Key research fields of the University are life sciences (especially medical and cell and the molecular biology of plants), human technology interaction, social welfare, ecology and gender perspectives.
The Ume� University works collaboratively with companies such as ABB, Volvo, Skanska, Ericsson, and Ohrlings Price water house Coopers.
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Ume�, with Ume� Plant Science Center, is another major site of research and education.
Notable companies based in Ume�:
* Komatsu Forest, European HQ
* Siemens Financial Services, Scandinavian HQ
* Volvo Lastvagnar
* AstraZeneca (production unit, to be closed summer of 2011)
* Handelsbanken, HQ in the northern region of Sweden
* �l�, production facilities. World market leader in front end loaders for tractors
