School of Life Sciences

Fosters education, research and innovation at the interface of engineering and biology to advance the understanding of the living world and solve biomedical problems.

3D model of dendritic spines (purple) making synapses with axons containing vesicles (yellow). Background shows electron microscope image of brain tissue. ©EPFL-Graham Knott — 3D model of dendritic spines (purple) making synapses with axons containing vesicles (yellow). Background shows electron microscope image of brain tissue. ©EPFL – Graham Knott

Temporary placements for Ukrainian researchers

The School of Life Sciences offers temporary placements for Ukrainian researchers in the broad life sciences (PhD students, postdocs and group leader) from a Ukrainian University or Research Institution for 3-6 months.

For more information contact the Deputy to the Dean at [email protected]

Brain stimulation improves motor skill learning at older age

Published:27.07.22 — Non-invasive brain stimulation can restore optimal motor skill acquisition in people with diminished learning capabilities, e.g. due to age. The study was carried out by scientists at EPFL.

Professor Carmen Sandi. Credit: Alain Herzog (EPFL)

Carmen Sandi receives the 2022 Scott Award

Published:20.07.22 — Professor Carmen Sandi, a world-renowned researcher in stress at EPFL, has won the Scott Award from the International Society for Research on Aggression (ISRA).

Neurons and Glia cells in Drosophila larval ventral nerve cord (spinal cord analog). Credit: B. McCabe (EPFL)

Computer genetic metrics of fly brain reveal sex differences

Published:19.07.22 — Thanks to genetic tools that allow computers to accurately count neurons from microscopy images, EPFL researchers have estimated with unprecedented accuracy the number of neurons and other types of cells in the brain of fruit fly larvae—and discovered that females have substantially more neurons than males.

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New 360° Virtual Visit

Discover the splendid labs and facilities of the Schools of Life Sciences (SV) and Engineering Sciences and Technology (STI)

Quatre mois en mer pour mesurer la pollution microplastique

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Five young scientists, including one EPFL student in Life Sciences Engineering, are sailing around the Mediterranean as part of the SEA Plastics expedition, conducting on-board experiments to assess the presence of plastic particles and their effects on marine waters.

Our 20 years celebration symposium

will honor life sciences in the context of a technical university with long-term supporters and the scientific community

Latsis Symposium

Advances in imaging pathological protein assemblies – from molecule to disease

Our Mission

EPFL students working on portable biosensor

Education

We train engineers in Life Sciences with a solid polytechnic foundation. Our students acquire a multi-disciplinary education and study biology jointly with engineering, basic and computer sciences. We offer a Bachelor and Master program in Life Sciences Engineering, as well as four Doctoral programs in biotechnology and bioengineering, computational and quantitative biology, molecular life sciences and neurosciences.

Learn more about our education

Research

Our research groups operate at the interface of biology, basic sciences, computer sciences and engineering. This interdisciplinary environment stimulates innovative research to address essential questions in biological sciences. Cutting-edge core facilities and infrastructure support our scientists to push the boundaries of knowledge in development, neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious diseases and bioengineering.

Explore our research

Innovation

We cultivate a climate of exploration and translation of knowledge and technologies to a sustainable benefit of humankind. The life sciences flagship innovation encouragement program, Catalyze4Life, facilitates the advancement of scientific know-how towards applications. We maintain a constructive and open dialogue between science, industry and society.

Discover our innovation initiative