Department Mission and Vision

Mission and Vision

Mission and Vision

Innovation, Biodiversity, and Talent. We combine the roots of classical biological sciences with the frontiers of genomics and artificial intelligence. Our challenge is to transform research excellence into concrete solutions for environmental sustainability, health, and business, training a new generation of scientists capable of operating in international and multidisciplinary contexts.

1. Mission

The Department of Biology at the University of Florence is a multidisciplinary structure where various sectors of the biological sciences—such as genetics, microbiology, anthropology, physiology, cytology, ecology, zoology, and botany—study the functions and evolutionary models of organisms, their mutual interactions and those with the environment, and methods for biodiversity conservation.

Over the last decade, targeted investments by the Department in the field of genomics, aligned with international best practices, have led to the increasing use of molecular genetic methodologies integrated with chemical analytical techniques, high-resolution microscopy, and biophysics across various research projects. This has innovatively expanded the solid pre-existing foundations of the different disciplinary sectors.

The Department carries out first and second-level teaching activities through Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, International Masters, and PhD programs, often in collaboration with other European universities. Teaching activities specifically concern the Degree courses in Natural Sciences and Biological Sciences and their respective Master's degrees, as well as teaching provided for the Degree courses in Biotechnology, Psychology, and Pharmacy. The Department directly manages a PhD program in a consortium with the University of Parma, while several faculty members participate in other doctoral programs.

In many cases, research results are used to engage with regional and national enterprises to identify potential applications. As part of its "third mission," the Department promotes initiatives to disseminate knowledge on major biological themes to a non-specialist audience, particularly regarding biodiversity and sustainable development.

2. Vision

The Department of Biology intends to maintain its distinctive interdisciplinary scientific, cultural, and technical characteristics by promoting collaborative initiatives that further develop the actions undertaken to date.

The sustainability strategy of the departmental development plan involves maintaining and enhancing the advanced equipment it possesses in the sectors of genomics, microscopy, chemical analysis, and biophysics. This ensures the maintenance of world-class research lines, integrating the resulting data production with modern bioinformatics analysis techniques, including the use of AI. This objective will be pursued through the creation of new laboratories and the recruitment of highly trained researchers and technical staff, thereby modernizing research activities to increase international collaborations, participation in funding calls, and the attraction of young talent from both Italian and foreign institutions. The main challenge remains access to specific funding for new equipment or its maintenance, which we intend to address by participating in specific project-based calls.

Among its objectives, the Department aims to increase the provision of advanced genomics, data analysis, and other services made available by its acquired equipment. These services are offered to various Departments of the University of Florence, other Italian universities, research institutes, and the corporate world, particularly in the biomedical, agri-food, environmental, and forensic sectors.

The Department is also committed to preparing international, large-scale research projects within the Horizon Europe program, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human population dynamics of the past. Furthermore, the Department is heavily involved in various PNRR projects until at least 2026.

Research evaluation activities will be maintained and intensified to ensure targeted planning for increasing or maintaining the quantity and quality of both research and technical staff. Attention will also be given to administrative staff, who will be appropriately trained in coordination with the central administration and brought to the necessary staffing levels to manage these complex activities.

Regarding education, the Department manages both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees; it is crucial to further develop courses related to biotechnological themes, also in connection with research activities. Personnel planning will be conducted considering this need.

Internal development and strengthening strategies within the University, and primarily within the Department, will continue to be based on the integration of various disciplinary sectors through investments in infrastructure, recruitment, and advanced teaching. This represents a key strength in increasing the impact and quality of both research and the educational offering, also within the context of the third mission