Physical Sciences

Finding the proteins that unpack DNA
DNA is typically wrapped tightly around proteins called histones (colored) to form a nucleosome, a structure that condenses DNA strands to fit in a cell’s nucleus. A new method allows scientists to identify specialized proteins called nucleosome-displacing factors that unwrap these nucleosomes, making the usually dense DNA more accessible for gene expression and other functions. Image: Karolin Luger
New era of space research launched by IceCube Observatory and global team of astronomers
A flaring supermassive black hole 3.7 billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Orion is the suspected source of a super-high-energy subatomic particle -- a neutrino -- that has launched a new era of space research. Credit: Nate Follmer, Penn State
Dawson honored with Powe Award
Rebekah Dawson
AstroFest turns twenty! Four Evenings of Astronomy Activities and Stargazing During Arts Festival 2018
Observatory on the roof of Davey Lab. Credit: Penn State
Capturing light in a waveguide array: Confined, insensitive light could improve lasers, solar cells
Edward O’Brien honored with OpenEye Outstanding Junior Faculty Award
Edward O’Brien.
Chemistry Grad Students take 3 of 5 top prizes in Millennium Cafe Pitch Competition
Mechanical force controls the speed of protein synthesis
Researchers discovered that proteins, represented by the black line, exert a mechanical force as they exit the molecular machine where they are synthesized, represented in red. That force moderates the speed of protein synthesis. Image: Benjamin Fritch
Squire Booker honored as an Evan Pugh Professor
Squire Booker
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