News

Research predicts stability of mosquito-borne disease prevention

More than half of the people in the world, including in the United States, live alongside Aedes aegypti — the mosquito that transmits dengue, Zika and other often deadly viruses. Dengue virus, alone, infects nearly 400 million people worldwide each year.

New Bioinformatics and Genomics Chair Looks To Capitalize on Program's Strengths

New chair George Perry is considering opportunities for expanded partnerships that will build on the solid foundations already in place in the BG program.

July 2019 Genome Research journal cover inspired by the work of Vijay Kumar Pounraja

Bioinformatics and Genomics Student Inspires Journal Cover

The July 2019 issue of Genome Research features art inspired by the work of Penn State graduate student Vijay Kumar Pounraja.

New tuberculosis tests pave way for cow vaccination programs

Skin tests that can distinguish between cattle that are infected with tuberculosis (TB) and those that have been vaccinated against the disease have been created by an international team of scientists.

New method helping to find deletions and duplications in the human genome

A new machine-learning method accurately identifies regions of the human genome that have been duplicated or deleted — known as copy number variants — that are often associated with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The new method, developed by researchers at Penn State, integrates data from several algorithms that attempt to identify copy number variants from exome-sequencing data — high-throughput DNA sequencing of only the protein-coding regions of the human genome.

Some green ash trees show some resistance to emerald ash borers

Genes in green ash trees that may confer some resistance to attacks by the emerald ash borer express themselves only once the tree detects the invasive beetle's feeding, according to Penn State researchers.

Researchers find genes that could help create more resilient chickens

An international team of scientists, led by Penn State researchers, have identified genes that may help farmers, especially ones in low- and middle-income countries, breed chickens that can resist one of the biggest disease threats facing poultry today.

Shaun Mahony employs machine learning to study gene regulation

Once the fodder of science fiction books and movies, Artificial intelligence -- AI -- and machine learning are making an impact on nearly every facet of society. Penn State’s Institute for CyberScience are among Penn State’s research leaders who are both using AI in their work and studying ways to make sure that the technology’s societal impact is as safe and as beneficial as possible.

A new study led by researchers at Penn State has identified the gene responsible for the color switch between the red and black color forms of the bumble bee, Bombus melanopygus. The black form is similar to other bees in the Pacific Coastal region while the red form is similar to other bees in the Rocky Mountain region. IMAGE: LI TIAN, PENN STATE

How The Bumble Bee Got Its Stripes

Researchers have discovered a gene that drives color differences within a species of bumble bees. This discovery helps to explain the highly diverse color patterns among bumble bee species as well as how mimicry — individuals in an area adopting similar color patterns — evolves.

IMAGE: STOCK PHOTO / PIXABAY

NIH Grant Funds Research to Pinpoint Natural Selection’s Influence on Genomes

With a $1.7 million grant through the National Institutes of Health, researchers led by Michael DeGiorgio will begin to tease apart individual forces to understand how much influence natural selection has had on our evolutionary path.