News: Infectious Diseases
Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
Department of Molecular Biosciences
McLellan Named Recipient of the 2024 IVI-SK Bioscience Park MahnHoon Award
The International Vaccine Institutes Bioscience Park MahnHoon Award recognizes his role in the development of several vaccines.
![Man in a white lab coat standing in front of scientific equipment](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/mclellan_lab_149_2400x1600.jpg)
Alzheimer’s Drug Fermented With Help From AI and Bacteria Moves Closer to Reality
An innovative approach uses artificial intelligence and biosensors to pave the way for faster drug development.
![Image of bacteria and biosensors](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/bacteria-thumbnail.jpg)
UT News
Cancer Prevention, Screening and Research Programs Expanding With CPRIT Support
Yi Lu and Lauren Ehrlich of the College of Natural Sciences are among the cancer researchers with exciting projects on the horizon.
![Five head shots of scientists include two men and three women](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/cprit-researchers-2024.jpg)
Increased Use of Paxlovid Could Cut Hospitalizations, Deaths and Costs
Epidemiologists found that treating even 20% of symptomatic cases would save lives and improve public health.
![A hand holding two white pills in the palm](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/pax-thumbnail.jpg)
Bacteria Store Memories and Pass Them on for Generations
Bacteria use iron levels to store memories and pass them on to later generations, scientists have found.
![Microscopic image of E.coli bacteria](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/ecoli_teaser_0.png)
Researchers Find a New Avenue to Combat Biofilm Threat
A team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and other institutions have unlocked a clue about how bacteria form biofilms.
![Electron microscope image of bacterial biofilm](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/biofilm_thumbnail.png)
Researchers Identify Potential New Target for Treating T Cell Leukemia
A team led by Lauren Ehrlich found a link between myeloid cells and the cancer that often strikes children.
![Green and red cells under a microscope](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/t-allcells_2400x1600.png)
Cancer Drug Restores Immune System’s Ability to Fight Tumors
Drug candidate developed by Everett Stone and his team is effective in mice with cancers of skin, bladder, blood and colon.
![Microscope image of cancer cell with immune cells attached](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3-2-t-cells-and-cancer.jpg)
CDC Taps UT for National Disease Outbreak Response Network
Lauren Ancel Meyers and colleagues will help scale up decision-support tools that were successful in earlier outbreaks for use across jurisdictions.
![A scientist points to a pandemic model visualization in front of a standing audience](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/war-room_1200x800.jpg)
Vulnerable Neighborhoods Bore Brunt of Pandemic Well into its Second Year
A study in PLOS Computational Biology from University of Texas at Austin epidemiologists examined COVID infection and hospitalization rates by zip code.
![A map of Travis County shows different Zip codes in different colors against a grid. Lines intersect higher and lower income areas.](/sites/default/files/uploads/images/default/3-2-riskmap.jpg)