News

First accurate simulation of a virus invading a cell

For the first time, scientists know what happens to a virus' shape when it invades a host cell, thanks to an experiment by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Understanding how the virus shape changes could lead to more effective anti-viral therapies.

Researchers promote STEM education through online learning and 3-D models

Funded by the Social Science Research Institute, the Brain3M project aims to enhance middle school science education through virtual and 3-D printed brain models. (The “3M” stands for mobile devices, magnetic resonance imaging and 3-D models.)

We Are: Meet 'dreamer,' student and plant biologist Shu Li

Shu Li is getting ready to defend her research and earn a Ph.D. in plant biology, but her reach already goes beyond the lab or classroom.

David Hughes to be featured on President Barron's WPSU show Sept. 11

Penn State President Eric J. Barron's monthly WPSU show returns for its third season when it airs at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, on WPSU-TV. Barron will welcome Huck Institutes researcher David Hughes of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics (CIDD) to discuss how Penn State researchers utilize crowdsourcing and mobile technology to protect the world's food supply.

New book illustrates the wonderful world of viruses

A new book by Marilyn Roossinck, professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology at Penn State, reveals the fascinating world of viruses, from the deadly to the beneficial. Titled "Virus: An Illustrated Guide to 101 Incredible Microbes," the book was enableded this summer by Princeton University Press.

Greg Ning, Microscopy Facility director, awarded Diatome Prize

Dr. Gang (Greg) Ning, director of the Huck Institutes' Microscopy Facility, was awarded the Diatome U.S. 1st place prize for his poster during the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Annual Meeting held July 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.

New Innovation Gateway connects researchers to industry funding

Penn State’s Office of Industrial Partnerships (OIP) has announced the creation of a new, interactive online platform that will help the University’s researchers collaborate better with industry, increase commercialization opportunities and obtain new funding sources for research projects.

Katriona Shea elected Fellow of Ecological Society of America

Katriona Shea -- Alumni Professor in the Biological Sciences at Penn State, and faculty member in the Huck Institutes' Ecology IGDP -- has been elected as a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America (ESA).

Nina Jablonski to deliver inaugural Liberal Arts First-Year Lecture

Nina Jablonski, Evan Pugh Professor of Anthropology, will deliver the inaugural Liberal Arts First-Year Lecture at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in 129 Waring Commons. The theme of Jablonski's presentation will be “You, the Liberal Arts, and the Human Condition.”

Did smoking kill the Neanderthals?

Smoke inhalation would have been a serious threat for early man, due to campfires. But it appears that modern humans have evolved a reduced sensitivity to the chemicals in smoke so that it doesn’t trigger so much inflammatory damage to our airways.