Program Overview

Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration Area

The Molecular and Cellular Biology (MOCB) concentration area offers highly mentored graduate training with faculty interested in a broad spectrum of research focused on understanding the molecular nature of biology. Our faculty members have expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, have national and international reputations, and publish in high impact journals. MOCB-CA students receive a Core Curriculum that emphasizes knowledge in the areas of molecular genetics, nucleic acid biochemistry, cell biology, and structural biology. In addition, a number of interdisciplinary research clusters are available focusing on host-pathogen interactions, plant systems, developmental biology, virology, genomics, biophysics, and more. The overall goal of the MOCB-CA is to provide our students with rigorous and comprehensive research training that will lead to a successful career in the biosciences.

Concentration Area Director

The Concentration Area Director for MOCB is Dr. Jiqiang “Lanny” Ling (CBMG).

Research Focus

Tissue development and regeneration rely on the ability of the stem cells to efficiently maintain a balance between opposing decisions such as self-renewal and differentiation. Most studies of stem cells in-vivo have revealed that these opposing fate decisions are made in the context of a niche that the stem cells occupy and are controlled by the asymmetric signaling microenvironment. Niche cells produce growth factors and somehow deliver them selectively only to some stem-cells to promote self-renewal and stemness, but not to their differentiating daughter cells that are situated just one cell-diameter away.

Areas of Interest

Students that choose the Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration Area pursue research that reaches across a multitude of fields, some of which are listed here:

• Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Bioinformatics
• Genetics and Genomics
• Microbiology, Microbial Pathogenesis, and Immunology
• Plant Systems: Cell Biology and Genomics

Special Training Opportunities

The MOCB Concentration area administers 3 training grants funded by the National Institutes of Health.

• Cell and Molecular Biology Program: PIs: Dr. Charles Delwiche & Dr. Leslie Pick
• Host Pathogen Interaction Training Program: PIs: Dr. Kevin McIver & Dr. David Mosser
• Virology Program: PIs: Dr. Jeffrey DeStefano and Dr. Eric Freed Students can apply to be part of this training after their first year, however, in some cases, exceptional students are offered training grant positions upon entering the program.

Research Clusters

Students may join a research cluster once on campus, and are encouraged to explore the examples listed below to better understand potential opportunities:

• Host-Pathogen Interactions Research Cluster
• Plant Systems: Cell Biology and Genomics
• Virology
• Genetics with Eukaryotic Model Systems (GEMS)
• Developmental Biology

Affiliates

• College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS)
• College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR)
• Food and Drug Administration Laboratories (FDA)
• J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History (NMNH)
• USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
• Maryland Pathogen Research Institute (MPRI)
• Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB)