MMSB Introduction

At the University of Connecticut Health Center, the Department of Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology (MMSB) uniquely bridges modern molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics and structural biology in the study of biological processes important in the biomedical sciences. Research in the Department focuses on fundamental processes of gene expression, cell division, DNA replication, recombination and repair, intracellular transport of macromolecules, molecular motors, protein folding, and membrane biology and biochemistry. The systems represented include fungi, bacteria, viruses, trypanosmes, ciliated protozoa, malarial parasites and higher eukaryotic cells. Microbiology remains an important focus with projects such as control of vector-borne disease, antigenic variation, phagocytosis of bacteria, spore formation and germination, and antiviral and antimalarial chemotherapeutic strategies. Cross disciplinary approaches will pave the way for development of future strategies to combat disease threats posed by existing and emerging microbial pathogens. By taking advantage of strengths in structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry, novel approaches to the biological processes of microbiology and eukaryotic cell biology are envisioned.

All faculty of the Department of Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology are members of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MB and B) graduate program. The goals of the graduate program are to provide a broad and thorough education in molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry and to provide rigorous research training in an environment dedicated to advancing biomedical science.