February 6, 2026
The binding of the sperm protein IZUMO1 to the oocyte receptor JUNO is an essential step in fertilization. Genetic deletion of IZUMO1 results in sterility, making this sperm protein a potential target for the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine for the control of wildlife populations. However, contradictory results of the effect of immunization with IZUMO1 or IZUMO1-derived peptides have been reported. In this study, the effect of immunization with a recombinant mouse IZUMO1 peptide comprised of the extracellular Izumo, hairpin and Ig-like domains of IZUMO1 with different adjuvants was investigated in mice.
Role of adjuvants in the efficacy of an IZUMO1-based immunocontraceptive vaccine in mice
February 2, 2026
The Biomolecular Design Seed Grant awards research projects that accelerate collaborative research in the molecular biosciences at Purdue University. In the first year of this grant, two research projects have been selected. The projects are “AI-guided design of compact CRISPR-associated transposons for programmable gene insertion” submitted by Leifu Chang, Daisuke Kihara, and Ruqi Zhang and "A structured-conditioned, Small-Molecule-Driven Framework for Protein Design” submitted by Ramaswamy Subramanian and Ananth Grama.
Two research projects selected for Biomolecular Design Seed Grant
February 2, 2026
Cell viability assays (CVAs) are widely used in cell biology, biomedical research, drug development, and biotechnology to assess cell health, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and functional activity under various conditions. Key applications span from everyday cell culture monitoring to drug screening and toxicology studies, immunology, vaccine development, and stem cell and regenerative medicine.
January 27, 2026
Accurate identification of phospholipid molecular species remains a major challenge in shotgun lipidomics because conventional tandem mass spectrometry typically resolves only one structural moiety at a time. This structural ambiguity limits confident lipid biomarker discovery and biological interpretation. Improving structural specificity without sacrificing analytical speed is therefore critical for lipidomics and disease-related studies.
January 25, 2026
Dehydration isn’t just a warm-weather problem. The risk remains in winter, possibly more so. "People tend to do a better job of staying hydrated in the summer because we’re sweating and hot," says Libby Richards, RN, interim head of the School of Nursing at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. "But plenty of things happen in the winter that can lead to dehydration."
January 22, 2026
The body’s immune system is constantly on patrol, deploying billions of specialized cells to detect and destroy harmful invaders. Among the first to respond are neutrophils — fast-moving white blood cells that rush to sites of infection or injury. But how do these tiny first responders know where to go?
January 22, 2026
A new edition of a time-tested and influential veterinary work is on the market thanks to the scholarly efforts of two Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members and their team of U.S. and international experts from multiple veterinary schools. “Dellmann’s Textbook of Veterinary Histology” is an essential resource connecting the microscopic world of cells and tissues to the broader understanding of anatomy and physiology in domestic animals. Co-edited by Drs. Marxa Figueiredo and John Turek, associate professor and professor emeritus, respectively, in the college’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences (BMS), this latest edition integrates high-resolution electron and color micrographs with updated content that reflects current scientific and clinical knowledge.
PVM Scholars Co-Edit New Edition of Signature Veterinary Histology Textbook
January 16, 2026
When you walk into a familiar place — your kitchen, a classroom, or your neighborhood — your brain instantly starts matching what you see with memories of past experiences. A new study from Purdue University (external link) reveals a key piece of how that recognition process works, and why it may be disrupted in conditions such as Fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of autism.
How the Brain Recognizes What It’s Seen Before and Why It Matters for Autism Research
January 16, 2026
Ten Purdue University researchers were named in Clarivate’s 2025 list of Highly Cited Researchers, demonstrating research excellence and influence in their fields. The selected researchers have authored multiple papers that rank among the top 1% in citations in their respective fields, as recorded in the Web of Science from 2014-24.
January 15, 2026
On January 6, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued updates to its guidance documents governing clinical decision support (CDS) software1 and general wellness devices.2 FDA Commissioner Marty Makary touted these changes as a way for FDA to “get out of the way as a regulator.”3 Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the changes “[unlock] wearable devices for general wellness that have, for too long, been tied up in red tape.”4
FDA Issues Updated Guidance Loosening Regulatory Approach to Certain Digital Health Tools
