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When the sidechain bases guanine (G) and uracil (U) are paired in the 3D structure of a molecule of ribonucleic acid (RNA) the unusual pairing creates an unusual molecular conformation called a “wobble," pictured on the left. New research shows that non-covalent modifications to the bases can further alter the conformation creating a “shifted wobble," shown on the right. This conformational diversity could help explain RNAs function versatility, according to the researchers. Credit: Md Sharear Saon/Bevilacqua Lab / Penn State. Creative Commons

September 09, 2025

Unusual molecular conformation could help explain RNA’s versatility
A group of tiny particles can be made to follow a different group of particles in new experiments demonstrating the first steps in creating intelligent communicating systems involving active particles — sometimes called nanobots — that perform specialized tasks. In the experiment particles coated with the enzyme acid phosphatase (AcP) moved toward a chemical gradient of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), which it converts to glucose that attracts the particles coated with the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx). The situation is akin to a predator chasing its prey or a police officer pursuing a criminal. Credit: Provided by the Sen Laboratory / Penn State. Creative Commons

September 09, 2025

Can nanobots play follow the leader?
Mike Campbell, distinguished professor of biology at Penn State Behrend, serves as director of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center. Credit: Penn State Behrend / Penn State. Creative Commons

September 09, 2025

Erie research vineyard provides opportunities for Behrend students

September 08, 2025

Explainer: What Is the CSL Behring Fermentation Facility at Penn State?
A new method to measure RNA velocity — which describes rate of gene expression in a single cell — overcomes limitations of previous methods and can incorporate spatial information as well as data from cells processed at different times. The new method, called spVelo incorporates two types of neural networks: a Variational Autoencoder that models gene expression and a Graph Attention Network that allows the incorporation of spatial and batch information from the sequencing data. Credit: Provided by the researchers. All Rights Reserved.

September 08, 2025

New method calculates rate of gene expression to understand cell fate

September 06, 2025

New sweat monitoring device may help detect oxygen starvation

September 05, 2025

Sticker-like sensor tracks sweat for early health warnings
Flatheads grow fast in this river system, attain large body sizes and can eat a variety of prey. Because adult flatheads have few natural predators, they can exert strong control over the ecosystem. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

September 04, 2025

Invasive flathead catfish now top predators in Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania
Adam Hughes Credit: Adam Hughes. All Rights Reserved.

September 04, 2025

Huck Distinguished Lecture Series to host biochemist on Sept. 9
Researchers at Penn State are using 3D bioprinting and a novel surgical method to improve blood supply in tissue reconstruction, backed by a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

September 04, 2025

$3M grant seeks bioprinted solution for reconstructive surgery’s blood problem

September 04, 2025

Human Genome and Gut Fungi Interact in Chronic Disease Risk
A team at Penn State has developed a novel wearable sensor capable of continuously monitoring low rates of perspiration for the presence of a lactate — a molecule the body uses to break down sugars for energy. Credit: Provided by Farnaz Lorestani. All Rights Reserved.

September 03, 2025

Don’t sweat it: New device detects sweat biomarker at minimal perspiration rate
A watercolor artist’s interpretation of the relationship between the human genome and gut mycobiome. A new genome-wide study by researchers at Penn State uncovered evidence of the first three-way relationships between human genetic variation, variation in the fungal component of the human microbiome — known as the mycobiome — and risk of developing chronic disease. Credit: Amy Bean/Creative Commons. All Rights Reserved.

September 03, 2025

Connection among gut fungi, genetics and disease risk in humans identified
Chemistry graduate students Amanda Gramm (L) and Jessica Thompson (R) will participate in internships with Huck Institutes Core Facilities

September 02, 2025

Grad Students to participate in Core Facilities internships

September 02, 2025

Study finds links between human genetic variation, gut mycobiome, and chronic disease risk
Andrew Patterson, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor, professor of molecular toxicology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Penn State, has been named associate director for shared and core facilities at the Huck Institutes. Credit: Mike Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

September 01, 2025

Andrew Patterson named Huck associate director for shared and core facilities
Images of of a lychee seed and a mouse brain scanned in the Huck Institutes' High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core Facility. Credit: Thomas Neuberger / Penn State. Creative Commons

August 29, 2025

Huck launches new seed grant program to support research in MRI Core Facility
Penn State will utilize the petition in communication with Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation as a clear demonstration of widespread support for the University’s research mission and its statewide impact. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

August 28, 2025

Penn State petition calls for support of federally funded research

August 28, 2025

Ancient DNA shows what really spread the farming revolution

August 28, 2025

Study Shows Drug-Resistant Salmonella Dublin Could Spread Among Cows, Food, and Humans
New research by Penn State scientists shows that migration of farming groups was the dominant factor in the spread of agriculture, while cultural adoption by hunter-gatherers only played a minimal role. Pictured are the remains of a house in the Neolithic village of Barnhouse Settlement, Orkney, Scotland. Credit: Creative Commons. All Rights Reserved.

August 27, 2025

Ancient DNA reveals farming spread through migration, locals slow to adopt it
Beech Creek, a 170-square-mile watershed in Clinton and Centre counties, has shifted from a thriving trout fishery to waters polluted by acidic mine drainage. Credit: Chris Komlenic. All Rights Reserved.

August 27, 2025

Research sheds light on Beech Creek’s struggle with abandoned mine drainage
Zinc enrichment and light intensity affect the nutritional composition of radish microgreens, shown here. The researchers found that high light intensity decreased the production of plant-defense compounds while it increased the production of antioxidants. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

August 26, 2025

Fine-tuning zinc supplementation, light exposure to boost microgreens’ nutrition

August 26, 2025

Hidden messengers tell plants when to eat and breathe