MCB Professor Nicole King, her graduate student, Arielle Woznica and collaborators have found the first demonstration that bacteria can drive sexual mating in eukaroyotes. "Researchers seeking the evolutionary roots of the animal kingdom have discovered a bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, that acts as an aphrodisiac on a species of protozoan choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals, by releasing an enzyme that sends Salpinogoeca rosetta, into a full mating frenzy."
Department News
Below are articles from various sources about members of MCB and their research.
On the morning of the Big Give (Nov 17th), the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology was one of the winners of a "Random Alumni Donor" drawing. That means that whatever that alumnus donated, the university will contribute an additional $2K! Check out the Big Give Leaderboard for more stats and thanks to all of you who supported our research, education, and students here at MCB!
November 17, 2016
The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at UC Berkeley invites applications for a pool of full-time or part-time, temporary non-tenure track Lecturer positions to teach MCB courses as the need arises.
November 08, 2016
MCB Assistant Adjunct Professor Jacob Corn was one of the lead authors on a recent study revealing significant progress in the fight against sickle cell disease.
October 27, 2016
Come to the free Vision + Light show on Oct 28th from 6:15-7pm (2151 Berkeley Way) and be transported to a mesmerizing, microscopic world filled with beauty, mystery and tentacles! MCB Professor Nipam Patel and his collaborators will be on hand to answer questions.
October 26, 2016
MCB Professor Frank Werblin is using virtual reality technology to develop a cheaper vision aid for those suffering from uncorrectable forms of low vision, such as tunnel vision and blind spots. The technology uses Samsung Gear VR headsets and the smartphone app IrisVision to magnify objects in the wearer’s field of view, providing improved visual perception.
October 25, 2016
Each year, the MCB Department chooses five outstanding postdoctoral fellows for their excellence in research, contributions to their division, the department, and for their mentoring and outreach efforts.
October 24, 2016
An international research consortium led by MCB scientists in the Harland and Rokhsar Labs, along with researchers at the University of Tokyo, "reports a striking pattern of genome duplication in the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. The team showed that the frog’s genome arose through interspecific hybridizations of two now-extinct species between 15 and 20 million years ago."
October 20, 2016
Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development Elcin Unal is the recipient of a 2016 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award for her work on "Illuminating Cellular Aging Pathways through Gametogenesis."
October 18, 2016
Assistant Professor of Neurobiology Stephen Brohawn is a recipient of a 2016 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award, designed to support exceptionally creative new investigators who propose innovative projects that have the potential for unusually high impact.
October 17, 2016
HHMI Investigator and Professor of Genetics, Genomics, and Development Barbara Meyer was once again elected to the Genetics Society of America (GSA) Board of Directors. Professor Meyer wiill serve as the 2017 Vice-President and 2018 President of GSA.
October 14, 2016
Associate Professors of Cell and Developmental Biology, Diana Bautista and Lin He were named 2016 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Scholars through a collaboration between HHMI, the Simons Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Scholars are recognized for their potential to make unique contributions to their fields.
October 13, 2016
As part of the Bay Area Science Festival, the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) and Science@Cal are holding a celebration of science and art called "Vision + Light: Extending the Senses."
October 27 & 28
5:30 to 8:30pm
Energy Biosciences Building (2151 Berkeley Way)
FREE with light refreshments
October 12, 2016
MCB and Chemical Engineering Professor David Schaffer collaborated with HHMI scientists to develop a powerful new viral vector that can deliver genetically-encoded neural activity sensors in the brain. This tool provides a new opportunity to observe the structures of neural networks on a larger scale, as well as the specific role of projection neurons in neural networks.
October 07, 2016
A team of researchers led by MCB Professor and HHMI Investigator Michael Rape has found that in addition to its importance for bone strength, calcium has a major role as a signal molecule that regulates bone formation and growth at a cellular level. This finding could help locate and correct erroneous signals during bone growth that lead to bone abnormalities.
MCB Associate Professor Diana Bautista and MCB Professor and HHMI Investigator Randy Schekman co-authored this study.
October 06, 2016
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