Cellular and Molecular Physiology at the University of Chicago

Cell Physiology is the study of how cells work, ranging from fundamental molecular and cellular processes to mechanisms that regulate complex developmental and physiological events. It also incorporates studies dealing with systems integration of cells and tissues in physiological and pathophysiological states.

The Committee on Cell Physiology is a diverse group of faculty in the Biological Sciences Division with shared interests in the quantitative investigation of physiological systems. The Committee welcomes participation of faculty who study processes at all levels of complexity from molecules and cells through tissues and organisms.

Research interests of faculty within the Committee on Cell Physiology are concentrated in three major areas:

Molecular physiology including investigations of the structure, biophysics, and function of ion channels, transporters, pumps, receptors, and other membrane components.

Cell biology including studies of protein trafficking and sorting, the structure and function of cell membranes, contractile and cytoskeletal systems, cellular interactions, and cell growth regulation.

Signal transduction including mechanistic analyses of plasma membrane receptors, intracellular messengers, protein kinase cascades, and integration of signaling.

The Committee on Cell Physiology provides a multi-disciplinary academic environment for interactions between researchers and education of students interested in a broad range of approaches to the study of the biology and molecular physiology of eukaryotic cells. One important role for the Committee is to facilitate collaborative interactions among Committee members through a weekly seminar series [Seminar Series], an annual retreat [The Retreat], journal clubs, workshops, and informal laboratory presentations and symposia.

The primary mission of the Committee on Cell Physiology is education including administration of the graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree in Cell Physiology [Graduate Program].

The program in Cellular and Molecular Physiology includes faculty with diverse research interests who are dedicated to graduate education. All students receive concentrated attention from faculty mentors, advisory committee members and course instructors.

The investigations pursued by students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Cell Physiology may extend from basic mechanisms of life processes to human biology and perturbations caused by disease. A wide breadth of research interests allows the Committee to offer students a unique exposure to physiology and modern experimental techniques at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. The Committee on Cell Physiology can be closely identified with studies that apply the approaches of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular pharmacology, imaging, genomics, and proteomics to the elucidation of assembly, excitability, signaling, and function of cellular components and the integration of cells within tissues and whole organisms. Cell Physiology is particularly relevant to various other fields such as cell biology, neurobiology, endocrinology, pharmacology, and basic aspects of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal and respiratory functions. Interdisciplinary approaches are especially welcome in the Committee.The research interests of the program faculty range from cell development and structure to signal transduction across the plasma membrane.

Cell Physiology graduate students take courses in advanced cell biology, molecular physiology and signal transduction & cell cycle control. A central feature of the program is individualized design to fit the needs and interests of each student. Elective courses are available in specialty areas that are chosen according to each student's interests ranging from protein structure and membrane biochemistry to cell and organ physiology, from ion channel physiology to molecular biology.

During their first year, graduate students in Cell Physiology rotate through 2 or 3 laboratories. By the second year, students have chosen a laboratory for their thesis research and have formed an advisory committee to help them best accomplish their goals. During the following years, students dedicate themselves to research and most students graduate in a total of 4-6 years.
The University of Chicago actively encourages interactions across departments and disciplines, making it easy to exchange ideas and ensuring access to a wide range of experimental techniques. These interdisciplinary exchanges are what make the Cell Physiology training program so exciting.