In the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology

We study how cells grow and divide, assemble, and function to form multicellular organisms. Using multidisciplinary approaches, we investigate fundamental biological questions and are dedicated to training and educating students in modern molecular and cellular biology, cancer biology, developmental biology, and neuro-cognitive sciences.

Cell & Developmental Biology News

Illustration of a human standing with a DNA strand circling the human. Image by Michael Vincent.
Possible genetic basis and mouse model found for severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
A mutant or damaged gene may be a cause of a severe, mysterious form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, researchers at the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology have found. Mice and human liver cells lacking the SRSF1 gene show all the hallmarks of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, also known as...
Headshot of Jay Sonalkar in front of a wall with illustrations of cells. He is wearing a U of I zip-up jacket.
Meet MCB: Undergraduate researcher Jay Sonalkar
MCB major Jay Sonalkar was the 2022 recipient of the Tom and Cynthia Cycyota Research Scholarship.  What made you want to pursue a degree in molecular and cellular biology at UIUC? The reason I wanted to pursue a degree in MCB was because I enjoyed a lot of my science...
headshot of Xin Li
Catching up with Xin Li
Xin Li is an assistant professor of cell and developmental biology and was recently named a Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholar. What sparked your interest in biology? Was there someone or some event that had a pivotal impact on you in pursuing science? Such...
Alma Mater is all ready for the holidays with a winter scarf, ear muffs and holiday lights. Her garb is completed with a mask during this era of COVID-19.
School of MCB recognizes contributions of faculty, staff, grad students
The School of MCB is proud to recognize its stellar faculty and staff for their valuable contributions to the research and instructional missions of the school. At the 2022 Holiday Celebration, MCB director Milan Bagchi, Deborah Paul Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology, gave awards in...
Alokananda Ray, a postdoctoral researcher in the Li lab (left) with Xin Li, an assistant professor of cell and developmental biology.
Researchers investigate neuron differentiation in fruit fly brains
The brains of all higher order animals are filled with a diverse array of neuron types, with specific shapes and functions. Yet, when these brains form during embryonic development, there is initially only a small pool of cell types to work with. So how do neurons diversify over the embryo’s...
Roughly a dozen new faculty members in the College of LAS stand together for a group photo indoors.
New faculty members begin teaching and research at U of I
The College of LAS is welcoming 38 new professors for the 2022-23 academic year, including cell and developmental biology professor Kevin Van Bortle. Their new positions range from clinical professors to assistant professors and an endowed position in more than 20 academic units, ranging from...

Department head Supriya Prasanth

Welcome from the department head

A message from Supriya Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.
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For alumni and friends

Our annual newsletter celebrates faculty, students, and alumni of Cell & Developmental Biology.
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Research publications from CDB faculty

View the most recent journal articles from department faculty via PubMed.
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PhD in Cell & Developmental Biology

Our program is designed to set the foundation for a future scholar or industry leader to uncover new knowledge in the field, critically analyze scientific data in molecular life sciences, communicate the significance of biological phenomena, and lead research and development efforts to enhance human health.

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Upcoming Cell & Developmental Biology Events

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Meet MCB's Cell & Developmental Biology Community

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Meet MCB: Professor Brian Freeman brings molecular chaperone expertise to Illinois
Urbana, Ill. – Cancer Center at Illinois scientist and professor of cell and developmental biology, Brian Freeman, has focused his research on the study of molecular chaperones (MCs) since the beginning of his career as a graduate student when chaperones were thought to have no medicinal purpose....
PhD student Temirlan Shilikbay, wearing a U of I mask, holds up a slide and observes it.
Meet MCB: Temirlan Shilikbay, cell & developmental biology PhD student
The School of MCB is proud to highlight our graduate students, including Temirlan Shilikbay, now in his third year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a PhD candidate in professor Stephanie Ceman's...
Yejing Ge
Meet MCB: Yejing Ge, PhD, CDB, '12, professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Meet Yejing Ge, PhD ’12, now a professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas Tell us about your current position and what research questions are you and your students...

Contact the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology