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The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute on Monday recognized the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Mary E. Brunkow — a graduate of the University of Washington — together with Frederick J. Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi “for revolutionary discoveries related to peripheral immune tolerance that safeguards the body from immune harm.” Brunkow obtained her bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from the UW in 1983.

UW News chatted with Martha Bosma, professor and head of biology at the UW, to delve deeper into the current status of the major and its potential for students.

What does the biology major currently entail?

Martha Bosma: We offer various tracks for our bachelor of science degrees, encompassing majors in general biology; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology; and physiology. Students enrolled in these tracks all undergo the same general biology sequence for their introductory courses, progressing into their specialized tracks for advanced courses.

How has the molecular, cellular, and developmental biology track evolved since Brunkow graduated?

MB: An intriguing aspect of Mary Brunkow’s education is that she likely followed the same introductory series but would have proceeded directly into advanced classes, which included lab work in cell biology. That experience was vastly different from what students face now. For instance, she would have acquired skills in DNA extraction, but it would have involved a more arduous and complex set of procedures at that time. She would have gained knowledge about genetics and promoters, as well as understanding how gene regulation depends on its promoter. Techniques for extracting messenger RNA were also quite difficult back then. This was prior to our awareness of other types of RNA aside from messenger RNA.

Today, students in the molecular biology track engage in courses where they analyze papers and master the techniques that contributed to this Nobel-recognized research, along with fundamental molecular techniques. I think that’s truly impressive.

How sought-after is the molecular, cellular, and developmental biology track?

MB: It has a high level of popularity. Alongside physiology, these are likely our most favored tracks. We have an abundance of students, prompting us to plan structural changes for the degree next year. Currently, the tracks are highly specific — students must take one course followed by another, and if a course in that sequence isn’t available, it can create obstacles for the student. This makes it quite challenging for them to fulfill their degree requirements.

We’re still determining what the future structure of the degree will entail. We will continue to offer concentrations, but the requisite courses in those tracks will not be mandatory. In the redesigned degree, students will have the opportunity to create their own concentration to some degree.

What career paths are available with this degree — aside from the possibility of winning a Nobel Prize?

MB: Numerous options are available. Graduates might work in startups, attend medical school, or pursue doctoral degrees. Non-governmental organizations are relatively rare in this field due to its practical nature. In essence, our alumni are equipped to pursue any role a molecular scientist might, ranging from conducting research under supervision to independently directing their own research and formulating inquiries. These individuals are destined to become neurogeneticists or cancer biologists who comprehend both the patient and clinical dimensions of science.

However, alumni needn’t confine themselves to medicine. For instance, they could engage in field biology. Envision a research project aimed at uncovering the reasons for variances between bird populations in one valley compared to those in an adjacent valley. That aligns with molecular biology inquiries. It’s fantastic. This degree spans numerous dimensions of biology, contributing to its immense popularity.

Do you have any recommendations for individuals contemplating this as a major?

MB: They absolutely should! Additionally, it’s beneficial to gain experience in a lab. Many labs welcome undergraduates. Engaging in lab work enables students to implement classroom techniques in real project scenarios. They learn to pose research questions and apply methodologies to find answers.

For further details, reach out to Bosma at [email protected].

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