Department of Animal Biosciences

Welcome to the department where we teach and research in areas ranging from molecular mechanisms and microbiology to whole animal structure and function! Our main subjects are anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, toxicology, genetics, breeding, immunology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, epizootology, comparative medicine, food safety, bioinformatics and One Health. Our research covers production animals, companion animals, laboratory animals and wildlife.

students-in-lab

Education

Read about the programs at SLU that we are involved in

Research

Find out more about the many and varied research projects at HBIO

Do your thesis work at HBIO

We have a large number of projects available each year

Interviews with our researchers

Interviews explaining in simple terms the exciting projects ongoing at HBIO

Publications database

Examples of our research

Find out about our exciting research

Photo of a woman (Ebba Zetterberg) standing outdoors next to a large brown horse with an electronic pad in her hand.
Interview of the month

When perfect symmetry is not a given – what can cause asymmetry in horses if pain is not the cause?

Just like humans, horses can move unevenly, limping, when in pain. But when studies show that as many as 70% of Swedish horses in training move asymmetrically, the question arises as to whether there may be other causes. Important questions for our society, ethics, and for the horses.

More interviews from HBIO

  • 2025-10-02

    The breed does not determine the dog - significant differences in mentality both between and within breeds

    Carefully choosing a dog breed can give future owners a sense of security in knowing its typical appearance, needs, and temperament. But new research highlights that differences between individuals within the same breed can be just as significant—something many may not be aware of.
  • 2025-09-02

    The price of perfection: Opting out of variety - a danger to animal immunity and survival

    For thousands of years, humans have been controlling the breeding of dogs, horses and farm animals. Despite the benefits, this has led to unexpectedly high risks for the animals. With knowledge from research, now might be the time to re-evaluate breeding decisions.
  • 2025-07-01

    More meat on the bone

    Many people want to drink cow's milk, but fewer think about what happens to the calves that are raised just to make the cows produce milk. A more sustainable approach is now being explored that may point the way to a society where we work smarter instead of harder and increase our self-sufficiency.