The mission of the Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology is to explore the events governing the organization, structure and function of cells, tissues, and organisms, with a focus on the development, regeneration, and patterning of organs. Furthermore our mission is to instruct medical and graduate students in the diverse aspects of biological sciences, with focus in cell and developmental biology and stem cell biology. The study of biological mechanisms through a broad and multi-tiered approach reveals the unifying principles of biological development, structure and function with exquisite clarity and reveals important links to medical disorders and therapeutic potential. The students and postdocs are trained in these principles through their participation in a series of seminar series, rigorous lab work, and multidisciplinary approaches to interesting questions in modern biomedical research. Our faculty members are fully committed to providing a highly interactive, cutting-edge environment for postdoctoral fellows, MSTP and PhD student training that develops creative and independent scientists. Many faculty in the department are also closely associated with the Black Family Stem Cell Institute (BFSCI), the Center for Molecular Cardiology, and several Cancer Biology initiatives at the Medical School. Collaboration between laboratories using different model organisms and systems is very common and postdoctoral fellows and graduate students are an integral part of this process. The department fosters collaborations with faculty in other basic science departments as well as with clinical scientists through joint seminars and interdisciplinary programs and training grants.

The Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology occupies the 25th floor and parts of the 18th floor of the Annenberg Building. Our primary faculty consists of 14 academic faculty, two Research Core Directors and five research support faculty. Our secondary faculty consists of 12 affiliates who have their primary appointments with other departments.