Page 17 – The Source | Washington University in St. Louis

Researchers find key to stopping deadly infection

New research from WashU Medicine identified a key enzyme that enables rotavirus to infect cells. Disabling this enzyme prevented infection, suggesting new treatments against rotavirus and other pathogens that rely on similar mechanisms.

Obituaries

James Ballard, former director of Engineering Communication Center, 79

James “Jim” Clark Ballard, a former senior lecturer and director of the Engineering Communication Center in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, died Sept. 29 in St. Louis following a sudden cardiac arrest. He was 79.

Medicine

An inside look at the earliest stage of life

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have a developed a way to monitor mouse embryo development and predict successful blastocyst formation. The results of the study could help improve success rates of in vitro fertilization.

Health & Society

Implementing science across borders

WashU’s Prevention Research Center delivered its Evidence-Based Public Health training in Puerto Rico, strengthening local health workforce capacity to tackle chronic disease and limited resources.

Appointments & Promotions

Nabunya named ICHAD director

Proscovia Nabunya, an associate professor at the Brown School, has been named director of the school’s International Center for Child Health and Development.

St. Louis Region

Applications, nominations sought for Confluence Award

The Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement at WashU is now accepting nominations and applications for the William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award.

Space

WashU team wins $3.9M to provide cameras for gamma-ray observatory

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis will provide cameras for the world’s largest high-energy gamma-ray observatory with a nearly $4 million federal grant.

St. Louis Region

WashU’s Second Serve chapter aces community impact

Led by members of the women’s tennis team, the WashU chapter of Second Serves hosts tennis clinics for the local community and provides donated rackets and covers, shoes and tennis bags for children.

Alzheimer's

Circadian clock protein linked to brain aging, neurodegenerative disease

WashU Medicine researchers led by Erik Musiek, MD, PhD, discovered in mice that inhibition of a protein that controls the daily cycling of metabolism and inflammation decreases neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

Medicine

Body’s garbage-collecting cells protect insulin production in pancreas

WashU Medicine researchers found that immune cells that dispose of the body’s cellular debris can protect insulin-producing cells and prevent Type 1 diabetes in mice.