Life Inspiring

At the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

We seek answers to fundamental questions about how organisms work and the many implications for life. Through a rich culture of collaboration, we drive new discoveries in human health and empower students with the critical and analytical skills needed for successful careers.

MCB News

image of ribosomal rescue research image
Lethal damage to the ribosome, arguably the most important machinery in living organisms, can be repaired
New research from University of Illinois biochemistry professor Raven Huang reveals that lethal ribosomal damage in bacteria can be reversed by a pair of bacterial enzymes named PrfH and RtcB. The finding raises...
Authors of the PNAS paper in the Bagchi lab
Researchers illuminate the important roles played by extracellular vesicles in early pregnancy
During the early stages of pregnancy, the uterus undergoes a remarkable transformation to create a tissue environment that facilitates embryo implantation. This intricate process, like a dance choreographed by hormones produced by the ovaries, must be in sync with the embryo’s development to be...

Wide exterior shot of the Beckman Institute on a summer day.
Researchers funded to develop ultrasound imaging tools to study Alzheimer's disease
Understanding the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and the brain’s vascular system — its complex network of vessels and veins — is a longstanding challenge for scientists. “The issue is that there are currently no tools, specifically imaging tools and small animal models, to help study...
A student holds up a vial with saliva. The vial is sharply in focus, while the student, who is wearing a U of I face mask, is blurred out of focus.
SHIELD program a model for effective pandemic management, data show
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In the fall of 2020, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign welcomed students back for in-person instruction amid the powerful first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The university successfully maintained operations throughout the semester – with zero COVID-19-related deaths or...
A graduate teaching assistant works in the lab with students looking over shoulder. She is silhouetted with a blue shadow.
School of MCB ranked in "Degrees of the Future 2022" list
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology has been recognized nationally for its degrees built for the future.  Gizmodo released its list of top-ranked "Degrees of the Future 2022" in August. The news outlet partnered with the independent market research...
Govindjee at work in his office.
Govindjee receives Lifetime Achievement Award for photosynthesis research
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign plant biology professor emeritus Govindjee is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, an honor he shares with Eva-Mari Aro, a professor emeritus of molecular plant biology at the University of...
Headshot of Supriya Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.
Prasanth lab uncovers new insights into the role of Orc6 in the maintenance of genome integrity
Initiation of DNA duplication requires a six-subunit complex, the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) that binds to the origins of DNA replication. The individual components of ORC also have many roles in other parts of the cell cycle, including heterochromatin organization and cytokinesis. New...
A tight shot of a microscope with a soft orange gradient layer.
School of MCB hiring faculty
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is hiring faculty in several of our departments. Please click on the links below to learn more about the open positions. The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer...
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Innovative education

Our mission is to empower students. In MCB you will receive a rigorous education and you can tailor a curriculum according to your passions. Our alumni have become physicians, researchers at top-tier institutions, and business leaders. They've launched biotechnology start-ups and founded free healthcare clinics. They are changing the world. You can, too.

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A community of collaborators

Impactful research

We are at the forefront of life-changing biomedical research. Combatting infectious diseases like the novel coronavirus and influenza. Uncovering insights into neurological and metabolic disorders. Developing new treatments for diseases such as breast cancer. New and exciting research programs are being developed in neuroscience, immunology, microbial sciences, developmental biology, mechanobiology, and much more. Faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates are all part of the MCB research community.

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Commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion

Diversity within the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology drives the innovation that keeps our research at the forefront of scientific discovery. However, we recognize that societal, academic, and structural barriers have often kept talented individuals out of our community. We are committed to eliminating these barriers and supporting students and scientists of all backgrounds.

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