Welcome to the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB) website at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. As you move through our website, you will note the breadth of research and teaching activities in which we are involved. CDB is home to twenty-three primary faculty members and eighteen adjunct faculty who are investigating fundamental cell and developmental biology questions with a wide array of experimental techniques. Research areas include cell biology, developmental biology, stem cell biology, neurobiology, molecular biology, molecular and anatomical structure and research related to human disease.
Additionally, CDB faculty are involved in a wide variety of graduate school and professional school education. CDB is the home of the Modern Human Anatomy Master’s degree program, located in the historic Fitzsimons building. We have some of the most outstanding anatomy educators in the country, along with state of the art virtual anatomy.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center is a continually expanding campus located on the grounds of the former Fitzsimons Army base, east of Denver. CDB is located on the 11th and 12th floors of one of three new research buildings, from which we have a breathtaking view of the Rockies. The potential for growth here with this group of faculty is a source of great pride. We have built exciting new research and teaching programs, and we continue to recruit new faculty members as we strive to enhance our research and teaching programs.
Please feel free to contact me or any of the CDB Faculty regarding questions on any aspect of our research or teaching efforts.
Sincerely,
Wendy B. Macklin
Ph.D., Chair | Cell & Developmental Biology
The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology is one of seven basic science departments in the School of Medicine on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The primary missions of the department are:
We train graduate Ph.D. students from several graduate programs on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and postdoctoral fellows in many research areas. We are actively engaged in programs promoting diversity in both the University and in the community.
The outstanding faculty of CDB is committed to research, discovery and teaching. Departmental faculty and research groups integrate with strong interdisciplinary programs in developmental neurobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate systems, stem/progenitor cell regulation during development, neurophysiology, taste and smell development, Golgi and plasma membrane protein trafficking, protein glycosylation, fungal wall assembly and development of virtual anatomy programs. Many labs have one or more translational research projects, focused on moving basic science questions closer to clinical practice. Our faculty members serve on numerous national and international grant reviewing committees, editorial boards and professional societies
Our various research projects involve laboratory training that gives young scientists an opportunity to learn and apply a broad range of technical and analytical skills as they develop towards scientific independence. The faculty and students in the CDB laboratories utilize a broad range of experimental systems including mammalian cell and tissue culture, as well as intact organisms including mice, rats, zebrafish, flies, worms and fungi, with the goal of applying fundamental discoveries from these systems to complex problems of human disease.
The University benefits from an ideal geographical setting. The adjacent Rocky Mountains offer a spectacular array of outdoor recreational opportunities, including road-cycling, mountain biking, camping, technical climbing, water sports, and more scenic outdoor activities awaiting to be explored! World-renowned downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding are a must, and are located anywhere from 1-2 hours outside of the Denver metro area.
All of these activities are enhanced by the generally good mountain weather. Due to protection afforded by the mountains, the climate is relatively mild and dry. The Denver metro area boasts an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year. The winter is mild with average daytime highs of 45 - 50 degrees, and the summers are warm and dry with average daytime highs of 85. Summer nights may cool to 55, which makes for great sleeping weather.
The city offers all of the advantages of a major metropolitan center including resident theater groups, a symphony orchestra, outdoor amphitheater, and a variety of other cultural activities, excellent varied restaurants, and major league sports. Many nationally prominent music festivals are held in Denver and at mountain resorts during the summer, while free concerts enliven local Denver Parks.