Biological Sciences

L&S Leads Berkeley Distinguished Teaching Awards

April 27, 2022

L&S Recipients of Distinguished Teaching Awards 2022The College of Letters & Science is well represented on the 2022 UC Berkeley Distinguished Teaching Award list. L&S faculty earned four of this year’s five selections for the campus’s most prestigious honor for...

Nobelists show their hands in photo exhibit by noted German photographer

September 15, 2023
Robert Sanders

Three scientists holding up their hands, which have written words on the palmsUC Berkeley CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna is one of 60 Nobel Prize winners captured by renowned German photographer Herlinde Koelbl in striking black and white portraits that spotlight on the palms of the scientists' hands their discoveries and insights.

Forty of these unique portraits will be on display in the second-floor...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/09/15/nobelists-show-their-hands-in-photo-exhibit…

Faculty Spotlight | Gary Firestone

September 13, 2023

Headshot of Gary FirestoneGary Firestone, a professor of the Graduate School Division of Cell Biology, celebrated his retirement in July 2023. Dr. Firestone originally joined the Department of Physiology & Anatomy at UC Berkeley in 1983, later becoming a member of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) when the department was established in 1989. Dr. Firestone has made significant contributions to UC Berkeley...

http://mcb.berkeley.edu/news-and-events/department-news/faculty-spotlight-gary-f…

Photo Exhibit: The Fascination of Science opens on September 15

September 8, 2023

Three scientists holding up their hands, which have written words on the palms

The Henry Wheeler Center for Emerging and Neglected Diseases (CEND) is co-hosting a dynamic art show featuring captivating portraits of 60 groundbreaking Nobel Prize winners and scientists, including UC Berkeley's Jennifer Doudna:

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Three years in, ‘uniquely Berkeley’ psychedelic research center looks to the future

August 29, 2023
Jason Pohl

Launch a free online class about the science and history of hallucinogenics? Check.

Draw thousands of readers to The Microdose newsletter for the latest on psychedelics research, policy and culture? Check.

Train people as psychedelic facilitators, orchestrate a nationwide survey on public...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/08/29/three-years-in-uniquely-berkeley-psychedeli…

3 world leaders of biological sciences celebrating inclusive environments whilst tackling real-world problems

September 5, 2023
Study International

The biological sciences, encompassing fields from genetics and ecology to microbiology and bioinformatics, have long been the frontier of understanding life’s intricacies. What is now emerging as an equally crucial aspect is the emphasis on inclusivity within these scientific pursuits. By fostering diverse voices, perspectives, and talents, the biological sciences are not only enriching its intellectual landscape but also embracing the concept that innovation thrives in environments where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

There is certainly a demand for more individuals in the...

https://www.studyinternational.com/news/3-world-leaders-of-biological-sciences-c…

Daniela Kaufer is searching for ways to make human brains more resilient

August 31, 2023
by Alexander Rony
In 2021, Professor Daniela Kaufer co-authored an article on the importance of the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that prevents blood from harming sensitive brain functions. She recently updated her article for a special edition of Scientific American that features the publication’s most influential articles on brain research. Read her interview on what has changed in the past few years and where the research is going.

Chemist Susan Marqusee takes leading role at National Science Foundation

May 17, 2023
Robert Sanders

Susan Marqusee, a biophysical chemist who headed the UC Berkeley arm of the California Institute of Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) for 10 years, until 2020, has been chosen to lead the Directorate for Biological Sciences of the National Science Foundation (NSF) — the major funder of basic life sciences research in the United States.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the ‘BIO’ directorate and be a part of the NSF legacy that has promoted the progress of science for over 70 years...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/05/16/chemist-susan-marqusee-takes-leading-role-a…

CRISPR, 10 Years On: Learning to Rewrite the Code of Life

June 27, 2022
Carl Zimmer

Ten years ago this week, Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues published the results of a test-tube experiment on bacterial genes. When the study came out in the journal Science on June 28, 2012, it did not make headline news. In fact, over the next few weeks, it did not make any news at all.

Looking back, Dr. Doudna wondered if the oversight had something to do with the wonky title she and her colleagues had chosen for the study: “A Programmable Dual RNA-Guided DNA Endonuclease in Adaptive Bacterial Immunity.”

“I suppose if I were writing the paper today, I would have chosen a...

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/27/science/crispr-gene-editing-10-years.html?smi…

Three new investigators, professors of molecular and cell biology, named by Howard Hughes Medical Institute

September 23, 2021
Robert Sanders

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the nation’s largest biomedical research foundation, announced today the appointment of 33 American scientists as investigators, and three of them are from the University of California, Berkeley.

The honor is a big deal for research scientists. Each new investigator receives roughly $9 million over a seven-year period; the amount is renewable pending a successful scientific review of the researcher’s work. The investigators maintain their faculty positions at their home universities or research institutions, but their salaries are paid by...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2021/09/23/three-new-investigators-named-by-howard-hug…