Opportunities for hands-on training in the Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Area of Concentration extend across the molecular, cellular, intercellular and whole organism levels of biology. Our focus is on you – your interests, your creativity, and your growth. You can study the mechanisms of inherited disease, the sources of infection and immunity, pathways of signal transduction and the molecular basis of evolution. Our students have the opportunity to work with numerous laboratory systems--bacterial, viral, fungal, animal and human cell culture, whole animal models, and population studies.

You’ll have the chance to experience research first hand. Working alongside experts in their fields, you’ll use a wide array of the most modern tools and techniques in molecular and cell biology, giving you a solid foundation for future work.

At Wright State, our genome maintenance and gene expression laboratories focus on the molecular mechanisms of inheritance, how DNA is protected from mutation, and the implications of DNA damage for human disease.
Current projects in genomics and proteomics include genetic engineering of human cells, leading edge mass spectrometry, and DNA microarray analyses for investigations as diverse as the profiling of intestinal pathogenic bacteria and the fingerprinting of tumor cell RNAs.

Labs in the Cell Biology research focus area concentrate on the molecular dissection of cell activities as they relate to neuronal activity, stem cell maintenance, immune regulation, and cell migration. These labs are on the leading edge of research working on autoimmunity, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, placental disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases as well as in areas of new drug design and development.

Microbiology and immunology are at the forefront of meeting the new challenges in the 21st century: viral and microbial threats, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, AIDS, bioterrorism, and increased exposure to immunomodulators. Graduates from this area are prepared to work in the development of new drugs, vaccines, or detection tests and can join the fight against infectious agents and human disease.
Students with a degree concentration in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology are equipped for careers in academia, clinical research and testing, or industry. Please feel free to take a look at our other areas of concentration or select contact.