February 15, 2023
As your Indiana lawmakers are putting together the state’s budget for the next two years, several ag groups, including Indiana Farm Bureau, are pushing for additional funding for the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University. “Indiana is so rich in agriculture that the lab plays a very critical role in maintaining and helping grow agriculture in our state,” says Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, Director of the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue’s campus—or ADDL, for short.
Purdue’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Pushing for Additional State Funding
February 13, 2023
Research funded by the Center for Produce Safety is looking for a cost-effective method to detect Cyclospora in irrigation water, including a paper-based in-field water test. The project seeks to use short strands of synthesized DNA, or aptamers, to bind to the target of interest — in this case, Cyclospora’s transmission stage. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite, that is nearly impossible to culture in the laboratory and requires complicated microscopy for detection in samples. Lia Stanciu, Ph.D., with Purdue University, lead researcher on the project said, “We were able to identify certain proteins on the cell membrane of Cyclospora that are unique only to Cyclospora and to which we can bind some DNA sequences.”
Project looks for cost-effective ways to monitor Cyclospora in agricultural water
February 11, 2023
Bumsoo Han's lab investigates how cancer cells behave in a simulated biological environment with a photo from Purdue University. Researchers at Purdue University have reverse-engineered a cellular signal processing algorithm and used it as a logic gate — a simple computer — to understand what drives certain cells to migrate.
To Unravel the Secret of Their Movement, Cancer Cells Turned Into Logic Gates
February 10, 2023
“An Evening Under the Stars with the Indiana State Poultry Association” was the theme for the association’s 2023 annual banquet, where the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a display highlighting the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL). The event was held Tuesday, February 7 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis and attracted a record turnout. Attendees represented poultry producers, allied industry, Indiana’s Congressional delegation, the Indiana General Assembly, and the State of Indiana executive branch and agencies, as well as the USDA and Purdue University. As attendees mingled at the event they were able to visit the ADDL booth which provided promotional items and information about ADDL services. On-hand to represent the ADDL were Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, director; Dr. Craig Bowen, assistant director; Farren Osborn, molecular laboratory technician; Mary Ruzicka, ADDL administrative assistant; Amy Smeltzer, accessioning supervisor; Dr. Geoff Lossie, clinical assistant professor of pathology and avian diagnostician; Dr. Grant Burcham, veterinary pathologist at the southern Indiana branch of the ADDL (Heeke ADDL); Margaret Gehlhausen, laboratory technician at the southern Indiana branch; Dr. Nick Newsome, avian diagnostic resident; and Kelly Dold, marketing and communications manager for the ADDL.
February 9, 2023
A study conducted on 3,335 adults in England revealed a correlation between a healthier blood sugar level and being married or cohabiting with a partner. Based on a substantial body of evidence, marriage appears to be associated with a longer and healthier life. This contrasts with individuals who are divorced, widowed, or have never tied the knot. Research has shown that even an unsatisfying marriage can still have positive impacts on one’s health, as couples are found to be at a lower risk of developing conditions such as heart disease and diabetes compared to those who are single. A study conducted on 3,335 adults in England, ranging in age from 50 to 89 and undergoing regular health checks including blood tests to assess the risk of type 2 diabetes, revealed a correlation between a healthier blood sugar level and being married or cohabiting with a partner, The Times reports. The results are reported to have remained consistent regardless of the quality of the relationship while divorce was found to be associated with a detrimental increase in blood sugar levels. Speaking about the effect of marriage on couples, social-health psychologist Rosie Shrout, told The Guardian in an earlier report, “They have better psychological wellbeing, they are less likely to develop illnesses, and they heal faster when they are sick.”
February 6, 2023
Longtime Purdue University administrator, faculty member and Boilermaker alumnus Arvind Raman is the new John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. Raman, currently Purdue’s executive associate dean of engineering and the Robert V. Adams Professor in Mechanical Engineering, brings an impressive record of academic leadership experience to this new role, Patrick Wolfe, Purdue provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, said in making the announcement today (Feb. 6). “Professor Raman is passionate about the role of engineering in creating innovative solutions for people and society. We’re confident that as our next engineering dean, he will lead the college to new levels of excellence and impact,” Wolfe said.
February 3, 2023
Cervical cancer killed 342,000 women around the world in 2020. According to the World Health Organization, the vast majority of these women — about 90% — lived in low- and middle-income countries where access to testing for early detection is either unaffordable or nonexistent. Professor of Comparative Pathobiology Sulma Mohammed in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Purdue’s Marta E. Gross Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Jacqueline Linnes are determined to save lives by developing a low-cost, point-of-care paper test that could revolutionize cervical cancer detection worldwide.
PVM and BME Scholars Team-up to Pursue Affordable Cervical Cancer Test with Life-preserving Promise
February 3, 2023
Each year, the Indiana Pork Producers Association hosts the Taste of Elegance to bring talented chefs together for a competition designed to encourage more frequent use of pork in creative, non-traditional ways in menu items. The prestigious event at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis also provides the opportunity for people connected to Indiana agriculture to get together and spend two hours gliding around the dance floor, sampling, and voting on the finalists’ dishes and recognizing the evening’s award winners. Held this year on Tuesday, January 24, the occasion attracted more than 450 pork farmers, lawmakers, ag industry leaders, and other dignitaries, including representatives of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The event spotlighted the Purdue University Farm Animal Hospital and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, as both were recognized for supporting the Indiana pork industry as Silver-level event sponsors.
Purdue Veterinary Medicine is Well Represented at Indiana Pork Producers’ Event
February 2, 2023
The Grain Foods Foundation announced the election of the class of 2025 Trustees as well as co-chairs and officers on January 30. “We are thrilled to welcome our new member of GFF’s Board of Trustees, King’s Hawaiian, who will be represented by Chad Donvito, as well as to recognize the reelection of three already-seated members of our Board: Ardent Mills (represented by Angie Goldberg), Bimbo Bakeries USA (Lorraine Hale), and Flowers Foods (Andy Smith),” said Ms. Ball. The four organizations comprise GFF’s class of 2025 Trustees, serving a three-year term, beginning this year.
February 2, 2023
Mohit Verma’s research team at Purdue University has developed innovative paper-based, rapid-result tests for bovine respiratory disease and COVID-19. Now the researchers are adapting their technology for produce safety risk assessment.
Innovative risk-assessment tool for produce industry continues advancing
