Research Areas

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Biochemistry

Biochemists emphasize fundamental approaches to molecular aspects of how biological systems work. They use techniques including biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence and X-ray crystallography. Researchers also work on molecular nanomachines involved in protein folding, transcription and regulation, RNA processing, translation, and DNA recombination and repair. 

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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

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Biophysics

Biophysicists use theoretical and computational methods in combination with cutting-edge experimental techniques to solve some of the outstanding problems in biology, biomedicine and bioengineering.

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Biophysics Program
Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST)

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Computational Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics

Researchers use state-of-the-art approaches such as genetics of model organisms, bioinformatics, computational biology, proteomics, metabolomics and functional genomics to study cellular development, signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, epigenetics, microbial pathogenesis, and the evolutionary origin of higher organisms. They also employ high-throughput genomic technologies to gain new insights into the evolution of fungal virulence, host adaptation, and gene function.

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Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics 
Department of Entomology
Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB)
Center for Health-related Informatics and Bioimaging (CHIB)

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Ecology and Evolution

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists use theoretical and empirical approaches to study critical biological processes including adaptation, speciation, behavior, population dynamics, and species interactions. Focal topic areas include genome biology, evolution of behavior, conservation and restoration biology, and biodiversity.

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Department of Biology
Department of Entomology
National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC)

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Entomology

Entomologists address both short- and long-term solutions to the most important arthropod-related problems facing agriculture. They develop and implement pest management strategies that are environmentally and socially acceptable. Research focuses on host plant resistance, plant/insect interactions, biology of new pest species, plant-mediated resistance, ecology and behavior of natural enemies, isolation of bioactive substances from microbial symbionts of insects, and the identification and incorporation of genes from entomopathogenic fungi into plants.

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Department of Entomology

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Molecular & Cellular Biology

Molecular and cellular biologists seek to understand how cells are constructed, how they accomplish their specific tasks, and how they assemble and cooperate with each other. They study cell and developmental processes using single- and multi-celled model systems, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, cultured mammalian cells, fruit flies, plants and fish. Research interests include membrane traffic and organelle biogenesis, mechanisms of signal transduction, cellular differentiation, cell-cell interactions, host-pathogen interactions, and plant and animal development.

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Department of Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics

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Neurobiology

Neurobiology researchers use innovative techniques to quantitatively assess neural and cognitive mechanisms in animal models and humans. They work to unravel how the brain integrates and processes visual, auditory, and olfactory information; changes with age; stores memories; and produces behavior.

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Department of Biology
Center for Sports Medicine, Health and Human Performance