The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

The Beckman Institute focuses on three themes: molecular science and engineering, integrative imaging, and intelligent systems.

Its core research facilities include the Biomedical Imaging Center and the Imaging Technology Group (ITG), which also includes Beckman's Microscopy Suite and Visualization Laboratory.

Collage of images of scientists in tech centers from National Science Foundation

Bringing cells to life … and to Minecraft: $30 million NSF grant supports whole-cell modeling research

A new research center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will create whole-cell models that promise to transform our understanding of how cells function. With cutting-edge imaging and simulation tools, the center will advance the study of healthy and diseased cells; accelerate research...
Photo of Dan Llano sitting in front of a microscope and computer.

Fetal exposure to PCBs affects hearing health later in life

Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology found that early exposure to an environmental chemical called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, made it more difficult for mice to recover from sound-related trauma sustained later in life.
Exterior photo of Beckman Institute in summertime

Scientists develop new framework for super-resolution ultrasound

Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology used deep learning to develop a new framework for super-resolution ultrasound.
Wide exterior shot of the Beckman Institute on a summer day.

Beckman Institute announces 2023 fellowship, award recipients

Twelve students have been selected to receive 2023 Beckman Institute fellowships and awards. The awards, which fund interdisciplinary research that takes place over the summer, will be celebrated at a poster session on July 28, 2023.
The sea slug, Pleurobranchea californica

Study: Brain circuits for locomotion evolved long before appendages and skeletons

A new study finds parallels between the brain architecture that drives locomotion in sea slugs and that of more complex segmented creatures with jointed skeletons and appendages. 
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...
The 2023 cohort of the Beckman Institute Postdoctoral Fellows Program (from left): Kelly Powderly; Patricia Cintora; Zhengchang Kou; Yannan Hu; Zane Thornburg; and Alejandro De la Cadena. They are standing outside in a group with arms folded, smiling for the camera.

Members of MCB labs earn newly-established fellowships focused on cancer research

The Beckman Institute has announced its 2023 class of six postdoctoral fellows. Fellows are selected in accordance with the core values of the institute: excellence, collaboration, integrity, transdisciplinarity, exploration, and diversity.
Emad Tajkhorshid poses by journal covers

Researchers demonstrate new cancer drug development method

Researchers from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois Chicago collaborated to highlight lipid-protein interaction as a new avenue for oncology drug development.
Exterior of Beckman Institute at nighttime. Lights in the building are on and trees along path to the building are illuminated.

Research: Reading for pleasure can strengthen memory in older adults

Researchers at the Beckman Institute, with help from the Champaign Public Library, investigated the potential benefits of reading in improving memory. They found that regular, engaged leisure reading can strengthen memory skills in older adults, laying the groundwork for better practices in...
Engineering North Quad - Fall Autumn Season - Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology

A different kind of cell signal: New method enables clear, precise imaging of human cells

Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have developed an innovative way to ‘see’ the fine structure and chemical composition of a human cell with unmatched clarity and precision. Their technique, which appeared in PNAS earlier this week, takes a creative — and...