Biology

  • Researchers unearth mysteries behind natural ‘DNA scissors,’ CRISPR

    By Kevin Dural -

    While research application of CRISPR technology mostly includes scientist’s hand-directed editing of genomes, UT researchers are studying how the natural mechanism of CRISPR works. Two groups of UT molecular scientists have recently published papers in journals Molecular Cell and Cell, respectively, that delve deeper into how CRISPR works in the natural world for defense against certain bacterial infections.

  • New study links depression and immune system responses

    By Rahi Dakwala -

    The Immune System, Stress and Depression Study is being conducted by Dr. Marisa Toups and Research Associate Alyssa Marron in the Department of Psychiatry at Dell Medical School. They are studying the link between depression and the observed increase of the proteins cytokines and C-Reactive Proteins (CRP), which are used by the immune system.

  • Individual personalities meld in secure relationship, study says

    By Lauren Rahman -

    When you’re in a relationship with a person long enough, you might start to act like them. Graduate student Courtney Walsh published research on how couples fuse their individual identities into a single couple’s identity. This is one of the first studies to examine identity fusion within couples rather than groups.

  • “Zombie” flies control invasive ant species

    By Catherine Vincent -

    Scientists are using brain-munching, mind-controlling flies to “zombify” and kill invasive fire ant species. This past weekend, Dr. Robert (Rob) Plowes, a research scientist in the Department of Integrative Biology, gave the 115th Hot Science-Cool Talk called “Fire Ants, Crazy Ants & Zombie Ants” which detailed the process.

  • UT researcher advances ovarian cancer detection techniques

    By Samagra Jain -

    Marian Williams-Brown, a clinical professor at UT’s Dell Medical School and the Women’s Health Institute, is working to improve early detection techniques for ovarian cancer. In a collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center, Williams-Brown is conducting a study to create an algorithm based on a person’s age and CA125 levels that detects ovarian cancer more accurately.

  • UT researchers engineer bacteria to produce more-stable therapeutics

    By Elizabeth Robinson -

    A team of UT scientists recently perfected their method of using E. coli to produce more stable versions of therapeutic proteins by making the bacteria healthier. The method was published in the academic journal Nature Biotechnology on June 4, and is already being used to help create therapeutic medicines.

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