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Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Understanding Cell Signaling and Behavior
In the Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (MCP), we strive to reveal how proteins and cells work and how they interact. MCP scientists tackle open problems in cell and tissue biology, immunology, and neuroscience. Drawing on concepts, techniques and principles from multiple fields, such as biophysics, computational biology, genetics, and structural biology, we develop a next generation of scientists skilled in interdisciplinary research, mentoring, and communication. We believe that innovation thrives within dynamic and diverse research communities and, thus, welcome people whose experience, research, or community engagement has prepared them to enhance this commitment to diversity and excellence.
Today, MCP hosts more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars distributed across 13 faculty labs. Students join MCP labs from several biosciences home programs, including the one sponsored by MCP. Postdoctoral scholars join the department after earning PhDs in a variety of scientific disciplines and from universities across the nation and the world. Seven MCP faculty belong to the National Academy of Science, three hold Nobel Prizes (each one in a different area), four are immigrants, and the current chair holds a Landis Award for Outstanding Mentoring. Former MCP trainees apply their scientific training as leaders of independent research groups in academia and in industry, and as lawyers, entrepreneurs, company founders, technology investors, and policy makers.
Read more about our MCP Community and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Research News & Notable Events
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Christopher Garcia, PhD
The Younger Family Professor and professor of molecular and cellular physiology and of structural biology has been named as one of three recipients of the 2024 Emory Max Cooper Prize in Immunology. The award includes a $100,000 prize to be shared equally among the three winners, along with a commemorative medal. Garcia was recognized for his work investigating the three-dimensional structures of immune receptors on cell surfaces, specifically elucidating the basis of MHC restriction by T cell receptors, a key process in allowing the immune system to attack pathogens, which has led to new therapeutics, including those being tested on patients with cancer.
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New compound supercharges naloxone
In a Stanford Medicine-led study, researchers combed through billions of compounds to find one that could enhance naloxone’s ability to fend off more potent opioids, with promising results in mice.