Research in the Institute comprises work on vertebrate, insect and plant model organisms

 Vertebrates: Hammerschmidt
 Insects: Roth, Lynch, Panfilio
 Plants: Werr

Research in the Institute focusses on various aspects of developmental biology

 Dorsoventral patterning, Pituitary development, Skin development: Hammerschmidt
 Axis formation: Roth, Lynch
 Embryonic patterning, Shoot apical meristem function: Werr
 Comparative epithelial morphogenesis: Panfilio