Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

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Portnoy receives Outstanding Faculty Advisor award

Wed, 01/14/2026 - 12:48

Dan Portnoy receives  2025 Excellence in Advising Outstanding Faculty AwardDistinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology, Dan Portnoy, received the 2025 Excellence in Advising Outstanding Faculty Advisor award from Berkeley’s Council on Advising and Student Services.

Postdoc Joseph Lobel receives RNA Society Award

Tue, 01/06/2026 - 14:09

Joseph Lobel receives 2026 RNA Society Scaringe Young Scientist AwardCongratulations to MCB postdoc Joseph Lobel (Ingolia Lab) on receiving the 2026 RNA Society Scaringe Young Scientist Award. This internationally competitive award honors one postdoc annually who has made a significant contribution to the broad area of RNA research. Read more about the 2026 RNA Society Scaringe Young Scientist Award here

Happy Holidays from all of us at MCB!

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 16:59

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude for our MCB community of students, postdocs, staff, faculty, alumni and friends. 2025 has been a year marked by exciting discoveries, shared successes, and the remarkable resilience and dedication of our community. We hope you enjoy our year-end video highlighting some of our 2025 memories together. 

 

 

 

Portnoy lab microbiologists create “Microbe Circuit” at the local elementary school

Thu, 12/11/2025 - 11:54
MCB microbiologists from the Portnoy lab team up with BASIS to run a microbiology outreach workshop at the Ellerhorst Elementary School. 

 

All life copies DNA unambiguously into proteins. Archaea may be the exception.

Mon, 12/01/2025 - 15:38

Methane-producing archaea from the species Methanosarcina acetivorans. The microbes are stained with a fluorescent dye that specifically binds to the membranes of archaea. Alienor Baskevitch/UC BerkeleyLearn about research from the lab of Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Dipti Nayak.

Excerpt from UC Berkeley News: "A study finds that one microbe, a member of the Archaea, tolerates a little flexibility in interpreting the genetic code, contradicting a 60-year-old doctrine." Read the full Berkeley News article here

UC Berkeley dean’s research inspires emerging treatment for rare bone disease

Wed, 11/26/2025 - 11:40

 Brunet, McMahon, McMahon, and Harland / Science)Learn about research from the lab of Dean of Biological Sciences, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Richard Harland

The Fall 2025 Transcript newsletter is here!

Fri, 11/21/2025 - 14:57

Galaxea fascicularis coral (Cleves Lab)Learn about MCB's exciting research, new faculty, molecular medicine lab, department-wide retreat, alumni and more! 

Read the Fall 2025 MCB Transcript.

Did the first animal look like a sponge or a comb jelly? The debate continues.

Fri, 11/21/2025 - 08:36

Sponges on the left; comb jellies, or ctenophores, on the right. Which organism is at the root of the animal tree of life has been a much-debated question for decades. KevinPanizza & LPETTET/iStockLearn about new research from the lab of Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Nicole King.

In Memoriam: Michael J. Chamberlin

Wed, 11/12/2025 - 10:59
Michael J. Chamberlin Michael Chamberlin

Miller awarded Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Supplemental Grant

Wed, 11/05/2025 - 16:33

Evan MillerAssociate Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology Evan Miller was selected as one of 16 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Supplemental Grant recipients for 2025. This award, from the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, provides funds to support Miller's research project "A Generalizable Method to Improve the Brightness of Long-Wavelength Fluorophores". Read more about the award and 2025 recipients here

Fletcher elected to National Academy of Medicine

Tue, 10/21/2025 - 15:14

Daniel FletcherProfessor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Daniel Fletcher has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Fletcher was recognized "For the development of mobile phone-based microscopy to diagnose infectious diseases in developing countries, and for contributions to the mechanistic understanding of biological self-assembly and mechanotransduction." Read more in the National Academy of Medicine press release

Galicia receives L&S Staff Achievement Award

Tue, 10/21/2025 - 12:57

Carina GaliciaCarina Galicia, Director of Administration and Operations for MCB and Biosciences Divisional Services, has received the College of Letters & Science Staff Achievement Award for 2024-2025. This award recognizes staff who have demonstarted an outstanding commitment to Berkeley's shared mission of  teaching, research and public service. Galicia and other award recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony on November 4, 2025. 
 

Welcome new MCB faculty Thomas Mann

Thu, 10/16/2025 - 12:30

Thomas MannWelcome to MCB's newest faculty member, Thomas Mann, who will join us as an assistant professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine (IMM) on January 1, 2026. The Mann Lab will study how post-translational signaling is intertwined with differentiation in CD8 T cells. Using genetics, proteomics, and mouse models of cancer and viral infection, the lab will dissect signaling pathways to identify new targets for immunotherapy.