A man in a tan shirt and glasses stands in front of lab beakers.

Why get new COVID-19 and flu shots?

New vaccinations against influenza and the virus that causes COVID-19 are available and arriving at physician offices and pharmacies. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign microbiology professor Chris Brooke is a...
A woman in a pink blazer and a man in a grey sweater stand in a laboratory.

Gut microbiome research sheds light on oligosaccharide breakdown, prebiotics

The human gut is a diverse and densely populated environment filled with bacteria and other microbes in fierce competition for resources. One major colonizer in the human colon is Bacteroides, a genus of bacteria that can break down a wide variety of complex carbohydrates indigestible by...
Students gather to watch a microbiology experiment

Progress on the table: Students and faculty with Cena y Ciencias give children the tools they need to dream

Ricardo Diaz still remembers the night chemistry professor Joaquin Rodriguez-Lopez walked into a room full of kids and told them to throw ketchup on a volunteer wearing a special shirt. Soon the room was enveloped in ketchup, laughter, and gasps...
Illustration of listeria bactria

In the news: What is listeriosis and how is it treated?

A recent recall of more than seven million pounds of deli meat has marked the largest listeria outbreak since 2011, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has been traced...
A building with sunlight streaming through the windows.

Celebrating new School of MCB faculty scholars, distinguished promotions

Five faculty members from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology have been recognized for their excellence in research and teaching through named scholar positions and distinguished promotions. Congratulations to Sayee Anakk, Auinash Kalsotra, Paola Mera, Lori Raetzman, and Joe Sanfilippo...
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When an orange behaves like an apple: New research pinpoints rules governing reaction outcomes of G-protein-modifying toxins

A group of researchers from the University of Illinois has identified a set of rules governing the reaction preferences of a family of G-protein-modifying toxins. G proteins are proteins that regulate cellular processes through interactions between hormone receptors and downstream signaling...
A man and woman standing in front of a lab bench

New study highlights need for cell-type-specific therapies in treatment of HIV

Researchers from the University of Illinois have demonstrated the importance of cell-type-specific targeting in the treatment of HIV. Their findings, published in PNAS, are one of the first to examine the differential or cell-type...
A large group of people gathered in a conference center.

Congratulating the 2024 student award winners

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology honored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students at its annual award ceremony, held on May 2. These student awards, fellowships, and scholarships recognize academic achievement, research accomplishments, and excellence in teaching and are made...
A brown-haired man in a tan shirt standing in a laboratory, posing with his arms crossed.

New study seeks to better understand virus shedding patterns

A new study from the School of Molecular & Cellular Biology seeks to better understand shedding patterns among common respiratory viruses by closely examining the immune system before, during, and after infection. The FLUdetect study, headed by...
A smiling woman in a black top.

"Accidental Offer" Shaped Career Trajectory of LAS Alumni Award Winner

Congratulations to Dr. Monteggia, a 2024 College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient! Lisa Monteggia’s journey to a career in psychiatric neuroscience began nearly forty years ago in a microbiology lab at...