Bioinformatics focuses on developing computational methods for collecting, handling and analyzing biological data. Research ranges from formulating models and theories about biological systems, to constructing algorithms and developing computer programs, and requires expertise in many traditional disciplines.

BiRC has a strong emphasis on molecular evolution, molecular population genetics, and statistical and algorithmic approaches to bioinformatics, and our research spans from addressing purely theoretical questions, to program development, applications and empirical collaborations.

Bioinformatics research activities at University of Aarhus were initiated in the late 1980's and grew considerably during the 1990's. The Bioinformatics Research Center (BiRC) was established in January 2001 as a collaboration between the Faculty of Science (now Science and Technology) and the Faculty of Health, including Basic Research in Computer Science, Department of Computer Science, Department of Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Theoretical Statistics.

From March 2001 to June 2008 BiRC was housed in the so-called officer building, building 1090, situated at Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, but in August 2008 the centre moved to the present building 1110, C. F. Møllers Alle 8, where it occupies the 3^rd and 4^th floor.