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Research

The research interests of CMB faculty span a broad range of topics in modern molecular and cellular biology, emphasizing the cell as a fundamental unit of biological organization and dynamics.  We use a broad range of traditional and non-traditional model organisms, Drosophila, C. elegans, Arabidopsis and other plant species, Tetrahymena, Chlamydomonas, budding and fission yeast, diverse bacteria including cyanobacteria, cultured mammalian cells, as well as various eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses. Students working in CMB labs learn to address mechanistic questions by combining traditional molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches with cutting edge tools such as stem cell engineering, genome editing, biochemical reconstitution, live cell imaging and mathematical modeling. Major research focus areas include: