At the University of Minnesota Medical School, researchers collaborate across disciplines, engineering solutions to problems bigger than any one particular research arena.

The University of Minnesota is at the hub of innovation in healthcare, with geographical access to world-class hospitals and clinics as well as high-tech medical corporations. 

The area attracts some of the best researchers, educators, and medical professionals in the country. Here, they find an environment where cross-discipline teamwork is valued, encouraged, and rewarded—leading the way in discovering the treatments of tomorrow.

As part of the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center, Medical School researchers can collaborate with experts from multiple disciplines, such as dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary medicine. Such collaboration enables our doctors to turn discoveries into preventions, treatments, and cures for diseases such as cancer and diabetes more quickly and efficiently. 

Working Together 

Research at the Medical School's departments, centers, and institutes extends from basic science, that increases our scientific knowledge base, to clinical and translational research, where scientific discoveries are moved from the laboratory to real-world practice.

Learn more about our basic science departments: Basic Sciences Snapshot 

Examples of Interdisciplinary Research

Architectural rendering of the Biomedical Discovery District medical complex at the University of Minnesota

Biomedical Discovery District

In the Biomedical Discovery District, we’ve created state-of-the-art research spaces that facilitate interdisciplinary discoveries and focus on moving them to market faster—so they can begin saving lives and helping people right away.

Masonic Cancer Center

Masonic Cancer Center

The Masonic Cancer Center, a designated comprehensive cancer center and focal point for cancer research at the University, has 500 members applying their expertise to the broad problem of cancer with research in cancer causes, prevention, treatment, outcomes, and survivorship.

Lillehei Heart Institute Researchers

Lillehei Heart Institute

At the Lillehei Heart Institute, research teams work in state-of-the-art research facilities, labs, and with partners across the University to make advancements in the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

Collaboration

Partnership with Mayo Clinic

Through the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics, a state-funded collaboration between the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, research teams are working together to make important new medical discoveries, improve health care for patients, and develop new business and jobs in Minnesota. Learn more and apply.

Neuromodulation

MNDrive initiative

Discoveries and treatments for brain conditions is a focus of the MNDrive initiative (Minnesota Discovery, Research and Innovation Economy), a landmark partnership between the University of Minnesota and the State of Minnesota to advance Minnesota’s economy and enhance the University’s ability to produce breakthrough research.

Neuromodulation is an emerging, transdisciplinary field focused on treating neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders with technological interventions at the neural interface that are non-destructive, reversible, and adjustable.

The University of Minnesota Medical School is searching for outstanding researchers who are considered national leaders in their field to join our specialized Medical Discovery Teams. This initiative was funded by the State of Minnesota to help us tackle some of the most difficult health issues facing Minnesota.