One of biology’s most exciting challenges is to understand how a single cell, the fertilized zygote, can give rise to an entire new organism. This process involves the differentiation of a large array of cell types that must be organized with an intricate architecture to create a functioning adult. The same mechanisms that control development are also critical in human disease, and our understanding of many disease processes and disease genes comes from first understanding their role in development.

Research in developmental biology in CMDB encompasses many of the essential questions currently being addressed in this field. A wide range of genetic, molecular, and cell biological approaches are being used to study these questions, including sophisticated imaging, large-scale genomics, and cross-species comparisons that are possible with advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics resources.

Developmental Biology faculty

Our faculty members have a wide range of research specialties. Learn about their work and how you can get connected with our developmental biology faculty.