Biological Sciences News

LSU researcher Laura Lagomarsino will study how tropical flowers evolve with support from a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award. Focusing on wild coffee plants in Colombia, her research explores how shifts in pollinators and environmental conditions drive repeated transitions from small, white flowers to bright, showy blooms across multiple species.

Metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes are increasingly linked to shifts in the gut microbiome, but scientists still don't fully understand how combinations of microbes influence the body's endocrine system. Supported by a five-year NIH R35 award, LSU biological scientist Fan Zhang studies how defined microbial communities work together to regulate insulin signaling along the gut-brain axis. Using the microscopic worm C. elegans as a controlled model, his lab identifies microbial metabolites that activate endocrine pathways, aiming to clarify how microbiome composition and hormone signaling interact to shape metabolic health.

A recent study led by LSU Assistant Professor Jiaqi Tan, published in Nature Communications, shows how competition between species alters how plants and animals grow, reproduce, and behave. By examining results from hundreds of studies worldwide, the researchers found that as competition increases, average performance often declines, but individuals within a species become more varied and flexible. These findings help scientists better understand--and predict--how ecosystems will respond to challenges like climate change, shrinking habitats, and invasive species.

Assistant Professor Chen Chen of LSU’s Department of Biological Sciences has received a $2.23 million NIH R01 award to investigate how Staphylococcus aureus interacts with the human immune system to persist in the body and, under certain conditions, cause severe disease. Using advanced molecular and animal models, her research focuses on how the bacterium modulates immune responses—particularly neutrophil behavior—to balance colonization and infection. The findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies that reduce lung inflammation and improve outcomes for patients with pneumonia, including infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains.

An LSU study of tiny marine crustaceans called copepods found that flexibility in gene expression may be critical for surviving climate change. Populations with greater ability to adapt to heat stress could be better equipped to handle rising temperatures and extreme weather.

Every May, the Ogden Honors College celebrates a group of students who have gone above and beyond in the classroom, in the lab, in the field, and in their communities. This year's graduating class is no different. From archaeological digs in the English countryside to policy research presented at Harvard, from laboratory breakthroughs to community-centered service, the Class of 2026 leaves LSU having made their mark.

Tiny crustaceans living in freezing alpine lakes survive by activating specialized cold-tolerance and UV-protection genes. By studying their gene expression, researchers reveal how life adapts to extreme environments—insights that could inform broader research on resilience and climate adaptation.

LSU evolutionary biologist Daniel Powell studies how DNA shapes mate choice and helps maintain species boundaries. Using swordtail fish in Mexico, his research shows how traits like color, behavior, and chemical cues influence attraction—and how environmental changes, including pollution, can disrupt these signals. By linking behavior to genetics, Powell reveals how human impacts may influence hybridization and reshape the evolution of species.

A new 3D skeletal model helps identify harmful movement patterns in horses, allowing trainers and veterinarians to prevent joint damage before it worsens. By targeting root mechanical causes—not just symptoms—the approach could improve long-term health for horses and riders alike.

A new open-source tool called SkelPy transforms complex images of destructive gray mold into clear, measurable data in minutes. By helping scientists quickly track fungal growth and behavior, it could improve how researchers combat crop diseases and reduce agricultural losses.