News: Research
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
UT News
Early Spread of COVID-19 Appears Far Greater Than Initially Reported
Thousands of patients who thought they had the flu actually had COVID-19 and spread it in the early days of the pandemic.
![Artist's image shows human figures in grey, yellow and green with lines between them indicating the spread of disease](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/meyers-1400px-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
Locking Down Shape-Shifting Spike Protein Aids Development of COVID-19 Vaccine
An experimental COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 elicits neutralizing antibodies and a helpful T-cell response with the aid of a carefully engineered spike protein.
![A medical professional vaccinates a patient](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/b2ap3_large_vaccination-1400px.jpeg)
A Young Sub-Neptune-sized Planet Sheds Light onto How Planets Form and Evolve
A team of astronomers including McDonald Observatory's Bill Cochran have made a detailed study of a young planet slightly smaller than Neptune with the Habitable-zone...
![An artist's rendition of a large planet orbiting a star](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/noirlab_img1.png)
UT News
New Tool to Guide Decisions on Social Distancing Uses Hospital Data and Emphasizes Protecting the Vulnerable
Epidemiologists develop framework to help policymakers determine which data to track and when to take action to protect their communities.
![Image shows a person's feet in tennis shoes standing near a red circle sticker that reads stay safe and keep your distance](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/social-distancing-1400px-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)
Studying Radioactive Aluminum in Solar Systems Unlocks Formation Secrets
An international team of astronomers including Stella Offner of The University of Texas at Austin has proposed a new method for the formation of aluminum-26...
![An elliptically shaped galaxy with a light streak representing its black hole and dust and stars all around](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/pia03243.jpg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
COVID-19 Vaccine Innovation Could Dramatically Speed Up Worldwide Production
A redesigned version of the coronavirus spike protein called HexaPro might speed up vaccine production and yield a more effective immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
![A professor and graduate student working in lab](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/b2ap3_large_mclellan-wrapp1400.jpeg)
Discovery about Hep C Drug Offers Insights for Coronavirus Treatments
Finding offers important clues to developing drugs to stop other RNA viruses, such as SARS-COV-2.
![An artist rendering of the Hepatitis C virus.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/hepc-1400px-_20200715-181659_1.jpeg)
Department of Molecular Biosciences
COVID-19 Vaccines with UT Ties Arrived Quickly After Years in the Making
The COVID-19 vaccine was only possible because a group of scientists and their partners in industry had already invested years in laying the groundwork.
![Thee men in lab coats in a laboratory](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/mclellan-wrapp-wang2400x1800.jpg)
UT News
Power of DNA to Store Information Gets an Upgrade
Researchers stored a copy of the Wizard of Oz - in Esperanto - in DNA using a revolutionary new technique.
![Artists image of DNA helix in purple, yellow and green with letters GTAC and 01 binary in the background](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/dna-data-storage-1400px-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)
UT News
COVID-19 Drug Development Could Benefit from Approach Used Against Flu
A new study from researchers at The University of Texas at Austin has found that some antivirals are useful for more than helping sick people...
![Artist rendition of COVID-19 virus and pills](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/antiviral-drug-1400px-2-copy-1200x800-c-default.jpeg)