Elevate Research

Lydia Kavraki

NSF RAPID grant supports COVID-19 'computational pipeline'

Lydia Kavraki wins a NSF Rapid Response Research grant to help identify SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins for vaccine development.

Rice University scientists’ simple model of T cell activation of the immune response shows the T cell binding, via a receptor (TCR) to an antigen-presenting cell (APC). If an invader is identified as such, the response is activated, but only if the “relaxation” time of the binding is long enough. (Credit: Hamid Teimouri/Rice University)

‘Relaxed’ T cells critical to immune response

Rice University researchers model the role of relaxation time as T cells bind to invaders or imposters, and how their ability to differentiate between the two triggers the body’s immune system.

Rice scientists found certain combinations of weakly bound 2D materials let holes and electrons combine into excitons at the materials’ ground state. Courtesy of the Yakobson Research Group

Excitons form superfluid in certain 2D combos

Mixing and matching computational models of 2D materials led scientists at Rice University to the realization that excitons can be manipulated in new and useful ways.

The design of thio-based photosensitizers, at left, by Rice University chemists shows promise for photodynamic cancer therapy, among other applications. One thiocarbonyl substitution -- trading an oxygen atom for a sulfur atom -- of a variety of fluorophores can dramatically enhance their ability to generate reactive oxygen species that kill cancer cells. At right, images of multicellular tumor spheroids treated with photosensitizers and light (in the bottom row) show how the compounds, when excited by ligh

Rice lab turns fluorescent tags into cancer killers

Fluorophores with one oxygen atom replaced by a sulfur atom can be triggered with light to create reactive oxygen species within cancer cells, killing them.

Rice University researchers have demonstrated methods for both designing data-centric computing hardware and co-designing hardware with machine-learning algorithms that together can improve energy efficiency in artificial intelligence hardware by as much as two orders of magnitude.

Rice engineers offer smart, timely ideas for AI bottlenecks

Rice researchers demonstrate methods to design data-centric hardware and co-designing hardware with machine-learning algorithms that can improve energy efficiency in artificial intelligence hardware.

Rice University scientists have created an open-source algorithm, SEMseg, that simplifies nanoparticle analysis using scanning electron microscope images. Courtesy of the Landes Research Group

New tool helps nanorods stand out

Rice scientists introduce an open-source method to simplify nanoparticle analysis using scanning electron microscope images.

A coating developed at Rice University made primarily with protein from eggs that would otherwise be wasted can be used to extend the freshness of produce. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Egg-based coating preserves fresh produce

Eggs that would otherwise be wasted can be used as the base of an inexpensive coating to protect fruits and vegetables, according to Rice University researchers.

Rice University scientists analyzed the motion of single boron nitride nanotubes. The nanotubes are stable semiconductors and excellent conductors of heat. They could be useful as building blocks for composite materials or in biomedical studies. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Exotic nanotubes move in less mysterious ways

Rice University researchers capture the first video of boron nitride nanotubes in motion to prove their potential for materials and medical applications.

Laurence Yeung

Rice scientist goes deep to improve environmental tracers

Rice Earth scientist Laurence Yeung earns a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award to improve our understanding of the biosphere’s productivity.

2020 Hertz Fellows

Three Rice students receive Hertz Fellowships

The Hertz Fellowship is as prestigious as it is selective: Only 16 fellows each year are admitted to the program, which funds five years of graduate research and offers lifelong professional support through the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation.

Illustration of coronavirus overlaid with a field of 1s and 0s.

AMD gives supercomputer to Rice for COVID-19 research

AMD is donating a petaflop-scale supercomputer to Rice University to speed progress on pandemic-related research.

Rice University scientists are analyzing the role of ferredoxin proteins produced when viral phages alter electron transfer in ocean-dwelling, photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen and store carbon. When the virus (pink) infects the bacteria, it produces a ferredoxin protein that hooks into the bacteria’s existing electrical structure and alters its metabolism. (Credit: Illustration by Ian Campbell/Rice University)

Ocean virus hijacks carbon-storing bacteria

Rice scientists are analyzing the role of ferredoxin proteins produced when viral phages alter electron transfer in ocean-dwelling bacteria that produce oxygen and store carbon.

Rice neurobiologists show that increased blood flow to the brain is not an accurate indicator of neuronal recovery after a microscopic stroke. The researchers created a custom implant that combines the ability to simultaneously monitor both blood flow and brain activity. (Credit: Luan Laboratory/Rice University)

Blood flow recovers faster than brain in micro strokes

Work by a Rice neurobiologist shows that increased blood flow to the brain is not an accurate indicator of neuronal recovery after a microscopic stroke.

COVID-19 forced RURS to move its symposium and awards ceremony online in just a few short weeks.

Posters, oral presentations pivot online for Undergraduate Research Symposium

Rice’s Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS) is the big yearly event for students across disciplines to showcase their research projects and receive recognition for their work.

Lydia Kavraki

Kavraki earns top computer science honor

Rice computer scientist Lydia Kavraki has been honored for her foundational contributions to the discipline with this year’s ACM/AAAI Allen Newell Award.