Research Areas
The Department of Molecular Biosciences houses 60 distinct research labs with leading scientists who are making advances to combat threats ranging from infectious disease to cancer to environmental hazards.
Cell & Developmental Biology
Studying how cells carry out biological functions and differentiate in time and space to create complex life to better understand life and illuminate causes of birth defects.
Structural Biology & Biophysics
Studying the structure and function of biological macromolecules to develop vaccines and therapeutics and better understand the molecular underpinnings of life.
Plant Biology
Studying the molecular mechanisms by which plants develop, survive and thrive allows researchers to understand how to ensure hardy crops that will feed the world amid our changing climate.
Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Disease
Exploring how pathogenic microbes cause diseases and human immune systems combat infection, including to illuminate options for new drugs and therapeutics.
Molecular Biology & Genetics
Studying the genes involved in key biological processes and how the expression of these genes is regulated in normal and disease states.
System & Synthetic Biology
Exploring how molecules coordinate to create life and how to re-engineer living systems for diverse purposes, including the development of new therapeutics.
Biochemistry
Examining the chemical properties of key biological molecules and how these properties give rise to biological functions, learning how molecular interactions and enzyme catalysis contribute to cellular activity and more.