The vision of the Life Sciences Division is to advance basic knowledge, and the health of humans and the biosphere, by elucidating the 4-Dimensional dynamics of complex biological systems -- ranging from molecules to microbes to humans.

News Highlight

Karpen Appointed Director

Gary Karpen, a senior scientist at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley Adjunct Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, has been appointed Life Sciences Division Director by Director Alivisatos. Karpen has served 11 months as Acting Division Director, following six years of service as Life Sciences Deputy Division Director. He has served as head of the Genome and Computational Biology Department and is recognized as a leader in the Nuclear Structure and Function Program.

Publication Highlight

For DNA Repair Machine, it’s all About Flexibility
In a discovery that could lead to new ways to fight cancer and other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, a team of scientists has determined that a cell’s speedy ability to repair damaged DNA relies on the remarkable flexibility of a molecular motor.

Research was described in an article selected "Article of the Month" by Nature's NSMB Journal.

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Life Sciences Division Seminar Series

Tuesdays at 4 PM in 977-141.

William Dynan, of the Georgia Health Sciences University, presents on "Understanding and Re-Engineering the DNA Double-Strand Break Nanomachine," Feb. 14. Host: Priscilla Cooper.

Christer Jansson, of the Earth Sciences Division, presents on "Biosynthesis of Alkane Biofuels in Cyanobacteria and Tobacco," Feb. 21. Host: Scott Taylor.

Jason Lieb, of the University of North Carolina, presents on "Chromatin Dynamics in Cell Fate Specification and Maintenance," Feb. 28. Host: Susan Celniker.

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