Research

By 2050, 12.8 million Americans age 65 or older are likely to have Alzheimer’s disease. That’s more than double the number who have it today. Paul Chantler—a researcher with the WVU School of Medicine—is investigating the link between Alzheimer’s disease and chronic stress. What he and his team uncover may suggest new ways to slow the disease’s progression or even delay its onset. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke awarded the project $2 million.

Animal farming has traditionally fulfilled human nutritional requirements for protein, but insects may serve as an alternative for direct human consumption in the future. Researchers at the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design are working to lay a foundation to develop efficient protein isolation techniques.

Retinal diseases can make even the most mundane tasks—like cooking, driving and walking down the sidewalk—difficult or impossible, and they can’t be cured. WVU School of Medicine researchers Peter Stoilov and Visvanathan Ramamurthy are studying the role that specific proteins play in rapid retinal degeneration. What they learn may lead to new treatments that are more cost-effective and more widely applicable than the treatments available today.

West Virginia University researchers found that seasoned principals entrenched within their school’s community have an advantage over new-to-place and novice principals in recruiting and retaining teachers.

As climate change continues to alter the Earth’s temperature and precipitation patterns, West Virginia University researchers hope to develop more precise predictions about the role specific soil microorganisms play in the carbon cycle.

Despite the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center labs were largely able to stay open and functional, allowing critical research to continue. Not only were researchers able to continue their work during the pandemic, but there was actually an increase in research productivity.

Viruses may have a bad reputation, but with a little help from scientists, some of them can do great things. Wen Tao Deng—a researcher with the WVU School of Medicine—is studying how engineered adeno-associated virus, or AAV, could be used in gene therapy for incurable eye disorders. Her work is relevant to a range of conditions that affect visual acuity and color vision, including red-green colorblindness, the most common form of color deficiency. The National Eye Institute has awarded her project $1.9 million.

Engineers at West Virginia University are propelling exploration forward by creating control software for a group of aerial robots (aerobots) that will survey the atmosphere of Venus, the second planet from the sun.

We are grateful there was not an incident on Monday (Dec. 6) as suggested in the anonymous letter the University had received. At this time, safety experts tell WVU it may resume normal operations on campus.

Trigger Warning: This message contains content about suicide.