Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology (PhD)

The Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology (MGDB) graduate program provides an exciting and vigorous academic environment for highly motivated and qualified students to prepare for a rewarding career in biomedical research.  The MGDB program brings together faculty in both basic and applied sciences, including researchers from the School of Medicine, the School of Arts and Sciences, the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the Magee-Womens Research Institute and the Department of Biological Sciences.  MGDB faculty have a wide diversity of interests and are pursuing research projects that address fundamental, contemporary issues in biology and medicine.  MGDB research is at the cutting edge of many emerging fields, including developmental and reproductive biology, stem cell biology, aging, proteomics, computational biology, genomics and DNA replication, damage and repair. Our work has direct relevance to acute injury, cancer, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, kidney disease, fertility/infertility, congenital disorders and other genetic diseases and regenerative medicine. We are committed translating lab bench discoveries to the bedside and graduate students are fully integrated in all aspects of our investigative work.