MCB Professor John Ngai's lab, in conjunction with other UC Berkeley statisticians and computer scientists, was able to trace which stem cells in the nose become specialized based on their RNA profiles. The research could possibly lead to an eventual cure for anosmia.
Department News
Below are articles from various sources about members of MCB and their research.
May 17, 2017
MCB Assistant Professor of Neurobiology Stephen Brohawn was chosen to receive a 2017 McKnight Scholar Award, for his resarch on "Mechanisms of biological force sensation." The McNight Scholar is one of the most prestigious honors that a young early-career neurobiologist can receive.
May 16, 2017
MCB Assistant Professor Polina Lishko is in the news again for her work involving contraceptives research. "Two chemicals found in anti-fertility folk medicines block a key step in fertilization – the meeting of egg and sperm – and may make effective alternatives to today’s hormone-based contraceptives, which sometimes cause side effects."
May 16, 2017
MCB Professor Michael Botchan, interim dean of the Division of Biological Sciences since July, 2016, was named permanent Dean of the division and will join the Council of Deans on campus. Congratulations Dean Botchan!
May 15, 2017
MCB Professor Emeritus Edward Penhoet is the recipient of the 2017 Fiat Lux Faculty Award from UC Berkeley and the Cal Alumni Association. The award recognizes a faculty member whose extraordinary contributions go above and beyond the call of duty.
May 12, 2017
MCB Assistant Professors Hernan Garcia and Stephan Lammel were named Hellman Fellows Fund recipients. The award supports the research of promising assistant professors who show capacity for great distinction in their research. Garcia's proposal is "The Dynamical Embryo: Technology for a Movie-Based View of Developmental Biology," and Lammel's is "An Ethological Approach Towards Understanding the Effects of Chronic Stress in the Brain."
May 11, 2017
The labs of Qiang Zhou and Jim Hurley, professors in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, have been leading the efforts to investigate a new approach to treating HIV. MCB graduate student Zichong Li profiles their work in this Berkeley Science Review article.
May 08, 2017
Grant Schroeder, an IB major and undergraduate researcher in Professor Richard Harland's lab, was awarded the prestigious 2017 University Medal. Given to the most distinguished graduating senior on the UC Berkeley campus, he will speak at the upcoming campus-wide commencement and is joined by four runners up who are also distinguished scholars in their own right. Grant is off to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to do research and experiment with stem cell therapies for skeletal tissue regeneration.
May 07, 2017
Giana Cirolia, an MCB undergaduate (Biochemistry) and researcher in Professor Andrew Dillin's lab, is one of four runner-ups for the 2017 University Medal. After graduation she plans to continue in research.
April 28, 2017
MCB is pleased to announce a new program designed to enhance interactions with industry. The MCB Industrial Affiliates Program (IAP) offers innovative companies the opportunity to recruit outstanding students and postdocs from our top-ranked department, exposure to cutting edge research, and rewarding scientific exchange with our faculty. The IAP launch event will be held on May 12th. Please visit our website or email mcbiap@berkeley.edu for more details.