Modern Cell Biology
is an integrated research discipline that seeks to understand how cell structure and function emerges from complex macromolecular interactions. The mission of the Department of Cell Biology faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is to advance this fundamental research area and at the same time provide the critical basic science teaching so essential to the development of outstanding physicians. The Department is a growing, vital component of a world-renowned Medical Center that offers extensive opportunities for collaboration in the application of cell biology principles to the treatment of human disease. Our internationally recognized faculty does cutting-edge research in such areas as membrane traffic, cilia function, nuclear import, telomere biology, microtubule structure, gap junction function, apoptosis, cell-matrix interactions, and cellular signaling networks. In addition to their research, the faculty is dedicated to educating and training the next generation of cell biologists as well as providing basic medical education in the anatomical sciences. ---Richard G.W. Anderson, Chairman