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     The Institute of Biology at Irkutsk State University (formerly the Biogeographical Research Institute) was founded in 1923 through a ruling by the Russian Ministry of Education. In 2013, the institute celebrated its 90th anniversary.

In the 1920s, a slew of professors worked at the institute, which is included famous Russian researchers, such as B.A. Svarchevsky (the first director of the Biogeographical Research Institute), V.C. Dorogostaisky, S.I. Timofeev, V.I. Smirnov, etc. The leading figure in the foundation and development of the institute was the Prof. M.M. Kozhov (1890-1968), who first came to the institute in 1925 and became its director in 1931. His daughter Professor O.M. Kozhova (1931-2000) lead the institute 1971-1981 and then again 1990-2000. From 2002 to 2008, the institute was directed through the continuation of the Kozhov dynasty by L.R. Izmesteva (the granddaughter of M.M. Kozhov). Today, the institute is directed by Prof. Maxim Timofeyev.

5 laboratories comprise the institute, within which work 5 Dr.Sci and 16 PhDs (Candiate of science). Institute conducts both fundamental and applied research, as well as serving as a base for undergraduate and graduate study at Irkutsk State University in contemporary methods in biological research.

The institute’s main scientific focus is directed towards the study of fundamental and applied study of ecosystem structure and function of Lake Baikal itself and the watershed for quality assessments. Leading researchers at the institute perform work in the fields of ecology and hydrobiology of Lake Baikal, ecophysiology and molecular ecology of endemic hydrobionts, in addition to experimental toxicology, biotechnology, ornithology, microbiology, etc.

The bulk of hydrobiological study is made possible through the placement of the Baikal Biological Station in settlement Bolshie Koty (South Baikal). It is composed of educational, laboratory, residential buildings, and a museum. Fieldwork is also made possible through the help of the research vessel “Prof. M.M. Kozhov”.

The institute actively participates in scientific exchanges and international collaborations with leading scientists from Belarus, Ukraine, Germany, Great Britain, the United States of America, Singapore, New Zealand, Japan, and others.

In March of 2013, by decree of the Russian Federation N 281-r, a group of researchers from institute were awarded prizes by the government of the Russian Federation 2012 for science and techniques for young scientists, as well as being named a “Laureate of the Russian Federation in the sphere of science and techniques for young scientists”.

Since February 1945, Institute of biology fulfills a unique long-term ecological research (LTER) monitoring project of Baikal phytoplankton. The LTER monitoring project at Baikal, famous for its “Point No.1” monitoring site, has been added to the Book of Records of Russia as the longest running project of regular ecological monitoring in the history of science.