The emphasis of Molecular and Cellular Biology is on understanding how biological molecules function at the level of the cell and how their function is controlled genetically. It is an interdisciplinary field focused on the primary structures of life. Inquiry within the field inevitably draws upon many other fields of scientific thought, including biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, genomics, human development, cell biology, immunology, molecular evolution, neurobiology, and structural biology. This department also emphasizes the incorporation of quantitative analysis through collaborations with scholars in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

MCB research is high-paced and cutting edge. Analysis of genetic structures and cellular processes are both crucial to the development of exciting new biotechnologies like genetic engineering or cloning, and both are crucial to our pursuit of treatments for viral, bacterial, and genetic disorders. Using today's most sophisticated laboratory equipment and high-powered digital resources for data analysis, MCB researchers explore the mechanism by which cells and organisms sense and respond to external and internal stimuli. Specifically, labs in the department investigate the topics of receptor-mediated signal transduction, intracellular trafficking, the maintenance of genome integrity, genetic differentiation, and the genetics of human disease susceptibility. Certain model organisms, such as Saccharamyces cerevisia (yeast), Caenorhabiditis elegans (worms), Drosophilia melanogaster (fruit flies), and transgenic mice serve as useful research subjects because of the availability of their genome sequences.

Among other things, this research aims to assist the ongoing effort to minimize, prevent, or cure conditions like autism, cancer, physical handicaps, and degenerations associated with aging. But beyond the satisfaction of humanitarian contributions to medicine, MCB research also offers the job of understanding life at the level of its fundamental processes and components. As research assistants, undergraduates can share in the thrill of uncharted discovery.

As an interdisciplinary field, molecular and cellular biology naturally has a strong collaboration. Our majors can expect easy access to the resources the Departments of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Entomology, and Biochemistry. We also work closely with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the BIO5 consortium, and the Arizona Cancer Center.

With over 600 undergraduates, Molecular and Cellular Biology is one of the most popular majors at the University of Arizona. Our students include Flinn Scholars, National Merit Scholars, National Hispanic Scholars, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society Members, UA Honors College Graduates, Centennial Achievement Award Winners, Robie Gold Medalists, Merill P. Freeman Award Winners, Nugent Award Winners, Galileo Circle Scholars, Marshall Scholars, and Fulbright Scholars. In a recent class of our graduates, 25% graduated with honors, 20% were selected for the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, 75% participated in independent laboratory research, and a third were granted positions in the Undergraduate Biology Research Program.