Celebrating150 Years
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Our Present & Global Impact
Discover our latest news and breakthroughs—from high-impact publications to student achievements and international recognition.
Cracking Life’s Molecular Code
The Structural and Computational Biology and Biophysics Research Area is driving discovery at the molecular level, where the architecture of life is revealed atom by atom. From decoding the 3D structure of cancer-related proteins and viral enzymes to simulating complex molecular dynamics and gene regulation, faculty in this area blend powerful experimental tools—like X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and NMR—with cutting-edge computational techniques, including bioinformatics, machine learning, and systems biology. Their work sheds light on everything from how viruses like West Nile and Dengue operate, to how plant cells resist stress and how cells move, signal, and adapt.
Purdue researchers advance RNA medical discovery decades ahead of schedule
Ribonucleic acid, commonly known as RNA, is involved in many biological functions, and some, including gene silencing, are utilitized to cure diseases. RNA has recently gained attention as a promising drug target. Researchers have developed a computational model that could expedite medical discovery decades ahead of schedule.
Cellular and Molecular Biology
The Cell and Molecular Research Area brings together faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students with interests in revealing the molecular bases of both normal and abnormal cell and tissue biology. We have focus areas in cancer, cell biology and cellular dynamics, plant biology and bioenergetics. Faculty members within the department contribute significantly to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR), an NCI-designated basic science cancer center.
One Health: Control of protein folding strikes at the root of disease
The shared culprit in a slew of diseases — cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes — is molecules our cells have made incorrectly. Think of them as proteins gone wrong. Whether the cause is genetic or environmental, these proteins are improperly folded, fail to do their job and can accumulate in the body with devastating results.
Fighting Infection at the Molecular Frontlines
The Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease (MIID) Research Area is at the forefront of uncovering how microbes cause disease and how hosts fight back. From Salmonella and Legionella to herpesviruses and flaviviruses, MIID researchers explore the intricate dance between pathogens and their hosts—decoding microbial signaling, immune defense strategies, and the mechanisms of infection. Bridging disciplines and departments, the group leverages powerful partnerships with PI4D, the Bindley Bioscience Center, and the Genomics Core to drive innovation in health research. With impact spanning human, animal, and plant systems, MIID is fueling breakthroughs in infectious disease science and preparing the next generation of scientists to meet global health challenges head-on.
His study, published in Frontiers in Immunology, focuses on the TOX transcription factor's involvement in modulating immune cell exhaustion within tumors.
Neuroscience Advances
Purdue University's Department of Biological Sciences is at the forefront of neuroscience research, driving innovations that deepen our understanding of the nervous system and inform medical advancements. The department's Neuroscience and Physiology Research Area unites laboratories employing cutting-edge technologies to study the development, structure, function, and regeneration of the nervous system. Researchers utilize molecular and cellular biology, advanced microscopy, electrophysiology, and behavioral analysis across model systems and pursue genomic approaches to understand the basis of neurological disease in human populations.
How Neurons Navigate Their Environment: Insights That Could Transform Medicine
How do neurons, the building blocks of our nervous system, know where to go during growth and repair? Understanding this process is key to developing treatments for nerve injuries and neurological diseases. Research from Professor Daniel Suter sheds light on this question, offering hope for advancements in regenerative medicine and more.
Advancing research for a sustainable world
Purdue’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) Research Area is a thriving, interdisciplinary community tackling some of the most urgent challenges facing our planet—from biodiversity loss and climate change to emerging infectious diseases. Faculty and students work across scales and systems, using laboratory, field, and computational approaches to investigate animal behavior, sensory ecology, evolutionary genomics, and the ecological consequences of human impact. Signature strengths include research on host-parasite dynamics, invasive species, disease ecology, and the evolutionary processes that shape adaptation and resilience. The Ross Biological Reserve, just minutes from campus, serves as a living laboratory for both teaching and research.
Purdue Researchers Create Database to Predict Parasitic Mite Host Jumps
Researchers in the College of Science at Purdue University have taken a significant step forward by developing a predictive database to assess the likelihood of single-host mites becoming multi-host parasites, with important implications for public health and biodiversity.
Transforming Biology Education for Tomorrow’s Scientists
The Biology Education Research Area is leading the charge to reimagine how biology is taught and learned—at Purdue and beyond. Uniting educators, researchers, and innovators across disciplines, this group is dedicated to enhancing student success through evidence-based teaching practices, Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), and faculty development. Whether through pioneering classroom strategies, partnering with high school educators, or supporting graduate and undergraduate retention, Biology Education faculty and affiliates are reshaping the learning experience to better prepare students for the complexities of modern science.
Rethinking grades: How alternative grading strategies are changing the biology classroom
For some students, grades can feel like the most important part of their education. Exams, assignments, and letter grades often determine future opportunities—but do traditional grading methods actually support learning?
Signature Programs & Research Consortia
- Biophysics Training Program – Preparing the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists.
- Ross Biological Reserve – A living laboratory for ecological research and education.
- ENIGMA-TS International Consortium – Uniting neuroscience and genetics researchers across nine countries to study brain structure and function in neurodevelopmental disorders.