About VBS

The mission of the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is to generate and disseminate biomedical information in the fields of anatomy, avian health, clinical pathology, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, zoonotic diseases, parasitology, physiology and pharmacology. The department fulfills this mission by discovering new knowledge about animal and human health and disease; translating the knowledge into useful applications; educating undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students in the biomedical sciences; and communicating knowledge to health professionals, animal producers, industry and scientists.

The Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is one of the premier biomedical research departments in the world. This reputation is based on its contributions to basic and applied research, and comparative aspects of animal and human health and disease. Areas of research excellence include infectious diseases, animal genomics and neurosciences. This research assists the animal industries and public health and provides campus leadership in these disciplines.

Teaching the basic sciences of the veterinary curriculum is one of the major functions of the Department. The Department's faculty have developed novel computer-based instructional tools to permit self-instructional opportunities for veterinary medical students. The Department also provides service and expert advice to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Veterinary Medical Center, practicing veterinarians, poultry and other animal producer groups, and other biological scientists. Finally, the Department has also developed an extremely successful Molecular Biology Techniques course which provides an opportunity for university-wide faculty and scientists from biomedical corporations in Minnesota to learn new methodologies.