Research in life sciences

School of Life Sciences

Driving innovation in Europe's largest life sciences cluster

At the Campus Muttenz in the heart of Europe’s largest life sciences region, the FHNW School of Life Sciences performs cutting-edge research for a better future. Working with the pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, and environmental industries, as well as municipal, cantonal, and national stakeholders, we come up with solutions to the social and economic challenges of tomorrow.

At a glance

FHNW School of Life Sciences	Basel life sciences region
6 Institutes and centres 45 Research fields 300 Teaching, research and support professionals 6 Floors at Campus Muttenz 5 400 m² of lab and pilot-scale facilities 577 Projects in collaboration with industry 53 European projects	800+ Companies 32,000+ Jobs

Institutes and centres

Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics Institute for Ecopreneurship Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology Process Technology Centre Centre for Teaching and Learning

Research fields

aiHealthLab

Integrated intelligence for diagnostics and therapeutics

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Applied circular economy

Bio- and hydrometallurgical processes for the recovery of metals and transition metals from industrial waste

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Applied quantum computing in life sciences

Quantum algorithms, sensors and communications for life sciences and healthcare

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Biofabrication

Computer-aided cell arrangement to create 3D tissue structures for medicine and pharma

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Biointerfaces

Engineered nanoparticles and interfaces for biological systems

Institute: Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics

Bioprocess technology

Production of recombinant proteins and cell products with automated and linked processes

Institute: Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology

Cell biology and in vitro toxicology

Cell cultures and tissue engineering to investigate diseases and the efficacy and toxicity of substances

Institute: Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics

Clinical information systems

Systems for processing and managing clinical data and integration with clinical information systems

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Computer aided surgery

Computer-based planning, simulation, navigation and instruments to support surgical procedures

Institute: Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Data science in life sciences

Algorithms, machine learning and databases for life sciences

Institute: Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics

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Research highlights

In our communities, with industry, for patients and with research peers, the people of the FHNW School of Life Sciences are driving innovation forward. Discover a selection of our research highlights.

Minimising combined sewer overflow

Michael Thomann’s team is using online sensors and modelling to exploit existing wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

How well do industrial companies know their wastewaters?

A tool developed by Miriam Langer’s team is helping industry better answer this question.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

A systemic approach to safe water

Maryna Peter and her project team are preventing disease through handwashing technology, behavioural science, effective management and long-term relationships.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

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