Biological sciences shaping tomorrow
Our Faculty of Biomedical Sciences is delivering science that is transforming our world. Our work is vital to healthcare professions, our productive sector, and to our unique flora and fauna.
Together our staff and students are shaping our futures for Aotearoa, the Pacific, and beyond.
Mā te kimi ka kite, mā te kite ka mōhio, ma te mōhio ka mārama.
Seek and discover, discover and know, know and be enlightened.
Departments and programmes
Biomedical Sciences Programme
Programmes in Biomedical Sciences offer study in a combination of subject areas that promote understanding of the scient...
Genetics
Genetics at Otago comprises the Genetics teaching programme, Genetics Otago research centre, and our outreach activities...
Neuroscience Programme
Neuroscience is the study of the brain and its network of neurons responsible for our thoughts, feelings and actions. Th...
Department of Anatomy
Anatomy at Otago is about more than just bones and muscles, it’s about people: How we begin life and how we develop, how...
Department of Biochemistry
The Department of Biochemistry at Otago teaches biochemistry and related subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate stud...
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is the only institution in New Zealand offering bachelor’s degrees in bot...
Department of Physiology
The Department of Physiology is home to hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate students, 100 staff, and 20 internati...
Latest news
-
02 Jun 2026
A smarter way to grow
What if you could grow potatoes from seeds instead of tubers?
-
26 May 2026
Building the bridge between discovery and impact
One Otago research alliance is determined to bridge the gap between research and real-world application for the rare dis...
-
15 May 2026
Double celebrations for twin graduates
From helping the fight against tuberculosis to representing New Zealand in sport and creating lifelong connections along...
-
11 May 2026
Keeping Aotearoa ahead of future pandemics
Lauren Jelley’s dedication to tracking viral infection in New Zealand over the last few years could boost the country’s...
-
08 May 2026
‘Doing right’ by community a driving force for researcher
For PhD candidate Helena Abolins-Thompson, being able to work closely with her community and whānau during her post-grad...
-
22 Apr 2026
Funding to fight invasive golden clam
University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers have secured funding to combat an invasive golden clam threatenin...
-
02 Apr 2026
Gold for cash and an inflamed rash?
Sexually transmitted infections in Otago’s gold rush era were less common than popular culture books portray, University...
-
02 Apr 2026
Four new Otago Royal Society Fellows
Four University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka scholars have had their academic impact recognised by the Royal Society...
-
01 Apr 2026
Centre to strengthen disease prevention across Pacific
The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has marked a significant milestone in regional health collaboration with...
-
24 Mar 2026
Otago’s pioneering tuberculosis research making a difference
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day – 24 March – is a good reminder that Aotearoa has a part to play in efforts to end the globa...
-
19 Mar 2026
Taking their research to the people
What do penguins, cell phones, ignorance and politics all have in common?
-
19 Mar 2026
Different Minds, Shared Support Expo a chance to connect
If you see a path of sunflowers in the Link tomorrow, you may just have stumbled across the Different Minds, Shared Supp...