Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology

This is an extraordinary time to be involved in biomedical research. New technologies are rapidly changing our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of life, with dramatic implications for how we treat human disease. Members of the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology (MCDB), along with affiliated faculty in the departments of Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, and Physics, are participating in an extraordinary revolution in biomedical science.

A broad spectrum of cutting-edge research tools are being employed to tackle problems in key areas that include: the structural and functional role of RNA in regulation of gene expression; chromatin biology and epigenetic control of genes; the cell biology of the cytoskeleton and the cell cycle; decisions controlling embryogenesis and organ development; and developmental neurobiology. The insights generated by this basic research enable new strategies for treatments of aging disorders, birth defects, neurological diseases, cancer, and other human ailments. The department offers a spectrum of courses that reflect the exciting new developments and directions in these fields and trains students to participate in these exciting fields.