News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

Dec 15, 2025

The stories that defined 2025 for the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) at Penn State in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences is one of the largest and most active organizations in the field and provides centralized resources to Penn State, the nation and the world.

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Researchers used advanced imaging techniques, conducted at Penn State’s publicly funded Core Facilities, to study the architecture of the Turnip Crinkle Virus (TCV). This plant pathogen has an icosahedral — or 20-sided — shell that is the same structure as many human pathogens, such as enteroviruses, noroviruses, poliovirus, hepatitis B virus and the virus that causes chickenpox. Pictured are Varun Venkatakrishnan, left, a Penn State doctoral student, and Ganesh Anand, associate professor of chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn State. Creative Commons

Dec 12, 2025

Unique bond identified as key to viral infection speed

Viruses are typically described as tiny, perfectly geometric shells that pack genetic material with mathematical precision, but new research led by scientists at Penn State revealed a deliberate imbalance in their shape that helps them infect their hosts.

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Jessica Grembi and Nazifa Tabassum visited Bangladesh this summer as part of the ongoing research project. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Dec 12, 2025

Investigating the microbiome’s role in intestinal disorder in pregnancy

Jessica Grembi, an assistant professor of pharmacology in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has received a $500,000 grant from the Gates Foundation to investigate the role of the microbiome in environmental enteropathy — a condition characterized by inflammation of the small intestine that affects nutrient absorption.

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A new study has uncovered several instances of wood warblers — like the magnolia warbler pictured here — passing color-related genes to other species of wood warblers, including those that are not closely related. Credit: Davey Walters. All Rights Reserved.

Dec 11, 2025

Warblers borrow color-related genes from evolutionary neighbors, study finds

Wood warblers, also called New World warblers, are some of the most colorful birds in North America, with more than a hundred species in the family ranging in color from yellow, orange and red to blue, green and pink. A new study led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered several instances of the birds passing color-related genes to other species of wood warblers, including those that are not closely related.

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Dec 11, 2025

Mentorship and communication take center stage at training summit

Huck Institutes’ annual T32 summit underscores benefits of professional development alongside scientific training.

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New research shows how artificial oil-in-water droplets embark on a “treasure hunt,” extending filopodia-like arms toward chemical riches hidden in their environment. The glowing chest symbolizes chemical cues that direct growth and sensing, echoing the way living cells explore their surroundings. Credit: Sanjana Krishna Mari, Sen Laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

Dec 09, 2025

In brief: Like living cells, oil-in-water droplets reach out with 'arms'

Oil-in-water droplets respond to chemical cues by forming arm-like extensions that resemble filopodia, which are used by living cells to sense and explore their environment. A research team led by chemists at Penn State studies the droplets to glimpse how matter may have transitioned to life billions of years ago.

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Francisco Dini-Andreote and Andrew Patterson are both faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Dec 08, 2025

Two College of Ag Sciences faculty earn spots on highly cited researchers list

Francisco Dini-Andreote and Andrew Patterson in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are among the most highly cited researchers in 2025, according to the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Group.

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Dec 04, 2025

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences seeks Rising Researchers proposals

The Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) is accepting proposals from Penn State faculty for the next round of the ICDS Rising Researcher Collaborations Funding Opportunity for 2026-27.

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Dec 03, 2025

New test distinguishes vaccine-induced false positives from active HIV infection

A Penn State team has developed a new approach capable of differentiating active HIV infection from false positives — which could potentially accelerate vaccine development and testing.

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Dec 01, 2025

New technique maps genetic variants driving neurodegenerative disease risk

A team led by researchers from Penn State College of Medicine has developed a new method that substantially improves the ability to map the genetic variants that drive disease, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.

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