Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology (CMSB) is an extremely broad discipline, which at its heart seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in controlling and mediating cellular metabolism, biosynthesis, and function. The current, exciting scientific progress in genomics, functional genomics and bioinformatics provides vital tools for life sciences research. In particular, the ever-increasing amount of genomic data offers biologists unprecedented opportunities to pursue the molecular and cellular mechanisms of life. Given the complex nature of genomes and gene functions, training across traditional disciplines can be particularly important for graduate students interested in life sciences research.

Microbiology interfaces with the broad training goals of the CMSB program, by offering students an array of opportunities to study molecular mechanisms involved in microbial cell function, bacterial and viral interactions with host cells and organisms, immune defenses against microbial infection, and mechanisms of microbial genetics and pathogenesis using molecular, structural and bioinformatic approaches.

These faculty members are affiliates of the CMSB graduate program:

More information about the interdisciplinary Ph.D and M.S. programs in CMSB - including application procedures, links to participating departments and requirements for admission and graduation - can be found on the CMSB Graduate Program website.