The Molecular and Cellular Biophysics & Biochemistry Program is one of seven academic programs offered by the Roswell Park Division of the University at Buffalo (SUNY) Graduate School.  Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s 21 leading cancer centers.

Graduate students in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics & Biochemistry represent a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, including biological sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, mathematics and engineering. Graduate training is oriented toward enhancing students’ future employment prospects.  The ability to earn a graduate degree at a major cancer hospital/institution offers unique training opportunities in basic and clinical research. This interdisciplinary program strives to provide a unique educational and research environment by bringing together a diverse group of experts with a strong record of technological innovation and a common goal of eradicating cancer. The program thrives on synergy between biophysicists, chemists, engineers, molecular biologists and physicians, and encourages collaboration between academic, clinical and industrial scientists.

The Molecular and Cellular Biophysics & Biochemistry Department has approximately 18-25 full-time PhD candidates.  The typical time to complete a PhD degree is between four and five years.  The total graduate student (MA, MS and PhD) population on the RPCI campus is about 250. Typical graduates pursue their careers in academic, research, industrial, and clinical environments.

Research areas include:

• Biochemical and genetic investigation of stress-response pathways in cancer cells.
• Molecular biology and immunology of cellular stress proteins.
• Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
• DNA damage and repair.
• Molecular mechanisms of longevity and ageing.
• Membrane biophysics.
• Discovery of anti-cancer drugs.
• Drug delivery and pharmacodynamics.
• Metabonomics/metabolomics and proteomics.
• In vivo and in vitro imaging technologies.
• Photodynamic therapy and photobiology.
• Radiation biology and medical physics.

More information about our research can be found in our MCBB Program Brochure and or review our individual faculty pages.