The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) has received a $1.3 million Science Education Partnership Award from the NIH to expand benefits to more students and high schools. Students are collecting real data on Arabidopsis thaliana, making discoveries acknowledged in grant proposals and publications.
A three-year, $2.4 million grant will develop a systems biology approach to combat the effects of drought on staple food crops like maize, wheat, and rice. The project aims to identify key regulatory genes and signaling pathways that can improve drought resistance.
Johri aims to advance understanding of how engineers collaborate globally and develop insights to improve engineering education. The study will increase global work perspectives for Virginia Tech students, with findings distributed to universities and engineering corporations.
Camille Harris is studying the ecological impacts of forest disturbance on LaCrosse Virus dynamics using experimentally logged forest plots. Her research aims to understand how logging influences mosquito vector distributions and resulting disease dynamics.
A researcher at Virginia Tech has identified a disease-resistant gene in corn that can be transferred to other plants, offering new hope for disease-free crops. The gene, Rxo1, defies traditional plant pathology rules and could revolutionize crop breeding.
Researchers are designing liver mimics that can eventually form the basis for extracorporeal liver-assist devices. The primary research goal is to assemble 3D cellular structures that mimic the liver, capturing precise spacing between different cell types.
The research team will investigate the role of structural components in knee ligament sprains, combining micro-mechanical models, molecular models, and biological and mechanical experiments. The study aims to clarify micro-structural changes associated with partial and complete tears.
Researchers led by Thorp and Phadke will advance synchrophasor technologies to improve the US power grid's security and reliability. They aim to reduce false trips and cascading blackouts using high-speed, real-time synchronized measurement devices.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a next-generation nano-CT imaging system to visualize fine features within larger objects and reduce radiation dose. The project aims to provide a versatile nano-imaging tool for various applications, including medical and industrial uses.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are analyzing insects to develop better artificial tissues and organs. They're studying the internal fluid flows of beetles, grasshoppers, and silk moths to gain insights into efficient respiratory and circulatory systems.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has awarded nearly $20 million to Virginia Tech's nuclear engineering program for faculty development and fellowships. The funding will support the growth of a workforce capable of designing, constructing, and operating nuclear facilities.
A VBI researcher has received $786,797 to develop high-performance computer models for studying infectious diseases. These simulations can provide important information before an outbreak happens, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to develop GenoCAD, a web-based Computer Assisted Design environment for synthetic biology. The platform allows users to design complex DNA sequences in minutes and will support teams of undergraduate students enrolled in iGEM.
A Virginia Tech-led research team is designing a program to help pre-diabetic adults begin and maintain resistance training. The goal is to improve insulin and glucose metabolism, reducing the risk of diabetes. A five-year study will test theory-based approaches to encourage long-term adherence to resistance training.
A team led by Robert Clauer aims to build a chain of space weather instrument stations in Antarctica to better understand the effects of space weather on Earth's technologies. The project will provide insights into space plasma physics and help predict space weather conditions.
Research at Virginia Tech suggests that the oldest complex life forms fed by osmosis, absorbing nutrients through their outer membrane. The two groups of modular Ediacara organisms grew and constructed their bodies in different ways to maximize surface-area to volume ratios necessary for osmosis-based feeding.
The team aims to create biologically inspired material systems that can intelligently sense and actuate a network of distributed robust sensors and actuators. They will develop a robotic fish-like underwater vehicle by integrating biological investigations of fish with engineering knowledge about sensors and actuators.
Scientists developed a quantitative mathematical model of DNA replication and cell division for Caulobacter crescentus, an alpha-proteobacterium crucial to global carbon cycling. The model accurately represents the sequence of physiological events during cell division and predicts the impact of specific mutations on cell function.
Researchers highlight algebraic models as a crucial tool for undergraduate biologists, allowing them to integrate mathematical modeling into their coursework. These models focus on the logic of network connections, making them accessible to students with limited mathematical background.
A university engineering team has developed a retrofitted four-wheel dirt buggy that allows blind drivers to steer, brake, and accelerate with the help of innovative technology. The vehicle uses laser range finders, an instant voice command interface, and a host of other technologies to guide blind drivers.
A special issue of Trends in Microbiology publishes reviews on the Gene Ontology, a powerful language that enables researchers to describe disease-related and beneficial interactions between microbes and their hosts. The Gene Ontology provides a shared vocabulary for scientists to link experimental results to computer-readable language...
Researchers advocate for systems biology in cancer treatment, promising improved diagnostic tools and new drug targets. The approach integrates mathematical modeling, simulations, and experiments to understand complex cancer processes.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have developed a hands-off process for filling fullerenes with radio-active material, increasing control of radiation therapy. The new material allows for targeted localization and potentially fewer side effects in brain tumor treatment.
A Virginia Tech researcher has solved the mystery of the Bourret's horseshoe bat's unusually large nose, discovering it uses the elongated snout to create a highly focused sonar beam. The study provides insights into the evolution of biological shape and its physical function.
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute aim to create a petascale computational modeling environment to simulate billions of individuals in large social and information networks. This project seeks to improve agent-based modeling applications on 100,000+ processor architectures.
A NASA-funded study is predicting land abandonment in Russia by incorporating population trends, cultural factors, and climate change. The research aims to determine which lands are most likely to be abandoned in the future, with ethnic groups playing a key role in this trend.
The completed genome sequence of Azotobacter vinelandii reveals unique features that enable the bacteria to fix nitrogen in the presence of oxygen. The research provides new prospects for the production and characterization of oxygen-sensitive proteins through genetic approaches.
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award supports Sobrado's research on iron acquisition mechanisms by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Aspergillus fumigatus. The goal is to identify inhibitors that can be developed as antibiotics or antifungal agents.
Jeremiah T. Abiade received a Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award to increase electrical output of thermoelectric materials and devices. His research aims to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, for useful power output.
Researchers at VBI developed a new one-step bioanalytical approach to profile protein changes in breast cancer cells treated with hormones or cancer drugs. The method identified 16 differentially expressed proteins, linking them to cancer-related biological processes.
Researchers are working on a novel flu vaccine that uses cell culture-based technology to produce immune-boosting signals on the surface of the virus. The goal is to provide better protection against viral pneumonia, especially in elderly populations.
Researchers have constructed a systems biology map of iron metabolism, a crucial process in animal cell survival. The study aims to improve our understanding of iron regulation and its potential manipulation for therapeutic benefits.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received the first-ever Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her work developing successful culture systems and feeding regimes for endangered freshwater mussels. The award recognizes Mair's extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation ...
Researchers at Virginia Tech have received a $3.557 million grant from NIAID to develop vector-specific, resistance-breaking insecticides that could render traditional ITNs ineffective. The new compounds are designed to be safer for humans while maintaining significant insecticidal activity against malaria mosquitoes.
A Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University study found that altering taste and smell can negatively impact cancer patients' survival chances. Researchers identified management strategies to improve taste and odor abnormalities in cancer patients.
Researchers discovered that second chromosomes in bacteria are formed from plasmids, challenging current understanding of genome evolution. The study provides a general model for how multichromosomal architectures evolved in the Rhizobiaceae family.
Researchers found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis converts NO2 to NO using coenzyme F420, protecting itself from oxidative damage. This defense mechanism allows the bacteria to survive in the human immune system and stay dormant until the system is weakened.
Scientists identified a highly conserved type IV secretion system in Rickettsia, linked to virulence, and discovered gene duplication and additional contributing genes. The study provides insight into the evolution of Rickettsia virulence and sheds light on its potential as emerging infectious agents.
Over 200,000 genetically modified rice mutant lines are now available for researchers to study the function of approximately 57,000 genes in Oryza sativa. The vast repository is expected to accelerate the understanding of gene function and biological processes in rice and other commercially important grasses.
Blacksburg, VA-based Louis A. Madsen will focus on revealing new aspects of charged polymers in water purification and fuel cells through detailed analysis and computer modeling techniques. His project aims to improve the performance of advanced polymers for sustainable energy production and distribution.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a mathematical model to explore the roles of noise in controlling DNA replication and cell division. The study reveals flaws in two accepted notions about information processing in single cells, suggesting that the average number of mRNA molecules must be much larger than previously thought.
A universal language for describing genes involved in microbial-host interactions has been created, providing a shared vocabulary for researchers. The Gene Ontology resource will increase knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, ultimately leading to the design of novel disease-limiting strategies.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will explore the development of novel methods for delivering chemical antidotes that can mitigate the devastating effect of organophosphate-based neurotoxicants. The team aims to use nanoparticles called fullerenes to enhance their water solubility and catalytic properties, which could potentially protect a...
The Collaborative Center on Multidisciplinary Sciences (CCMS) will investigate futuristic aircraft designs such as SensorCraft, flapping micro-air vehicles, and supersonic long-range strike aircraft. Initial funding of $2.25 million for five years will support the center's efforts.
A team of scientists has developed an enzyme-based process that converts cellulose from wood chips and water into high-quality hydrogen fuel. The breakthrough could enable the production of renewable hydrogen for transportation, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Researchers compared four different strains of Coxiella burnetii to build a comprehensive picture of its genetic architecture and content. They found that strain virulence was associated with a smaller genome and the loss of genes, possibly due to pseudogene formation.
The Virginia Tech-CIMSS-PAC team develops a suite of new technologies to monitor bridge structural integrity. The proposed 'Bridge Prognostic System' uses piezoelectric materials and acoustic emission sensing to detect cracks, providing real-time data for decision-making.
Researchers are building additional radar units to monitor global space weather and its impact on human life. The new radars will join three existing mid-latitude radars for a continuous chain of coverage from Europe to eastern Asia.
Maura Borrego, a Virginia Tech assistant professor, received the Presidential Early Career Award for her development of methods to prepare faculty and students for interdisciplinary research. Her award marks the first one given to an engineer in this area.
Researchers found that maximum size of organisms increased in two distinct time-intervals, correlating with major oxygenation events. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of life on Earth, revealing a pattern of innovation and environmental opportunity.