TÜMRI and Institute of Genomics

The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Tartu (TÜMRI) was established on June 1, 1990. In the same year, the building located on Riia Street with the number 23 was acquired. The historical school building initially housed the Tartu Elementary School Teachers’ Seminar (1828-1889). Initially, it was a low building that was converted into a two-story structure in the second half of the 19th century. After the War of Independence, the school was renamed the XV Elementary School, which also housed the City School with Russian as the language of instruction and in the 1930s, an Evening Gymnasium.

During the Soviet era, the building housed the university’s military education department. The building allocated to the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology was renovated, and the final move took place in the fall of 1994. Over time, two additional buildings have been constructed on the premises – the Citrina House in 1997 and the Omicum in 2012. By the way, the Citrina building is the only research and educational building in Estonia that has been 100% funded by private donations (supported by Nils Otto von Taube). Additionally, as of April 13, 2022, nearly 6,000 square meters of shading nets have been woven in this building to assist Ukraine, and researcher Signe Värv has been recognized for this with a Citizen’s Day award.

The buildings contain numerous laboratories and offices, and visitors can navigate through the three buildings from different eras while following an enjoyable health trail. The goal of our tours is to explore both the architectural aspects of the building and the activities of its occupants.

Photo: Kevin Loigu.