Microbiology

BUSM Researchers Identify Chemical Compounds that Halt Virus Replication

kfurness — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:32:14 +0000

Claire Marie Filone, a postdoctoral researcher in the Connor Lab, led the research that identified a new chemical class of compounds that have the potential to block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. The findings, published in Chemistry & Biology, could allow for the development of broad-spectrum antiviral medications to treat a number of viruses, including the highly pathogenic Ebola and Marburg viruses. This story is highlighted in BUMC News.

Nikolajczyk Study Reveals B cells as Therapeutic Targets to Alter Obesity-Associated Inflammation and Type 2 Diabetes

kfurness — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:49:55 +0000

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are two closely associated diseases that are increasing at epidemic rates worldwide. Inflammation, predominantly from cells of the immune systems, plays critical roles in pathogenesis of both diseases, and may be key to the development of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. New work published by Barbara Nikolajczyk’s team indicates that B cells, an immune cell type that can be depleted by FDA-approved drugs, play critical roles in obesity- and type 2 diabetes-associated inflammation. These findings raise the clinically critical possibility that existing drugs may provide fundamentally new approaches for curbing onset and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.

Congratulations to Michael Wilson on AAN Fellowship

kfurness — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:34:13 +0000

Michael Wilson, a neurologist and post-doctoral fellow in Duprex lab, was one of eight young neurologists nationwide awarded a two year American Brain Foundation Fellowship from the American Academy of Neurology. The fellowship supports translational research into new therapies and delivery methods for encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus and Nipah virus.

Threading the NEIDL

kfurness — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:14:24 +0000

Ron Corley, Paul Duprex, and Elke Muhlberger participated in “Threading the NEIDL,” a 1 hour documentary posted on This Week in Virology (TWIV), an American Society for Microbiology webcast, hosted by Vincent Racaniello and co-hosted by Alan Dove and Rich Condit. This documentary provides viewers with a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the BLS4 facility at the NEIDL. View the video and read the accompanying piece at: http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/video-offers-glimpse-of-biosafety-level-4-lab/

Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Microbiology Trainee Travel Awards

kfurness — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:45:27 +0000

1^st Prize: Claire Marie Filone, postdoctoral trainee, from John Connor’s lab, who will be attending the American Society for Virology Annual Meeting in State College, PA, from July 20-24.

2^nd Prize: Kristie Hilliard, predoctoral trainee, from Lee Quinton’s lab, who will be attending the American Thoracic Society Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, from May 17-22.

2^nd Prize: Andrew Platt, predoctoral trainee, from Lee Wetzler’s lab, who will be attending American Association of Immunologists Meeting in Honolulu, HI, from May 3-7.

The Department of Microbiology is delighted to be able to support the attendance of trainees at scientific meetings. We look forward to each awardee presenting a summary of the meeting they attended.

Kepler group hosting summer school at Hariri Institute

kfurness — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:50:01 +0000

The Kepler research group is hosting a Summer School on Quantitative Systems Immunology at the Hariri Institute, Boston University, from 10-14 June. The school is aimed at graduate students and postdocs in immunology and related disciplines who want to learn techniques from statistics and mathematical modeling for their own research. Instructors include Hamid Bolouri, Lindsay Cowell, Tom Kepler, Bette Korber, Doug Lauffenburger, Martin Meier-Schellesheim, and Barry Smith, among others. There is no fee to register, but space is limited.

The 2013 Summer School on Quantitative Systems Immunology is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, under Contract No. HHSN272201000053C to Duke University.

Paul Duprex named editor of JGV

kfurness — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:58:06 +0000

Congratulations to Paul Duprex who was named an editor of the Journal of General Virology.

Sue Kim Hanson Lecture in Immunology – November 16, 2012

kfurness — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:33:18 +0000

Daniele Cary’s poster wins 1st Place at Evans Day

kfurness — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:33:27 +0000

Congratulations to Daniele Cary for receiving 1^st place in the Basic Research Poster Presentations for the Department of Medicine’s Evans Day, October 5, 2012.

Caroline Genco is Recipient of Department of Medicine Award

kfurness — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:19:52 +0000

Congratulations to Caroline Genco, who was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award for Research and Science from the Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine at the Department of Medicine Centennial Celebration, October 6, 2012.