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

Headshots of Llano, Hatoum-Aslan, Li
MCB faculty awarded named scholar appointments
The College of LAS has awarded more than 25 professors, including three from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, with named scholar positions for their contributions to education and research at the University of Illinois.  The awardees from MCB are as follows: LAS...
MOV10 via Alphafold2
Researchers uncover a regulatory site in RNA helicase MOV10 and its effect on mRNAs targeted for AGO2 silencing
University of Illinois scientists have identified the phosphorylation site and its consequence on the function of MOV10, an RNA helicase expressed in early brain development and required for embryo viability, illuminating this RNA binding proteins’ relation to microRNA pathways and its effect on...
Illustration of an instrumented tissue mimic
Illinois to co-lead new CZ Biohub in Chicago
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been chosen to lead the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago – a new biomedical hub – along with the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. The three-university team was selected to lead the new biomedical...
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...

Department head Supriya Prasanth

Welcome from the department head

A message from Supriya Prasanth, professor and head of the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology.
Read the department newsletter

For alumni and friends

Our annual newsletter celebrates faculty, students, and alumni of Cell & Developmental Biology.
large stack of magazines

Research publications from CDB faculty

View the most recent journal articles from department faculty via PubMed.
View of Chemical & Life Sciences Laboratory Building

Diversity & Equity

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more about what we believe and our initiatives.
Alma mater with outstretched arms

Make a gift to CDB

Your support propels our research breakthroughs and makes a difference in the lives of our students.
Become a skilled, creative biologist

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.

For prospective PhD students For current PhD students in CDB

Upcoming Cell & Developmental Biology Events

View all events

Meet MCB's Cell & Developmental Biology Community

Brian Freeman poses for headshot, smiling, outside.
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