Department News

Neurobiology Faculty Recruitment

The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) and the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) are soliciting applications for a new faculty member at the Assistant Professor level (tenure-track), with a half-time appointment in each of the two departments. We seek applicants studying fundamental aspects of nervous system function, in the broad areas of molecular/cellular neuroscience, developmental neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, or neural circuit function.

Ünal and Zoncu Named 2014 Pew Scholars

Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development Elçin Ünal has been selected as one of 22 2014 Pew Scholars in the Biomedical Sciences. The award supports promising early-career scientists in the health sciences, particularly young researchers with innovative approaches and ideas. Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Roberto Zoncu has been selected as a member of the inaugural class of Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research, which supports promising early career scientists whose research may accelerate discovery and advance progress to a cure for cancer.

Doudna Win 2014 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research

Howard Hughes Investigator, Li Ka Shing Chancellor's Chair in Biomedical and Health Sciences and Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Jennifer Doudna and European colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier are the winners of the 2014 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research, awarded by Johnson & Johnson. Their collaboration led to the discovery of a new method for precisely manipulating genetic information in ways that should produce new insights in health and disease and may lead to new drug targets.

Thorner Co-Editor of Signal Transduction Book

Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Jeremy Thorner is a co-editor of a book titled Signal Transduction recently published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Contributors include Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology Iswar Hariharan and former MCB graduate student (Thorner Lab) David Julius.

Three Faculty Members Co-Author Article

Three members of the MCB department are co-authors on an article recently published in the journal Nature. Senior author Assistant Professor Lin He, together with Assistant Professor Polina Lishko and Professor Richard Harland, describe a new role for non-coding RNAs in formation of cilia.

Alber Memorial Fund

To honor Professor Tom Alber, the Alber Family and the faculty together have set a goal of raising $50,000 to permanently name a lecture series in his memory. We hope that you will join us in celebrating Tom and that you will consider making a gift to help establish a lecture series that will bear Tom's name in perpetuity.

Chang and Rape Finalist for Blavatnik Award

Howard Hughes Investigator and Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Christopher Chang and Howard Hughes Investigator and Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology Michael Rape are both among 30 national finalists for the 2014 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists.

Dillin Pain Receptor Research in the News

Howard Hughes Investigator and Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development Andrew Dillin is the focus of a research profile by the UC Berkeley NewCenter that focuses on his research on pain receptors their effect on insulin response and aging.

A. Martin Selected as Bakar Fellow

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Andreas Martin has been selected as a 2014-15 Bakar Fellow. The Bakar fellows program supports innovative research by early-career campus faculty pursuing projects that hold commercial promise.

Meyer Elected to American Philosophical Society

Howard Hughes Investigator and Professor of Genetics, Genomics and Development Barbara Meyer has been elected as a member of the American Philosophical Society at their 2014 spring meeting in Philadelphia.