Research Emphasis Areas

One of the many strengths of the Bioscience PhD Programs are the cross-departmental research emphasis areas. The research emphasis areas showcase a wide breadth of research excellence that the Bioscience PhD Programs and the University of Utah has to offer, as well as facilitate collaboration opportunities for students to become more engaged in specific research topics. Below are the eleven (11) research emphasis areas, each area will feature their community highlights, common courses, and faculty.

Biomolecular Structure and Function

Liaisons: Julia Brasch & Peter Shen

Cancer Biology

Liaisons: TBA

Cell Biology

This Research Emphasis is interested in the study of cell structure, behavior, and function. We aim to understand how cells perform specific tasks, how they interact with other cells and their environment, and how cell coordination gives rise to tissues and organisms. Members of this group use a diversity of techniques and systems to dissect fundamental aspects of cell biology. Several members of this group also apply these fundamental concepts to understanding diseases such as cancer, infection, diabetes, heart disease, and immune-related diseases.

Liaisons: Minna Roh-Johnson & Adam Hughes

Chemical Biology

Liaisons: Michael Kay

Drug and Diagnostic Discovery and Development (4D)

Getting lifesaving therapeutics through to human use relies on interdisciplinary research in many different fields of study. Our program includes many aspects of the broader fields of pharmaceutical sciences and molecular therapeutics, from fundamental science to application-focused research. Areas of study include target discovery, assay design and implementation, synthetic chemistry, computational chemistry and computer-assisted drug design, structural biology, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, natural products, biosynthesis and synthetic biology, drug delivery, antibody and immunotherapies, genomic medicine, pharmacology, toxicology, translational studies, and other areas that underlie the discovery and development of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Our investigators have strengths across the therapeutic spectrum, including cancers, infectious diseases, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and many others.

Liaisons: Lou Barrows & Eric Schmidt

Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics

All biological variation has been shaped by evolutionary forces including mutation, selection, and drift. Their study provides leverage to decipher gene function in health and disease and to predict their future states in evolving populations. The EGG emphasis area focuses on these fundamental forces and the resulting phenotypic variation within a wide range of species. Member labs’ interests range from populations to species and employ genetic models, non-model organisms, genomics, and computation. Specific study areas include population genetics, host-pathogen conflicts, molecular co-evolution, speciation, mutation, trait development and evolution, genomics, genome organization, gene regulation, and directed evolution.

Liaisons: Nathan Clark, Nels Elde, & Ellen Leffler

Genome Engineering

This Research Emphasis builds on the long history of genome engineering at Utah. It brings together researchers across many departments who are interested in one or more of the following aspects of genome engineering:

Tools. To develop new methods of genome engineering.
Disease. To manipulate genomes to create models of inherited disorders, or to test potential treatments of disease.
Synthetic biology. To modify genomes for the creation of new biochemical pathways in organisms, for the generation of natural compounds or new compounds that can accelerate pharmacology.

Liaisons: James Gagnon & Erik Jorgensen

Immunobiology

The broad scope of our emphasis area is the immune system's role in health and disease from basic (molecular and cellular) to translational research. Our goal is to provide students with an interdisciplinary and advanced understanding of the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in immunity and immune-related diseases, providing an excellent starting point for independent research development and a variety of career options in academia and biotechnology.

Liaisons: Hans Haecker & Vanessa Redecke

Metabolism

The Metabolism Research community looks at the changes in cellular metabolism that drive a number of chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. The University of Utah has more than 65 faculty members researching innovative approaches to understand fundamental metabolism and to improve metabolic health.

Liaisons: Sihem Boudina & Katsu Funai

Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis

The study of microbiology and microbial pathogenesis is critical for the future of human health. Despite remarkable advances in the development of antibiotics, vaccines, and other anti-microbial therapeutics over the past century, the threat of infectious disease is escalating. The emergence, spread, and amplification of both new and well-known pathogens is driven by numerous factors, including climate change, urbanization, decreasing biodiversity, greater human population density, extensive travel, increasing numbers of immunocompromised individuals, and the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Furthermore, there is a growing appreciation of the importance of microbes in the initiation, progression, and prevention of diseases, such as heart disease and neurological disorders, that were not traditionally linked with microbial agents. The catastrophic impact that infectious disease can have on human health and society across the globe is seen writ large by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that we train future investigators to tackle the many challenges posed by microbes in the 21^st century, including emerging infections, the re-emergence of vaccine preventable diseases, and the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance.

Liaisons: Jessica Brown & Matthew Mulvey

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

The brain is the most complex organ in the body; with unique cell physiology and functions. The Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience emphasis area includes faculty from colleges and departments across campus working on a variety of topics that include the molecular and cellular mechanisms of: behavior, neural circuit formation during embryonic development, etiology of neurological disorders and degenerative disease.

Liaisons: Rich Dorsky & Jason Shepherd

Stem Cells, Development and Regenerative Medicine

Stem Cells give rise to all other cells in living organisms. Therefore, these cells can be used as a source for studying development and disease, as well as for regenerative medicine-related applications. It is critical to understand the properties of different stem cell types and the molecular mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of stem cells into other cell types. In addition, it is important to develop new stem cell-based models for studying human-specific aspects of development and disease and for providing human cells and cell-based products for regenerative medicine-related applications.

Liaisons: Anna Beaudin & Alex Shcheglovitov

Any group of faculty in the Program can apply to be recognized as a Research Emphasis Area (REA). The application form for establishing a Research Emphasis Area should be submitted to MB and BC Program Directors for approval.

REA Application