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NEWS
Painting a Clearer Picture of COVID-19
MU researchers team up with 8th grader, MU undergrad to identify mutations in virus that may be causing its high infectivity. When Saathvik Kannan’s father, a faculty member at the University of Missouri, saw his friend, Kamlendra Singh, a research professor at MU, on television being interviewed for his research identifying possible treatments for COVID-19, he called Singh to congratulate him on his work. After learning that his friend’s son, Saathvik, had experience with and a passion for computer programming, Singh invited the 8th grader, who was a student at West Middle School in Columbia, Missouri, at the time, to…
Placenta Can Indicate How Body Responds to Opioids During Pregnancy
MU scientists discover possible biological markers for identifying opioid use disorder Scientists at the University of Missouri have discovered possible biological markers that they hope could one day help identify the presence of an opioid use disorder during human pregnancy. Cheryl S. Rosenfeld, an author on the study, said women often take opioids for pain regulation during pregnancy, including oxycodone, so it’s important to understand the effects of these drugs on the fetal placenta, a temporary organ that is essential in providing nutrients from a mother to her unborn child. Rosenfeld is a professor of biomedical sciences in the College…
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer at Treatable Stages
MU researchers identify novel RNAs that could serve as biomarkers for early disease detection. Pancreatic cancer is rarely detected at its early stages because symptoms often do not present themselves until after the cancer has progressed. By then, invasive procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation are often needed to treat the cancer. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine have identified novel pieces of biological information, such as RNA, which may serve as biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic cancer. “If we can identify the potential for disease development as early…
Mizzou’s Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research Turns Focus to COVID-19
The Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research (LIDR) at the University of Missouri is a regional biocontainment laboratory located on the Columbia campus. The LIDR is critical for collaborating scientists who perform research on infectious diseases and is part of our nation’s effort to protect public health. In recent months, COVID-19 has become an important topic of research for the scientists who work in the LIDR. Jeffrey Adamovicz, PhD, is the LIDR’s director. He is responsible for the safe operation of the facility and providing support for users, ensuring they can complete their intended research. “The LIDR facilitates regional research on…
Uncovering Alzheimer’s Disease
MU researchers examine impact of menopause on cognitive function Characterized by a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, Alzheimer’s is an irreversible disease that leads to memory loss and a decrease in cognitive function. More than 5 million Americans suffer with the brain condition, which is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. While the causes of Alzheimer’s are not fully understood, scientists believe genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors are involved in the disease’s development. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that the decline of reproductive hormones due to ovary removal, which is a model…
MU Researcher Identifies Four Possible Treatments for COVID-19
While COVID-19 has infected millions of people worldwide and killed hundreds of thousands, there is currently no vaccine. In response, researchers have been evaluating the effectiveness of various antiviral drugs as possible COVID-19 treatments. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has found that four antiviral drugs, including remdesivir, a drug originally developed to treat Ebola, are effective in inhibiting the replication of the coronavirus causing COVID-19. Kamlendra Singh, an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and his team used computer-aided drug design to examine the effectiveness of remdesivir, 5-fluorouracil, ribavirin and favipiravir in treating COVID-19. Singh found…
Stress in Parents of Children with Autism: Pets May Help
MU researcher examines impact of pet dogs, cats on families with autism While current events have increased stress for all families, parents of children with autism report higher levels of stress on average than parents of typically developing kids. Feeling overwhelmed and overburdened by various responsibilities, some parents turn to pets as a source of comfort and support. Now, research from the University of Missouri has found that pets lead to strong bonds and reduced stress for both children with autism and their parents. Gretchen Carlisle, a research scientist with the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction in the MU College of…
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