Life Inspiring

At the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

We seek answers to fundamental questions about how organisms work and the many implications for life. Through a rich culture of collaboration, we drive new discoveries in human health and empower students with the critical and analytical skills needed for successful careers.

News from the School of MCB

DNA illustration overlayed on computer code
School of MCB launches new MCB + Data Science major
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce a new undergraduate program: the bachelor of science degree in Molecular & Cellular Biology + Data Science.The new major comes at a time when artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-throughput...
Man in blue polo stands in lab atrium with colorful signs in background
James Slauch named Deb & Tim Paul Chair in Human Infectious Disease & Immunology
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce James Slauch has been appointed the inaugural Deb & Tim Paul Chair in Human Infectious Disease & Immunology.Dr. Slauch is an infectious diseases and...

Liver illustration
Long-term alcohol use suspends liver cells in limbo, preventing regeneration
Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the liver’s unique regenerative abilities by trapping cells in limbo between their functional and regenerative states, even after a patient stops drinking, researchers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and collaborators at Duke University and the...
The oPool+ display platform combines technologies to make and test large numbers of antibodies at once. Illinois researchers analyzed how antibodies bind to the influenza protein hemagglutinin. Image by Owen Ouyang
High-volume antibody testing platform could accelerate disease research and treatment development
Antibodies are the critical targeting agents of the immune system and the crux of immune therapy and vaccine development, but studying them is slow, expensive and labor-intensive. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new high-volume method that can...
retreat organizers stand in two rows with the keynote speaker and school director
MCB graduate research shines at annual retreat
Over 240 scholars from across the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology and related units gathered at the I Hotel and Conference Center on Aug. 19, 2025, for the school's annual Graduate Research Retreat. Seventy-two graduate students presented their research as oral or poster presentations....
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 and woman stand and smile while in the atrium of laboratory building
Microbiologists uncover novel proteins essential for maintaining magnesium homeostasis in Salmonella
In a newly published research, scientists from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology have reported the discovery of novel proteins that keep Salmonella’s magnesium levels in balance.Yumi Iwadate, postdoctoral research...
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....
How will you change the world?

Innovative education

Our mission is to empower students. In MCB you will receive a rigorous education and you can tailor a curriculum according to your passions. Our alumni have become physicians, researchers at top-tier institutions, and business leaders. They've launched biotechnology start-ups and founded free healthcare clinics. They are changing the world. You can, too.

Undergraduate Programs  MS in MCB  PhD Programs

A community of collaborators

Impactful research

We are at the forefront of life-changing biomedical research. Combatting infectious diseases like influenza. Uncovering insights into neurological and metabolic disorders. Developing new treatments for diseases such as breast cancer. New and exciting research programs are being developed in neuroscience, immunology, microbial sciences, developmental biology, mechanobiology, and much more. Faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates are all part of the MCB research community.

Learn more about our research advances

Calendar of Events

View all events