Posted on October 14, 2016 by southernipmcenter
by Blair Fannin, Texas A&M AgriLife
After millions of sequence scans, a group of scientists led by a Texas A&M AgriLife researcher say they are “one step closer” to finding a cure for the Zika virus.
Dr. Sandun Fernando and three other scientists,have been modeling and testing a series of ligands, or molecules, that attach themselves to the Zika virus protein. Identifying these molecules will help scientists match potential drug compounds that could be developed to help inhibit Zika virus once contracted. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: Ebola, mosquito viruses, Sundun Fernando, Texas AgriLife, Zika, Zika cure | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 14, 2016 by southernipmcenter
Virginia Tech’s Department of Entomology invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor in the area of arthropod-borne viruses starting in Spring 2017. This position is the first in a cluster of six new faculty positions in infectious disease research at Virginia Tech. The nine-month, 70% research and 30% teaching appointment will be based on the campus at Virginia Tech, a land-grant university in the scenic New River Valley of Virginia.
Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to develop an extramurally funded research program focused on arthropod-borne viruses and serve as a member of the established Vector-Borne Disease Research Group in the Fralin Life Sciences Institute at Virginia Tech. This world-class research facility includes a dedicated insectary and BL3 containment facility. Continue reading →
Filed under: employment | Tagged: arbovirology, entomology, faculty positions, Virginia Tech | Leave a comment »
Posted on October 14, 2016 by southernipmcenter
by Dina Spector, Business Insider
Honeybees, which pollinate nearly one-third of the food we eat , have been dying at unprecedented rates because of a mysterious phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder (CCD). The situation is so dire that in late June the White House gave a new task force just 180 days to devise a coping strategy to protect bees and other pollinators. The crisis is generally attributed to a mixture of disease, parasites, and pesticides.
Other scientists are pursuing a different tack: replacing bees. While there’s no perfect solution, modern technology offers hope. Continue reading →
Filed under: news | Tagged: bee-size robots, honey bees, pollinator health, pollinator protection, robobees | 1 Comment »
