Research Interests
Key words: systems biology, signal transduction, cell fate decisions, cell cycle
We study the behavior of individual cells and try to understand how groups of cells work together to carry out emergent functions. We are especially interested in “irreversible” cell fates such as apoptosis, senescence, and differentiation. How does a given cell convert molecular signals into a permanent decision? How do groups of cells balance these decisions? We use a variety of experimental and computational approaches to investigate these questions including molecular profiling, time-lapse microscopy, computational modeling, and machine learning. Our ultimate goal is to not only understand how cells make decisions under physiological conditions, but to discover how to manipulate these choices to treat disease.
Training:
- Faculty Mentoring Workshop for Biomedical Researchers
Training Program Affiliations:
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Biostatistics
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
Publications
Opportunities
Graduate Students
We are accepting BBSP rotation students. If you are interested in doing a rotation in the lab, please send Jeremy an email and arrange a time to come by and discuss a potential rotation project.
Postdoctoral Positions
We are interested in attracting candidates with a strong background in molecular biology, experience with human cell culture and affinity to theory and computation. Experience with fluorescence microscopy and genome editing is a plus. In addition we are looking for candidates with a background in math, physics, or other quantitative disciplines who are interested in applying theory to systems-level questions in biology. To apply, e-mail a cover letter, CV and a list of three references to Jeremy.
Jeremy Purvis in UNC Genetics News
May 15, 2025
Lauryn Bailey joins UNC’s Postbaccalaureate Research Initiative in Science and Medicine (PRISM) program this summer
Lauryn Bailey (Biology ’25) will join the first cohort of students in the UNC's newly created Postbaccalaureate Research Initiative in Science and Medicine (PRISM) program this summer.
April 20, 2025
Department of Genetics Publications for March 2nd – 29th, 2025
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 30 papers during March 2nd - 29th 2025.
February 6, 2025
Department of Genetics Publications for January 19th – February 1st, 2025
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 17 papers during January 19th - February 1st 2025.
April 15, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for March 31st – April 13th, 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 9 papers during March 31st - April 13th 2024.
February 19, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for February 4th – 17th, 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 12 papers during February 4th - 17th 2024.
February 15, 2024
The Path of Escape: How Breast Tumor Cells Avoid Common Cancer Therapy
An interdisciplinary team of UNC-Chapel Hill researchers from computational medicine, genetics, biostatistics, and surgery investigated how cell cycle flexibility allows tumor cells to escape the effect of anti-cancer drugs that target cell division. UNC Lineberger members Jeremy Purvis, PhD, professor of genetics, and Phillip Spanheimer, MD, assistant professor of surgery, led this study.
January 25, 2024
Dr. Jeremy Purvis Awarded New R01 Grant from NCI
Jeremy Purvis, PhD (Professor, Department of Genetics) has been awarded a new R01 grant for his project titled “Cell cycle paths as a framework for understanding drug resistance in tumor cell subpopulations” from the National Cancer Institute.
January 25, 2024
Dr. Jeremy Purvis Promoted to Professor in Department of Genetics
Jeremy Purvis, PhD has been promoted to Professor with permanent tenure in the Department of Genetics, effective January 19, 2024.
January 22, 2024
Department of Genetics Publications for January 7th – 20th 2024
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published 12 papers during January 7th - 20th 2024.
December 12, 2023
Dr. Jeremy Purvis Selected for Academic Leadership Fellowship
Jeremy Purvis, PhD (Associate Professor, Genetics and Computational Medicine) has been selected as a recipient of an Academic Leadership Fellowship by the Institute for the Arts and Humanities (IAH) in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences.
