System & Synthetic Biology

Our system and synthetic biologists study how the thousands of molecules in cells coordinate to create life, as well as how to re-engineer living systems. They illuminate basic biological processes and create and find key biomolecules and drugs in a laboratory setting. This work has led to insight into the strong conservation of molecular machines in diverse plants and animals, as well as improved diagnostics and therapeutics.

Profile image of Jeffrey E. Barrick

Jeffrey E. Barrick

  • Professor
  • Benjamin Clayton Centennial Professor in Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Profile image of Can Cenik

Can Cenik

  • Associate Professor
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program

Our long-term goal is to develop the necessary computational and experimental framework for predictive models that explain how cells determine their protein abundance. Achieving this goal involves two major components: (1) higher-resolution and higher-precision measurements of various gene expression modalities, and (2) computational and theoretical advancements capable of integrating these quantitative measurements into cohesive, predictive frameworks. We are looking for highly motivated and ambitious PhD students and postdoctoral fellows to join our team. 

Profile image of Bryan W. Davies

Bryan W. Davies

  • Professor
  • Lorene Morrow Kelley Professorship in Microbiology
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Building: NMS
Room Number:3.118
View Profile
Profile image of Ilya J. Finkelstein

Ilya J. Finkelstein

  • Associate Professor
  • Lorene Morrow Kelley Endowed Faculty Fellowship Fund
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Profile image of Vishwanath Iyer

Vishwanath Iyer

  • Professor
  • Professor of Oncology, Dell Medical School
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Building: MBB
Room Number:3.212A
View Profile
Profile image of Jonghwan Kim

Jonghwan Kim

  • Professor
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Profile image of David W. Taylor

David W. Taylor

  • Associate Professor
  • Marvin L. Hackert Professor in Structural Biology Fellow
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Building: NHB
Room Number:4.121
View Profile
Profile image of Keiko Torii

Keiko Torii

  • Professor
  • Johnson & Johnson Centennial Chair in Plant Cell Biology
  • Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • Molecular Biosciences
  • Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
Building: NMS
Room Number:5.104A
View Profile