Discovery amongst a large number of research programs in the Department of Biology focuses on eukaryotic cell division, the developmental and environmental regulation of gene expression in both plants and animals, cell motility, cytoskeletal dynamics, membrane trafficking, intracellular signaling, and enzyme allostery. Developmental Biology is also well represented with state-of-the-art research on pattern formation, cell polarity, embryonic induction and tissue morphogenesis, neurogenesis, and sex determination. Even with this diversity of intriguing biological processes, a common theme among these laboratories is the application of modern molecular genetic, biochemical, and genomic approaches to address questions in cell and developmental biology. Moreover, the substantial overlap the exists among faculty interests and experimental approaches results in extensive interactions within the Department of Biology, with research programs and facilities at the University Medical Center, and with the internationally unique and newly established Institute for Morphogenesis and Regenerative Medicine.