Hilary Coller, PhD.

This is an exciting time for research in biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular medicine. Recent advances in many fields, including CRISPR technology, stem cell biology, structural biology, and microscopy, have revolutionized our ability to understand the biology of cells as well as the molecular basis for disease.

The Molecular Biology Institute (MBI) at UCLA is home to over 200 faculty performing outstanding research at the forefront of their fields. The MBI was established to serve as a hub for interactions between scientific groups on campus, focused on deciphering molecular structures and identifying regulatory cross-talk in living organisms. Since its inception nearly half a century ago, the MBI has catalyzed intellectual exchange across disciplines and departmental barriers.

The Institute brings together over 200 faculty members from 30 different UCLA departments, representing the Divisions of Life Sciences and Physical Sciences within the College of Letters and Sciences, the David Geffen School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry and the Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.  Interactions are fostered through seminars, retreats, specialized courses and symposia.

One of the gems of the MBI is the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program.  The MBIDP has more than 350 alumni and a body of approximately 170 current students spread at distinct stages of their doctorate degree.  This outstanding group of trainees is leveraging the creativity of our faculty to expand the limits of scientific inquiry.

Our mission is to facilitate and promote cutting-edge research under the broad umbrella of molecular biology. As part of this goal, the MBI launches strategic interdisciplinary initiatives to propel new directions and research synergies between our members. Your generosity and partnership make these collaborative projects possible, and so I encourage you to consider supporting the MBI and becoming part of our mission.

I hope you will explore out website to learn more about the outstanding research being performed in molecular biology at UCLA, how the MBI is facilitating research excellence, and our vision for the future of molecular biology and medicine.

Hilary Coller
Professor and Director

Review the most recent Annual MBI Report