Molecular Cancer Biology
General Information
Degree offered:
Ph.D.
Faculty working with students:
33
Students: 51
Deadline for Fall 2008 Application: December 15 (priority deadline)
Spring Application:
no
Part time study available:
no
Test required:
GRE General. GRE Subject (Biology or Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology) recommended
Program Description
The University Program in Molecular Cancer Biology offers opportunities for research on mechanisms that govern the proliferation and differentiation of normal cells. The pathways by which cells respond to extracellular stimuli involve complex regulatory networks that can become distorted by mutational events, resulting in altered activity of growth-stimulatory or inhibitory genes. Many of these gene products function in signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth. Thus, cancer may be viewed as an alteration in the extracellular signals that normally regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, communication, and movement. It is the mandate of the program to identify and study the gene products and regulatory networks that govern these processes in the normal and neoplastic state. The program is housed in the new interdisciplinary Levine Science Research Center in 25,000 square feet containing well-equipped state-of-the-art facilities.