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.
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.
Novel Compound Opens New Avenue in Immunotherapy Treatment for Cancers
Researchers at the UF Health Cancer Center have developed a first-of-it-kind compound that may reveal a new way to treat cancer using immunotherapy. Currently, immunotherapy is among the most groundbreaking cancer treatments, but only about 20% to 40% of patients respond to it. It works by first identifying a target protein that contributes to tumor development and then developing a compound that will target that protein specifically, slowing tumor growth and boosting the body's immune system to fight off the cancer.
Christine Schmidt elected to National Academy of Engineering
UF Distinguished Professor Christine Schmidt, Ph.D., has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Schmidt has been working in the field for over 25 years, helping to advance the fields of neural tissue engineering and helping diversify the field of bioengineering. Serving for 10 years as the department chair in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Schmidt pushed the UF BME graduate program to the No. 12 ranked public graduate program in the nation while diversifying the program and producing cutting-edge research.
Dr. Castillo Caro Accepted into Early Investigator Advancement Program
Paul Castillo, M.D., was recently accepted into the National Cancer Institute's Early Investigator Advancement Program. The program aims to bolster expertise and offer guidance for investigators to create competitive grant applications.
