Research

Research Areas

• Anatomy & Physiology

  Our researchers in the department study adaptations to subzero temperatures, circadian control of metabolism, neuroendocrinology, evolution and pathobiology of the mammalian skull, and reproductive biology.

• Cancer

  Our researchers investigate fundamental mechanisms that govern tumor initiation, cancer cell migration and invasion, tumor cell survival, metastasis, cell cycle control, the tumor microenvironment and chemoresistance.

• Cellular & Molecular Biology

  We seek to understand how cells: work as individual units with a focus on membrane and cytoskeleton organization; organize into complex groups; coordinate their activities in organismal systems; and respond to extracellular signals and infectious agents.

• Development & Regeneration

  Our researchers examine the mechanisms that direct cell growth, differentiation, organogenesis and regeneration of tissues such as blood, heart, retina, and kidney, relevant to our understanding of human development and disease.

• Ecology & Environmental Biology

  We study the responses of organisms to the environment and the interactions among species in ecological communities. We work in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems all over the world.

• Entomology

  Our researchers work with insects, sometimes as models for basic physiology and development, sometimes to understand infectious disease, and sometimes to study population dynamics and the interaction of species such as herbivores and host plants.

• Epidemiology & Population Biology

  Modeling of the many layers of information in biological systems has long been a mainstay of biology investigation. With data explosion, epidemiological models are vital for understanding and combating infectious diseases, shaping discovery.

• Evolutionary Biology

  We use cutting-edge tools to understand evolutionary processes within whole genomes that lead to differences in organismal function. We use evolutionary differences to detect species in nature and predict their responses to environmental change.

• Genetics & Genomics

  We engage modern genomic tools and approaches, including whole genome sequencing and 'transcriptome' analysis, to search for the genes and mutations that determine diseases, development, drug resistances and even natural variation and speciation.

• Infectious & Vector-Borne Diseases

  Researchers investigate the cellular and genetic determinants of infectious diseases with emphasis on the host response to infection, modeling and epidemiology of disease and mechanisms of transmission and prevention.

• Microbiology & Immunology

  Researchers work with bacterial and eukaryotic microorganisms and viruses, which cause a range of diseases including Dengue Fever, Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and Tuberculosis.

• Neuroscience & Behavior

  Our researchers work in the areas of sensory neurobiology (especially vision and olfaction), stress and pain processes, circadian rhythms, control of social behaviors, and computational neuroscience.