About Physiology

The Department of Physiology was founded in 1970, concurrently with the opening of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The Department has a long-standing commitment to education and research in the biomedical sciences and was the first department at the Medical School to offer Ph.D. training. All 28 faculty members are actively engaged in federally sponsored research representing some aspect of virtually all of the sub-disciplines of Physiology. The scientific accomplishments of the faculty are recognized by the Department ranking among the top fifteen per cent of medical school physiology departments in the award of grant funds from the National Institutes of Health. The rich variety of research topics share the common theme of exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are the underpinnings of essential bodily functions.

The Physiology Department offers a program of study leading to the Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Physiology or Biomedical Science in addition to providing didactic training in normal cellular, organ, and organ system functions in the MD program. Courses and laboratory research experiences are designed to provide students with the academic background, abilities to apply state-of-the-art experimental tools, and analytic skills to pursue careers in fundamental biomedical research.

Toward this goal students are provided with opportunities for hands-on experience with the whole range of modern research techniques including molecular genetic manipulations, electrophysiological study of whole cell and single ion channel activity by patch clamp technology, 3- dimensional ultrafast digital imaging fluorescence microscopy to observe intracellular responses in real time, and a wide range of innovative biophysical, biochemical, and physiological methodologies.

Although research in the Department focuses on functional issues at the cellular and molecular level, relevance to organ and whole body function is a central tenet in the thinking of the Physiologist. Ongoing interactions and research collaborations with colleagues in the clinical departments add the further dimensions of the cellular and molecular bases of abnormal function. The unique aspect of the Cellular and Molecular Physiology Program is the opportunity to explore cellular and molecular questions in the context of organ and whole body function in health and disease. This broad perspective should position students well in facing the enormous challenge of understanding the functional implications of rapidly emerging genomic information.

Opportunities for research training in cellular and molecular physiology include:

  • channel and receptor biophysics
  • cardiovascular, renal and transport physiology
  • contractility and motility of muscle and non-muscle cells
  • electrophysiology of neurons
  • endocrinology
  • mechanical, electrophysiological and metabolic properties of muscle
  • regulation of cellular and tissue metabolism.

Training in molecular and cellular physiology includes closely related aspects of molecular biology, biochemistry and neuroscience.

Requirements for Specialization

The multidisciplinary program of study includes general as well as specialized research projects, courses and tutorials on a specific research topic and/or technique. Graduate students in the Cellular and Molecular Physiology Program are required to complete two core courses, "The Cell Works": Principles of Cell Physiology and "The Body Works": Cellular and Organ Physiology. One additional elective course is chosen by the student from courses offered by Cellular and Molecular Physiology or the other Ph.D. programs at UMW. Required annual enrollment in the Seminar in Physiology helps students develop presentation skills by having students give yearly talks on their dissertation research. Physical chemistry is strongly recommended for specialization in physiology. Students are also encouraged to gain competence in exposition, statistics and computer programming because these skills are used extensively by biomedical scientists irrespective of sub-discipline.