Research Resources & Centers

What makes Dartmouth Unique

Dartmouth has many resources and centers that foster collaborative, interdisciplinary research in different areas of biomedical science. These centers support activities and provide resources that further MCB program goals. Though in the same R1 research class as large research universities, Dartmouth is smaller, allowing access to faculty and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through retreats, symposia, meetings, and shared grants, researchers with diverse expertise come together around common problems or questions. These communities of researchers create links across disciplines and form networks that traverse Dartmouth departments. 

Research Resources

Dartmouth MCB faculty and students enjoy access to a world-class, interdisciplinary research infrastructure. Because technology is rapidly evolving, Dartmouth is constantly acquiring and implementing new techniques, instruments, and approaches. A wide range of equipment is available in core facilities for a variety of cutting-edge technologies. Beyond this sampling, MCB researchers have access to many additional core facilities and other shared resources for live-cell imaging and nanoparticle development as well as bioinformatics analysis of deep sequencing, proteomics, and more.

In addition to core facilities, the collaborative nature of the MCB program is illustrated by the extensive sharing of technologies and equipment between individual labs. This facilitates the implementation of the newest, cutting-edge techniques throughout MCB labs.

Research Centers

Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Research Center

Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Research Center (DartCF) is one of seven national CF research and translation centers funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). DartCF, directed by Dean Madden, was launched in 2018. It provides core research facilities, access to clinical samples, biostatistical support, and pilot project funding for groups working on the GI and systemic aspects of CF disease. DartCF works closely with the CF Foundation Research Development Program headed by Bruce Stanton, with the CF and M2P2 training grants headed by George O'Toole and Deb Hogan, and with Dartmouth's CF Cluster faculty, Jim Bliska and Ben Ross. These colleagues also lead key components of DartCF, together with Ali Ashare, Tim Gardner, and Todd MacKenzie. More than 30 faculty members participate campus wide.

Institute for Biomolecular Targeting

The Institute for Biomolecular Target (bioMT) is an NIH-funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence that supports research projects, pilot projects, and core facilities in biochemistry and cell biology across Geisel, Thayer, and Arts & Sciences departments. Our goal is to couple fundamental and translational approaches, creating an interdisciplinary center that supports research at the frontiers of health and disease.

Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC)

The Dartmouth Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center that fosters collaborative, interdisciplinary research into the biology, causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Throughout its history, Dartmouth Cancer Center scientists have made significant contributions to knowledge in these areas. The scientific investigations are organized into six Research Programs: Cancer Control, Cancer Epidemiology, Cancer Imaging and Radiobiology, Cancer Mechanisms, Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy, and Molecular Therapeutics.

Research Programs

Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program

The Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program uses an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the ways in which arsenic and mercury in the environment affect ecosystems and human health. Results are communicated to communities, grass-roots organizations, and state and federal agencies, and students are trained to conduct research from both a clinical and community-based perspective.

Immunology Program

The Immunology Program is a community of research groups focused in areas of immunity including viral immunity and pathogenesis, tumor immunology, innate immunity in infections and cancer, and autoimmunity. This is an interdepartmental program that trains both graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in cellular and molecular immunology.

Microbiology and Molecular Pathogenesis Program (M2P2)

Microbes have an enormous impact on human well-being as: (1) agents of infectious diseases of animals and plants, (2) commensal organisms of animal microbiomes that influence numerous and emerging aspects of human and plant health including many chronic diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease among others, and (3) critical members of ecological communities that impact ecosystem function and health. M2P2 is a community of scientists with diverse research expertise that study multiple aspects of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasite biology in order to understand how these organisms impact host well-being during commensal and pathogenic interactions. Through journal clubs, a seminar series, an annual retreat, and multiple interdisciplinary collaborative research efforts, the M2P2 program provides a synergistic environment that is training the next generation of scientists to leverage the biology of microbes to devise new ways to treat and prevent infectious and chronic diseases. Our emphasis on understanding basic mechanisms of microbial biology is expected to form foundations for therapeutic advances in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple human diseases associated with these fascinating and important organisms.

Related Dartmouth PhD Programs

These Ph.D. programs share multiple faculty with the MCB Graduate Program:

Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth (IND)

The IND graduate program provides rigorous neuroscience training in labs with research specialities ranging from molecular and cellular biology to circuits, behavior, and clinical neuroscience.

Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS)

The QBS graduate program was established in July of 2010 to develop, advance and support interdisciplinary education, research and infrastructure in the quantitative biomedical sciences. Areas of focus include bioinformatics, biostatistics and molecular epidemiology.

Chemistry

The chemistry graduate program spans research areas in biological/biophysical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry and experimental and theoretical physical chemistry.

Dartmouth Engineering Ph.D. Degree Program

Dartmouth engineering Ph.D. students acquire technical depth in their chosen focus area (ranging from biological/chemical and immunoengineering to sustainable design and microfabrication) while also gaining breadth of knowledge in related fields. Graduates are skilled not only in engineering, but also in problem-solving, communication, risk-taking, leadership, and innovation that generates human-centered impact.