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Welcome from the Chair
"Where cellular and molecular insights transform medicine."
Welcome to the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) at UC San Diego—a place where fundamental discoveries in cell biology are revolutionizing our understanding of disease and creating new pathways to therapy.Since our founding by Nobel Laureate George Palade, Distinguished Professor Marilyn Farquhar, and a visionary group of physician scientists, CMM has been driven by a singular mission: to unravel the mysteries of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human disease and translate these discoveries into therapies that save and improve lives.
Who We Are
We are more than 40 world-renowned faculty members, over 200 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, and dedicated staff united by curiosity and commitment to scientific excellence. Our researchers include ten members of the National Academy of Sciences, six members of the National Academy of Medicine, thirteen members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a fellow of National Academy of Inventors.What We Do
From pioneering stem cell therapies for ALS to mapping the human epigenome, from advancing early detection and prevention of cancer to decoding RNA biology's role in disease—our research spans the most pressing challenges in biomedicine. We are understanding the fundamental mechanisms of aging and multiple diseases, modeling them in a dish using patient-derived cells, and developing AI/ML models to predict diseases, guide prevention strategies, and accelerate cures. We integrate cutting-edge genomics, machine learning, and structural biology to ask bold questions and find innovative answers.Our Impact
Our discoveries don't stay in the laboratory. Our breakthrough research has led to FDA-approved medicines that are improving patients' lives today and contributed to foundational technologies like the lipid nanoparticles used in COVID-19 vaccines. We train the next generation of physician scientists, bring cutting-edge research into medical education, and collaborate with clinical and industry partners to accelerate translation from bench to bedside.Looking Forward
These are extraordinary times for biomedical research. New technologies, computational approaches, and collaborative models are opening unprecedented opportunities for discovery. To meet this moment, we have launched Intelligence Amplified, a department-wide initiative that pairs artificial intelligence with deep biological expertise to shorten the path from mechanism to medicine. It brings our faculty together around three pillars—Cell Biology and Molecular Mechanisms, Precision Medicine, and Disease and Translational Medicine—so that computational and experimental science advance together rather than in parallel. On that foundation we continue to build in genomic medicine, stem cell biology, and RNA technologies, while maintaining our core commitment to rigorous, impactful science.
Whether you're a prospective student, a potential collaborator, or simply curious about how cells work and what happens when they don't, I invite you to explore our website and discover the exciting science happening at CMM.
Together, we are building on a remarkable legacy to create an even brighter future for biomedical discovery.
Tariq M. Rana
Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
University of California, San Diego