The areas of systems biology, systems neuroscience and epidemiology form the main focus of the institute. The groups at the ISM have interdisciplinary research expertize, which incorporates biochemical, physiological, and human interactions to understand the larger picture -whether at the level of the organism, tissue, or cell- by putting the pieces together. The research at the ISM covers a broad range of areas including Chronomedicine and Systems Biology, Clinical and Genetic, as well as Cognitive Neuroscience, Motor Systems (Movement Science) and Epidemiology and Public (Mental) Health, with a strong focus on clinical applications.
The ISM is part of the MSH Medical School Hamburg - University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, a private, state-approved university based in the Hamburg HafenCity. The MSH Medical School Hamburg is characterised by interdisciplinary, professional and complex thinking, innovation and quality as well as a strong focus on motivation and talent. It combines a technical college and a university with four faculties. The Faculty of Health Sciences, and Faculty of Art, Health and Social Science have the status of a University of Applied Sciences. The Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Life Sciences, have the status of a public university and are equivalent to a university.