Wayne State University Biological Sciences

🔬 New Research Highlight from Our Department! 🔬

We’re proud to share a new publication from the lab of Professor Karen Beningo, led by graduate student Jacob DeTone:

DeTone J, Kozole S, Stewart M, Hao B, Beningo KA
Basigin (CD147) and Calpain 4 (CapnS1) are partners in the generation of traction force but not in mechanosensing
Journal of Biological Chemistry
https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(26)02042-9/fulltext

How do cells move? This study explores the teamwork behind cell movement—an essential process in wound healing, immune response, and even cancer spread.

They identified two proteins, Basigin and Calpain 4, that work together to help cells generate the physical forces needed to move. Interestingly, while Calpain 4 plays a role in both force and sensing, Basigin is uniquely involved only in generating movement itself, not in how cells 'sense' their surroundings

By separating these two processes, force generation and sensing, this work helps refine our understanding of how cells navigate their environment, with potential implications for biomedical research.

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🌿 New Publication Alert! 🌿

Check out the latest paper from the labs of Professors Ed Golenberg, Aleksandar Popadic, and Weilong Hao:

Transcriptomic Analysis of Phylloclade in Ruscus aculeatus Is Consistent with Unifacial Morphology.
Plants (Basel) (2026)
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/8/1168

Have you ever wondered how plants evolve new structures? This new study looks at a plant called Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom), which grows unusual flattened stems that function just like leaves. Using advanced genetic sequencing, they examined the active genes in these structures to understand how they evolved.

While textbook biology states that plants require a strict "top-vs-bottom" genetic roadmap to grow flat organs, the team discovered that these structures completely bypass that rule. Instead, they flatten out purely through simple sideways expansion and localized cell division. It’s a perfect example of the minimalist flexibility of plant development and evolution.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Phylloclade in Ruscus aculeatus Is Consistent with Unifacial Morphology The development of planar structures such as wings or leaves is a common feature among organisms and serves as a mechanism to increase surface to volume ratios. We wished to explore whether the recurrent and independent development of similar adaptive planar morphologies is the result of an activati...

🎉 Congratulations to Udayan Guha on his recent PhD defense! He did is work in the lab of Dr. Haidong Gu:

"From Early to Late Infection, ICP0 Coordinates the Suppression of

Host Responses in Both Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Environments

During HSV-1 Infection"

Well done Dr. Guha! 🥂

🌟 Department of Biological Sciences Recognition 🌟

We're proud to share that our very own Dr. Marianna Sadagurski has been named the recipient of the 2026 Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award in Aging Research by AFAR.

This prestigious award honors Dr. Sadagurski’s impactful contributions to the fundamental biology of aging and recognizes her as a leading scientist whose work is poised to shape the field for decades to come. The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Vincent Cristofalo, a founding AFAR board member and pioneer in aging research.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Sadagurski’s achievements and the continued excellence of our faculty in advancing innovative, high-impact research.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sadagurski on this well-deserved honor!

https://bit.ly/4ta4J2Q

Wayne State's first Peregrine Falcon Project intern was born for the job Wayne State's first Peregrine Falcon Project science communications intern was born for the job

Your voice matters! Undergraduate students can take the SWEET survey through April 18th to help Wayne State University improve. Complete the survey for a chance to win a gift card to Amazon or the Bookstore, or even a chance to visit Cedar Point for Halloweekends! go.wayne.edu/SWEET

Q&A with Biological Sciences Alumna Denise Bronner'10

Detroit native Denise Bronner has built an impressive career spanning biological sciences, entrepreneurship and venture capital. A Wayne State University graduate, she now serves as the CEO of Empactful Ventures, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare and clinical trial innovation. Here, Bronner reflects on her academic journey, the defining moments that shaped her path and advice for students pursuing careers in science and beyond.

Q&A with Biological Sciences Alumna Denise Bronner '10 Biological sciences student, alumni and faculty highlights at Wayne State University.

Congratulations to Brenna and Katrina!

Biology Ph.D. students selected for prestigious Knauss Fellowship in Washington, D.C. Wayne State University biology Ph.D. students Brenna Friday and Katrina Lewandowski were both named Sea Grant Knauss fellows — and the only two selected from Michigan.

Some of the advisors and biology faculty spent the morning in the field house celebrating our most recent graduates (now alumni). This is a day we look forward to all year. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment!!! You have worked hard and have earned this moment. We are so proud of you and thank you for letting us be part of your journey! We look forward to hearing about all your future success! Congratulations Bio and Neuro Warriors! You did it!

Congratulations Kennedy and the entire class of 2023!

Kennedy Hunter Watson - Commencement Speaker - Col. Liberal Arts & Sciences - Wayne State University Kennedy Hunter Watson is a Wayne State University graduate and keynote speaker at the university's May, 2023 commencement ceremonies.SUBSCRIBE: https://go.wa...