Ph.D. Program in Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition (MBN)

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Unique in its focus, MBN is one of the few, or perhaps, the only formal graduate program devoted to the study of metabolism and its regulation in higher vertebrates. It provides interdisciplinary training in the theory and techniques of molecular and biochemical metabolic studies of nutrients and phytochemicals in humans, and mammals that serve as models for humans.

The MBN research environment emphasizes metabolic regulation and the influence of dietary components on metabolism and disease risk. Focusing on nutrients, phytochemicals, and dietary toxicants, our faculty and students expertly apply the techniques of biochemistry, molecular biology, analytical biochemistry, cell biology, genomics, and proteomics to metabolic problems.

A major strength of the MBN program is the close interaction between students and faculty from various graduate programs. Many members of the MBN faculty are members of other interdisciplinary graduate groups, including Comparative Biochemistry, Endocrinology, and Microbiology. Several students from these and other interdisciplinary graduate groups are pursuing their research in the labs of MBN faculty. Such multidisciplinary environment of the program encourages MBN students to pursue their unique research interests and work with faculty from a variety of fields.

As basic biosciences turn progressively more towards molecular and genetic studies, there is growing need to train scientists who wed the techniques of genetics and molecular biology with the interrelated biochemistry of nutrients, phytochemicals, diet-borne toxicants, and metabolism. This fusion will produce scientists capable of generating sophisticated insight into mechanisms of disease and disease risk related to diet and metabolism. Our graduates find employment with universities or research institutes, with national and international biology programs, with state extension services, or as private consultants.

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