ACADEMICS: CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR SYSTEMS
Tracks and Concentrations - Graduate Program

Cellular and molecular systems in the BME Graduate Program at UC Davis focuses on the principles and methods of the physical and biological sciences, medicine and engineering to understand human and animal physiology and pathology. Using tools in biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, and genetics, a primary objective is to engineer cells and tissues for therapeutic applications. This interdisciplinary systems approach has yielded rapid advances and clinical therapies as applied to structural tissue repair (e.g., skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, muscle, and blood vessel). It is now possible to enhance metabolic function (e.g., liver), improve the efficiency of drug delivery, target cell-based gene therapy, and design small molecule antagonists and therapeutics for inflammation. Coursework combines the principles of molecular and cellular biology and medicine with essential elements from biophysics, solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and physical chemistry to provide a rigorous background for research in industrial and academic environments. Students are encouraged to take advantage of numerous opportunities for internships with industry, at the UC Davis Schools of Human and Veterinary Medicine and at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Students obtain the multidisciplinary background necessary to study and design prosthetics, genetic animal and tissue disease models, transport processes in biological systems, drug delivery systems, high-throughput assays of cell function and molecular expression using laser cytometry and fluorescence. The program is flexible to allow individual students to work with their advisors at designing a course of study based on the interests and career goals of the student.

View The Cellular and Molecular Systems Brochure