School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at Illinois (U. of I.)
@mcbillinois.bsky.social
Official account for the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We seek answers to fundamental questions about how organisms work and the many implications for life.
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What do you wonder?
YouTube video by School of Molecular & Cellular Biology
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Your wonder will take you many places in life. We hope it leads you to the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology.
We're seeking answers to some of life’s most intricate and elusive questions, and people bold enough to ask them.
Imagine what questions we can answer together.
bit.ly/3V6niH0
We're seeking answers to some of life’s most intricate and elusive questions, and people bold enough to ask them.
Imagine what questions we can answer together.
bit.ly/3V6niH0
How can you leverage data to identify, treat, and manage health and disease?
How are large biological datasets transforming research and industry?
How can scientists enable efficient and accurate management of massive amounts of technical and biological data?
How are large biological datasets transforming research and industry?
How can scientists enable efficient and accurate management of massive amounts of technical and biological data?
September 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
How can you leverage data to identify, treat, and manage health and disease?
How are large biological datasets transforming research and industry?
How can scientists enable efficient and accurate management of massive amounts of technical and biological data?
How are large biological datasets transforming research and industry?
How can scientists enable efficient and accurate management of massive amounts of technical and biological data?
Celebrating a few of our creative, hard-working undergraduate researchers who earned awards at the campus symposium earlier this year.
mcb.illinois.edu/news/2025-07...
mcb.illinois.edu/news/2025-07...
Undergrad research shines at campus symposium | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce that several students won awards at the 2025 University of Illinois Undergraduate Research Symposium earlier this year.
mcb.illinois.edu
July 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Celebrating a few of our creative, hard-working undergraduate researchers who earned awards at the campus symposium earlier this year.
mcb.illinois.edu/news/2025-07...
mcb.illinois.edu/news/2025-07...
How does regeneration come to a successful close when a tissue has healed?
New research from @rachelsmithbolton.bsky.social
explores this question in an article in Science Advances:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/sbJune2025
#drosophila #regeneration #ILLINOIS
New research from @rachelsmithbolton.bsky.social
explores this question in an article in Science Advances:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/sbJune2025
#drosophila #regeneration #ILLINOIS
Fruit fly study reveals a gene’s hidden ability to keep regrowth on the right track | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
Regeneration, the ability to heal damaged or lost tissues, is both everyday and a real life superpower.
go.mcb.illinois.edu
July 1, 2025 at 9:31 PM
How does regeneration come to a successful close when a tissue has healed?
New research from @rachelsmithbolton.bsky.social
explores this question in an article in Science Advances:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/sbJune2025
#drosophila #regeneration #ILLINOIS
New research from @rachelsmithbolton.bsky.social
explores this question in an article in Science Advances:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/sbJune2025
#drosophila #regeneration #ILLINOIS
#Illinois researchers have successfully treated a common type of colorectal cancer tumor with a cholesterol inhibitor drug, demonstrating a promising treatment for the disease in animal experiments.
The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/623
@nelsonlab.bsky.social
The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/623
@nelsonlab.bsky.social
Colorectal cancer treated with cholesterol inhibitor in U. of I. study | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
University of Illinois researchers have successfully treated a common type of colorectal cancer tumor with a cholesterol inhibitor drug, demonstrating a promising treatment for the disease in animal experiments.
mcb.illinois.edu
June 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
#Illinois researchers have successfully treated a common type of colorectal cancer tumor with a cholesterol inhibitor drug, demonstrating a promising treatment for the disease in animal experiments.
The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/623
@nelsonlab.bsky.social
The study was published in Nature Chemical Biology:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/623
@nelsonlab.bsky.social
Dr. Anirudh Acharya is investigating how a key protein may influence brain plasticity and energy regulation in Fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
May 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Dr. Anirudh Acharya is investigating how a key protein may influence brain plasticity and energy regulation in Fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
👏 A round of applause for Dr. Stephanie Ceman, professor of cell & developmental biology, chosen for a campus teaching award! 🏆 💙 🧡
#welldeserved
news.illinois.edu/awards-honor...
#welldeserved
news.illinois.edu/awards-honor...
April 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
👏 A round of applause for Dr. Stephanie Ceman, professor of cell & developmental biology, chosen for a campus teaching award! 🏆 💙 🧡
#welldeserved
news.illinois.edu/awards-honor...
#welldeserved
news.illinois.edu/awards-honor...
Some notoriously difficult to treat infections may not be as resistant to antibiotics as has been thought, according to new research from #ILLINOIS using a microfluidic device that more closely duplicates the fluid flow found in the body than standard cultures.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/flow
go.mcb.illinois.edu/flow
March 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Some notoriously difficult to treat infections may not be as resistant to antibiotics as has been thought, according to new research from #ILLINOIS using a microfluidic device that more closely duplicates the fluid flow found in the body than standard cultures.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/flow
go.mcb.illinois.edu/flow
“Yerba mate is a very important plant to South America. To be able to say that we now have its genome is very powerful. It allows for in-depth research of how these valuable metabolites are produced,” said Dr. Andrea Hernandez Garcia.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/yerba
go.mcb.illinois.edu/yerba
Genome map of yerba mate reveals insights into caffeine biosynthesis, paves way for new varieties | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
A recent biochemistry PhD graduate was part of the team of researchers to generate the first genome assembly of Yerba mate, a plant species and herbal tea native to South America.
go.mcb.illinois.edu
March 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“Yerba mate is a very important plant to South America. To be able to say that we now have its genome is very powerful. It allows for in-depth research of how these valuable metabolites are produced,” said Dr. Andrea Hernandez Garcia.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/yerba
go.mcb.illinois.edu/yerba
Dr. Haneui Bae’s interest in neuroscience was ignited in high school while reading Eric Kandel’s, In Search of Memory. Today she is a postdoc at Illinois investigating the mechanisms and implications of liver dysfunctions in myotonic dystrophy.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/hbae
go.mcb.illinois.edu/hbae
Fellowship recipient Dr. Haneui Bae explores liver dysfunctions in Myotonic Dystrophy | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
Shaped by a lifelong curiosity about the brain and a drive to make a tangible impact in medicine, Dr. Haneui Bae investigates the mechanisms and implications of liver dysfunctions in myotonic dystroph...
go.mcb.illinois.edu
March 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Dr. Haneui Bae’s interest in neuroscience was ignited in high school while reading Eric Kandel’s, In Search of Memory. Today she is a postdoc at Illinois investigating the mechanisms and implications of liver dysfunctions in myotonic dystrophy.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/hbae
go.mcb.illinois.edu/hbae
Current treatment options for metastatic breast cancer are limited, but targeting cholesterol metabolism is a promising option for new therapeutics.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/cholesterol
go.mcb.illinois.edu/cholesterol
Cholesterol and cancer: Q&A with the Nelson Lab | School of Molecular & Cellular Biology | Illinois
Cholesterol is an essential lipid that plays a critical role in hormone production, digestion, and immune function.
go.mcb.illinois.edu
March 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Current treatment options for metastatic breast cancer are limited, but targeting cholesterol metabolism is a promising option for new therapeutics.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/cholesterol
go.mcb.illinois.edu/cholesterol
Meet Pallob, a Cell & Dev. Biology PhD student who focuses on muscle regeneration and the role of a protein called threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) in cancer. When not in the lab, you can find him running through the streets of Champaign-Urbana.
February 27, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Meet Pallob, a Cell & Dev. Biology PhD student who focuses on muscle regeneration and the role of a protein called threonyl-tRNA synthetase (TARS) in cancer. When not in the lab, you can find him running through the streets of Champaign-Urbana.
We are grateful to have so many inspiring, accomplished, and generous alumni. In a little over a month we will celebrate two of them: Michelle Barton and Keith Westcott. The biochemistry alumni have been selected for College of Liberal Arts & Sciences alumni awards!
las.illinois.edu/news/2025-02...
las.illinois.edu/news/2025-02...
February 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
We are grateful to have so many inspiring, accomplished, and generous alumni. In a little over a month we will celebrate two of them: Michelle Barton and Keith Westcott. The biochemistry alumni have been selected for College of Liberal Arts & Sciences alumni awards!
las.illinois.edu/news/2025-02...
las.illinois.edu/news/2025-02...
New research from the Ceman Lab will enhance scientists’ understanding of brain development and provide insight into the ways fear memory can plague individuals with autism, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/memory
go.mcb.illinois.edu/memory
February 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
New research from the Ceman Lab will enhance scientists’ understanding of brain development and provide insight into the ways fear memory can plague individuals with autism, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/memory
go.mcb.illinois.edu/memory
From his medical training in Nigeria to his current research on myonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), ‘Fola Adesanya is working to better understand how diseases work at a molecular level and the development of new potential treatments.
February 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
From his medical training in Nigeria to his current research on myonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), ‘Fola Adesanya is working to better understand how diseases work at a molecular level and the development of new potential treatments.
"We still have a long way to go, but I believe that unlocking the immune system is going to revolutionize our ability to treat the disease."
Shout out to Erik Nelson and team @nelsonlab.bsky.social
#inspiring
Shout out to Erik Nelson and team @nelsonlab.bsky.social
#inspiring
A bit after-the-fact, but thanks to WAND -TV for highlighting our work!
www.wandtv.com/news/u-of-i-...
www.wandtv.com/news/u-of-i-...
U of I professor studies new drug to treat cancer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND)- Erik Nelson is a professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Illinois. Nelson is also the program leader of the Cancer Center of Illinois
www.wandtv.com
February 18, 2025 at 9:03 PM
"We still have a long way to go, but I believe that unlocking the immune system is going to revolutionize our ability to treat the disease."
Shout out to Erik Nelson and team @nelsonlab.bsky.social
#inspiring
Shout out to Erik Nelson and team @nelsonlab.bsky.social
#inspiring
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is hiring a lecturer of physiology and human anatomy. Please share with potential applicants!
The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anatomy
The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anatomy
February 18, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is hiring a lecturer of physiology and human anatomy. Please share with potential applicants!
The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anatomy
The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anatomy
A truly heartening 'fireside chat' today with Dr. Anthony Fauci!
“The future of science and medicine is bright even though we are in an arena of anti-science … The fact is the opportunities in science are really extraordinary.”
“The future of science and medicine is bright even though we are in an arena of anti-science … The fact is the opportunities in science are really extraordinary.”
February 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
A truly heartening 'fireside chat' today with Dr. Anthony Fauci!
“The future of science and medicine is bright even though we are in an arena of anti-science … The fact is the opportunities in science are really extraordinary.”
“The future of science and medicine is bright even though we are in an arena of anti-science … The fact is the opportunities in science are really extraordinary.”
Congratulations to Dr. Ceman on a well-deserved award!
February 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Congratulations to Dr. Ceman on a well-deserved award!
“Meet the Microbiologist" podcast recently featured our very own Brenda Wilson and Brian Ho.
They spoke about the inspiration behind the book, Revenge of the Microbes, and offered insights on antimicrobial resistance and what is needed to improve the situation.
asm.org/Podcasts/MTM...
#AMR
They spoke about the inspiration behind the book, Revenge of the Microbes, and offered insights on antimicrobial resistance and what is needed to improve the situation.
asm.org/Podcasts/MTM...
#AMR
Revenge of the Microbes - With Brenda Wilson and Brian Ho
Brenda Wilson, Ph.D., and Brian Ho, Ph.D., authors of the 2nd edition of Revenge of the Microbes: How Bacterial Resistance is Undermining the Antibiotic Miracle, discuss the inspiration and motivation...
asm.org
February 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
“Meet the Microbiologist" podcast recently featured our very own Brenda Wilson and Brian Ho.
They spoke about the inspiration behind the book, Revenge of the Microbes, and offered insights on antimicrobial resistance and what is needed to improve the situation.
asm.org/Podcasts/MTM...
#AMR
They spoke about the inspiration behind the book, Revenge of the Microbes, and offered insights on antimicrobial resistance and what is needed to improve the situation.
asm.org/Podcasts/MTM...
#AMR
New research from the Kalsotra lab provides insight into maturation and specialization of the fetal liver and offers valuable information to the field of regenerative medicine.
Their findings were published in @genesdev.bsky.social
go.mcb.illinois.edu/liver
Congrats, @kalsotra-lab.bsky.social!
Their findings were published in @genesdev.bsky.social
go.mcb.illinois.edu/liver
Congrats, @kalsotra-lab.bsky.social!
January 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
New research from the Kalsotra lab provides insight into maturation and specialization of the fetal liver and offers valuable information to the field of regenerative medicine.
Their findings were published in @genesdev.bsky.social
go.mcb.illinois.edu/liver
Congrats, @kalsotra-lab.bsky.social!
Their findings were published in @genesdev.bsky.social
go.mcb.illinois.edu/liver
Congrats, @kalsotra-lab.bsky.social!
"Every experiment is a mystery waiting to be solved."
Love this quote from Dr. Sayee Anakk, who explores liver metabolism in normal and diseased states.
Get to know Dr. Anakk, who was recently featured in the department's newsletter:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anakk
Love this quote from Dr. Sayee Anakk, who explores liver metabolism in normal and diseased states.
Get to know Dr. Anakk, who was recently featured in the department's newsletter:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anakk
January 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"Every experiment is a mystery waiting to be solved."
Love this quote from Dr. Sayee Anakk, who explores liver metabolism in normal and diseased states.
Get to know Dr. Anakk, who was recently featured in the department's newsletter:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anakk
Love this quote from Dr. Sayee Anakk, who explores liver metabolism in normal and diseased states.
Get to know Dr. Anakk, who was recently featured in the department's newsletter:
go.mcb.illinois.edu/anakk
Marni Boppart, a CDB affiliate faculty member, has been awarded the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/PECASE
go.mcb.illinois.edu/PECASE
January 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Marni Boppart, a CDB affiliate faculty member, has been awarded the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/PECASE
go.mcb.illinois.edu/PECASE
New research from the lab of Joe Sanfilippo demonstrates that the amount of hydrogen peroxide required to inhibit bacterial growth is 50x less than previously thought, at amounts naturally present in the human body.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/bacteria
go.mcb.illinois.edu/bacteria
December 12, 2024 at 5:09 PM
New research from the lab of Joe Sanfilippo demonstrates that the amount of hydrogen peroxide required to inhibit bacterial growth is 50x less than previously thought, at amounts naturally present in the human body.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/bacteria
go.mcb.illinois.edu/bacteria
Researchers from the lab of Asma Hatoum-Aslan have reported complementary discoveries that will improve understanding of bacterial immune systems and equip clinicians with more options for treating antibiotic-resistant options.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/crispr
go.mcb.illinois.edu/crispr
December 9, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Researchers from the lab of Asma Hatoum-Aslan have reported complementary discoveries that will improve understanding of bacterial immune systems and equip clinicians with more options for treating antibiotic-resistant options.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/crispr
go.mcb.illinois.edu/crispr
New research from the Grosman lab - published in Science Advances - sheds light on signal transduction mechanisms in Cys-loop receptors, providing insight into a longstanding question in the field of ion-channel physiology.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/ions
go.mcb.illinois.edu/ions
December 6, 2024 at 5:34 PM
New research from the Grosman lab - published in Science Advances - sheds light on signal transduction mechanisms in Cys-loop receptors, providing insight into a longstanding question in the field of ion-channel physiology.
go.mcb.illinois.edu/ions
go.mcb.illinois.edu/ions