Science Without Silos: Rutgers–Camden Highlighted at Global Biophysics Conference

The Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB) at Rutgers University–Camden was one of five research programs recently highlighted at the 2026 Biophysical Society Conference in San Francisco, attended by more than 5,000 scientists from around the world, including ten from Rutgers–Camden. As one of the field’s largest international gatherings, the conference fosters collaboration, accelerates innovation, and helps shape the future of biophysics.

CCIB was recognized for its groundbreaking interdisciplinary research model, which breaks down traditional departmental barriers and enables faculty, students, and researchers from the life sciences, computational fields, and engineering to tackle complex scientific questions collaboratively. This approach provides students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge projects, ranging from molecular modeling to systems biology, and prepares the next generation of scientists to work seamlessly across disciplines.

“CCIB is a center that is designed to change how scientists relate to each other,” said Grace Brannigan, professor of physics at Rutgers–Camden and director of CCIB. “That can mean how scientists relate across disciplines, methodologies, and levels.”

Established in 2010, CCIB has grown into a dynamic hub offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, along with accelerated degree pathways. It also hosts research showcases, seminars, and collaborative lab experiences that engage students in advanced scientific inquiry.

“The program at CCIB really works to combine computational and experimental approaches to studying biological problems,” said Eric Klein, director of the graduate program at CCIB. “What makes us unique is that it’s not just on paper—the entire program is designed to integrate these approaches so that our students appreciate the roles of both computational and experimental methods in exploring scientific problems.”

“In biology, much of the field has historically been experimental,” said Brannigan. “Interpreting the results of those experiments requires the kinds of approaches found in computer science, physics, and mathematics to turn data into meaningful information. At CCIB, we bring together researchers addressing similar questions, enabling them to collaborate and exchange ideas to reach deeper insights.”

The theme of this year’s Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, “Exciting advances in sciences and technology brought forth by Big Data and AI,” was reflected in hundreds of talks, symposia, and poster sessions showcasing advances in AI-driven biology, protein design, and disease research.

The video highlighting CCIB, featured at the meeting and available below, complemented the conference’s focus while showcasing several of the center’s programs, including Codes for Life (C4L), an interdisciplinary training initiative supported by a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s National Research Traineeship program.

Bringing together students and faculty from biology, computer science, mathematics, and the social sciences, C4L aims to bridge the divide between biological information (DNA) and biological function (proteins) through an innovative approach that integrates software engineering and artificial intelligence.

“Even though DNA and proteins are closely linked within cells, these two communities of scientists don’t communicate very often,” said Brannigan. “They have both produced an exciting but overwhelming amount of vital data. Software is a powerful method for sharing that data and bridging disciplinary divides.”

Through collaborative research, mentorship, and professional development, the program reflects CCIB’s commitment to breaking down disciplinary boundaries and cultivating the next generation of scientists—equipped to navigate an increasingly data-centric landscape while considering the broader societal implications of their work.

CCIB’s presence at the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting reflects its growing role in shaping conversations at the forefront of scientific research. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing students to tackle complex, data-driven challenges, the center embodies a “science without silos” approach and is contributing to a more integrated and forward-thinking future for biophysics and biomedical science.