BMB Weekly #17: April 24, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Izzo family has partnered with Playmakers to host this premier experience on the campus of Michigan State University. The mission is to bring together MSU alumni and communities from all across the state and beyond in a shared commitment to giving back, supporting meaningful causes, and building a lasting legacy of service. The events include a 5K Run/Walk, 5K Roll, 1/2 K Walk/Roll, Kids' Races, and a Virtual 5K; all centered on fitness, fun, family, Spartan spirit, and the power of charitable impact. Learn more and sign up here.

Join us for a free screening of "Secrets of the Universe," followed by a Q and A with researchers from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at MSU. "Secrets of the Universe" is a sweeping, 3D giant-screen adventure that immerses audiences in the greatest mysteries of our time. Travel with scientist Manuel Calderon de la Barca Sanchez as he journeys to the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator. Learn more here.

During this Showcase, this year's fellows from nine graduate school sponsored Teaching Cohort Fellowship will present their projects. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Learn more and register here.

Each semester has a final deadline where documents have been accepted and delivered for publishing, all required paperwork has been turned in, all milestones have been completed, and all degree audits have been completed. Your document must be accepted and delivered to the publisher, ProQuest, by 5:00PM ET on the final deadline date. Students are highly encouraged to read and follow the Thesis and Dissertation information available on the Graduate School’s using the link below. This site gives instructions on formatting, required paperwork, and how to submit to ProQuest. Learn more here.

Please join us on the first Friday of each month for three hours of dedicated time to advance your scholarship. Past participants have written journal articles, grant proposals, book chapters, theses or dissertations, curricula, pieces for public audiences, and community engagement portfolios. Participants should plan to write for the full three hours. We start the write-in by sharing writing goals for the day and wrap up with accomplishments and next steps. Learn more and register here.

The 7th annual 3M RISE Symposium (Raising Influence in Science and Engineering) is accepting applications. The purpose of the symposium is to introduce emerging doctoral students in science and engineering to the wide range of rewarding careers in research and development at 3M. Ideal applicants are expected to complete their graduate degree appointment within 24 months of the RISE event. Learn more and apply here.

 

The MSU Graduate School has established a pilot program for Summer Semester 2026 to allow doctoral students the opportunity to explore internships that allow students to bring their graduate training to new domains and partners, as part of a professional development opportunity for students. Exploring professional opportunities outside of areas where students normally “do their work” opens up important new career pathways, and the Graduate School is eager to support students interested in expanding their experiences. Learn more and apply here.

The NSF has recently posted the following funding opportunities:

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB): Supports postdoctoral fellowships that train early-career scientists to apply AI to biological research, advancing biotechnology innovation while preparing future leaders at the intersection of AI and biology. Proposals are due September 29, 2026.
• Leveraging Innovations From Evolution (LIFE): Supports integrative research that combines evolutionary, molecular and computational approaches to understand how living systems function and adapt, enabling future advances in biotechnology and bio-inspired innovation. Proposals are accepted anytime.
• Plant Genome Research (PGRP): Supports genome-scale plant research and the development of tools and resources that advance functional plant genomics — addressing challenges of biological, societal and economic importance. Proposals are accepted anytime.
• Tool Development for Molecular and Cell Biology (Tools4Cells): Supports development of tools and methods that help manipulate, measure or analyze critical cellular traits or functions — enabling new research areas in cell biology. Proposals are accepted anytime.

View more funding opportunities here.

 

MSU IT Educational Technology is highlighting D2L Brightspace resources, and May workshops focusing on Adobe and D2L Brightspace designed to empower instructors and enhance your courses for the end of the school year. Register on the Educational Technology Events Calendar using this link.

The Virtual Care Kit has been launched by University Health and Wellbeing. This online resource offers practical tools, coping strategies, and campus supports to help students manage stress and maintain their wellbeing as finals approach. Students can access the kit anytime and explore guidance on sleep, nutrition, routines, connection, and emotional health.

You can find the latest department news over on LinkedIn and BlueSky. Give us a follow and be sure to tag us with research updates, publications, and lab updates to help spread the word!

The MSU Student Food Bank is a resource available to students and scholars who may be experiencing food insecurity. The Food Bank provides free food and other essential items to those in need within our MSU community. Learn more here.

 

The MSU Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Program is seeking a motivated and highly organized Research Assistant to help manage, coordinate, and conduct nutrient-focused field research across major Michigan cropping systems. The Steinke Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition Program investigates nutrient management, fertilizer, and nutrient-contamination issues of corn, soybean, wheat, sugarbeet, potato, dry bean, and several other cropping systems. Our goal is to use applied field research to provide science-based research and extension information that improves crop production, increases nutrient and ecological efficiencies, and incorporates progressive nutrient management strategies for production agricultural systems. Learn more about this MSU Careers posting here.

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic research assistant to work in the lab of Dr. Sue Rhee, a leader in plant resilience research at Michigan State University. The Rhee lab combines computational and experimental approaches to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive strategies in plants (https://www.rheelab.org/). The successful candidate will support collaborative projects related to molecular and cell biology and collaborative, international, and transdisciplinary projects, in addition to carrying out lab management and supervisory duties. Learn more about this MSU Careers posting here.

A highly motivated postdoctoral researcher is sought to lead and contribute to cutting-edge metabolomics research at the interface of inflammation, cancer, and translational biology. This position is based at MSU, with opportunities for collaboration with Henry Ford Health. The successful candidate will drive projects focused on colitis and microbiome–metabolite interactions, develop and optimize advanced MS methods in metabolomics (including EAD workflows), data analysis and support collaborative studies with Henry Ford Health. Learn more about this MSU Careers posting here.

The appointee is to provide skilled, specialized assistance to faculty, staff, and students in fluorescence microscopy as well as areas of the applicant’s scientific expertise. Establish, promote, and participate in collaborative research projects with department faculty, staff, and students. Pursue funding as collaborator and co-investigator with department faculty on extramural and intramural grants. Help develop programs involving essential equipment, animals, cell culture models, microorganisms, and facilities for supporting collaborative projects, in consultation with the Chair. Serve on the instructional support staff and participate in the graduate and medical educational mission of the department. Oversee select department core facilities and equipment, including providing user training, oversight, and maintenance. Coordinate relocation of equipment and research space according to department needs in consultation with Chair. Learn more and apply here.

Amaro, R. E., Batista, V., Blumberger, J., Choong, Y. S., Corminboeuf, C., Cournia, Z., Cui, Q., De Vivo, M., Evangelista, F. A., Gao, Y. Q., Ghosh, D., He, X., Isayev, O., Khalid, S., Kirchmair, J., Kitchin, J. R., Liu, H., Naidoo, K. J., Nguyen, D., Nunes Alves, A., … Gagliardi, L. (2026). Advancing Reproducibility and Open Data in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry. Journal of chemical theory and computation, 10.1021/acs.jctc.6c00733. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.6c00733

Carroll-Deaton, J. A., Bohovych, I., Emetu, F. T., Dietz, J. V., Rivett, E. D., Stanley, E., Hegg, E. L., Fox, J. L., & Khalimonchuk, O. (2026). Molecular analysis of a new patient COX15 mutation provides insight into the etiology of fatal infantile cardioencephalopathy. The Journal of biological chemistry, 111475. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2026.111475

Khatri, K., O'Malley, A., Wright, E. M., Kitlas, P., Mias, G. I., Kowal, K., & Chruszcz, M. (2026). Molecular sensitization patterns to mammalian allergens - possible impact on diagnostics and therapy. Molecular immunology, 194, 30–41. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2026.04.001

Rillema, R., Steensma, A., Walker, B. J., & Ducat, D. C. (2026). Gas exchange measurements of carboxysome mutants reveal insights into cyanobacterial carbon concentrating mechanisms. Plant physiology, kiag221. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag221

Shivaiah, K. K., Kithan-Lundquist, R., Kaneshiro, A. K., Boren, D. M., Susanto, F. A., Herrera-Tequia, A., Vermaas, J. V., & Lundquist, P. K. (2026). A Conserved Sequence Insert of Fibrillins is Involved in Plastoglobule Association and Lipid Binding. Plant & cell physiology, pcag047. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcag047

Wang, T., Zhang, C., Zhang, Y., Jafari, M., Merz, K. M., & Hu, J. (2026). Zinc-induced exposure of an LxL motif drives clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the zinc transceptor ZIP4. The Journal of biological chemistry, 111472. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbc.2026.111472

 

 

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