News: Research

Research

New Technique Reveals Protein Production in Early Embryos

The earliest stages of developing life have been, in many ways, a black box for researchers before now.

Microscope image of a blastoid, a model of an early embryo

Research

The Achilles Heel That Could Lead to Universal Coronavirus Treatments

Alone, this target might not be strong enough to directly block infection, but might be used to jump-start or boost an immune response.

A man in white lab coat holds a three dimensional model of a viral protein and an antibody attached

Research

How Amphibious Plants Rewired a Gas Exchange Pathway to Survive in Water

Just as humans cannot breathe underwater, the tiny pores of plants can't exchange air underwater.

When grown on land, the amphibious plant Rorippa aquatica produces pores called stomata (left); but grown in water, it does not. Credit: Shuka Ikematsu.

Research

How a CRISPR Protein Might Yield New Tests for Many Viruses

New insights about a CRISPR-associated protein called Cas12a2 could lead to a new approach to diagnostics for a wide range of viral illnesses.

A protein unwinds a double stranded DNA helix

Research

How a Plant Stem Cell Commits to Its Fate and How Plant Growth Stays in Check

A pair of discoveries from the Torii Lab were recently published in Nature Plants.

Three flowering plants of the same variety with small blossoms grow, though one is much shorter

Research

Dense Bacterial Populations Create Mutant Breeding Grounds for Antibiotic Resistance

New discovery could make it easier to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Overlapping purple circles with orange highlights represent bacterial swarms. Dandelion-like seeds float away representing the mutant bacteria pushed to the edges of swarms.

Research

New Research Advances Fight Against Human Metapneumovirus

New research could pave the way for a vaccine for a common respiratory virus. 

Graphic showing how antibodies attack viral proteins

Research

Potential New Drug Target Could Boost Effectiveness of Chemotherapy Drugs

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered that a large family of reverse transcriptases (RTs)—enzymes that are found in all organisms and...

This image is a superposition of two enzymes: G2L4 and GsI-IIC RT.

Research

New Era at UT Austin Begins for Famous Long-Term Evolution Experiment

The Long-Term Evolution Experiment began back when a dozen eggs cost 65 cents, the film Rain Man topped the box office and George Michael’s song...

Jeff Barrick examines a dish of E. coli

Research

Scientists Hijack Bacteria To Ease Drug Manufacturing

Scientists have created biosensors from bacteria that will help speed up analysis of drug manufacturing, harnessing microbes to help detect therapeutic molecules.

E. Coli bacteria