General News
Phylogenetically mapping the evolution of the Zika virus as it spread across the world
During the first months of 2016, my research team and I started tracking the genetics of the Zika virus’ spread across the world using Nvector, a tool developed, and currently only in use in our laboratory at the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. The combination of traditional […]
No Zika virus in NC, but Mecklenburg officials promise extra mosquito control this summer.
No cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus infection have been reported in North Carolina, and the mosquito that most often carries the virus is not commonly found in the state. But just in case, Mecklenburg County health officials are planning an extra effort this spring to control the spread of mosquitoes. “People are very anxious […]
Zika virus medical countermeasures, challenges and opportunities”
The Zika virus epidemic was not anticipated, and the world was not prepared. At the beginning of January 2016, a volunteer assembly of industry experts, infectious disease outbreak specialists, academics and thought leaders was assembled to assess current knowledge and provide non-affiliated recommendations. Key findings and discoveries include currently marketed drugs that appear to have […]
No Zika virus in NC
No cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus infection have been reported in North Carolina, and the mosquito that most often carries the virus is not commonly found in the state. But just in case, Mecklenburg County health officials are planning an extra effort this spring to control the spread of mosquitoes. “People are very anxious […]
The story of MERS gets murkier
How scientists are tracing a virus back in time Researchers thought they had MERS more or less figured out. The consensus view was that the potentially lethal virus, known formally as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, had arisen in bats, which passed it to camels, which passed it to humans. Since MERS first emerged in Saudi […]
McCrory says NC will be getting one of first labs in US to study Zika
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are warning about a possible Zika virus outbreak in the U.S. At a news conference Monday, the deputy director of the CDC said the virus “seems to be a bit scarier than we initially thought.” The virus has now been linked to more severe birth defects, including blindness. […]
UNC Charlotte, São Paulo foundation announce research partnerships
UNC Charlotte and the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) have created joint research and educational opportunities between the University and the foundation. The entities will provide seed funding for joint research ventures. “The São Paulo Research Foundation values highly the collaboration opportunities offered by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in conjunction […]
NIH Director talks about the prospects for research in biomedicine
“I see a lot of students in the audience, and if you came here to find out if there’s any future in medical research, my response is a resounding yes.” With this sentence, Francis S. Collins, director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), began his lecture, “Genomics, Advanced Technology, and the Future of […]
Flu Viruses Cross Oceans
Genomic analysis and Google Earth reveal that H7 influenza viruses may be much more globally traveled than previously believed. Will a new model enable prediction of its spread? Read more…
FAPESP Week highlights scientific cooperation between North Carolina and São Paulo
Some of the most recent advances in science and the development of new technology obtained by researchers in São Paulo and in North Carolina will be the topics of debates during FAPESP Week North Carolina, to be held in November 11th in Charlotte and November 12th in Raleigh. Read story