Biomes

Biome Hall 

A defining innovation of the Biotron is its six large, custom-designed Biomes, which provide environmentally controlled research environments with enhanced Containment Level 2 (CL2) capabilities. Unlike conventional greenhouses, the Biomes are fully sealed, controlled units designed to support research at the ecosystem scale while maintaining precise control over environmental conditions.

BiomesConstructed with glass walls, the Biomes allow natural sunlight to enter while integrated shading systems regulate solar radiation. Artificial lighting further enhances environmental control, while an extensive network of micro-sensors and computerized control systems enables researchers to monitor and manipulate key environmental variables, including CO₂ concentration, temperature, UV radiation, light intensity, wind, and precipitation.

BiomesLocated on the roof of the Biotron Tower, the Biomes are designed to support multidisciplinary research and the creation of integrated, controlled ecosystems incorporating plants, insects, soil microbes, fungi, algae, and other biological components. 

The Biomes provide a unique bridge between molecular-level research and ecosystem-scale experimentation. Researchers can scale molecular and laboratory studies up to investigate interactions within controlled mini-ecosystems, while ecologists can bring complex field-based experiments into highly controlled environments. This flexibility allows researchers to design and simulate a wide range of environmental scenarios, including accelerated climate-change conditions, plant–soil–insect–microbe interactions, and the assessment of emerging technologies and environmental pollutants.

Together, the Biomes provide a unique platform for investigating how biological systems respond to interacting environmental factors and for translating research findings across scales, from molecular processes and individual organisms to fully integrated ecosystems.