News

Apr 20, 2023
How 'master regulators' of cells make DNA accessible for gene expression
New insight into proteins called “pioneer factors” helps to explain their unusual ability to open up the typically dense genetic material within our cells.
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Apr 13, 2023
Penn State announces 2023 University-wide faculty and staff awards
Each spring, Penn State recognizes outstanding faculty and staff with annual awards in teaching and excellence. These awards highlight many of the University's faculty and staff who go above and beyond in their work at Penn State.
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Mar 02, 2023
Guarding the genome: Researchers uncover full 3D structure of p53 protein
The tumor suppressor protein p53, known as "the guardian of the genome," protects the body’s DNA from daily stress or long-term damage by triggering the cells to make repairs or to self-destruct.
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Feb 21, 2023
Graduate student in College of Ag Sciences gets USDA-APHIS training fellowship
A Penn State graduate student has received a highly competitive and prestigious fellowship from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to participate in its National Scientist Training Program.
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Dec 20, 2022
New 'Life From All Angles' video highlights Lance Lian’s stem cell research
The latest episode of "Life From All Angles," a YouTube series from the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, features Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Xiaojun "Lance" Lian and his efforts to produce new cardiomyocytes to advance the effectiveness of stem cell differentiation.
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Dec 06, 2022
Why synonymous mutations are not always silent
New modeling shows how synonymous mutations — those that change the DNA sequence of a gene but not the sequence of the encoded protein — can still impact protein production and function.
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Nov 30, 2022
Huck Grad Students Work Towards Inclusion
A discussion and advocacy group started by student leadership is pushing for dialogue and solutions to make the Huck a more welcoming and empowering space for scientists from all backgrounds.
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Nov 15, 2022
New research on effects of binge drinking earns biologist early career award
Nikki Crowley, assistant professor of biology and biomedical engineering at Penn State, is the 2022 recipient of the Neuropsychopharmacology Editor’s Early Career Award.
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Nov 01, 2022
Tiny magnetic particles fight lung cancer cells on command in lab test
Traditional treatments for lung cancers can have serious side effects throughout the body, but newly developed, highly targeted treatments could reduce damage, according to Penn State researchers. A team led by Dan Hayes developed a method that could lead to one such treatment with magnetic nanoparticles.
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Oct 03, 2022
Disease outcomes differ by new host species in virus spillover experiments
Why has the SARS-CoV-2 virus ravaged the global human population, but many other animal viruses haven't? Using nematode worms as a model, researchers at Penn State conducted a set of experiments to investigate the factors influencing the disease outcomes of virus spillover events.
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