Artist's rendering of human body and large-scale DNA molecule.

Integrative and Biomedical Physiology

Reduce disease and improve the health of individuals through research ranging from molecular and cellular physiology to human organ systems

Program Overview

The Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Integrative and Biomedical Physiology—ranked among the top-10 physiology programs in the country—trains students to advance society’s understanding of how body systems work at all levels—molecular, cellular, tissues, and organs—and to apply that knowledge toward reducing disease and improving the health of individuals. The program’s recently awarded NIH Predoctoral Training Program in Stress Physiology includes a cutting-edge interdiscliplinary curriculum that prepares students to enter the 21st century biomedical workforce. To learn more, view a short video about our program.

Program Benefits

Aging, Exercise, and Muscle Biology

Biophysics

Immunology and Inflammation

Cardiovascular Regulation and Disease

Nutrient Regulation, Obesity, and Metabolic Diseases

Reproductive Biology

News

Targeting the 'good' arm after stroke leads to better motor skills

Traditional stroke rehabilitation therapy focuses on restoring strength and movement to the more impaired side of the body, but a new randomized clinical trial has revealed that targeted therapy for the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement and control for stroke survivors. The trial, led by researchers from Penn State and the University of Southern California (USC), compared the new approach to the standard best-practice therapy currently in use.

Bayer University Mentoring Program now includes pharmaceutical track

Following the first successful cohort of graduate and postdoctoral scholars in the Bayer Crop Science 2025 University Mentoring Program (B4U), Bayer has expanded the initiative at Penn State to include the Bayer Pharmaceuticals 2026 B4U Program. The expansion, which targets those interested in careers in the pharmaceutical industry, reflects Penn State and Bayer's shared commitment to preparing graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for impactful careers at the intersection of academia, industry and innovation.

Liver metabolism of an essential amino acid may play a key role in gut health

Many biological processes exhibit daytime differences governed by rhythmic exposure to sunlight, termed circadian rhythms. Researchers at Penn State recently found, in mice, that a protein critical to intestinal barrier function — helping the gut absorb nutrients while blocking harmful pathogens — is rhythmically controlled by nighttime liver metabolism of the molecule tryptophan.

News

Targeting the 'good' arm after stroke leads to better motor skills

Traditional stroke rehabilitation therapy focuses on restoring strength and movement to the more impaired side of the body, but a new randomized clinical trial has revealed that targeted therapy for the less-impaired arm significantly improved movement and control for stroke survivors. The trial, led by researchers from Penn State and the University of Southern California (USC), compared the new approach to the standard best-practice therapy currently in use.

Bayer University Mentoring Program now includes pharmaceutical track

Following the first successful cohort of graduate and postdoctoral scholars in the Bayer Crop Science 2025 University Mentoring Program (B4U), Bayer has expanded the initiative at Penn State to include the Bayer Pharmaceuticals 2026 B4U Program. The expansion, which targets those interested in careers in the pharmaceutical industry, reflects Penn State and Bayer's shared commitment to preparing graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for impactful careers at the intersection of academia, industry and innovation.

Liver metabolism of an essential amino acid may play a key role in gut health

Many biological processes exhibit daytime differences governed by rhythmic exposure to sunlight, termed circadian rhythms. Researchers at Penn State recently found, in mice, that a protein critical to intestinal barrier function — helping the gut absorb nutrients while blocking harmful pathogens — is rhythmically controlled by nighttime liver metabolism of the molecule tryptophan.

Penn State students take top honors in video challenge on the value of research

A team of students working in Andrew Patterson's lab used their experience in research and storytelling to advocate for federally funded research and take top prizes in the Science Coalition’s 2025 Alyse Gray Parker Memorial Student Video Challenge