Gary Stein, PhD - Chair, Department of Cell BiologyA Message from the Chair

Our Department of Cell Biology is at the forefront in pursuit of basic regulatory mechanisms and in meeting the challenge of clinical applications.

We are an interdisciplinary and integrated group of basic scientists and physician/investigators who collaboratively utilize state-of-the-art experimental approaches to resolve fundamental biological questions from both mechanistic and clinical perspectives. Our students and fellows are making paradigm-shifting contributions at the cutting edge of science and medicine.

There has been extraordinary progress in defining cellular regulatory mechanisms. The combined application of cellular, molecular, biochemical, in vivo genetic, genomic and proteomic approaches has established new frontiers in understanding genetic and epigenetic parameters of cell structure that include:

  • gene expression interrelationships which control cell proliferation and differentiation during mammalian development
  • the phenotypic properties of specialized cells and tissues
  • alterations occurring in human disease

Major advances have been made in:

  • cell cycle control
  • regulation of proliferation and tissue-specific gene expression by hormones and growth factors
  • dynamics and control of chromatin remodeling, intranuclear organization and assembly of regulatory machinery
  • elucidation of multiple signaling pathways and regulatory networks that transduce and integrate cues for biological control

We are establishing a roadmap of cellular control that translates to breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases that include cancer, musculoskeletal disease, hematological disorders, neurological disorders, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

Our Department of Cell Biology is dedicated to excellence in research, graduate education and medical education. We are committed to a collegial environment with maximal opportunity for junior and senior colleagues to successfully resolve complex biomedical problems and support the career development of the next generation of scientists, physician/investigators and educators.

Gary S. Stein, Ph.D.

The Gerald L. Haidak, M.D. and Zelda S. Haidak
Distinguished Professor and Chair of Cell Biology
Professor of Medicine
Deputy Director, UMass Memorial Cancer Center