Exploring the History of Life
At the Institute of Palaeobiology & Evolution (IPE), we are driven by a singular, profound question: How did life on Earth become what it is today? Our mission is to investigate the history of life through the lens of fossils, geological records, and modern analytical methods. By combining traditional field exploration with museum collections and cutting-edge laboratory research, we uncover the intricate stories of how ancient ecosystems shifted across vast spans of time.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The work at the Institute is not confined to a single discipline. Instead, we embrace a holistic view of the natural world, spanning systematics, paleoecology, morphology, and stratigraphy. Our research activities integrate classical field methods with sophisticated modern techniques, allowing us to connect deep-time biological history with the scientific questions of the contemporary world. Whether it is identifying a newly described species or understanding the stratigraphic context of a find, our team is dedicated to academic excellence.
Reconstructing Ancient Ecosystems
One of our primary goals is to reconstruct the environments of the past. By studying major evolutionary transitions and biodiversity patterns, we can see how life responded to environmental changes and extinction events across geological timescales. Through international collaborations and innovative methodologies, we address fundamental questions about the development of life on Earth.
Global Scientific Impact
The Institute’s research is supported by extensive collections and active field programs. These resources ensure that while our work has strong regional relevance, it also carries a significant global scientific impact, contributing to the broader understanding of Earth’s biological heritage.
