A New Paradigm: Quantitative Cell Biology
The Science and Technology Center for Quantitative Cell Biology is working to develop 4D (space plus time) whole-cell models and experiments to transform our understanding of how cells function, forging a new scientific understanding of the cell that will have implications for human health, photosynthesis, evolution, and beyond. This will lead to a new research discipline–quantitative cell biology–that will transform our ability to understand and predict life processes while making quantitative cell biology tools and models widely accessible.
Using cutting-edge imaging and simulation tools as well as experimental methods, the center is advancing the study of healthy and diseased cells, as well as accelerating research into metabolism, cell division, and gene expression. We’re also sharing science with communities of all ages through a partnership with the popular computer game Minecraft.
Register now for Illinois Biophysics Symposium November 18
Biophysics combines biology with physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to explore how living systems work. Biophysicists study everything from molecules and cells to the brain and immune system, using experiments, data, and technology to better understand life and solve biological problems.
Join us November 18 for the 6th Illinois Biophysics Symposium to learn more about biophysics research at Illinois and where this field can take your career. Speakers, poster session, fun activities, lunch from 10 am – 4:15 pm at the Beckman Institute.
View the schedule and register to attend and/or present HERE.
Congratulations, 2026 Postdocs!
QCB is proud to announce their 2026 Postdoctoral Fellows. Armine Dingilian, Mehrdad Mohammadi, and Zane Thornburg were selected for their scholarly research and capabilities to enhance and expand the research that is the Center’s mission: developing 4D (space plus time) whole-cell models and experiments to transform our understanding of how cells function.
Scientific Breakthrough!
Our scientists have created the most detailed computer simulation yet of a living cell’s life cycle — opening a new window into the fundamental processes that make life possible.
Read more.
Video at right: This video shows the entirety of a simulated cell’s life cycle from birth to division into two new daughter cells. This process takes roughly 2 hours for the real cells, but took us roughly 4-6 days to simulate on the computer. As the cell membrane (green cubes) grows and divides, molecules like ribosomes (yellow/purple) have to stay inside the cell and molecules like the sugar transporters (grey) need to stay in the cell membrane. The cell’s singular chromosome (blue) expands to occupy most of the cell in this minimal bacteria and replicates once per life cycle to form a new copy of the DNA (red) for the daughter cell.