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Students desiring information about specific research interests are encouraged to correspond directly with departmental faculty. If you would like further information or would like to contact participating faculty members, please contact us directly at (949) 824-4915.

DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

The research interests of faculty in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry include structure and synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, regulation, virology, biochemical genetics, gene organization, nucleic acids and proteins, cell and developmental biology, molecular genetics, biomedical genetics and immunology. Molecular Biology & Biochemistry faculty have over $20 million in research awards from various agencies including NASA and NIH. There are over 120 students in the joint Ph.D. program and over 15 students in the M.S. in Biotechnology program.

GRADUATE STUDIES

The Department offers graduate study in conjunction with the program in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry. Students admitted into the combined program who select a research advisor in the Department begin following the departmental requirements for the Ph.D. at the beginning of their third year. Participation in an advanced topics seminar series and completion of at least one course per year for three years are expected of all students.

A Masters of Science Degree in Biotechnology is also offered in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Emphasis is placed on practical training and experimental rationales for solving actual research problems. Students are encouraged to take summer internships in industry during the course of their studies.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

An undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is also offered. The program applies modern molecular science to biological questions and provides rigorous training necessary in today's graduate and professional programs.

CAMPUS

Research at the University of California, Irvine utilizes state-of-the-art approaches to recombinant DNA technology, gene transfer methodologies, chromosome analysis, microscopy, electrophysiology, and biochemical isolation and analysis of proteins and nucleic acids. Facilities are available for analysis of biological samples, including facilities for electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and histology.

Facilities for cell-oriented studies include monoclonal antibody production and transgenic mouse facilities. Manipulation of cells is central to many research programs and includes such techniques as microinjection and patch clamping for neurophysiology and laser manipulation for cytogenics. Material for biochemical studies are prepared with the use of a large-scale fermentor. Structural research on campus employs x-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, and DNA and protein sequence analysis. There are also facilities for atomic force microscopy and NMR. Campus laboratories are linked to one another and to researchers around the world by computer networks. Supercomputers and SUN-UNIX workstations on campus are used for data analysis and molecular modeling.