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News

Scientist in lab

How Viruses Know What’s Theirs

Researchers at San Diego State University and Michigan State University are shedding new light on how viruses meticulously pack their genetic material — a breakthrough that could help researchers engineer antivirals and gene therapies. 
Electric vehicle charger

Research Contributes to MEDC Report of Michigan’s EV Charging Stations

Michigan State University researchers have contributed to a recent report from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or MEDC, and its Office of Future Mobility and Electrification that reveals how many EV charging stations the state needs and where they should be located to meet the current and future demands for EV in the state.
A x-ray of throat cancer

New $3M NIH grant supports Henry Ford + MSU researchers studying HPV-positive head and neck cancers

Researchers from Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences have been awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study new treatments for patients who have head and neck cancer caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV.
Lake Michigan shoreline

Shoreline Armoring of Michigan’s Lake Michigan Coast Increased Fivefold During the Latest Period of High Water

Shoreline armoring along Michigan’s Lake Michigan coast has surged fivefold since 2014, as property owners raced to protect land from rising water levels. But new MSU research shows these hard structures, while protective in the short term, may fuel erosion and threaten ecosystems, raising tough questions for the future of coastal management
Drone view of the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant

Politics Shape What Brazilians See on TV About Energy Shortages

A new study led by Karina Ninni Ramos of the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, reveals that relationships between presidents and the press strongly influence how the country’s biggest broadcasters cover energy shortages, blackouts, and rationing.
Gulbransen lab members

Decoding the Second Brain

Trust your gut is more than an expression. The gut’s ability to influence our wellbeing is rooted in the enteric nervous system. This complex network of neurons and glial cells that lines the gut is often called the “second brain.”
Sherif Ramadan at work in the lab

Sweet Targets: The Quest for an Improved Whooping Cough Vaccine

With cases on the rise, researchers are aiming to develop a “one-two punch” vaccine strategy against pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. This work could ultimately help reduce transmission of the disease and combat the threat of resistant bacteria mutating into stronger, more lethal “superbugs.”
Peter K. Lundquist in a lab

Scientists Solve Long-Standing Mystery of Amino Acid Transport in Plants

The team’s new study, published in Nature Plants, identifies a class of previously unknown transport proteins called RETICULATA1 (RE1), which enable the exchange of key amino acids within plant cells.
Announcements
Impact of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Showcased at the Tetrad Symposium
Forty Tetrad teams convened at the MSU Union to present their collaborative research at the Tetrad Symposium.
Edwards Named National Academy of Education Member
University Distinguished Professor Patricia A. Edwards has been named a National Academy of Education member. The title recognizes educators and education scholars who have made outstanding contributions to the field. Edwards is one of five current Michigan State University faculty to hold the title, and one of 19 to be selected for the title in 2026.
Shared Research Infrastructure Programs (SRIP) January 2026 Awards Announced
The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) is pleased to announce the January 2026 recipients for the Shared Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP) awards. SRIP supports one-time, non-recurring purchases or investments in specialized research infrastructure that will support and advance cutting-edge research at MSU, benefit a diverse range of researchers, and align with MSU’s strategic research priorities. This program is funded in part through the generosity of the Michigan State University Research Foundation.
Jazz Program Earns National Recognition at Collegiate Championship
The Michigan State University Jazz Studies program placed second in the nation in the 2026 National Collegiate Jazz Championship with more than 20 MSU musicians earning individual honors.
Ogunwobi Named Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences
Internationally renowned cancer researcher Olorunseun “Seun” Ogunwobi, MD, PhD, has been elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Ogynwobi is chair of Michigan State University’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and co-director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity Research.