Molecular & Biomedical Sciences

Molecular solutions to global biomedical problems

The Department of Molecular & Biomedical Sciences (MBMS) at the University of Maine provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in BiochemistryMicrobiology, and Molecular and Biomedical Science. Each field offers excellent opportunities for exciting careers.

A highlight of our undergraduate programs are the hands-on research experiences. In their first year of college, students get to dig right into research opportunities by participating in the Phage Genome Discovery course. In this course, they isolate a novel virus (bacteriophage) from the soil and characterize it using a series of laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. This course is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and is part of the nationwide program called the Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES). The course is extremely popular with our undergraduates! Our undergraduates also participate in Capstone or Honors Thesis research projects that are mentored by our faculty. 

The Molecular and Biomedical Sciences faculty are very active in research fields ranging from cell signaling to aging to infectious diseases. You can find brief descriptions of their research programs by going to this Faculty page.  Click here to see UMaine Today articles on MBMS faculty and their research.

In addition to our M.S. and Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and Microbiology, the Department participates in a state-wide Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBSE) Ph.D. program to offer graduate students expanded research and educational opportunities.

Are you interested in joining Molecular and Biomedical Sciences?

Are you a student interested in learning more about our program? We would love to meet you! Here are some options to learn more:

  • If you would like to visit our department, please sign up for a UMaine MBMS Bear Cub Experience for spring 2024. We would love to host you!
  • Join a Zoom meeting with our Department Chair, Dr. Neely, and our Program Coordinator, Dr. Bernard. Schedule coming soon!

If you are a high school teacher, advisor, or guidance counselor, and would like to arrange a visit to your school, please contact Dr. Bernard (edward.bernard@maine.edu) or Dr. Neely (melody.neely@maine.edu).