The history of Biology at ANU
We remember some achievements and memorable occasions over the years, along with some institutional and personal stories and photos.
Biology at ANU began in 1958, with the establishment of the Department of Botany at Canberra University College (CUC). The Department of Zoology followed in 1959, and when the CUC amalgamated with ANU in 1960, the two departments became part of the ANU Faculty of Science.
1967 was a big year for biology at ANU, with the opening of the Department of Biochemistry and the establishment of the Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS), part of the Institute of Advanced Studies.
In 1991, the Departments of Botany and Zoology merged to become the Botany and Zoology Division (BoZo), and the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BaMBi) was inaugurated.
The three separate schools – BoZo, BaMBi and the RSBS – merged in 2009 to become the Research School of Biology, with four divisions: Ecology and Evolution, Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, Plant Sciences, and the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
Professor Hiroto Naora established the RSBS Molecular Biology Unit in 1968, which he directed until his official retirement in the mid-1990s. He donated funds to the Naora Hiroto Graduate Student Travel Scholarship. Further funding was donated by his daughter, Honami, after Professor Naora's death in 2019.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
Emeritus Professor Fyfe Bygrave, founding member of the ANU Department of Biochemistry, wrote a history of the Department of Biochemistry, from 1967 - 2000.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
This historic film (1966) was made by the CSIRO Film Unit for Dr Bill Williams as part of his television production, 'The Computer Botanist'.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
On 4 December 2017, we celebrated 50 years of Biology at ANU. We had a great turnout to celebrate 50 years of biology at ANU. Here are some photos from the day.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
Tony Argyle, Technical Services Manager Retired at the ANU Department of Zoology, produced a document outlining the history of the department, until 1990.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
The ANU Research School of Biology celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017. Since its foundation in 1967, the School has become one of the largest at ANU, comprising 600 staff, including academic and professional staff, graduate students and affiliates.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
Cellulose is the most abundant bio-polymer on Earth, of enormous commercial value in fibre industries. Richard Williamson and his co-workers pioneered studies that led to the first identification of a gene encoding an enzyme that catalyses synthesis of plant cellulose in vivo.
- RSB 50th Anniversary
RSB research on the visual processing using honeybee inspired electronic circuits was used by Fujitsu for the development of robots, and later to help guide landings for helicopters and spacecraft.
