On 30 August 2024, the Faculty of Biology at Dresden University of Technology celebrated its 30th anniversary with a festive symposium and subsequent party for researchers, staff, students, alumni and guests. An occasion to look back on what has been achieved, provide insights into current projects and initiatives and make plans for the future.

Biology in Dresden can look back on a rich history that began in 1820, when Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach (1793-1879) from Leipzig was appointed Professor of Natural History at the Surgical and Medical Academy, Inspector of the Royal Natural History Cabinet and Director of the Botanical Gardens in Dresden. He was followed by Benjamin Vetter in 1874 as private lecturer in zoology and head of the collections at the Royal Saxon Polytechnic. In 1879, Carl Georg Oskar Drude was appointed Professor of Botany at Dresden Polytechnic (later TH/TU Dresden). This marked the founding of the 1st Botanical Institute near the main railway station. In 1893, the Botanical Garden opened at its current location on Stübelallee. During the Second World War, the Botanical Institute was completely destroyed, but was later rebuilt on the main campus of the TH Dresden. In 1952, the Drudebau was inaugurated as the 2nd Botanical Institute. In 1968, however, the 3rd university reform of the GDR led to the dissolution of biology at the TH Dresden.

After the Saxon University Commission recommended to the Saxon State Minister for Science and the Arts that Biology be rebuilt, the way was paved for four new institutes - Botany, Genetics, Microbiology and Zoology - in the following years. Between 1992 and 1994, six professorships were subsequently filled. The Biology degree program was also launched in 1994.

Since then, not only has the Department of Biology developed into an independent faculty with a unique building, but it has also been the nucleus for Dresden's development into a world-renowned life science hub. Numerous research institutes as well as bioscience industrial companies have now settled here.

The Faculty of Biology is both the initiator and partner of innovative research projects and covers almost the entire spectrum of life sciences in research and teaching. Interdisciplinary research in the fields of microbiology, botany, genetics and zoology is driven forward by strong working groups. Exhibitions and numerous science communication projects make a regular contribution to the transfer of knowledge to society.

A total of around 520 students are currently enrolled on the degree programs ‘Molecular Biology and Biotechnology’ and the Master's programs ‘Biology in Society’ and ‘Molecular Biosciences and Productive Biosystems’. In 2022, the teaching portfolio was expanded to include teacher training in biology, in which around 50 students are currently enrolled.

On the occasion of the anniversary symposium on 30 August 2024, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Thorsten Mascher, and the Rector of TU Dresden, Prof.in Ursula Staudinger, gave welcoming speeches before one of the founding professors, Prof. em. Herwig Gutzeit, gave a review of the time when the Department of Biology was re-founded in the early 90s. After a flash talk on current projects of the new faculty members, a big get-together with numerous highlights and music took place until late into the night.

Contact:

Thorsten Mascher
Dean Faculty of Biology
TU Dresden
Tel. +49 351 463-40420
Email: