New course- VBSC 497 Principles of Metabolomics (3 credits) for Sp. 2021 semester

July 10, 2020

Dr. Josh Kellogg is offering a new course- VBSC 497 Principles of Metabolomics (3 credits) for Sp. 2021 semester. Undergrads and Graduate students will be introduced to the world of metabolomics. The course will cover metabolomics experiments, from sample prep, analytical chemistry, data acquisition and analysis, to statistical treatment of datasets. This will be somewhat hands-on, so students will get experience manipulating data and getting a ‘feel’ for what an experiment is like. Contact the Dept for more details!

Custom Nanoparticle Regresses Tumors When Exposed to Light

July 9, 2020

A collaboration of Penn State researchers, including Dr. Adam Glick, developed a unique nanoparticle to deliver a localized cancer treatment. Once the nanoparticles built up in the cancerous area, they used a specific wavelength of light to separate the miRNA from the nanoparticles. The miRNA then pairs with a mRNA in the cancer cell, causing the mRNA to stop making proteins. Eventually, the cancer cell dies.

The Essential Role of Selenoproteins in the Resolution of Citrobacter rodentium-Induced Intestinal Inflammation

July 8, 2020

Graduate student Shaneice Nettleford was first author on a recent publication based on the Prabhu Lab’s student that indicated a crucial role for dietary selenium and selenoproteins in the protection against inflammation following enteric infection via immune mechanisms involving epithelial barrier integrity and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Not only does preventative and/or adjuvant therapy with selenium efficiently resolves GI inflammation, such a dietary intervention method also aids in enhancing resolution of inflammation associated with an enteric bacterial infection.

Robert Nichols Receives USDA Chlorpyrifos Grant

July 1, 2020

Dr. Robert Nichols, postdoc alum from Patterson Lab, received a USDA grant to study "organophosphate (OP) chlorpyrifos" a commonly used pesticide for fruits and vegetables despite its potential to cause neurotoxicity in children and neonates.

Dr. Sougat Misra Receives 2020/2021 Horace T. Woodward Faculty Development Fund

July 1, 2020

Congratulations to Asst. Research Professor Dr. Sougat Misra for receiving the 2020/2021 Horace T. Woodward Faculty Development Fund from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences! Dr. Misra invented a novel strategy to target cancer cells using specific combinations of nature-inspired small molecules that bring about catastrophic redox anomaly in cancer cells. He will use this funding to further pursue his research in an aggressive model of human leukemia.

Dr. Troy Sutton Studies Coronavirus In a Highly Secured Biosafety Lab

June 17, 2020

Dr. Troy Sutton discusses in a new article what it is like to handle the SARS-CoV-2 virus, suiting up, feeling safer in the lab, and how his lab was built for this type of work!

Dr. Margherita Cantorna receives appointment as a 2020-21 BTAA Academic Leadership Program (ALP) Fellow.

June 11, 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Margherita Cantorna, Distinguished Professor of Molecular Immunology as she has been named a 2020/2021 Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Academic Leadership Program (ALP) Fellow! The intensive experience develops the leadership and managerial skills of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise.

Many factors may contribute to steep, decades-long muskrat population drop

June 8, 2020

Muskrat populations have declined sharply across North America over the last 50 years or so, and wildlife scientists have struggled to understand why. A new study by a Pennsylvania research team is investigating whether pathogens, parasites, environmental contaminants and disease may be contributing to this decline.

Battling disease with ultraviolet light

May 26, 2020

Bill Bahnfleth, co-principal investigator (PI) and professor of architectural engineering, is joining co-PI Suresh Kuchipudi, clinical professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, to study the ability of optical radiation to disinfect surfaces and reduce transmission of viruses.

The College of Agricultural Sciences Entrepreneurship & Innovation (E&I) Program

May 22, 2020

Santosh Panthi, a Pathobiology Grad Student in Dr. Schmitt's Lab, has been awarded the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Graduate Internship presented by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. The internship is designed to foster technology development by providing a graduate student the opportunity to take their research project towards commercialization. Santosh is working on virus-like particles based protein delivery technology that the lab has been working on. Congratulations and good luck Santosh!

NLRC5 Serves as a Pro-viral Factor During Influenza Virus Infection in Chicken Macrophages

May 19, 2020

“Dr.'s Suresh Kuchipudi and Bhushan Jayarao team up with others from the Animal Diagnostics Lab in the latest Frontiers paper to demonstrate how NLRC5 serves as a pro-viral factor for the Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), a disease that causes major economic losses to the global poultry industry.”

College of Agricultural Sciences Supports Food Banks, Families In Need

May 8, 2020

With thousands of people out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis — and food banks working tirelessly to feed an ever-growing number of hungry families — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is doing its part to fill empty shelves and refrigerators.

New building To Serve As Research, Teaching, And Collaboration Hub

May 8, 2020

The new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building will replace the 52-year-old Henning Building and co-locate the departments of Animal Science and Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. The 105,000 square foot new construction will feature an array of unique spaces and facilities for students, faculty, and staff. - Ways to Give: Contact the College’s Development team , who is ready to connect your passions with a gift designed to meet your priorities and create a lasting legacy in this dynamic new space. Make a gift of any amount online today.

Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses

May 6, 2020

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Medicine say direct LTP treatment and plasma-activated media are effective treatments against bacteria found in liquid cultures and have devised a way to create plasma directly in liquids.

College of Agricultural Sciences Stays Connected With Alumni During Pandemic

May 5, 2020

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is staying connected to alumni during the COVID-19 pandemic by moving its monthly Alumni Society board meetings and other alumni activities online.

Veterinary and Biomedical Science's Dr. Nuket Acar Makes Hand-Made Masks for Seniors

May 4, 2020

Thanks to the amazing work and generosity of Dr. Nuket Acar, VBSC Seniors will be receiving in the mail hand-made masks that they can wear during their graduation ceremony and beyond. Our seniors (and all undergraduate students) safety and their connectivity to us as a department is vital. Thank you Dr. Acar for your creative thinking and making our seniors feel appreciated! Big shout out to Karen Brown in the Admin Office for pulling all the pieces of this project together as well!

Dr. Adrian Barragan, Asst. Professor and Extension Veterinarian

May 4, 2020

Dr. Adrian Barragan, specializes in cow management & dairy cattle reproduction/medicine. He is exceptional with on-the-farm training's, and can do so in both English and Español.

Undergraduate Exhibition 2020 award winners announced

April 29, 2020

Senior Courtney Page won 3rd place in the recent Undergraduate Exhibition in Health & Life Science form "Investigation into the regulation of [1, 25(OH)2D3] by CPY24A1 and the impact on T cell proliferation". An Immunology and Infectious Disease major and only Ag Science student to win out of nearly 200 students, representing 11 Penn State Campuses. Courtney is under the supervision of Dr. Margherita Cantorna. and plans to continue her studies at Wake Forest University this Fall in the Molecular and Cellular Bio-sciences PhD program. Congratulations to Courtney and all the winners!

Seed Grants Jump-start 47 Interdisciplinary Teams to Conduct COVID-19 Research

April 15, 2020

Suresh Kuchipudi, associate director of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory and professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, and colleagues are using their seed grant to characterize the ability of optical radiation to disinfect and reduce transmission of corona viruses.

Animals should not pose coronavirus threat to pet owners, farmers

April 13, 2020

Farmers and pet owners who may be concerned that they can contract COVID-19 from domestic animals — such as livestock, dogs and cats — have little to worry about, according to a virologist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

Frontiers in Microbiology Publication on the Zika Virus

April 9, 2020

Graduate student Ian Bird, Research Technologist Ruth Nissly, & Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi all collaborated on a recent Frontiers in Microbiology publication on the Zika virus. Study strongly suggest that iminosugars are promising anti-ZIKV antiviral agents. Congrats to the members of the Kuchipudi Lab!

Examining Links Between AHR, Microbiome, and Immune Functions

April 2, 2020

Gary Perdew, Ph.D., studies how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway interacts with the microbiome, the immune system, and protective barriers in skin and the gut.

Dr. Patricia Dunn, 2020 Inductee into the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) Hall of Honor

March 25, 2020

Dr. Patricia A Dunn, Senior Research Associate and Avian Pathologist and Field Investigator in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is the 2020 inductee into the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) Hall of Honor, is an international association whose mission is to promote scientific knowledge to enhance the health, well –being, and productivity of poultry to provide safe and abundant food for the world. https://www.aaap.info/home Dr. Dunn has been the Head of Avian Pathology/Avian Medicine section of the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) and is most deserving of both the nomination and the recognition! Congratulations Dr. Dunn, and thank you for your service!

Penn State funds first round of COVID-19 research proposals

March 25, 2020

One week after launching a rapid-fire call for proposals, awards are granted to six projects that address the global pandemic, with more to follow. Faculty members from the department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences working on these projects are: *************************************************************** Suresh Kuchipudi, Clinical Professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, is working to better understand the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the local region and to develop rapid therapeutic options. *************************************************************** Troy Sutton, Assistant Professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, is evaluating a unique, alternative model of transmission and vaccine-mediated protection against SARS-Co-V-2.

Dr. John S. Shenk and Dr. J.D. Harrington Graduate Scholarship Award

March 23, 2020

Extension Veterinarian and Research Associate Hayley Springer receives scholarship award.

Look Our Department Up on "LinkedIn"

March 19, 2020

Our department is now on "LinkedIn" check us out.

VBS Facebook Page

March 19, 2020

Look us up and like our page at "Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State"

Immunology and Infectious Disease student offers a new vision of agriculture

March 12, 2020

With an eye on her future, Marissa Moran, a junior majoring in Immunology and Infectious Disease in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, plans to become an optometrist.

Dairy Bull Calf Permanent Identification

March 10, 2020

To ensure continual access to bob veal buyers, it is critical for Pennsylvania dairy bull calf sellers to assure their calves have official ID before leaving the farm.

Our Department is now on Twitter!

March 9, 2020

Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is on Twitter! Handle: VBSatPennState