News - UF Innovate

Check Out These Catchy New Caladium Cultivars, Courtesy of UF/IFAS

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have released three new caladium varieties called 'Pinky Swear', 'Wonderland' and 'Salsa'. 'Pinky Swear' and 'Salsa' are now available, with 'Wonderland' ready for purchase next year. Zhanao Deng, a plant breeder and professor of environmental horticulture with the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), works with caladium growers in Florida to develop new cultivars like this on commercial farms in the area. He recently published his research findings on these three new types, exploring their characteristics and yield potential.

UF To Play Key Role in Groundbreaking Laser Interferometer Space Antenna Mission

The University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has partnered with NASA to develop hardware that will fly on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission being led by the European Space Agency (ESA). UF is the only academic institution in the United States to be awarded a contract to develop hardware to fly on the LISA mission, which is set to launch in the mid-2030s. The mission will see three spacecraft orbit the sun with the goal of advancing the understanding of the universe and explore the origin and evolution of black holes. UF's Precision Space Systems Laboratory will develop the Charge Management Device for the mission.

UF/IFAS Plants Grown in Space Flown Home

Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences were glad to see their plants returned to Earth last month following an experiment aboard the International Space Station. The plants were launched as seeds aboard the International Space Station in May as part of a multi-phase experiment being conducted by the UF/IFAS Space Plants Lab. Astronauts aboard the ISS grew the plants in July, harvested them in the Fall, sent them back to Earth in December, and the researchers had them by January. This experiment focused on genetic strategies to make plants hardier and better able to adapt to the spaceflight environment. Over time, as more plants are given the opportunity to grow during spaceflight, researchers hope to "train" the plants to adapt to this environment.

Stopping Shoplifting? Researchers at UF Lab Think Like a Shoplifter To Deter, Detect Costly Crime

Dr. Read Hayes, a criminologist and research scientist at the University of Florida's Wertheim College of Engineering FLEX (Florida Engineering Experiment Station), is finding new ways to deter shoplifters. Dr. Hayes directs the Loss Prevention Research Council, an active community of researchers, retailers, law enforcement and more working towards a safer world for shoppers and businesses.

Florida Semiconductor Week Convenes Leaders To Strengthen and Expand Florida’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Ecosystem

The 2024 Florida Semiconductor Week was held from Feb. 7-9 in Malachowsky Hall at the University of Florida. Hosted by the Florida Semiconductor Institute, the workshop brought together a diverse selection of stakeholders, including state and local government officials, researchers from other academic institutions, and leaders in the semiconductor industry.

LightPath Announces Availability of a New Version of Its Mantis Camera for Long Range Detection

UF Innovate | Accelerate startup company LightPath Technologies, Inc., a leading global manufacturer and integrator of proprietary optical and infrared technologies, recently announced the availability of a new camera that utilizes its innovative Mantis™ Camera architecture, designed for long distance imaging.

UF Neuro Research Ranks No. 2 Nationally in NIH Funding

Neuroscience and neuromedicine research at the University of Florida ranked No. 2 in NIH funding among all public universities in the U.S., according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research’s 2023 rankings. With $31.8 million in NIH funding, UF neurosciences — a combined ranking of the departments of neuroscience and neurology — ranked No. 2 among public universities and No. 3 overall. In 2022, UF neurosciences ranked No. 3 among public universities and No. 5 overall.

Tech Tuesday – Felipe Ferrão

In this week’s Tech Tuesday for WCJB TV20, UF Innovate’s Loren Miranda speaks with Felipe Ferrão, associate research scientist the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences finding ways to make coffee a go-to crop for Florida farmers.

Canaery-Led Research Team Funded by US National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator

UF Innovate | Accelerate resident client Canaery, the neurotech company revolutionizing the detection of important scents in real-world settings, announced it has secured $650,000 in Phase 1 funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator leading an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and operators. Teams that complete Phase 1 may qualify for up to $5 million in Phase 2 funding.

Decoding the Genes Behind Dolastatin 10 Paves the Way for New Cancer Therapeutics

Researchers at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy have identified the genes responsible for the creation of dolastatin 10, a marine natural product that has led to six FDA-approved cancer drugs since 2011. The research team used genomic library screening and genome sequencing to identify the genes responsible for producing the marine natural product.

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