The Graduate Program in Cell, Molecular,and Developmental Biology (CMDB) provides an administrative and intellectual structure to support rigorous training of pre-doctoral and postdoctoral fellows in the study of molecular mechanisms of cell, tissue and organ function. These goals are accomplished within an interactive environment inwhich faculty and students participate in seminar series, journal clubs, joint lab meetings, and an annual retreat. The Ph.D. includes coursework in Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry.

Research efforts in the Program focus on mechanisms of cell proliferation and tumor metastasis; of development and differentiation; and of signal transduction. Individual projects deal with extra-cellular matrix assembly, turnover and functions in cell behavior and disease; vascular cell development and function; smooth and skeletal muscle structure and differentiation; mechanisms of reproductive hormone action and of xenobiotic action; gametogenesis and fertilization; mechanisms of division in mitotic and meiotic cells; cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neoplasia and metastasis; cellular and genetic aspects of neurobiology.

The Program has access to a range of Core Facilities that aid faculty and students. These include the: (i) Gene Microarray Facility, (ii) Protein and DNA Sequencing Facility; (iii) Flow Cytometry Facility; (iv) Molecular Probe and Assay Core Facility; (v)< Core Imaging> ; (vi) Electron Microscopy Facility; (vii) Confocal Microscopy Facility and Digital Image Analysis Facility.
These facilities supplement state-of-the-art biochemical, biophysical, molecular and morphological techniques that are utilized by members of the Program. Finally, the Program is housed within the Health Sciences Campus of Tufts University, permitting students and faculty to interact with a wide range of colleagues at Tufts University School of Medicine and our affiliated hospitals.

Pre-doctoral studies within the Program are supported by a training grant from the National Institutes of Health. Ph.D. candidates are encouraged to communicate with us directly through this Web site. Please note that predoctoral students wishing to enter the CMDB Program must do so through the Integrated Studies Program, a combined admissions and first-year academic program that serves as the portal of entry for three Sackler School Ph.D. programs: CMDB, Cellular and Molecular Physiology, and Biochemistry.Those interested in postdoctoral training should contact individual faculty members.