Department of Cell and Molecular Biology

Welcome to the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB). Our mission is to achieve excellence in research, education and service programs.

The Department of CMB offers a diverse, multi-disciplinary, and highly collaborative research environment with research and education programs aimed at understanding fundamental cellular processes (protein-protein interactions, histone structure and function, and RNA processing), genetic and omics approaches to understand complex and rare diseases, cancer, host-pathogen interactions, antibiotic resistance, vaccine development, and fundamental aspects of immunology and its role in disease pathogenesis. Our research is supported by NIH, NSF and other national foundations. The department houses two research centers-the Molecular Center of Health and Disease and the Center for Immunology and Microbial Research. In addition, department faculty are active members and researchers in the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Education is a vital and important part of the department, which is home to two graduate programs – a Cell and Molecular Biology PhD program and Microbiology and Immunology PhD program, along with an online certificate program (Graduate Medical Biochemistry). For all our education programs, it is our goal for students to excel in coursework and research and to develop critical thinking and strong communication skills. With a strong knowledge base and skill set, graduating students will be equipped to pursue a variety of different career options. In addition, our faculty actively participate in medical and dental education and have won numerous teaching awards.