News

Gong Chen selected as holder of the Verne M. Willaman Chair in the Life Sciences

Gong Chen, a professor of biology at Penn State, has been appointed as Holder of the Verne M. Willaman Chair in the Life Sciences effective July 1, 2013 in recognition of his national and international reputation for excellence in research and teaching.

Huck Institutes seek new Associate Directors for positions in science leadership

The Huck Institutes wish to appoint a series of new Associate Directors to work with the management team and help in developing new initiatives.

Unique pathogen requires a novel approach to studying virulence

Huck Institutes researcher Moriah Szpara takes an interdisciplinary tack in her work -- using tools from neurobiology, virology, bioinformatics, and comparative genomics to find keys to a cure for human herpesvirus.

Avocado farmers face unique foe in fungal-farming beetle

Beetles with unusual "green thumbs" for growing fungi are threatening avocado crops and could transform into a more destructive pest, according to an international team of researchers that includes Huck Institutes affiliate David Geiser.

Mathematical models target disease with drugs chosen by your DNA

Medicines that are personally tailored to your DNA are becoming a reality, thanks to the work of U.S. and Chinese scientists including Huck Institutes affiliate Rongling Wu who have developed statistical models to predict which drug is best for a specific individual with a specific disease.

Understanding bulls' gene-rich Y chromosomes may improve herd fertility

Researchers including Huck Institutes affiliate Wansheng Liu have found that, surprisingly, the Y chromosomes of cattle have more genes and are more active than the Y chromosomes of a variety of primates and other mammals.

Genome instability studies could change treatment for cancer and other diseases

Making steps toward the realization of personalized genomic medicine, Huck Institutes affiliates at the Center for Medical Genomics are finding and analyzing hotspots of genomic instability and mutation known as microsatellites.

Gene offers clues to new treatments for a harmful blood clotting disorder

A research team led by Huck Institutes affiliate Yanming Wang and Harvard's Denisa Wagner finds a gene that could offer new insights into treatment strategies for the harmful blood clots of deep-vein thrombosis.

Endangered lemurs' complete genomes are sequenced and analyzed for conservation efforts

Scientists including Huck Institutes affiliates George Perry and Webb Miller lead a research team that for the first time has sequenced and analyzed the complete genomes of three separate populations of aye-ayes in an effort to help guide conservation.

Engineering Biofilms: Understanding how bacteria function in communities could lead to a host of new applications

From oil-spill clean-up to producing alternative fuels, microbial communities have the potential to do great good. Professor Tom Wood is determined to figure out how.