News: Infectious Diseases

Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

Department of Molecular Biosciences

Human Trials Begin for a Low-Cost COVID-19 Vaccine to Extend Global Access

A COVID-19 vaccine in human trials in Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil, holds promise for affordable vaccine manufacturing in countries currently dependent on imported vaccines.

A masked person holds a glass vial of vaccine

Podcast

Do Sick Animals Socially Distance?

According to a new review in the journal Science, when highly social animals — such as ants, mice and bats — get sick, their social interactions change...

A group of common vampire bats just hanging around

Department of Molecular Biosciences

Scientists Discover How Remdesivir Works to Inhibit Coronavirus

For the first time, scientists identified a critical mechanism that remdesivir uses against SARS-CoV-2 and unearthed information that drug companies can use to develop new...

A pair of gloved hands holds a vial of clear liquid

UT News

Texas Coronavirus Scientists Win Award for Research with ‘Great Societal Benefit’

The world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society has announced that Jason McLellan, a University of Texas at Austin associate professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences...

Jason McLellan peers at lab work underway by grad student Daniel Wrapp

Research

Coronavirus Mutation May Have Made It More Contagious

The virus that causes COVID-19 is accumulating genetic mutations, one of which may have made it more contagious.

Map of Houston representing COVID-19 trends in each zip code

Research

Curbing COVID-19 Hospitalizations Requires Attention to Construction Workers

A new study shows how much more likely construction workers are to get diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to non-construction workers

Construction workers at a plant

Podcast

Ask the COVID-19 Experts

An epidemiologist and two molecular bioscientists get to the bottom of your burning COVID-19 questions.

Illustration of a physician in a white lab coat

Research

Some Bacteria Sacrifice Themselves to Protect their Brethren from Antibiotics

Discovery may aid the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Bacterial cells in microscopic image. Some are stained green and others bright orange on a black background.

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

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