News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

The findings provide a better understanding of the viruses that could help lead to better disease control in the future, according to the researchers. Credit: meriç tuna on Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 13, 2025

Study offers new insight into mixed virus interactions in plants

New research led by researchers at Penn State examined what happens when two common viruses — tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) and impatiens necrotic spot orthotospovirus (INSV) — infect the same plant.

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Invent Penn State’s NSF I-Corps Short Course is accepting applications for its virtual September cohort. Participant must apply and complete a self-guided I-Corps prep mini-course by Friday, Sept. 5. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 13, 2025

Turn research into impact: Apply now for Penn State NSF I-Corps short course

Invent Penn State’s NSF I-Corps Short Course is accepting applications for its virtual September cohort. The no-cost program helps researchers test a startup idea through customer interviews and educational programming on the lean startup methodology.

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A new study led by Penn State researchers shows for the first time how sound waves could function as a means of controlling micro-sized robots. Credit: Igor Aronson / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 12, 2025

Tiny robots use sound to self-organize into intelligent groups

Microrobots modeled in simulations communicate via sound to form ‘acoustic swarms’ and move collectively.

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This large American Elm tree stands on the Penn State Beaver campus near the Laboratory Classroom Building. American Elm trees are now considered rare after its population was ravaged by Dutch elm disease. Credit: Kristen Doerschner / Penn State Beaver / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 12, 2025

Tree inventory creates map of campus foliage at Penn State Beaver

Penn State Beaver joined the Commonwealth Arboreta Network as Bartlett Tree Experts recently mapped campus trees as part of an ongoing initiative across all Commonwealth Campuses.

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Recently identified and long-lasting type of protein misfolding — non-native entanglements — observed in all-atom protein folding simulations. Representative misfolded conformations of the small proteins, Ubiquitin and λ-repressor, exhibit gains-of-entanglement in all-atom folding simulations and are shown alongside their native structures. In the misfolded states, non-native entangled loops are highlighted in red, with yellow spheres marking loop closures and blue segments indicating threading through the loop. Credit: O’Brien Laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 08, 2025

New class of protein misfolding simulated in high definition

New computer simulations that model every atom of a protein as it folds into its final three-dimensional form support the existence of a recently identified type of protein misfolding.

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Aug 04, 2025

Huck names new associate director for graduate education

Penn State Professor of Anthropology David Puts has been named the associate director for graduate education at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.

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Denise Okafor, Huck Early Career Chair in Biophysics and assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and of chemistry at Penn State, teaches a course-based research experience for undergraduates (CURE), where students learn how to create molecular models of biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, to study their function. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 04, 2025

Research need inspires student opportunity

Unprecedented demand for molecular modeling skills, coupled with a funding award for innovative teaching, leads to the creation of a new course-based research experience for undergraduates.

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Aug 01, 2025

HGSAC co-chairs recognized for symposium success

The outgoing co-chairs of the Huck Graduate Student Advisory Committee, the body representing graduate students in the six Huck-run degree programs, were recognized for their service at a recent meeting of the Huck Executive Committee.

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Sibel Irmak, left, research professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was honored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 01, 2025

National society honors ag and biological professor for inclusion efforts

Sibel Irmak was recognized at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers' annual conference.

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Donna Korzick is the director of graduate training initiatives at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and a professor of physiology and kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Development. Credit. Penn State. Creative Commons.

Aug 01, 2025

Redefining graduate education through mentorship and innovation

Donna Korzick, director of graduate training initiatives at the Huck Institutes, helps develop — and secure funding for — programs designed to support the next generation of researchers.

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