Cells

Understanding the structure and function of cells and their many parts, in health and in disease—that's cell biology. Studies in cell biology focus on questions like:

How do cells move, communicate, divide, and ultimately die?
How are cellular components made and maintained?
What tools do we need to study cells up close and in real time?

Follow the links below to learn more about cell biology, including recent developments, and read profiles of researchers working in this field.

Booklets

Inside the Cell
Explores the interior design of cells and vividly describes the processes that take place within cellular organelles and structures.
The Structures of Life
Reveals how understanding the shape of biological molecules involved in many cellular processes provides insight into health and disease.

Other resources

Fact Sheets

Studying Cells
Trillions of cells make up our bodies, and researchers continue to learn more about their features and functions. Discover some recent advances.
Regeneration
Regeneration is a natural process that allows plants and animals to replace or restore damaged or missing cells, tissues, organs, and even entire body parts to full function. Learn more about regeneration and its potential uses in medicine.

All fact sheets

Biomedical Beat Blog

Have Nucleus, Will Travel (in Three Dimensions)
Scientists have known that most cells can slide across microscope slides with relative ease, but traversing a 3D environment requires an intact nucleus.
Carole LaBonne: Neural Crest Cells and the Rise of the Vertebrates
In a video interview, molecular biologist Carole LaBonne describes how powerful cells called neural crest cells shaped the evolution of vertebrate animals.
What Zombie Ants Are Teaching Us About Fungal Infections
Entomologists David Hughes and Maridel Fredericksen use sophisticated image-processing techniques to learn how a fungus infects ants and controls their behavior.
Feeling Out Bacteria’s Sense of Touch
Scientists have learned how bacteria use their sense of touch to initiate infection and trigger the formation of harmful biofilms.
The Changing Needs of a Cell: No Membrane? No Problem!
While the vast majority of organelles in a cell are insulated by membranes, scientists are finding more and more membrane-less organelles that form as liquid droplets nested inside of each other.
Viruses: Manufacturing Tycoons?
Scientists observed a replicating virus storing copies of its DNA inside a compartment the virus built inside a host bacterium, providing possible evidence for how nucleus-containing eukaryotic cells evolved.

Profiles: Meet a Scientist

The Irresistible Resistome: How Infant Diapers Might Help Combat Antibiotic Resistance (sort of)
Biochemist Gautam Dantas studies what’s deposited on infant diapers for clues about antibiotic resistance.
Get Your Cell Biology Questions Ready For Cell Day
Join NIGMS scientists on November 3 for Cell Day 2016, an opportunity for middle and high school students to ask experts about cell biology, biochemistry, research careers and more.
The Science of Size: Rebecca Heald Explores Size Control in Amphibians
Cell biologist Rebecca Heald studies the factors that determine an animal’s size.