Department of Cell & Developmental Biology

Learn. Discover. Make the unknown known.

We rigorously pursue answers to the fundamental questions of biological and biomedical sciences. 

Faculty and students in lab coats examining a specimen under a microscope in a research laboratory.

Investigating and Understanding the Fundamentals of Life

Since 1854, the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology has been dedicated to guiding the next generation of leaders to pursue rigorous fundamental questions in biological and biomedical sciences with an eye on the future.

Our faculty, students and trainees pursue discovery-driven research in the disciplines of cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, neuroscience, organogenesis, stem cell biology, and tissue repair and regeneration.

Contact Us

Department of Cell & Developmental Biology
3062 Biomedical Sciences Research Bldg.
109 Zina Pitcher Place
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200

ABOUT US

Explore the evolution of our Department over more than a century.

EDUCATION

We offer programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, as well as post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral trainees.

PEOPLE

Meet the remarkable faculty, staff, postdoc fellows, and students of CDB.

Cell & Development Biology department in action

Watch the Cell and Development Biology department in action on campus in this short video.

Welcome from the Chair

In CDB, we value an eclectic mix of junior, mid-career and senior faculty, of model systems and cutting-edge technologies, and of trainees at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels. By synergizing, we investigate, discover, and understand the biology that will shape the textbooks of tomorrow.

Department Chair, Cell & Developmental Biology
faculty profile pierre coulombe

Upcoming Events

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CDB Colloquium: Bing Ye

Bing Ye presents for Cell & Developmental Biology

Featured News & Stories

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Health Lab

New study hints at cause of pachyonychia congenita and a long-awaited potential treatment

New University of Michigan-led offers much needed answers about a specific protein, called keratin 16 (K16), implicated in pachyonychia congenita and other skin conditions.
Hüseyin Karabürk
Department News

Hüseyin Karabürk receives Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship

For his dissertation, Karabürk is investigating the molecular mechanisms of how cells move within the body.
Department News

Meet the new CDB admin staff

CDB is excited to welcome three new members to our admin team! Meet Muneer, Jaszmyn and Kara below, and stop by the admin offices to say hello in person.
Person rubbing foot while sitting
Health Lab

New study hints at the cause of a painful skin condition—and at a long-awaited potential treatment

New University of Michigan-led research from the lab of Pierre Coulombe, Ph.D. offers much needed answers about a specific protein, called keratin 16 (K16), implicated in pachyonychia congenita (PC) and other skin conditions.
Nicole Edwards in the lab with a microscope
Department News

Cell & Developmental Biology welcomes Nicole Edwards, Assistant Professor

The University of Michigan’s Department of Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) is excited to welcome the newest member of their faculty, Nicole Edwards, PhD.
close up microscopic grey close up
Health Lab

FDA-approved cancer drug fedratinib reshapes how cell organelles communicate, providing new therapeutic avenues

University of Michigan researchers found that the FDA-approved drug fedratinib can lead to endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria contact site formation, providing a potential therapeutic avenue.

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