Chair: Brigid L.M. Hogan,
Ph.D., FRS  The Department of Cell Biology offers a graduate program that trains students to be independent, critical and productive scientists. Students receive strong guidance not only in the technical aspects of basic research but in presentation and management skills required for a successful career. Among the wide-ranging research interests of our faculty are molecular analysis of cellular components and signaling pathways, genetic regulation of the growth and development of embryos and stem cells, and the cellular basis of complex physiological and behavioral processes. The Department emphasizes integration and interaction, so findings at the molecular and structural level can be applied quickly to the study of cell behavior, tissue function, and human diseases. |
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This image shows a section of the seminiferous tubule, the site of sperm production, from a wildtype mouse testis. Sperm production is a highly active process driven by stem cells. The tubule is immunofluorescently stained for calmegin (green), DNA (blue), and MIWI - a master regulator of sperm morphogenesis (red). Stem cells are among the blue gem cells called spermatogonia that form the basal layer of the tubule. MIWI is not present in spermatogonia, but is abundantly expressed in spermatocytes, with reduced expression in spermatids. Calmegin is weekly expressed in spermatocytes but highly expressed in spermatids. The complementary pattern of MIWI and calmegin create beautiful orange and yellow colors. For more detailed information on MIWI, see Deng and Lin (2002) Developmental Cell 2: 819-830. | |
| For further information, contact: Director of Graduate Studies Department of Cell Biology Duke University Medical Center DUMC 3709 Durham, NC 27710 919-684-8994 |
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