Dear colleagues, community members, and friends,
Within the past few weeks, our faculty members have published two exciting studies that reveal dopamine and serotonin's role in human perception and decision-making, and how chronic jet lag conditions alter our biological rhythms and may promote cancer growth. Published in high-impact journals (Neuron and Science Advances), these discoveries represent the high caliber, creativity and peer recognition of our faculty, staff, and students.
We're also continuing to expand our team of primary faculty, and intend to scale up by 20 to 25 more research teams by 2027. We've already onboarded Scott Johnstone, Ph.D. and Jenny Munson, Ph.D., and are actively recruiting cardiovascular scientists to establish laboratories in our newest Fralin Biomedical Research Institute building and neuroscientists to join the research institute.
We invite you to tune into the first of an ongoing virtual panel series with our researchers, "Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance: Uniting Technology, Resources and People for Innovations to End Cancer" on Nov. 10, and our upcoming Maury Strauss Distinguished Public Lecture, "Can We Ever Really ‘See' Pain? Unravelling Pain’s Mysteries with Neuroimaging," on Nov. 19.
In the spirit of Ut Prosim,
Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology, Virginia Tech
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The race against cancer’s clock: New study shows chronic jet lag impairs immune response, accelerates tumor growth
A new study published Oct. 14 in Science Advances reveals that chronic circadian disruptions alter the microenvironment surrounding cancer cells, making it more favorable for tumor growth, and also hinders the body’s natural immune defenses. Read More
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Scientists find dopamine, serotonin have unexpectedly profound roles in the human brain
In first-of-their-kind observations in the human brain, an international team of researchers has revealed two well-known neurochemicals — dopamine and serotonin — are at work at sub-second speeds to shape how people perceive the world and take action based on their perception. Read More
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Scientists advance understanding of blood-brain barrier health with implications for brain disease
In a study with potential impacts on a variety of neurological diseases, Virginia Tech researchers have provided the first experimental evidence from a living organism to show that an abundant, star-shaped brain cell known as an astrocyte is essential for blood-brain barrier health. Read More
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Graduate student receives highly competitive NIH award to fuse immunology and neuroscience research
Gabriela Carrillo, a Virginia Tech translational biology, medicine, and health (TBMH) doctoral candidate, has been awarded a six-year $445,000 National Institutes of Health award that will fund her remaining predoctoral research in the Fox Lab, as well as her postdoctoral research. The award supports exceptional graduate students who are interested in pursuing careers as independent researchers. Read More
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Swallowing difficulties in children with developmental disorders may be due to misfiring brain cells
Misfiring brain cells that control key parts of the mouth and tongue may be creating swallowing difficulties in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, according to neuroscientists with Virginia Tech and George Washington University. In research using a mouse model of a genetic childhood disorder known as DiGeorge syndrome, scientists found brain cells called motor neurons that directly control the tongue muscles were firing spontaneously, out of sync with the mechanisms that should control their activity. Read More
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Making transformative discoveries to build a healthier future for all
Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute are providing rapid COVID-19 sample analysis to help control the pandemic in support of our local community, the Commonwealth, and frontline responders. Private support is critical to continue these efforts. Here are some ways that you can support the research institute right now, in light of COVID-19:
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