Leading the way to Discovery
Department of Developmental and Cell Biology (DCB)
The Department of Developmental and Cell Biology seeks discoveries that foster a better understanding of biological questions such as the origins of cancer development, cell repair and regrowth and developmental disorders. Our diverse groups of researchers expose students to everything from the basic biology of stem cells to central nervous system injury, diabetes and the use of stem cell-based screens to identify novel drugs targeting cell proliferation.
Faculty
A world class faculty dedicated to advance knowledge about the body, diseases, drug design, vascular biology and more.
Undergraduates
Exciting opportunities exist for Dunlop School majors interested in pursuing a degree in Developmental and Cell Biology or Genetics.
Graduates
With 3 interdiscipline doctorate programs, Developmental and Cell Biology graduates will be prepared examine compelling biological questions.
News
UC Irvine Study Reveals How Damaged Tissue Can Limit Nerve Cell Repair
Dual-imaging of class IV ddaC sensory neurons (green) and epidermis (magenta) in live, third instar Drosophila larvae. Credit: Imaged by Mia A Brantley Irvine, Calif., September 30, 2026 — When a traumatic injury damages the nervous system, understanding what prevents nerve cells from repairing themselves is critical to improving recovery. Yet many laboratory studies examine…
Deep Learning Designs DNA Switches That Turn Genes On In Mouse Embryos
A transgenic mouse embryo in which AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences drive gene expression in the forebrain (red) and in the midbrain (green). Image credit: Ethan Hollingsworth Irvine, Calif., August 25, 2026 — One of biology’s enduring challenges is explaining how cells carrying the same genetic instructions develop into such different organs like the heart, brain…
Irvine is leading the way for innovators
When biologist Maksim Plikus took the leap into the multibillion-dollar market for hair-loss treatments, he had lots of local support.
Making Science Matter: Cameron Geller Wins UCI Grad Slam
Second-place finisher Tessa Chou, first-place finisher Cameron Geller and third-place finisher Mehdi Zafari pose with their awards following the 2026 UC Irvine Grad Slam competition. PhD candidate Cameron Geller of the Department of Developmental & Cell Biology has been named the 2026 UC Irvine Grad Slam Champion, earning top honors in a campuswide competition that…
Shalini Pradhan Awarded Prestigious Moore Foundation Fellowship to Study the Brain’s Molecular Landscape
Shalini Pradhan, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Xiaoyu Shi, has been awarded a prestigious 2026 postdoctoral fellowship from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Flip the Switch: UC Irvine Study Reveals a Metabolic Trigger That Helps Muscles Repair and Grow
Pictured (left to right): Melissa Campos, PhD student; Assistant Professor Lauren Albrecht; and Professor Maksim Plikus, whose UC Irvine team uncovered a metabolic “switch” that helps guide muscle repair and growth. Irvine, Calif., February 24, 2026 — Building and keeping muscle is essential for lifelong health, not just athletic performance. Strong skeletal muscle supports mobility,…
Dr. Ken Cho has an AAAS Fellow award and a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Michael Parson’s lab created a method to ablate cells at will to study regeneration. This method has been used in over 2,300 publications to date.
Dr. Kavita Arora was a recipient of the Searle Scholar Award.
Dr. Scott Atwood discovered how basal cell carcinoma gains resistance to targeted therapy.
Faculty Spotlight
Christine Suetterlin, Ph.D.,
Professor
The Regulation of Golgi and Centrosome Dynamics in Mammalian Cells – We are interested in how organelles of the pericentriolar region communicate with each other. In mammalian cells, Golgi membranes are positioned in close proximity to the centrosome, the major microtubule organizing center of a cell. This specific localization is only seen during interphase as Golgi membranes are fragmented and dispersed throughout the cytosol during mitosis.