illustration of brain with a map within it

Map-making neurons change even in familiar settings, study finds

Neurobiologists at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, including Jason Climer in the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology, found the brain’s internal GPS changes each time mice navigate a...
Man in suit and tie stands in front of lab bend, Woman in Glasses and orange shirt and black blazer stands in atrium, Man in eyeglasses and blue shirt stands in atrium

Campus, College of LAS recognize outstanding MCB faculty

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce that several of its faculty members have been recognized by University of Illinois and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences for their contributions to research and education....
Erik Nelson and Emad Tajkhorshid

Colorectal cancer treated with cholesterol inhibitor in U. of I. study

University of Illinois researchers have successfully treated a common type of colorectal cancer tumor with a cholesterol inhibitor drug, demonstrating a promising treatment for the disease in animal experiments.The study,...
man in labcoat sits in front of a microscope

Postdoc Anirudh Acharya awarded FRAXA fellowship to advance research on Fragile X Syndrome

Anirudh Acharya, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, has been awarded a two-year postdoctoral fellowship from the FRAXA Research Foundation to support his...
Professor holds megaphone outside health center

A purposeful walk against a life-changing disease

Professor Benita Katzenellenbogen has taught and mentored students, and researched women’s health throughout her career at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focusing on issues such as breast cancer and endometriosis. While...
A rendering of cholesterol and red blood cells in the body.

Cholesterol and cancer: Q&A with the Nelson Lab

Cholesterol is an essential lipid that plays a critical role in hormone production, digestion, and immune function. The ability to maintain a balanced level of cholesterol — known as cholesterol homeostasis — can influence tumor growth, progression, and immune response. High cholesterol levels have...
Headshot of Sayee Anakk

Meet MCB: Dr. Sayee Anakk’s research journey

Dr. Sayeepriyadarshini “Sayee” Anakk is newly promoted professor of molecular and integrative physiology whose research program focuses on understanding liver metabolism in normal and diseased states...
Headshot of Lori Raetzman

Professor Lori Raetzman on Mentorship, Leadership, & Growth

Dr. Lori Raetzman is a professor of molecular and integrative physiology whose research program focuses on understanding the role of cell-cell signaling during pituitary development. She is also the...
A computer rendering demonstrating the components of an ion channel

Illuminating signal transduction mechanisms in Cys-loop receptors

Researchers from the University of Illinois have discovered a key factor responsible for facilitating signal transduction in Cys-loop receptors, providing insight into a longstanding question in the field of ion-channel physiology and contributing to rational drug design. Their findings appear in...
Two winners of the 2024 MCB Undergraduate Research Symposium

Celebrating the 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium Winners

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on November 13, 2024. This annual event showcases the hard work of our undergraduate researchers, who contribute to advancing knowledge in biochemistry, cell and...