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Microscopy image of three cells: mottled blue oval centers surrounded by red strands stretching to fill the cell, speckled with tiny green dots, on a black background
BMB PhD Program Research Themes

Cell Biology

Whether investigating the molecular basis of cancer or pathways affecting protein quality control, faculty in our program use a wide range of cell culture, cell sorting and fractionation, and cell microscopy techniques to explore processes and pathways at the level of individual cells.  

The faculty below have a particular focus in this area. For other major themes, visit our program scope page.

Danfeng Cai

Danfeng (Dani) Cai

Imaging transcription and cellular organization

Michael Caterina

Michael Caterina

Molecules and cells that drive chronic pain

Val Culotta

Valeria Culotta

Metal ions & oxygen radicals in biology & disease

Chi Van Dang

Chi Van Dang

Oncogenic alteration of metabolism and immunity

Andrew Ewald

Andrew J. Ewald

Cellular and molecular basis of cancer metastasis

Marikki Laiho

Marikki Laiho

Targeting cancer transcriptional programs

Anthony K. L. Leung

Targeting RNA regulation through poly(ADP-ribose)

Michael Matunis

Michael J. Matunis

SUMO functions and effects

Alan Meeker

Alan Meeker

Telomere biology and maintenance in cancer

Utthara Nayar

Utthara Nayar

Targeting resistant breast and ovarian cancer

Philipp Oberdoerffer

Philipp Oberdoerffer

Epigenetics of genome maintenance

Erika Pearce

Erika L. Pearce

Metabolic signals that regulate immune responses

Sean Prigge

Sean Prigge

Metabolic pathways in malaria parasites 

Vito Rebecca

Vito Rebecca

Cancer metastasis, therapy resistance, health disparities 

Dipali Sharma

Dipali Sharma

Cancer: microbial dysbiosis, racial disparities & obesity

Photini Sinnis

Photini Sinnis

Malaria: cell biology & transmission dynamics 

Jiou Wang

Jiou Wang

Protein & RNA homeostasis in neurodegeneration

Ashani Weeraratna

Ashani Weeraratna

Melanoma, aging, and microenvironments 

Denis Wirtz

Denis Wirtz

New cell therapies for cancer and auto-immune diseases