In recent years, it has become clear that mathematics is able to have a real impact in the life sciences leading to advances in areas such as tissue engineering, drug development, genomics, and epidemic control. The Biosystems Group applies mathematical, computational, and statistical techniques to address research questions in the life sciences.

The work is interdisciplinary and the group members typically collaborate closely with researchers in biology, ecology, and medicine. The mathematical research interests span a wide range of applications including developmental biology and tissue morphogenesis, population dynamics, epidemiology, ecology and industrial ecosystems, evolutionary biology and transgenerational effects, molecular systems biology, molecular motors, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics and modelling of cancer tumours, sleep-wake cycles and the carbon cycle.

The statisticians in the group work on experimental design and medical Bayesian statistics, including studies on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and surgeons' experience of eye cataract surgery.

The group enjoys a rich network of research connections beyond the Department of Mathematics from the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, the Departments of Psychology, Sociology, and Microbial and Cellular Sciences, to the Oxford Diabetes Trials Unit and Pfizer. The group actively promotes the development of new interdisciplinary collaborations between physical and life scientists across the university through the MILES events programme.