MS2, an ssRNA virus, has a long (> 50 years) history as a model system in molecular biology. MS2 infects the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli via a single maturation protein, which attaches to retractile F-pili of the host and has potential biotechnological applications for RNA delivery into cells. While MS2 was the first organism sequenced,… Read More →
Bio/Bio welcomes our new REU students!
Dr. Mary Bryk and Dr. Gary Kunkel are back it again with coordinating a summer research experience for undergraduates who come from all over the United States. We hope they enjoy their experience and summer here with us at Texas A&M University! Maybe we’ll even get lucky and some will apply to our graduate program… Read More →
Taking the “STING” out of immune dysfunction
The detection of pathogen-derived nucleic acids is a central strategy by which the host senses infection and initiates protective immune responses. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a dsDNA sensor. It catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which stimulates the induction of type I interferons through the STING–TBK1–IRF-3 signaling axis. However, the precise mechanisms that govern activation of STING by cGAMP and subsequent activation of TBK1 remain unclear. A paper published by Dr. Pingwei Li’s… Read More →
ASBMB Annual Conference
Back in June 2018, Drs. Vytas Bankaitis and Dorothy Shippen received the ASBMB National Award and were nominated by colleagues and other leaders in their field. The 2019 ASBMB Annual Meeting was held in Orlando from April 6-9, where they both presented their works. The meeting had a full schedule, including networking, workshops, sessions, and… Read More →
LAUNCH Golden Medal Recipient
Isaac Esparza, senior undergraduate in the Entomology Department specializing in Forensic Investigative Sciences, won a golden medal for completing the LAUNCH undergraduate research scholar program for his research in the Kurouski Lab. Isaac is first author in his paper titled, “Surface-Enhanced Raman Analysis of Underlaying Colorants on Re-dyed Hair” and it was accepted in to… Read More →
Dr. Shippen Named Distinguished Professor
Texas A&M University has awarded its highest faculty honor by bestowing seven scholars with the title of Distinguished Professor. The designation identifies faculty members who are preeminent in their fields and who have made at least one landmark contribution to their discipline. Their research and advancements are considered central to any narrative of the field…. Read More →
2019 Brown-Rudder Award Winner
Karissa Yamaguchi, graduating senior from Dr. Xiuren Zhang’s lab, was named one of two winners of the Brown-Rudder Award for 2019. The Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award was established in 1970 as the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior at Texas A&M University. The award honors the outstanding senior student who exemplifies… Read More →
TXGAP Travel Scholarship Recipient
Dr. Ximena Paez-Colasante, Postdoctoral Administrative Fellow of the Genetics Department, is the recipient of the TXGAP Travel Scholarship. This is a very competitive scholarship and no one from TAMU has received it. TXGAP is scheduled for June 6-7, 2019 in Dallas, TX and is a great opportunity for advisors to meet with seasoned advisors and… Read More →
2019 Guseman Award Winner
Drew Roth, from the Rye Lab, is the recipient of the 2019 Guseman Award by the Graduate & Professional Student Council. The GPSC offers awards each year which honor students and faculty who go above and beyond to serve the Council, University and Community. The Guseman Award recognizes graduate and professional students for their outstanding… Read More →
2019 Distinguished Achievement Award Winner
The Distinguished Achievement Awards, sponsored by The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M University, recognized 24 outstanding faculty and staff for superior performance in the classroom, laboratory, campus office, or clinic, in these categories: Teaching; Research; Student Relations; Administration; Extension, Outreach, and Continuing Education; Staff; and Graduate Mentoring. The university-level Distinguished Achievement Awards were… Read More →