BMB Weekly #19: May 8, 2026

 

Update: Biochemistry Building Closure

The Biochemistry Building will be closed on Saturday, May 16, 2026 (5 a.m.) through Monday, May 18, 2026 (6 a.m.). 

This shutdown is to upgrade all 6 Strobic exhaust fans, including new impellers, motors, VFD's and new 7 year fan warranty. We also will be upgrading the exhaust system by installing the "SAFE Fan System" in the exhaust, which will monitor for hazards in the exhaust airstream, and controlling fans based on the sensor info. IPF has been working on this project in phases with very minimum interruptions to the lab. We have come to the last phase of have a crane lift the units to the roof area, demo and installing the new Strobic exhaust fans. 

Due to EHS, Fire Department and DPS safety, they will not allow any occupants into the building during this shutdown.

Special Precautions: Please cover/contain all hazardous materials within the fume hoods and close all fume hood sashes during this shutdown.

Parking Lot 45 (loading dock) will not be available beginning on Friday, May 15 at noon. Crews will need this lot in order to stage for these repairs. Lot 45 and the building south drive will be closed through Monday morning when repairs are complete.

BMB Congratulates First Place UURAF Awardees

Alexa Annika Calderon – Poster Presentation
Development Of Solid Harvesting Methodology For Zn-62 At Frib For Applications In Radiopharmacy
 
Alexa Annika Calderon – Oral Presentation
Harvesting Of Pt-197 From Frib Beamline For Radio Cisplatin Generation
 
Liam Clark – Poster Presentation
Encapsulation Of Terpene Biosynthesis In A Protein Nanoreactor
 
Lydia Elbert – Poster Presentation
The Effect Of Morning Versus Evening Exercise Training On Aortic Stiffness In Postmenopausal Women With Hypertension
 
Paige Franklin – Poster Presentation
Phage Induction In Pseudomonas Syringae Pv. Morsprunorum Race 1
 
Nelli Gaspar – Poster Presentation
How Do Different Human Infant Gut Microbiomes Influence Exploration, Memory, And Response To Novelty In Both Social And Non-Social Contexts In Mice?
 
Vaughn House – Poster Presentation
Development Of Solid Harvesting Methodology For Zn-62 At Frib For Applications In Radiopharmacy
 
Hannah Jue – Poster Presentation
The Relationship Between Infant Growth And Protein Content In Mothers' Milk
 
Noah Kelly – Poster Presentation
The Turfgrass Information File And The Turfgrass Thesaurus
 
Katherina Mandia – Poster Presentation
Growth And Maturation Dynamics In A Novel Mast CellSpecific Androgen Receptor Knockout Model

Cheyanne Schlinke – Poster Presentation
Characterization Of Novel Sugar Phosphate Utilizing Bacterial Microcompartment Shell Proteins

Sarah Weber – Poster Presentation
Characterization Of The Plastoglobule-Associated Abc1K5 Protein Kinase

 

 

 

 

 

Thesis and Dissertation Writing Camp is an opportunity for MSU grad students to have dedicated time to work on writing their theses or dissertations before the hectic semester starts! Students can use this time to set structured goals and find social accountability with facilitators from the Writing Center and peers who are also writing theses and dissertations. For in-person attendees, food and coffee will be available, and crafts will abound to encourage brain breaks. Learn more and register here.

The Plant Cell Atlas Computation, Modeling, & AI Two-Part Speaker Series highlights recent advances in AI-driven tools for single-cell datasets to bring awareness of new methodologies and will feature Dong Xu, from the University of South Florida on May 4, 2026 and Romain Lopez, from New York University on May 11, 2026. The workshops are hosted by Plant Cell Atlas, or PCA, a center project affiliated with MSU's Plant Resilience Institute. Learn more and register here.

Generative AI is reshaping education—from everyday tasks to advanced analysis—but it also brings risks like inaccuracies and missed cultural context. This has created a divide between optimism and skepticism. In this keynote, Yasemin Copur-Gencturk proposes a balanced, evidence- based approach, drawing on her research in math education to show how AI can be used responsibly and effectively.

Yasemin Copur-Gencturk is the Katzman/Ernst Chair in Educational Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Innovation and a Professor of Education at the University of Southern California. She is a leading voice in the integration of AI in mathematics education. Learn more and register here.

The Office of Student Support and Accountability (OSSA) is excited to announce that the registration for a 2-day Restorative Justice training (students, faculty, staff, and community members welcome) is now open. Registration is free for Students. Includes two full days of training. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Learn more and register here.

Join COGS at Hooked Lansing for an afternoon break and casual conversation. Grab a beverage on us and join us for snacks at the Community Table. See what your graduate & professional student peers across disciplines are up to this summer! Learn more here.

Join us for a gathering to celebrate GREAT’s 2nd Anniversary! The GREAT Team and Advisory Group invite you to join us and our GTA/P Teaching Learning Community to share your favorite teaching moments, new ideas that have helped your growth as an educator and new ways to continue your path and as a developing educator. Lunch will be provided. Organized by the GREAT Office and Advisory Group. Learn more and register here.

 

The fellowship provides support for MSU doctoral students who are studying and/or conducting research within the Water Alliance or other critical programs (including, but not limited to natural resources, ecology, sustainable/affordable housing, and/or mass timber). Recipients are selected in Spring Semester and awarded the following academic year. 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.

 

Lots 15, 83, & 91 will be complimentary from 5/4/26 through 8/30/26. Lot 89 will be complimentary from 5/4/25 through 9/7/26. The rest of campus will be enforced per posted restrictions. Please contact Parking Services with questions about summer parking. Visit parking.msu.edu to learn more.

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. 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 Food Bank is a resource available to Spartans 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 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.

Dunham, S. J. B., Willkeen, G. A., Darby, B., Corley, J. M., Hahn, A., Klapper, I., Bean, H. D., Caverly, L. J., Thornton, C. S., Martin, C., Quinn, R. A., Widder, S., Bailey, B. A., Wagner, B. D., Garg, N., Planet, P. J., Hunter, R. C., LiPuma, J. J., Rohwer, F., & Whiteson, K. L. (2026). The Guild Model of CF Airway Microbial Ecology. mBio, e0366825. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03668-25

Ghazy, M. A., Chodavarapu, S., Ramcharan, S., Stowell, G. A., Kaguni, J. M., & Sutton, M. D. (2026). The loop domains of the E. coli β sliding clamp are required for Hda-dependent inactivation of DnaA. Genetics, 233(1), iyag065. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyag065

Sharma, N., Sharkey, T. D., & Brandizzi, F. (2026). Mitochondrial β-carbonic anhydrase is a conserved metabolic rheostat for branched-chain amino acid catabolism and metabolic flexibility. The New phytologist, 250(4), 2415–2427. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.71056

Shivaiah, K. K., Rosset, S. L., & Quinn, R. A. (2026). Microbe Profile: Durusdinium trenchii: a thermotolerant coral symbiont. Microbiology (Reading, England), 172(5), 001679. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001679

Tefft, N. M., Yadav, N. S., Gruenberg Cross, M. C., Swiggett, C. D., Parent, K. N., Vermaas, J. V., & TerAvest, M. A. (2026). Encapsulation in a Bacterial Microcompartment Shell Improves Thermal Stability of a Glycolytic Enzyme. ACS synthetic biology, 10.1021/acssynbio.6c00074. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.6c00074

Tutihashi, F. S., Hirota, M., Yamamura, M., Kobayashi, K., Hattori, T., Tobimatsu, Y., Hamberger, B. R., & Umezawa, T. (2026). Pinoresinol/Lariciresinol Reductases and Secoisolariciresinol Dehydrogenases Involved in the Specific Production of (+)-Enantiomer of Matairesinol in Daphne genkwa. Plant & cell physiology, pcag054. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcag054

Wu, H. L., & Hsu, P. Y. (2026). Thermospermine drives dual-action ribosomes to shape plant xylem development. Trends in biochemical sciences, S0968-0004(26)00106-4. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2026.04.006

 

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