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Science & Technology

Cyanobacterium found in algae collection holds promise for biotech applications

Cyanobacteria are attractive organisms for the bio-production of fuels, chemicals and drugs but have the drawback that most strains in common use grow slowly. This week scientists at Washington University reported that they have recovered a fast-growing strain of cyanobacteria from a stored culture of a cyanobacterium originally discovered in a creek on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin in 1955.  The new strain grows by 50 percent per hour, the fastest growth rate ever reported for this type of bacteria.
Arts & Culture

Valentine’s Day with Callaway and Graae

In 1980, Liz Callaway and Jason Graae made their off-Broadway debuts in “Godspell.” Three decades later, the pair are Broadway veterans, each boasting a long and storied career. On Feb. 14, these old friends will reunite at Washington University for “Happily Ever Laughter: A Valentine’s Party.” The special one-night-only performance is presented by the Edison Ovations Series.
Business & Entrepreneurship

Bear-y Sweet Shoppe opens on South 40 with support of Student Entrepreneurial Program​​​

After a year of planning, the Bear-y Sweet Shoppe opened Jan. 12 on Gregg Walkway on the South 40 at Washington University in St. Louis. The business is supported by the innovative Student Entrepreneurial Program (StEP), which has provided resources and guidance since 1999. The shop is the first StEP business to sell food, use crowdfunding and to be founded exclusively by women.

Pike receives medical research grant

Linda J. Pike, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received a four-year, $1.76 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for research titled “Signal Transduction by ErbB2/ErbB3 Oligomers.”

Taylor Avenue closing each night Feb. 2-11

Beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2, Taylor Avenue between McKinley and Clayton avenues will be reduced to two lanes of traffic each night until Feb. 11 for the installation of Ameren substation feeder conduits below Taylor.
Humanities & Society

Is this the year you join the 1 percent?

Good news for the new year: According to new research by Washington University in St. Louis and Cornell University, there’s a 1-in-9 chance that a typical American will hit the jackpot and join the wealthiest 1 percent for at least one year in her or his working life. The bad news: That same research says only an elite few get to stay in that economic stratosphere – and nonwhite workers remain among those who face far longer odds.