Cell and Molecular Biology, PhD: Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology

Cell and Molecular Biology

The Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group (CAMB) is an interdisciplinary graduate program, providing rigorous training in modern cell and molecular biology. Within this integrated program are six discipline areas: Cancer Biology (CB); Cell Biology, Physiology, and Metabolism (CPM); Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology (DSRB); Genetics and Epigenetics (G&E); Gene Therapy and Vaccines (GTV); and Microbiology, Virology, and Parasitology (MVP). Program faculty include 476 scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine, the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Wistar Institute. The research efforts of these extraordinary scientists are diverse in their focus, experimental system, methodology, and represent the leading edge of basic and translational biomedical science.

Currently, 440 graduate students from colleges and universities around the nation and the world are enrolled in the program. Students select one discipline area based on their scientific interests yet have access to the full breadth of curricular and research opportunities provided by our large and diverse program. Our students participate in core courses in cell and molecular biology, specialized coursework in one or more discipline areas, and original hypothesis-driven thesis research. Upon completion of the PhD, they pursue successful research careers at top academic institutions, in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, and in other biomedicine-related career paths.

Our mission is to provide an exceptional mentored training experience to every student, providing a foundation for successful careers as leaders in biomedical research. We welcome prospective students who are dedicated to the search for new knowledge.

For more information: http://www.med.upenn.edu/camb/

Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology

Students in the Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology Program address central questions in developmental biology, stem cell/niche interactions, and organ regeneration/repair. Students engage in interdisciplinary training in a wide array of topics, including embryonic and fetal development; nervous system development and its wiring; the formation of organ systems as well as their homeostasis, metabolism, disease, and repair.  The unifying goals are to discover and understand the mechanisms that control these processes and to translate this knowledge toward the development of new therapies. Students gain exposure to many model systems, including pluripotent stem cells and organoid cultures to investigate disease processes in vitro and to develop cell replacement strategies for therapy. In conducting their research, students acquire training in a wide variety of state-of-the-art techniques, including modern genomic analyses, genetic engineering, and advanced microscopy.

For more information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/camb/dsrb.html

Required Courses 

University PhD Benchmarks

In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:

For more information view the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.

¹

Or other statistics course with approval of the Graduate Group.

²

CAMB 6050 must be taken by PhD only students; CAMB 5420 is only taken by Combined Degree students.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study