Brian Crane, the George W. and Grace L. Todd Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been appointed director of the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, an interdisciplinary hub for life sciences research at Cornell. Crane brings to the institute decades of experience studying the structure, function and mechanism of the protein systems that underlie signal transduction. 

Crane's appointment began on January 1, 2025. Scott Emr, the Samuel C. and Nancy M. Fleming Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, stepped down in July 2022 after serving as the institute’s director since its founding in 2008. Marcus Smolka, professor of molecular biology and genetics, served as the institute’s interim director from July 2022 to December 2024. Smolka will continue as the institute’s associate director.

"The Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology brings together research leaders in life sciences, chemistry and engineering to support cutting-edge interdisciplinary collaborations. I am delighted to see Brian Crane bring his leadership and expertise to support the institute’s far-sighted approach to team science for understanding fundamental biological processes and complex systems, with the goal of advancing human health," said Krystyn J. Van Vliet, vice president for research and innovation at Cornell. 

The Weill Institute supports interdisciplinary teams to advance biological research on topics ranging from fundamental molecular mechanisms to human disease within cell biology, proteomics, structural biology and mechanobiology.

"Cornell has a long history of innovation in the life sciences, and the Weill Institute represents an important intersection of Cornell’s broad research efforts, that when integrated, generate impactful discoveries,” Crane said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and the institute’s research collaborators to continue this tradition.” 

Crane’s research seeks to better understand the biological and chemical reactions that drive circadian clock light sensors, crucial components in regulating the body's natural sleep-wake cycle.  He also studies bacterial transmembrane signaling, nitric oxide enzymology and general aspects of protein electron transfer. He earned his doctorate at Scripps Research Institute and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Manitoba. 

For more information about the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, please visit: www.wicmb.cornell.edu