenerative medicine

The IRI for the Life Sciences wants to act as an engine and interface for the future development of the Life Siences in Berlin by instating, among other things:

• four IRI-Professorships to establish new research fields in the Life Sciences – jointly appointed by Humboldt-Universität, Charité and MDC
• two complementing Junior Research Groups
• cross-institutional offers for young scientists
• joint use of existing research infrastructure and development of new technology platforms