The Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology (CMCP) at the University of Virginia investigates the physical and chemical principles that govern cellular life. From membranes and proteins to dynamic molecular assemblies, we seek to understand how structure, mechanics, and interactions determine cellular function in health and disease.
Our guiding principle is simple but powerful:
To advance medicine, we must first understand the physical rules that govern living systems.
CMCP is a technology-driven scientific hub integrating high-resolution imaging, quantitative biophysics, structural biology, computational modeling, and advanced biochemical probes. By interrogating biological processes across spatial and temporal scales, we move beyond description toward predictive, mechanistic understanding.
The Center unites seven resident faculty and approximately 40 affiliated investigators across eleven departments and four schools. Together, we span fundamental discovery to clinically relevant insight, with applications in cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, infection, and metabolic dysfunction.
Message from the Director
"The Center’s strength lies in its ability to integrate physical principles with biological insight, and I look forward to working with faculty, trainees, leadership, and partners across Grounds to harness those strengths for the benefit of human health.”
Research Areas
Membrane and Cell Physiology faculty focus their research on the following areas: Membrane Transport; Membrane Fusion; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Signal Transduction; and Membrane Channels & Receptors.
Center Faculty
Our team of professionals are leaders in their fields and are consistently conducting cutting edge research in the fields of molecular and cellular biology.
Seven resident laboratories conduct research within the Center, each pursuing a deeper understanding of cellular and membrane physiology:
Ai Lab
– Developing molecular biosensors to visualize the invisible machinery of life: from neuronal activity to cancer metabolism; using protein engineering to address imaging and human health-related problems.
Ebrahim Lab
– Studying cytoskeletal architecture, dynamics and roles in cellular physiology and disease; mechanosensing; high-resolution live cell and tissue imaging.
Gan Lab
– Investigating the 3-D macromolecular basis of gene regulation in eukaryotic cells; cryo-ET, Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (Cryo-CLEM).
Kenworthy Lab
– Examining the role of membrane microdomains such as lipid rafts and caveolae in health and disease and the role of intracellular protein dynamics and complex formation in autophagy.
Levental Lab
– Understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which membranes and dietary lipids regulate cell physiology.
Redemann Lab
– Investigating the mechanisms and principles of spindle assembly and chromosome segregation.
Tamm Lab
– Studying mechanisms of virus entry into cells and neurotransmitter release from neurons and insulin release from pancreatic β-cells by membrane fusion.
