BioSciences

Fish thought to help reefs have poop that’s deadly to corals

Rice bioscientists have discovered the feces of fish that were long thought to promote healthy reefs can damage and, in some cases, kill corals.

Rice pre-med students advocate for immigrant health equity

Shonik Ganjoo has spent his time as president of the Rice Doctors for Change chapter — in between the commitments that come with being a biosciences major and an anthropology minor — researching and advocating for immigrant health equity. He and the chapter’s vice president, Ritesh Dontula have been creating opportunities for Rice students to interact with Texas legislators on real-world issues.

Faculty, staff, students honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, service

Each year, Rice honors members of the university community who have served students through outstanding teaching, dedication and service. Here are recipients of some of this year's awards.

Rice-developed device helps premature babies in developing countries breathe without damaging eyesight

A new medical device developed by Rice University students will help premature babies in developing countries receive life-saving oxygen without damaging their eyesight.

32 Rice students, alums win NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

The National Science Foundation has awarded Graduate Research Fellowships to 32 current, incoming and former Rice students, and selected another six for honorable mention.

Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals

A groundbreaking three-year study has found evidence that ocean warming can trigger outbreaks of viruses that attack the symbiotic algae inside corals.

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award

Rice bioscientist James Chappell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop RNA programming methods that can improve human health and the environment.

Upgraded tumor model optimizes search for cancer therapies

Rice U. bioengineers have developed an upgraded tumor model that houses bone cancer cells beside immune cells inside a 3D structure engineered to mimic bone and, through research using the model, found that the body’s immune response can make tumor cells more resistant to chemotherapy.

Rice labs seek RNA programming for ‘smart’ antibiotics

Rice University synthetic biologists are working to make “genetically encoded antibiotics” that kill only disease-causing bacteria.

Lab Notes for Feb. 27, 2023

Solomon launches Wild World podcast; Meteorite discovery in South Texas

Rice scientists reengineer cancer drugs to be more versatile

Rice University scientists enlist widely used cancer therapy systems to control gene expression in mammalian cells, a feat of synthetic biology that could change how diseases are treated.

Mosquito’s DNA could provide clues on gene expression, regulation

Rice University researchers discover that the Aedes aegypti mosquito’s DNA has the physical properties of a liquid crystal, a unique feature not found in any other species that could provide new clues on the factors that govern gene expression and regulation.

Peptide 3D-printing inks could advance regenerative medicine

How do you build complex structures for housing cells using a material as soft as Jell-O? Rice University researchers have the answer with a new 3D-printing ink.

Lab Notes for Jan. 30, 2023

STAT’s Hopkins co-authors National Academies report. CAREER Awards keep coming. DOE funds NEWT desalination research.

Kory Evans wins NSF CAREER Award

Kory Evans, an assistant professor of biosciences at Rice University, has won a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study shape change in the skull of spiny ray-fin fishes across their evolutionary history.