In the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology

We strive to understand gene products at multiple levels of biological organization, from molecules and macromolecular complexes to cells, tissues, and whole organisms. With the tools of molecular genetics, biophysics, and modern systems biology, physiologists are at the forefront of life and biomedical sciences.

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Molecular & Integrative Physiology News

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A new approach to fighting breast cancer: Researchers identify compound that may help the immune system slow or stop tumor growth
For typical illnesses, the body’s immune system is a robust, pathogen-killing machine. It provides a general defense against harmful germs while also adapting and producing antibodies that target specific bacteria or viruses. After fighting off an infection like the flu, the body produces...
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Overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer treatment
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Illinois has discovered a potential new treatment option for drug-resistant breast cancer. Their findings, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment,...
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Celebrating new School of MCB faculty scholars, distinguished promotions
Five faculty members from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology have been recognized for their excellence in research and teaching through named scholar positions and distinguished promotions. Congratulations to Sayee Anakk, Auinash Kalsotra, Paola Mera, Lori Raetzman, and Joe Sanfilippo...
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Endocrine Society honors Raeztman and Nelson with 2025 Laureate Awards
The Endocrine Society today announced it has chosen 14 leading endocrinologists as winners of its prestigious...
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How do drugs like Ozempic work for weight loss?
The weight-loss treatment landscape has been remade by a new class of injectable drugs, such as those sold under the names Ozempic and Wegovy. Patrick Sweeney is a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor of molecular and...
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From 'CyberSlug' to 'CyberOctopus': New AI explores, remembers, seeks novelty, overcomes obstacles
By giving artificial intelligence simple associative learning rules based on the brain circuits that allow a sea slug to forage — and augmenting it with better episodic memory, like that of an octopus — scientists have built an AI that can navigate new environments, seek rewards, map landmarks and...
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PhD in Molecular & Integrative Physiology

We are a close-knit, collegial group of scientists who explore a variety of physiological and disease processes using a broad range of experimental and computational techniques.

 

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Seminars & Events

The department hosts seminars featuring visiting scholars, student research presentations, an annual retreat, and more.
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Diversity & Equity

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in MIP. Learn more about what we believe and our initiatives.

Upcoming MIP Seminars and Events

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Meet MCB's Molecular & Integrative Physiology Community

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Meet new faculty member Patrick Sweeney, who explores neural circuitry at the intersection of feeding, motivation, and emotion
The Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to welcome new faculty member Patrick Sweeney! Tell us about your lab and your research focus, including how...
Headshot of Dr. Bhoomika Mathur
Dr. Bhoomika Mathur: MCB Alumni, postdoctoral Researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center
Bhoomika Mathur earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology in 2019. She was a member of Professor Sayee Anakk's...
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MCB undergraduates explore health care innovation
Integrated research, innovative education, and entrepreneurship activities are foundational to the Mayo Clinic & Illinois Alliance’s mission to advance clinical research and translation. Key to that mission is training the next generation of biomedical scientists. During Summer 2021, the Mayo...