Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics
Welcome to the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics. We use multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human diseases in order to develop novel targeted therapies. As a basic science department within the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, we are strongly committed to teaching and training medical, dental, master’s, and doctoral students in all aspects of cellular and molecular pharmacology, physiology, biophysics, and structural biology.
Research
Our research enterprise encompasses many facets of molecular and cell biology, structural biology, molecular biophysics, cellular physiology, genetics, genomics, and pharmacology, including molecular modeling to complement drug design and discovery. Our multidisciplinary teams of faculty, trainees, and staff are dedicated to the understanding of the pathophysiology of human diseases and to the development of therapeutic treatments. Our research groups focus on both basic and translational research in cancer, neuropharmacology, neurodegeneration, developmental and metabolic disorders, chronic pain, structural biology, sensory physiology, visual transduction, spinal cord injury, and cardiovascular disease. Our faculty are well integrated within standing research centers at the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, including the Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the Whittaker Cardiovascular Center, and the Cancer Center. Our faculty have long-standing interactions with members of the College of Arts & Sciences as well as the College of Engineering. We also collaborate with multiple prominent research groups worldwide.
To achieve our goal of improving the fundamental scientific basis that supports translational research, the department has extensive facilities and instrumentation necessary to perform cutting-edge research in molecular pharmacology, cellular physiology, and biophysics. Notably, the department is expanding its Electron Microscope Core Facilities to include cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopes in order to participate in the resolution revolution and to further enhance our drug design capabilities. Other core equipment available includes NMR, spectroscopy, and calorimetry instrumentation. The department also maintains extensive animal core facilities as well as tissue culture and molecular biology laboratories. Please visit our research facilities website for more details.
Education
While we are a research-oriented department, we are deeply committed to education and the preclinical training of MD, MD/PhD, and DMD students on the Boston University Medical Campus. We are additionally heavily engaged in graduate education. We participate in several PhD programs offered by the Graduate Medical Sciences and the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, including the graduate programs in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience, Biomolecular Pharmacology, and Anatomy & Neurobiology. The department also participates in the training of students in specialized master’s programs, including the master’s in Medical Sciences and master’s in Oral Health Sciences.
The department currently offers three separate PhD degree programs, in Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Physiology, and Biophysics. Each program is administered separately, with distinct curricula, laboratory rotations, and PhD candidacy (qualifying) examinations. Each program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in academic and industry-related research positions and careers. As PhD candidates, students participate in interdisciplinary training programs that include approximately 65 faculty throughout basic and clinical science departments at Boston University.
The PhD program in Biomolecular Pharmacology specifically focuses on elucidating mechanisms of disease initiation and progression, and on developing new therapeutic approaches. Approximately 36 students are enrolled in this program and are at various stages in their PhD program. Student career development is fostered by internships with partnering pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Biogen.
Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics Research Environment and Mission
Our mission is to provide a creative, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for all members of our academic community. We partner with local communities to provide attractive opportunities for training and employment. By working together with the scientific community, our goal is to remove all barriers that hinder progress.
Our hiring practices and performance review procedures are adapted to attract and retain faculty from diverse backgrounds.
We strictly comply with University policy to maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of harassment or racist behavior. All faculty, trainees, and staff are trained to recognize, combat, and report racism and harassment.
For contact information, please visit the Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics website.
