Dr. Benjamin Towbin

Biography

Professor Benjamin Towbin leads a laboratory at the Institute of Cell Biology focused on fundamental design principles governing molecular circuits at the multicellular level. His research primarily utilizes the nematode model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to explore quantitative experiments and computational approaches. Towbin specializes in quantitative live imaging, computational image analysis, and high-throughput screening, aiming to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of developmental robustness and plasticity in response to nutritional fluctuations. His work investigates how cells coordinate growth within organs to maintain a consistent body plan, emphasizing the molecular mechanisms that underpin robustness through fluctuating growth rates that can significantly affect organ size. Through an integrative approach, Towbin strives to understand how organisms balance trade-offs in a changing environment, particularly in aspects of growth, reproduction, and aging.

Research Interests