News: Molecular Biosciences

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

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.

Research

Tiny Insects Provide Inspiration for New Biomaterials

They may be tiny, but leafhoppers have a super power: they secrete a substance that makes their bodies water-repellant and anti-reflective.

Oncometopia hamiltoni leafhopper insect

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

Research

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.

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

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

Accolades

Lulu Cambronne Named 2020 Pew Biomedical Scholar

Xiaolu 'Lulu' Cambronne was one of 22 early career scientists selected to join the 2020 class of Pew Biomedical Scholars.

Profile pic of Lulu Cambrone

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

Research

Researchers Create Largest Ever Map of Plant Proteins and Their Assemblies

Their findings could have applications crop yields, disease and stress resistance in plants, and informing biofuel production.

Two flowering seedlings against a black background with line graphs above and below in green

Podcast

Science Amid the Social Distance

A compilation from our previous episodes that we hope will help you find some solace right now: in rediscovering life, the people we're closest with...

A cross-section of a nautilus shell