Virginia Bioinformatics Institute

Tracy Wilkins named University Distinguished Achievement Award winner for 2013

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Tracy D. Wilkins, an emeritus member of Virginia Tech's faculty, former university leader, and co-founder of the TechLab company, is the 2013 recipient of Virginia Tech's University Distinguished Achievement Award.

Photos: Golab to visit Virginia Bioinformatics Institute

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Click an image to see a larger version.

Golab stops in Blacksburg, Kids Tech University to host family science program April 27

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Sponsored by the Kids' Tech University program, the Golab visit is part of a broader U.S. tour that showcases the latest in scientific instrumentation.

New book explores evidence for stress-induced gene mutation

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A new book, "Stress-Induced Mutagenesis," published by Springer and edited by David Mittelman, an associate professor at Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, provides key evidence and reveals molecular details of stress-induced genetic and epigenetic mutation, integrating cross-disciplinary observations from a number of species and biological systems, including human systems.

11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference to be held April 19

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Almost 100 students will present their research and creative scholarship at the 11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, April 19. Family, friends, those affiliated with the university, and the greater community are welcome to attend.

Shernita Lee and Ryan C. Smith named 2013 Graduate Woman and Man of the Year

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Ryan C. Smith is the first student to receive both of Virginia Tech's undergraduate and graduate man of the year honors.

Collaborations forged to create innovative solutions to children's health issues

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech, Children's National Medical Center, and George Washington University have partnered in a unique program to create research breakthroughs in children's health.

Research directors inform board of visitors on surging health science initiatives

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Two leaders of health-science research at Virginia Tech informed the Board of Visitors about advances in human health, novel research programs, technology licensing, start-up companies, and drug discovery and development.

Fifth-graders from across Virginia experience 'Kindergarten to College' program

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Fifth graders from across the state visit Virginia Tech and participate in science labs, eat lunch with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and tour the athletic facilities in a higher education aspirations program entitled, "Kindergarten to College."

Recon 2 modeling may help tailor treatments for patients with metabolic diseases, cancer

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

An international team of researchers, including an investigator with the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech, has produced what may be the most comprehensive computer model of human metabolism yet developed.

Seminar series brings top-notch life science researchers to campus

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Seminars occur every Friday, from 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., in the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute conference room.

New Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corporation to foster innovation and partnerships

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Don Leo will serve on the 13-member board of directors and Stan Hefta, who had an active role in the formation of the corporation, will serve on the 11-member Project Management and Oversight Panel.

Christopher Barrett awarded prestigious professorship from Swedish university

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

As part of the professorship, Christopher Barrett will develop interdisciplinary projects with Chalmers University on topics related to sustainable cities, social and network science, and socially coupled systems.

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute researchers study how 'villain' gut bacteria may help control diabetes

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A stomach bacterium believed to cause health problems such as gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer may play a dual role by balancing the stomach’s ecosystem and controlling body weight and glucose tolerance.

Double-dipping scientists may have received millions in duplicate funding, Virginia Bioinformatics Institute analysis reveals

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Funding agencies may be paying out duplicate grants, according to an analysis completed at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech and led by Harold R. Garner, a professor in the departments of biological science, computer science, and basic science. The study points to the possibility millions of dollars in funding may have been used inappropriately.

Virginia Tech ranking for research spending jumps; remains tops in Virginia

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A new report from the National Science Foundation shows Virginia Tech has risen from 44th to 41st in a national ranking of research and development spending at public universities in 2011. Virginia Tech remains the top university in Virginia for funds expended in the pursuit of science, engineering, and other scholarly activity, and the only Virginia institution in the top 50.

Virginia Tech biochemist Dennis Dean named AAAS Fellow

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dennis R. Dean was selected for this high honor by his peers for "his contributions to the fields of microbiology and bioinorganic chemistry involving the mechanisms of biological nitrogen fixation and the formation of biological iron-sulfur clusters," according to the association.

Research on Clostridium difficile infection yields promising new drug target

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers at Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have discovered a new host-targeted approach for dealing with Clostridium difficile, a bacterium that causes infectious diarrhea and is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. The new approach helps regulate the immune system so that it deals effectively with the disease without causing further damage to the intestinal lining.

Kids' Tech University celebrates new sponsorships

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Designed for children ages 9 to 12, Kids' Tech University aims to excite children about science while providing them with valuable experience in a university setting.

Virginia Tech strengthens ties to business, industry in Arlington

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Virginia Tech Research Center -- Arlington is forging government-and-industry ties with research focused in areas such as bioinformatics and cybersecurity.

Department of Energy's Office of Science director to discuss science for sustainable energy at first-ever visit to Virginia Tech

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400

William F. Brinkman, one of America's leading physicists and director of Department of Energy's Office of Science, will talk about challenges related to energy use and global warming during his first-ever visit to Virginia Tech on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Kids' Tech University launches new program in Abingdon, Va.

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Kids' Tech University teaches children ages 9 to 12 about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects while providing them with valuable experience in a university setting.

Scientists investigate bacterial outliers

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The three-year interdisciplinary project brought together researchers specializing in bioinformatics, carbohydrate chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, and Brucella.

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute unveils new Genomic Research Laboratory

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Providing a spectrum of services, the lab offers cutting-edge DNA sequencing equipment, project design assistance, analysis of results, and training in genomic analysis.

National Science Foundation award to help improve the efficiency of DNA fabrication, creating educational opportunities and jobs

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0400

A team of researchers is working to optimize the laboratory process used to make custom DNA molecules with the tools and methods of industrial engineering.

Student researcher explored genomic medicine in summer fellowship

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Researchers are trying to find genome mutations that influence normal traits as well as disease. Undergraduate researcher Calvin Stephens joins David Mittelman, associate professor in biological sciences, in trying to unravel the mystery of microsatellite repeats in DNA at Virginia Bioinformatics Institute.

Kathleen Alexander receives NIH grant to study effect of climate change on water-borne diseases

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The research will evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions providing clean water to at-risk populations in Haiti. The project is part of a larger NIH grant to develop computer models to simulate the spread of infectious diseases for use in public health policy and decision making.

Researchers study new ways to forecast critical societal events

Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

University and industry scientists are determining how to forecast significant societal events, ranging from violent protests to nationwide credit-rate crashes, by analyzing the billions of pieces of information in the ocean of public communications, such as tweets, web queries, oil prices, and daily stock market activity.

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute to illuminate role of science in movies, television at 'USA Science & Engineering Festival' April 28 and 29

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech will spread information about high-tech science as well as demonstrate pandemic infection at USA Science & Engineering Expo.

10th annual Undergraduate Research and Prospective Graduate Student Conference to be held April 19

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to observe the oral and poster presentations on April 19 in Squires Student Center. A diverse set of research topics and creative scholarship will be featured by undergraduate student researchers.

Virginia Tech participates in Northern Virginia Technology Council event to explore university and business partnerships

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech participates in second annual University Technology Exhibition sponsored by the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

Prestigious National Institutes of Health training program answers biomedical research need

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Six veterinarian trainees will be funded by this grant to conduct cutting-edge biomedical research through this National Institutes of Health training program, starting July 1.

Virginia Tech makes national service honor roll

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Corporation for National and Community Service honored Virginia Tech in the 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll as one of the nation's leading colleges in service.

Harold 'Skip' Garner steps down as executive director of Virginia Bioinformatics Institute; Dennis Dean named interim executive director

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:01:46 -0500

Garner will lead the Medical Informatics Systems division at the institute and focus on his scholarly research.

Genetic 'Rosetta stone' unveiled in Nature

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Scientists have developed a new community resource that may act as a Rosetta stone for revealing the genetic basis of traits and disease.

Virginia Tech team to investigate the genomics of wood for biofuels production

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A team of Virginia Tech researchers is working to characterize the genes involved in wood formation in poplar trees with the goal of improving the quality and quantity of wood as a feedstock for biofuels production.

Virginia Tech's door opened and they came

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Visitors included folks from the university community, alumni, donors, and curious children and adults from all over the state. The hundreds who came had a chance to learn about such things as cows with portholes, race cars, snakes, flowers, and how disease spreads.

Frank Beamer to spread Hokie Fever 'fandemic' campus-wide

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

University Open House attendees can join the "fandemic" on Saturday, Nov. 12. At the end of their stay, each participant can check in to learn how widespread "Hokie Fever" is and be included in chances to win prizes.

Research team unravels tomato pathogen's tricks of the trade

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech scientists sequenced the genome of several isolates of a bacterial tomato pathogen in order to track the pathogen's ability to overcome plant defenses and to develop methods to prevent further spread.

Video: Potential top-secret research applications intrigue defense-oriented Virginia Tech alums

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

An inside-the-beltway group called VT IDEA takes a look at research that may have cybersecurity application benefitting intelligence and military agencies.

Diagnostic sensors among technologies to be showcased at life science forum in Roanoke

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech researchers are developing rapid assays to report the presence of target pathogens or to identify unknown contaminants.

New targets for control of HIV are predicted using a novel computational analysis

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A new computational approach has predicted numerous human proteins that the HIV requires to replicate itself.

Researchers uncover mechanisms of plant infection

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This research is featured on the cover of the latest issue of the top plant research journal Plant Cell.

National Institutes of Health renews successful infectious disease research study

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The National Institutes of Health has renewed funding for a successful program that is modeling the potential path of infectious disease. The study aims to help leaders make better-informed decisions about natural or intentionally caused emerging infectious diseases and plan for national emergencies or acts of bioterrorism.

Video: Teachers enjoy science and math training at Virginia Tech's Southwest Center

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

At a three-day conference each summer at Virginia Tech's Southwest Center, teachers enjoy hands-on training in STEM (science, technology, math, and engineering) topics.

Technology Secretary Jim Duffey welcomes scientists gathered in National Capital Region to explore Virginia Tech's research capabilities

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

More than 150 members of the scientific community gathered to network and learn about Virginia Tech's research capabilities in its new research center.

Artist to demonstrate the science behind her creativity

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech presents an art exhibition, demonstration, and lecture featuring regional artist Gibby Waitzkin on July 14.

Virginia Tech Research Center — Arlington opens to expand capability for scientific inquiry, extend university footprint in National Capital Region

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Virginia Tech Research Center -- Arlington has opened its doors in the Ballston area of Arlington, Va., as a nucleus for discovery to expanding the university's capability for new scientific inquiry and extend Virginia Tech's footprint in the National Capital Region.

Video: Economic developers take a closer look at Virginia Tech's research assets

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Economic developers from around Virginia gathered at Virginia Tech to learn more about the university's assets, especially the research institutes.

Virginia Bioinformatics Institute sheds light on recent E. coli outbreak in Germany

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

In the rush to save lives, many laboratories are analyzing these genomes and providing data to the research community.