Subordinated to the College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, the Department of Genetics and Cell Biology was founded in 2003. There are three major research directions of Molecular Genetics, Genetic Engineering and Molecular Cytogenetics, and the related laboratories. It has been entitled to confer Ph. D. and M. Sc. degrees in genetics.

The Department has strong teaching capability. At present, there are 6 professors including 4 Ph. D. program supervisors, 4 associate professors, 2 lecturers and 2 senior engineers. Two main curricula, Genetics and Cell Biology, are offered to undergraduate students. Compulsory courses such as Genetic Molecular Biology, Advanced Molecular Genetics, Principle and Technique on Plant Gene Manipulation, and Bio-statistics are given to graduate students pursuing doctoral and master degrees. The Department has been equipped with a complete set of advanced equipment and multi-media facilities that make the study possible at gene, cell and individual levels and that are needed in teaching genetics and cell biology.

The Department also has strong faculty in the scientific researches. The project “Research on the Chromosome of Chinese Main Plants” conducted by Professor Ruiyang Chen and Professor Wenqin Song was recognized highly by academic fellows at home and abroad and was awarded a second-class national science prize in 2003, which was the first time to gain such laurels in the life sciences in Tianjin.