Engineers part of $9 million project studying cell context of genes

Photo by Ashley Washburn. A $9 million grant from Nebraska's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research will allow Joseph Turner, chair and professor of engineering mechanics, to develop nanotechnology tools to help biologists study gene expression and regulation. He will be working with plant scientist Sally Mackenzie, who is leading the team of biologists working on the research.

December 12, 2007 -- Nebraska's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research has received a three-year, $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct research to better understand gene expression and regulation.

The new Nano-enhanced Epigenetics Research project will build Nebraska's research capabilities on chromatin -- a dynamic network of interacting DNA, RNA and protein in the nuclei of cells. Fundamental questions about chromatin's role in defining gene expression networks and the direct modulation of these processes by cellular factors, represent key unknowns of complex biological systems. read more...

Dwyer Named an ACM Distinguished Scientist

12/12/07

Matthew B. Dwyer, professor of computer science and engineering

Matthew B. Dwyer, professor of computer science and engineering, has been recognized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) as a Distinguished Scientist. He was one of 20 members recognized by ACM this year, which considers the practical and theoretical contributions of its members in computing and information technology.

"Their computing innovations address problems in virtually every industry and make possible advances in communications, health care, finance, entertainment, environmental control, computer security, and many other real-life applications," said ACM President Stuart Feldman. "We are proud to recognize these dedicated men and women and to raise their profile in the computing community."

Allen to Receive THH PIAN Medal

Dr. David H. Allen

David Allen, dean of the College of Engineering, has been chosen to receive the 2008 THH PIAN Medal from the International Conference on Computational and Experimental Engineering & Sciences.

The award, named for Theodore Pian, a professor at MIT for nearly 50 years, is in honor of Allen's distinguished contributions to computational mechanics of inelastic materials at various length scales.

The medal will be awarded at the 2008 conference in Honolulu in March.