The Department of Physiology and Biophysics has a long history of applying quantitative approaches to key problems in biomedical research. Our faculty use cutting-edge multidisciplinary approaches and incorporate their strengths in molecular, cellular and systems biology, electrophysiology, electrical engineering and advanced light microscopy to carry out internationally recognized research. Whereas the specific research interests of the faculty are diverse, we have in common the goal of using innovative and rigorous methods to address fundamental questions. These core bonds have led to a collaborative and supportive environment, ideal for training of graduate students & post-doctoral fellows and fostering interactions with basic and clinical researchers in other departments.
On-going areas of research span the range of molecular and cellular studies of neuronal and muscle cell function and development to systems level analyses of information processing in the brain. The individual Faculty web pages provide more and specific details of our exciting research program.
![]() | Save the date! Adrienne Fairhall, PhD, of the University of Washington, will give the 23rd annual A.R. Martin Lecture on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. |
![]() | Our department has a new chair! Dr. David DiGregorio comes to us from the Institute Pasteur in Paris. (Learn more.) |
![]() | Anthony Peng identified a new mechanism responsible for controlling auditory sensitivity. (Learn more.) |
![]() | John Bankston was awarded an NIH R35 Grant — “Dynamics of Acid-sensing ion channels.” |
![]() | Achim Klug was awarded the NIH NIDCD R01DC018401 — “Fast Inhibition in the Sound Localization Pathway.” |
![]() | Abby Person was awarded a Simons Foundation award — “Simons-Emory International Consortium on Motor Control.” |
![]() | Alon Poleg-Polsky was awarded the NIH NEI R01EY030841 — “Mechanisms of direction selectivity in starburst amacrine cells.” |
![]() | Cristin Welle was awarded the NIH NINDS R01 NS115975 — “The role of myelination in cortical circuit function and motor behavior” (multi-PI: Welle and Hughes). |