Research Areas

The Department of Molecular Biosciences houses 60 distinct research labs with leading scientists making advances to combat threats ranging from infectious disease to cancer to environmental harms.

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.

Meet our Cell & Developmental Biologists

Structural Biology & Biophysics

Studying the structure and function of biological macromolecules to develop vaccines and therapeutics and better understand the molecular underpinnings of life.

Meet our Structural Biologists & Biophysicists

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.

Meet our Plant Biologists

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.

Meet our Microbiologists & Immunologists

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.

Meet our Molecular Biologists & Geneticists

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.

Meet our System & Synthetic Biologists

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.

Meet our Biochemists