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Research

MCDB embraces expanding investigative and collaborative research as one of our primary goals. We strive to develop new knowledge through basic research about how living organisms function and focus on the molecular and cellular levels of all branches of life—bacteria, plants, and animals. Areas of particular research strength are animal physiology and neurobiology, biochemistry, cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, and plant molecular biology. MCDB currently has over $8 million in research awards from various agencies, with the majority of support coming from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

In FY 2007 (July 1, 2006–June 30, 2007), research expenditures at the University of Michigan totaled $823 million. Of that figure, $72 million is attributed to the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) with the department accounting for $5 million of the College's expenditures. Research is an important component of the department's activities.