From fossilised pasts to future discoveries
Advancing interdisciplinary understanding of evolution.
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life (ICAL) at The University of Manchester uses state-of-the-art analytical and computational techniques to study ancient life.
Our research incorporates palaeontology, evolutionary biology and archaeology, and our collaborations cross the physical, engineering, material, medical and biological sciences. Through our interdisciplinary research, we learn about evolution, the biology of extinct organisms, past ecosystems and their response to environmental changes, the origins, growth and loss of biodiversity through Earth history, and chemical reactions over deep time.
The iconic samples collected and studied by the ICAL team fuel a wide range of outreach activities which engage the wider public, and are integrated into both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision.
Our expertise
Discover how we explore ancient life through cutting-edge research.
Study with us
Find out how you can join our community of students and researchers.
Our research themes
Evolution
We research evolution in deep time. This includes: the nature of, and methods by which, we build evolutionary trees; how these are impacted by sampling and decay; the computer modelling of evolution, and the interplay between ecology and evolution; the early fossil record of life on Earth; the milestones in the evolution of life today, such as the origin and terrestrialisation of animals, and the evolution of vertebrates before and after jaws appeared; the interplay between evolutionary studies and our other activities, including proteomics and palaeochemistry. In the study of evolution we work on a broad range of living groups, from invertebrates to dinosaurs, and we use a comparable range of approaches, including meta-analysis and large datasets, experimental decay, software development, and the study of key fossil species.
Imaging
Many of the other parts of our research are underpinned by the application and development of imaging techniques, in two- and three-dimensions. In addition to the X-ray spectroscopy and other modalities we use to understand chemistry, we are developing spatially explicit chemical mapping techniques such as Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization and 3D X-ray spectroscopy (e.g. XANES). We employ a range of tomographic imaging techniques, including X-ray, neutron, physical optical, and correlative (micro/nano) tomography, and confocal microscopy, and apply these to organisms that lived more than 3 billion years ago all the way to those that are alive today. We also develop software that facilitates these approaches.
Morphology and biomechanics
The form of organisms reflects their ecology, behaviour, and (palaeo)biology. In ICAL we study this in both living and extinct organisms: we quantify morphology using imaging, discrete characters, and other approaches, and use this data to investigate a range of taxa. A core element of this work uses software developed in ICAL to conduct biophysics simulations which allow us to better understand the motion, biomechanics, and functional anatomy of vertebrates, including hominids and dinosaurs. We support this with quantification of trackways left by animals in life. More broadly, we have multiple projects applying these techniques to a wide range of species (including invertebrates with exoskeletons and worms), and activities (e.g. climbing and burrowing).
Palaeochemistry
A core theme of our study is to apply cutting edge analytical techniques to understand past life. By investigating the chemistry of fossils, we can better understand: the process of fossilisation; the physiology and palaeobiology of extinct organisms, and how they contributed to their ecosystems; the affinities of fragmentary fossils which are otherwise impossible to place on the tree of life; and how chemical reactions occur through deep time in complex environments. For this work we use a range of X-ray spectroscopy approaches, mass spectrometry and proteomics, and fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. We work on further developing these cutting edge techniques, and also at the interface with biomaterials elucidating how the properties of natural materials are linked to their chemistry.
Our research in motion
The ICAL team has published over 400 papers in the last decade from across our research areas.
Study with us
Be part of our vibrant community
A diverse community of PhD, master’s and undergraduate students is at the heart of our Centre.
We provide a vibrant and exciting place to conduct study, with journal clubs and a wealth of research and fieldwork opportunities. Our aim is to identify and attract the very best students to Manchester, regardless of their background.
Your options
Undergraduate degree
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers a specialisation (known as a pathway) in its Earth and Planetary Science (BSc and MEarthSci) degree.
This degree has a common first year, allowing students to switch between pathways, after which they can specialise in topics of interest to them. The palaeobiology pathway can either be three years (BSc) or four years (MEarthSci), and is interdisciplinary, incorporating biology, zoology, and geology.
Discover BSc and MEarthSci options Discover BSc and MEarthSci options
Master's courses
We offer two Master's courses - research degrees that take place over a single year.
Our MPhil Palaeontology is a research degree that takes the form of a single project, conducted over a year, our MSc by Research includes a taught component in the form of three course units in addition to a research project.
Learn more about our MPhil Palaeontology Learn more about our MSc by Research
PhD study
We welcome applications for PhD from suitable candidates at any time of year, and can offer an established and exciting interdisciplinary research environment.
Our members research a wide range of topics: we encourage you to explore our research areas and staff list, identify potential research supervisors, and then contact us if you are interested in PhD study. We can help you choose the best options and support your application.
Getting started with postgraduate support
The Faculty of Science and Engineering for postgraduate research website includes lots of helpful guidance on:
- funding your study,
- a postgraduate researcher development programme and support,
- facilities and resources, including the University’s world-leading library, award-winning Careers Service and specialised Research IT service, as well as our analytical facilities, which include the Williamson Research Laboratories, NXCT at the Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
- Manchester Master’s Bursary, which is also available as financial support.
Need some advice?
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions about joining the group:
or contact a potential supervisor directly.
We are featured on...
Television and radio
ICAL members have been featured widely on television and radio, including recent appearances on BBC News and The One Show, contributors to National Geographic, Discovery Channel and Channel 4 and 5 documentaries, and documentaries featuring ICAL research such as the BBCs production Dinosaurs: The Final Day with David Attenborough. We are often interviewed by both local and national news about our research, give opinions on developments in our fields of expertise, and regularly feature on palaeontology podcasts.
Bringing science to life for all ages
ICAL offers a unique combination of expertise in the fields of paleontology, archaeology, geology, biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering, allowing us to reach a broad audience from early learning education to adult science enthusiasts.
We’ve delivered hands-on outreach in classrooms, at festivals and public events—including the Manchester Science Festival, Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, Cheltenham Science Festival, Pint of Science, and more.
Get in touch
Nidia Alvarez Armada - Nidia is the Curator of the Earth Sciences collections at the Manchester Museum. Her interdisciplinary research is at the interface of palaeontology and material sciences focussing on the mechanical properties and functionality of biomaterials and the evolution of colour.
Charlotte Brassey - Charlotte is a zoologist at Manchester Metropolitan University who uses 3D imaging and computational modelling in the fields of comparative anatomy and functional morphology.
Mike Buckley - Mike heads the ancient biomolecules laboratories at The University of Manchester: he integrates the latest proteomic techniques in the fields of archaeology and palaeontology.
Russell Garwood - Russell is a palaeontologist who uses X-ray and computational techniques to study major transitions in the history of life.
Phil Manning - Phil undertakes interdisciplinary research in ancient life whilst maintaining a diverse global research program in both the field and laboratory.
Jane Reeves - Jane mixes experimental with fossil data to explore the fidelity of fossil record and to understand key evolutionary events.
Robert Sansom - Rob is interested in the interplay between fossils, their preservation, and how researchers deduce evolutionary relationships, in a range of animal groups.
Bill Sellers - Bill is a computational primatologist interested in the use of numerical techniques for investigating comparative anatomy, fossil behavioural and biomechanics.
Philip Withers - Phil is Professor of Materials Science in the Department of Materials and works closely with the ICAL team on imaging biomaterials through microtomography.
Roy Wogelius - Roy is a geochemist. His research interests include mineral surface chemistry, reaction kinetics, aqueous geochemistry and environmental mineralogy.
Discover the full ICAL team
Academics from across the University contribute to our research, innovation and outreach.
Got a question?
If you're interested in collaborating with us, or want to know more about the Centre's activities and how to get involved, contact: