Institute of Paleobiology Polish Academy of Science

Activities of the Institute

The Institute was established to conduct research on the fossil record of life on Earth. Since its inception, paleontological research has been conducted with a clear biological focus.

The research areas in which the Institute’s employees are involved include studies of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna and flora from fascinating paleontological sites discovered in recent years, using modern imaging methods (including computed tomography). The Institute also undertakes research on climate change in polar regions using molecular biology methods, geomicrobiological research related to the origins of life using modern geochemistry techniques, and research on the fundamental principles of biomineralization in various groups of organisms using state-of-the-art analytical techniques.

Museum activities

The uniqueness of a significant part of the paleontological material that forms the basis of the Institute’s activities requires constant collection, proper preservation in museum collections, and documentation. To this end, the Institute conducts museum activities through the Museum of Evolution. The Institute’s employees also participate in the education of young scientists at the BIOPLANET doctoral school and by lecturing at universities. Currently (2021), the unit is conducting 20 projects financed from national sources. The unit also co-runs the International Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.