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

  • The Maternal Magic of Mitochondria
    Did you know that mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, have their own unique DNA? With rare exceptions, this DNA is inherited only from mothers.
  • Twisting and Turning: Unraveling What Causes Asymmetry
    Chirality is a type of asymmetry where something can’t overlap with its mirror image, like our hands. Michael Ostap, Ph.D., is researching what causes chirality on a molecular level to better understand embryonic development and how it can go wrong.
  • Explore Our Virtual Learning STEM Resources
    Did you know that we have free education resources you can use from home to engage students in science? Explore our Science Education Partnership Award program projects and Pathways resources to find STEM learning opportunities for pre-K through grade 12.
  • The Meat of the Matter: Learning How Gut Microbiota Might Reduce Harm from Red Meat
    Did you know diets high in red meat have been linked to inflammation and higher potential for certain diseases? But recently, researchers have discovered a type of bacteria that may play a role in reducing inflammation in the body caused by red meat.
More blog posts

Profiles: Meet a Scientist

More profiles

Quizzes and Puzzles

All quizzes and puzzles

Cell Day
  • Cell Day Page
    Cell Day is an interactive chat about the cell and careers in research for middle and high school students.
​
​