Dr. Andrew Murray

Biography

Andrew Murray is the Harvard College Professor and the Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Genetics at Harvard University, where he also serves as the Director of the Rowland Institute. His research focuses on understanding the rules that govern cellular functions and their evolution, particularly using the model organism budding yeast. He utilizes techniques in experimental evolution, genetic analysis, synthetic biology, and cell biology to make quantitative measurements that can discriminate between different classes of models. His lab members come from diverse backgrounds in biology and physics, which enhances the interdisciplinary approach to research. Murray's work explores fundamental evolutionary questions, such as how cells achieve specific tasks, the coordination of numerous biochemical reactions, and the evolutionary trajectories that lead organisms to produce novel traits. He aims to investigate how yeast cells respond to environmental stresses, like sudden starvation, and has collaborated with physicists to examine population dynamics and evolution.

Research Interests

Courses