Skip to content
JOIN US
The University of California, Merced is recruiting new graduate students, postdocs, and staff scientists.
Andy LiWang lab research in Protein Metamorphosis and Responsive Nanodevices
Protein Metamorphosis and Responsive Nanodevices
Thrust 1 research focuses on the emerging theme of protein metamorphosis as mechanism to enable natural and synthetic controllable biological nanodevices, organized in two broad areas: the functional...
Adaptive and Responsive Mesoscale Assemblies
Adaptive and Responsive Mesoscale Assemblies
The focus of the research is to understand the mechanisms that enable assemblies to function collectively in adaptive and responsive ways as well as exploiting them for applications. 
Adaptive Cellular Communication
We will examine the impact of cell-cell and cell-matrix mechanical interactions on collective cell motility, patterning and the emergence of function, combining experimental and modeling approaches.
Science & Technology Enrichment Program
The CCBM has created an infrastructure that enables engaging research and learning opportunities for K-12 students.

CCBM Highlights

Follow CCBM on Social Media

The NSF CREST Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines was established with a $5 million Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) grant in 2016 from the National Science Foundation. The CCBM brings together more than 30 faculty members from multiple units across campus, including bioengineering, physics, chemistry and chemical biology, biomaterials science and engineering, cell and molecular biology, and applied mathematics. The center received an additional $5 million in 2021 for another 5 years of funding. Researchers are studying how biological matter like proteins or cells come together to perform specific tasks, in hopes of eventually being able to engineer and develop innovations ranging from designer cells and tissue to novel diagnostic and therapeutic devices. The CCBM also hosts an integrated, interdisciplinary training program for graduate students that emphasizes physical and biological components, research and training experiences for undergraduate and high school students to enhance the recruitment of underrepresented groups into STEM research, and outreach experiences for the local community and beyond.

Subscribe to Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines RSS

Research

physics, bioengineering, biomaterials science and engineering, quantitative biology, applied mathematics, and chemistry and chemical biology forming a diverse, interdisciplinary research community with a common vision

Education

nurturing teamwork, creativity, versatility and entrepreneurship for undergraduate and graduate students with a special emphasis on technical training 

Outreach

engaging K-12 programs focused on increasing the number and diversity of talented students in STEM fields & other community-focused efforts

Featured News

From left, Professor Fred Wolf, Sammy Villa and Vishva Dixit in the lab.
September 3, 2024

Researchers at UC Merced used fruit flies to uncover a cellular process common to many organisms that could dramatically impact the understanding of cancer and aging. Department of Molecular and Cell...

Xuecai Ge, center, and her students
April 25, 2024

In Professor Xuecai Ge ’s lab, where UC Merced researchers study how cells talk to each other to develop and differentiate, a recent surprise discovery is lending insight as to how erroneous cell...

Professor Ajay Gopinathan and CCBM Executive Director Carrie Kouadio
April 23, 2024

The National Science Foundation awarded a team, led by principal investigators Professor Ajay Gopinathan and Carrie Kouadio, funding to establish a summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (...

Mother and daughter conduct a science experiment.
March 8, 2024

Merced area fourth- and fifth-grade girls and their mothers recently participated in hands-on scientific projects in a UC Merced classroom laboratory that was transformed for one day into an exciting...

Events and Happenings

Sep
15
Thrust 1, 2, and 3 Meetings - to be announced soon More details - https://ccbm.ucmerced.edu/research Thrust 1: Protein Metamorphosis and...
Sep
09
2024 CCBM EAB Meeting set for Sept. 9, 2024 at the UC Merced Conference Center.
Aug
15
Due Sept. 17, 2024 Apply - https://ccbm.ucmerced.edu/education/undergraduate-reu/crest-fellows
Jul
31
Accepting applications beginning in Jan. 2025 APPLY - https://ccbm.ucmerced.edu/education/undergraduate/CSIP / https://i-best.ucmerced.edu

p>