Department of Biology

NEWS

three plates with meat, nuts and greens
November 7th 2022

Portland State study finds diet high in saturated fat can reprogram immune cells in mice

A new study by Portland State University researchers is the first to show...
Human cell
October 5th 2020

In the cellular machine shop

It's chapter one, page one of Biology 101, cells are the basic unit of...
July 24th 2019

PSU professor gets $1.25M grant to study effect of Western diet on immune system

A Portland State University biology professor will continue her research into the effect of the Western diet on the immune system and disease outcomes, thanks to a $1.25 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Brooke Napier, an assistant biology professor in PSU's College...
February 11th 2019

Western diet may increase risk of severe sepsis, death, study finds

A Western diet high in fat and sugar can pack on the pounds. But it can also put someone at greater risk of developing severe sepsis, according to a study by a Portland State University researcher. The study, appearing in the Feb. 11 edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy...
March 22nd 2017

Portland State research shows some viruses can infect even after major mutations

Portland State University researchers have found that only about half the genes in a specific virus affecting single cell organisms is needed to infect a host. This means the virus can undergo major mutations without losing its ability to survive and infect. The research, headed by PSU...