News | The Huck Institutes (en-US)

Thomas Wood is investigating a previously overlooked bacterial defense system that can stop viruses in their tracks. Credit: Poornima Tomy/Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

Oct 24, 2025

Old dog, new tricks: Prehistoric viruses can be used to defend bacterial cells

Bacteria infected with ‘fossilized’ viruses offer promising defense against antibiotic-resistant viruses, according to researchers.

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Oct 22, 2025

Oct. 24 kicks off 'Plants for the People and the Planet' innovation series

This free seminar series, open to the community at-large, will showcase cutting-edge research and diverse perspectives on how plants can shape a healthier, more sustainable future.

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In a new Q&A with the Penn Stater magazine, Andrew Read, Penn State senior vice president for research, underscores the link between publicly funded basic research and long-term innovation, economic growth and societal benefit — and the very real risks if the pipeline falters. “The Envy of the World” appears in the Penn Stater's November/December 2025 issue and is available online now at pennstatermag.com/read. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Oct 21, 2025

Cuts threaten 'The Envy of the World': Penn Stater magazine interview

Penn State’s long-standing partnerships with federal agencies have helped establish its global research leadership, but that progress could be threatened if crucial funding is reduced, warns Andrew Read, the university’s senior vice president for research.

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A team of researchers from Penn State and the University of Illinois Chicago has been awarded a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to employ biomedical research, clinical data, advanced artificial intelligence and mathematical modeling methods to ultimately support personalized medicine for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The team at Penn State includes Wenrui Hao, professor of mathematics and director of the Center for Mathematical Biology; Rui Zhang, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; and Wenpeng Yin, assistant professor of computer science and engineering. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Oct 20, 2025

Can digital replicas of patients help personalize Alzheimer’s treatment?

New NSF grant supports project to build 'digital twin' replicas of patients using clinical data to study disease progression and treatment options.

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Clive Randall, Evan Pugh University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, has been elected as a fellow of the European Academy of Sciences. Credit: Seana Wood / Penn State. Creative Commons

Oct 15, 2025

Clive Randall elected as fellow of the European Academy of Sciences

Clive Randall, Evan Pugh University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, has been elected as a fellow of the European Academy of Sciences.

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From left: Joy Bergelson, Arturo Casadevall, and Martin Wiedmann will present as keynote speakers at the 2026 One Health Microbiome Symposium. Credit: Joy Bergelson, Arturo Casadevall, Martin Wiedmann. All Rights Reserved.

Oct 15, 2025

One Health Microbiome Center announces 2026 symposium, keynote speaker lineup

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences will host the One Health Microbiome Symposium on May 13 and 14, 2026.

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Researchers typically have to watch recordings of children in eating studies, like the one this child and research assistant are participating in, to count and time each bite. Credit: Provided by Kathleen Keller. All Rights Reserved.

Oct 15, 2025

Counting bites with AI might one day help prevent childhood obesity

An interdisciplinary team at Penn State published a pilot study demonstrating the potential of using AI to streamline research on obesity risk in children.

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The on-skin sensing platform, developed by a team led by researchers at Penn State, can detect vitamin B6 in small concentrations of sweat. The sensor also has the capability to be adapted for glucose sensing at a high sensitivity, allowing patients with diabetes to monitor glucose and vitamin B6 simultaneously. Credit: Provided by Larry Cheng . All Rights Reserved.

Oct 09, 2025

Highly sensitive monitor can detect vitamin B6, glucose in sweat

The on-skin sensing platform, developed by a team led by researchers at Penn State, can detect vitamin B6 in small concentrations of sweat. The sensor also has the capability to be adapted for glucose sensing at a high sensitivity, allowing patients with diabetes to monitor glucose and vitamin B6 simultaneously.

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Wild lupine, a plant of conservation concern across most of its natural range in eastern North America, grows along a Pennsylvania roadside. Credit: Isabella Petitta. All Rights Reserved.

Oct 09, 2025

Wild lupine genetics could be key to conservation of species

Researchers at Penn State studying declining populations of sundial lupines in the eastern part of the United States are closer to determining how the plant's genetics could be used to inform reseeding strategies to help with conservation efforts of the blue flowering plant.

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Morels, like this yellow or common morel, Morchella esculentoides, were one of the two most often collected wild mushroom species by respondents to the researchers' survey, with 13% reporting that they harvest them. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Oct 07, 2025

Wild mushrooms harvesters in Mid-Atlantic region collect fungi, build community

Researchers see the emergence of ‘digital mycology community,’ as mushroom foragers seek guidance and band together into groups online to further their knowledge.

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