News Archive
Researchers simulate behavior of living 'minimal cell' in three dimensions
Diana Yates
Scientists report that they have built a living “minimal cell” with a genome stripped down to its barest essentials – and a computer model of the cell that mirrors its behavior…
CRISPR-Cas13 targets proteins causing ALS, Huntington's disease in mouse nervous system
Liz Ahlberg Touchstone
A single genetic mutation can have profound consequences, as demonstrated in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Huntington’s disease. A new…
New project aims to sequence all known eukaryotic species
Ananya Sen
The Earth BioGenome Project, launched in November 2018, is an ambitious undertaking with the goal of sequencing all the existing, named eukaryotes—about 2 million species of…
New detection technique counts COVID virus particles in saliva, breath
Ivan Sanchez
As health and research institutions continue to rapidly develop new methodologies for detecting SARS-CoV-2, researchers have found themselves at both forefronts of discovery…
Gene mutation leads to epileptic encephalopathy symptoms, neuron death in mice
Liz Ahlberg Touchstone
Mice with a genetic mutation that’s been observed in patients with epileptic encephalopathy, a severe form of congenital epilepsy, exhibit not only the seizure, developmental…
Prenatal exposure to phthalates damages reproductive tissue in female mice
Ananya Sen
Phthalates are a ubiquitous family of chemicals that are used every day. In a new study, researchers have investigated how these compounds affect tissue development in the…
Stronger drought resistance of urban vegetation due to higher temperature, CO2 and reduced O3
Alisa King-Klemperer
Globally, plants are reaping the benefits of elevated CO2 levels in the atmosphere by increasing photosynthesis rates, a phenomenon known as the CO2 fertilization effect.…
The heat is on: RIPE researchers show ability to future-proof crops
Allie Arp
The world is warming quickly with no indication of slowing down. This could be catastrophic for the production of food crops, particularly in already warm areas. Today,…
Supporting research on reproductive health through the Director’s Innovation Fund
Ananya Sen
The Director’s Innovation Fund was initiated in 2019 by Scott Fisher, an Illinois alumnus. He wanted to honor his late wife Bonita J. Fisher, who was diagnosed with multiple…
New model accurately describes COVID-19 waves and plateaus
Siv Schwink
The COVID-19 pandemic has gone on much longer than many predicted in its earliest months. The world has closely watched its progression, with infection rates measured out on…
Atomic structure of antifungal drug confirms unusual mechanism
Liz Ahlberg Touchstone
Advanced molecular imaging technology has now mapped the structure of a drug widely used to treat fungal infections but whose workings have mystified researchers and physicians…
COVID viral spike protein region senses temperature, drives seasonal mutation patterns
Lauren Quinn
New analyses from University of Illinois researchers show that, underneath all the variants and waves, COVID-19 has been cycling seasonally across the globe for nearly two…