News

One Health Microbiome Center's 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellows

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has named five recipients for its 2023-24 Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowships (IIF) program.

Gut bacteria variation among human social groups emerges by three months of age

Bacteria and other microorganisms that live within the human digestive tract — the gut microbiome — differ with parent-reported race and ethnicity as early as 3 months of age, according to a new study co-led by Penn State.

Microbe-stuffed soil crusts menaced by climate change

Using a novel method to detect microbial activity in biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, after they are wetted, a Penn State-led research team in a new study uncovered clues that will lead to a better understanding of the role microbes play in forming a living skin over many semi-arid ecosystems around the world. The tiny organisms — and the microbiomes they create — are threatened by climate change.

Penn State researchers examine how environmental chemicals affect gut microbiome

Worldwide, high rates of obesity and other inflammatory conditions are associated with increased risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

New study sheds light on how bioluminescent bacteria coordinate cellular signaling to colonize the light organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid in a mutually beneficial relationship. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons

Bioluminescent bacteria coordinate signaling to colonize squid’s light organ

Bioluminescent bacteria and the Hawaiian bobtail squid have formed a longstanding mutually beneficial relationship.

Vaccine against deadly chytrid fungus primes frog microbiome for future exposure

A human's or animal’s microbiome — the collection of often beneficial microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that live on or within a host organism — can play an important role in the host’s overall immune response, but it is unclear how vaccines against harmful pathogens impact the microbiome.

Penn State's renamed One Health Microbiome Center affirms broad expertise

The Microbiome Center in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has announced its renaming to the One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC), the first center in the world to integrate "One Health" with the microbiome sciences.

Penn State biologist honored by Society for the Study of Evolution

Sarah Bordenstein, associate research professor of biology and entomology at Penn State, has been awarded the 2023 T. H. Huxley Award from the Education and Outreach Committee of the Society for the Study of Evolution.

Penn State doctoral student receives prestigious agriculture research fellowship

Theo (Chelsea) Newbold, a doctoral student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellowship for 2023–26.

Essential mechanism for bacterial gut colonization discovered

New light has been shed on a key event that contributes to the successful colonization of bacteria in the gut of mice, according to a new study from Yale University and Penn State.