Doctoral research presentation: Long Tran '20
Join us for an inspiring talk on groundbreaking research and its impact on global health. Long Binh Tran '20, a biochemistry graduate and 2019 Texas Medical Center participant who recently earned his Ph.D. from Baylor School of Medicine, will present his doctoral research.
About the presentation
Zika virus (ZIKV) can cross the placenta during pregnancy and cause serious birth defects, including microcephaly. We found that ZIKV infection promotes the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), tiny intercellular bridges that enable direct cell-to-cell viral transport and help the virus evade host immune defenses. We identified the viral protein NS1 as a key driver of TNT formation and showed that this process depends on interactions with host mitochondria. In pregnant mouse models, TNT-deficient ZIKV mutant showed significantly reduced viral transmission to the placenta and fetus, markedly improving fetal outcomes. These findings suggest that ZIKV exploits TNTS and mitochondrial machinery to facilitate placental transmission, highlighting TNT formation and mitochondrial pathways as potential therapeutic targets for preventing congenital infection.
Stone Lecture: Java Jews concert
The Java Jews concert is this year's Stone Lectureship in Judaism, which was established in 1983 by friends of Dr. Alex and Martha Stone, longtime residents of Rock Island. The concert is hosted by the Augustana Center for the Study of Judaism and Jewish Culture.
Lutfisk and meatball dinner
The American Scandinavian Association at Augustana will host its annual lutfisk and meatball supper. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
The event will feature a presentation from Adam Bierstedt, Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa.
The meal will include lutfisk, Swedish meatballs, peas, parsley-buttered potatoes, pickled beets, pickled herring, coleslaw, cheese, assorted breads and lefse. Rice pudding with lingonberries and cookies will be served for dessert.
Reservations are due Oct. 30. To register, contact Kimberly La Palm with the names of guests who will attend, a phone number to contact and a check (payable to ASA) for the total amount.
Women's Basketball vs. Dubuque
The women's basketball team plays Dubuque.
Men's Basketball vs. North Park
The men's basketball team plays North Park.
Women's Basketball vs. North Park
The women's basketball team plays North Park.
Men's Basketball vs. Carthage
The men's basketball team plays Carthage.
Women's Basketball vs. Carthage
The women's basketball team plays Carthage.
Men's Basketball vs. Wheaton
The men's basketball team plays Wheaton.
Women's Basketball vs. Webster
The women's basketball team plays Webster.