Stephen Bell

Stephen Bell is the Uncas and Helen Whitaker Professor of Biology at MIT, serving as Director of Scientific Operations in Building 68 and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He holds a PhD from UC Berkeley (1990) and a BS from Northwestern University's Integrated Science Program (1985). His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing chromosome replication in eukaryotic cells, particularly the assembly and regulation of replisomes at origins of replication.

Key research interests include DNA replication initiation, origin licensing, and cell cycle regulation. Notable contributions include discoveries about Mcm2-7 ring closure mechanisms and ORC binding dynamics. His work has been recognized through awards like the National Academy of Sciences Award in Molecular Biology (2009) and HHMI Investigator status (2000).

• Recent grants: Ongoing studies on replication fidelity and cell cycle control
• Labs: Koch Biology Building laboratories focused on single-molecule imaging and yeast genetics