Research Bio
Matthew Welch is a cell biologist and microbiologist whose research investigates cell structure and host-pathogen interactions. He is best known for studies of actin polymerization and how microbes hijack the host cell cytoskeleton to promote infection. Welch's lab integrates cell biology, genetics, and biochemistry to study how actin networks are regulated and how they are exploited by microbial pathogens during infection. His research advances understanding of fundamental cell biology and provides insights into mechanisms of infectious disease.
He is Professor and Co-Chair of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. His research has been published in journals such as Cell, Nature Cell Biology, and The Journal of Cell Biology. Welch has received NIH funding and recognition from the American Society for Cell Biology, American Society for Microbiology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. At Berkeley, he teaches molecular and cell biology and mentors students in cell biology and infection research.
Research Expertise and Interest
biology, cell motility, role of the actin cytoskeleton in cell locomotion, shape change, actin filament assembly, bacterial and viral pathogens
In the News
2025 MTI Innovator Awardees Announced
Six UC Berkeley Scientists Elected Lifetime Fellows of AAAS
Teaching
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Cell and Developmental Biology: Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility [MCELLBI 239I]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology [PLANTBI 292]
Graduate Research [PLANTBI 299]
Individual Study for Graduate Students [PLANTBI 602]
Physiology and Cell Biology Laboratory [MCELLBI 133L]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Cell and Developmental Biology: Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility [MCELLBI 239I]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology [PLANTBI 292]
Graduate Research [PLANTBI 299]
Individual Study for Graduate Students [PLANTBI 602]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Cell and Developmental Biology: Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility [MCELLBI 239I]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Research Review in Plant and Microbial Biology [PLANTBI 292]
Graduate Research [PLANTBI 299]