Specializations in Molecular Biology
Gene Expression
Study of the process by which genetic information is transcribed and translated into functional products, particularly proteins.
Proteomics
Analysis of the structure and function of proteins, including their interactions and modifications within a cell.
Genomics
Study of genomes, including the analysis of DNA sequences, gene mapping, and the relationship between genetic variation and phenotype.
Molecular Genetics
Focuses on the genetic basis of trait inheritance and the role of genes in cellular processes and organism development.
Cellular Biochemistry
Examination of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living cells, including metabolic pathways.
Structural Biology
Study of the molecular structure of biological macromolecules and their complexes to understand their function.
Bioinformatics
Application of computational techniques to manage, analyze, and visualize biological data, particularly in genomics and proteomics.
RNA Biology
Focus on the role of RNA in biological processes, including RNA processing, splicing, and interference.
Synthetic Biology
Interdisciplinary field combining biology and engineering to design and construct new biological parts, devices, and systems.
Molecular Evolution
Study of genetic changes and evolutionary processes at the molecular level, including phylogenetics and molecular clocks.
Epigenetics
Examination of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.
Cell Signaling
Study of the mechanisms by which cells communicate with each other and respond to external signals.
Metabolomics
Analysis of the complete set of metabolites found in a biological system, providing insights into cellular processes.
Microbiology
Study of microorganisms at the molecular level, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their interactions with hosts.
Biochemical Pharmacology
Study of the interactions between biological systems and drugs at the molecular level, including drug design and mechanism of action.
Systems Biology
Integration of biological data to model and understand complex biological systems and their functions at the molecular level.
Cell Cycle Regulation
Study of molecular mechanisms governing the cell cycle, including checkpoints, signaling pathways, and regulatory proteins.
Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Focuses on the chemistry of nucleic acids, including DNA and RNA structures, functions, and interactions.
Molecular Diagnostics
Application of molecular biology techniques to diagnose diseases, including the detection of genetic mutations and infections.
Plant Molecular Biology
Study of the molecular mechanisms in plants, including gene expression, signaling, and biotic/abiotic stress responses.
Neurobiology
Study of the molecular mechanisms underlying nervous system function, including neurogenesis and synaptic transmission.
Cancer Biology
Focus on the molecular changes that lead to cancer development and progression, including mutations and tumor microenvironment interactions.
Developmental Biology
Study of the molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern the growth and development of organisms.
Biophysical Chemistry
Application of physical principles to investigate the molecular structure, dynamics, and interactions of biological molecules.
Viral Molecular Biology
Study of the molecular processes involved in viral replication, pathogenesis, and interactions with host cells.
Biomolecular Engineering
Application of engineering principles to design and develop biomolecules and molecular systems for various applications.