MCB student co-launches soccer program for migrant children

A group of children jumping into the air.
A University of Illinois student is helping migrant families in her Chicago hometown by harnessing her academic interests and passion for public health. Hannah McGee, a junior pre-med student in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, has teamed up with her friend Sofia Castro, a junior...

New study uncovers novel receptor function in Fragile X syndrome

a man in a blue shirt standing in front of a monitor.
Fragile X syndrome is one of the most commonly inherited forms of autism and intellectual disability, and no treatment currently exists. But a team of University of Illinois researchers led by Vipendra Kumar, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, has...

School of MCB recognizes contributions of faculty, staff, grad students

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.
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...

School of MCB hiring faculty

A tight shot of a microscope with a soft orange gradient layer.
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is hiring faculty in several of our departments.

Machine-learning model can distinguish antibody targets

Different antibodies (green, aqua, pink) attack different parts of the SARS-CoV-2 viral particle (yellow/orange sphere). The virus’s spike proteins (purple) are a key antibody target, with some antibodies attaching to the top (darker purple) and others to the stem (paler zone). Graphic by Yiquan Wang
A new study from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology shows that it is possible to use the genetic sequences of a person’s antibodies to predict what pathogens those antibodies will target. Reported in the journal Immunity, the new approach successfully differentiates between antibodies...

A career built from the heart

Alumnus Dr. Jason Robin serves as director of cardio oncology for Chicago-area hospital.
Alumnus Jason Robin serves as director of cardio oncology for Chicago-area hospital. He talks about his career in the latest LAS@Work article.

Mining microbial genomes to discover natural products

Image of plants with graphics of molecular compounds overlayed.
The world around us contains many chemicals that are useful for medicines, crop protection, and animal health. These chemicals—known as natural products—have typically been discovered by sheer luck. Unsurprisingly, traditional techniques often find the same products, like antibiotics, repeatedly...