Featured Stories
University of Tampa: Sales Institute Achieves Full Membership in USCA
TAMPA, Florida, Sept. 22 -- The University of Tampa issued the following news:
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Written by: Eric Brosch | Sept. 21, 2026
Sales Institute Achieves Full Membership in USCA
The Southard Institute for Sales Excellence is the third in Florida to earn this status in the University Sales Center Alliance.
This month, the Southard Institute for Sales Excellence in the University of Tampa's Sykes College of Business became the third sales program in Florida and the 50th around the world to earn full membership status in the University Sales Center Alliance. The news was announced at USCA's fall
... Show Full Article
TAMPA, Florida, Sept. 22 -- The University of Tampa issued the following news:
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Written by: Eric Brosch | Sept. 21, 2026
Sales Institute Achieves Full Membership in USCA
The Southard Institute for Sales Excellence is the third in Florida to earn this status in the University Sales Center Alliance.
This month, the Southard Institute for Sales Excellence in the University of Tampa's Sykes College of Business became the third sales program in Florida and the 50th around the world to earn full membership status in the University Sales Center Alliance. The news was announced at USCA's fallmeeting in Chicago.
"Full membership in the USCA gives us more status and recognition in the sales academic world," said Stacey Schetzsle, SISE director and associate professor of marketing. "It's like having programmatic accreditation for sales education."
The USCA requires that full members have standalone sales centers with role-play facilities, at least three sales faculty and pass a site visit, among other criteria.
Students have already benefited from the SISE's years as an associate member. Those who complete a minor in professional selling are eligible for a sales certification from USCA. Students also have access to Salesforce, a leading customer relationship management platform.
Schetzsle said that her connection with USCA member schools extends the hiring network for graduates. "I was just talking to a student who wants to go to Chicago, and I told her, 'Let me call my colleague at a USCA school so that I can see what companies they work with and how we can make an introduction for you,'" Schetzsle said.
UTampa also is listed as a top university for professional sales education by the Sales Education Foundation.
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Original text here: https://www.ut.edu/news-and-utampa-life/2026/sales-institute-achieves-full-membership-in-usca-
University of Arkansas: Mayor, Med School or Major Award? Honors Trajectory Courses Help Students Get There
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Sept. 22 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Mayor, Med School or Major Award? Honors Trajectory Courses Help Students Get There
Sep. 21, 2026
Spend a semester learning how a mayor runs a city. Find out what medical school is really asking when it asks why you want to become a doctor. Build a law school application, prepare to compete for a national award or spend eight weeks putting your imagination through its paces.
This spring, the Honors College is offering students an unusually varied lineup of one-credit Honors Trajectory courses
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FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Sept. 22 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Mayor, Med School or Major Award? Honors Trajectory Courses Help Students Get There
Sep. 21, 2026
Spend a semester learning how a mayor runs a city. Find out what medical school is really asking when it asks why you want to become a doctor. Build a law school application, prepare to compete for a national award or spend eight weeks putting your imagination through its paces.
This spring, the Honors College is offering students an unusually varied lineup of one-credit Honors Trajectory coursesbuilt around experiences and decisions that can shape what comes next.
Led by faculty, professionals and experts in their fields, the courses give students a chance to explore an ambition before committing to it, prepare seriously for a goal already in sight or discover a possibility they hadn't considered.
"Honors students are wonderfully ambitious, but ambition doesn't always arrive with a roadmap," said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. "Our Trajectory courses give students access to people who have deep experience in the worlds they may be considering and invite them to ask questions, test assumptions and get a much clearer sense of what it takes to move forward. Whether a student has been planning for medical school for years or walks into a class and discovers an entirely new direction, we want them to have the space and the expertise around them to think seriously about where they might go next."
Honors College Trajectory
These one-credit courses are designed to help students maximize the honors experience by gathering top faculty and experts to guide students exploring innovative careers, professional schools and competitive awards. Coursework is designed to fit easily into a busy honors schedule. For courses requiring an application, the deadline is Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.
Catapult: This course is designed to place ambitious, high-achieving students on a trajectory toward nationally competitive awards and/or graduate and professional programs of study. Students taking the course will prepare their academic resume, construct a personal statement and answer essay prompts, all of which will be consistent with graduate or professional school admission. Additional topics include tips on studying for advanced tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), building a graduate or professional school timeline and preparing for interviews.
Taught by Emily Voight, senior associate director, and Matthew Halbert, associate director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, class time will provide students with practical steps and help them develop skills to move toward their goals.
"This course is for amazing students who want to do amazing things," Voight said. "We want to help students get set up and pointed in the right direction to apply for nationally competitive awards, as well as being prepared to apply for graduate and professional schools."
The Imagination Workshop: This dynamic eight-week seminar will explore creativity as a practical and vital skill. Through hands-on activities, collaboration and reflection in a supportive environment, students will discover their unique creative potential and learn to apply it to enhance academic and professional goals.
Led by Sandy Edwards, senior adviser for University Advancement at the U of A and former senior director of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, class sessions will also feature experts from a variety of fields sharing their own experience with creativity. No artistic background is required! Just bring a willingness to experiment and a desire to see creativity as a powerful tool.
"Everyone is creative," Edwards said. "I want students to go into their academic careers and learn all those technical things they need to learn and all the things that will make them successful academically, but when they leave this class, they'll also know how to harness their imagination to find successful outcomes to problems."
An application is required for this course.
Law School: This course is designed to provide honors students with an overview of the legal profession and help them prepare for the law school admissions process. Students will consider different careers in law including private practice, public sector and corporate law, as well as being asked whether law school is the path for them and which schools meet their needs.
Andrew J. Dowdle, professor of political science and director of legal studies, and Jonathan Langley, Honors College Futures Hub's director of graduate and professional school planning, will lead students in a variety of discussions and practical learning projects such as the preparation of a complete draft of admission materials.
"We designed this course to give students a better understanding of the career options available to law school graduates," Dowdle said. "Our guest speakers include Honors College alumni who have been successful in a variety of endeavors, and current students from top law schools who can address questions about both legal education and the admissions process itself."
An application is required for this course.
Mayor: This course will provide students with the unique opportunity to learn directly from Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn, who is currently leading one of Arkansas' fastest-growing cities. Coursework will center on the leadership, partnerships and decision-making that shape her work and provide students with an inside look at the many moving parts of municipal government and the people who make a city thrive.
From the mayor and City Council to planners, engineers, public safety professionals, housing and economic development leaders, parks and recreation staff, transportation staff and water and sewer operations, this seminar opens a window on the challenges and opportunities of leading a modern city.
"I hope students gain an understanding of municipal government, as there is a real lack of civic literacy about what cities do, even among otherwise politically engaged students." said Mayor Rawn. "I hope it inspires someone to run for city elected office."
An application is required for this course.
Med School: In this course, students will be asked to think critically about such popular depictions as "doctor as healer" and the "genius doctor" and have discussions that help parse fantasy from reality. Students will engage in self-reflection as they begin composing authentic responses to the "Big Three" questions med school admission committees want to know:
1. Why do you want to be a doctor?
2. What qualifications do you have to demonstrate your fitness for becoming a doctor?
3. What medically-related experiences have you had since deciding to become a doctor?
The course will be led by the Liebolt Chair of Premedical Sciences Dr. Mack Ivey and Jonathan Langley, the Honors College Futures Hub's director of graduate and professional school planning.
"The idea is to help develop students into strong medical school applicants," Langley said. "But the philosophy is a little different, because we really want students to ask themselves, 'Do I actually want to be a doctor?' and we'll provide opportunities for students to ask questions of working physicians to get closer to honest answers to that question."
An application is required for this course.
Student Development Courses: These are foundational student development courses designed to help honors students begin and continue to shape a purposeful and well-rounded undergraduate experience. Each course is taught by a member of the Honors College Futures Hub staff and will introduce key resources, campus and community partners, practical skills and reflective planning tools that support students' growth as scholars, leaders and engaged members of the U of A and beyond. Courses include:
* Career, taught by Louise Hancox, senior director of career innovation
* Pre-Med, taught by Jonathan Langley, director of graduate and professional school planning
* Research, taught by Chelsea Hodge, director of grants and research innovation
* Service, taught by Megan Hull, director of curricular planning and student engagement
"The Futures Hub is here to help students be intentional about both their time in the Honors College and where that experience might take them," Hull said. "These student development courses are really a launch pad. They introduce students to the people, resources and opportunities available to them. A student doesn't need to arrive with a four-year plan or a career already mapped out. Our role is to help them start asking those questions early, make thoughtful choices about how they spend their time on campus and connect those experiences to the skills, relationships and sense of purpose they'll carry into whatever comes next."
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About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university's top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year, the Honors College awards up to 90 freshman fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students' academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research.
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About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.
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Original text here: https://news.uark.edu/articles/82897/mayor-med-school-or-major-award-honors-trajectory-courses-help-students-get-there
UVA Law School: Clinic Helps Spur Hearing on Human Rights Impact of Data Centers
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 22 -- The University of Virginia School of Law issued the following news:
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Clinic Helps Spur Hearing on Human Rights Impact of Data Centers
Student Shares Insights From Recent Discussion at Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
September 21, 2026
Anya Neumeister '27
Anya Neumeister '27, a University of Virginia School of Law student in the International Human Rights Law Clinic, details her experiences working on and attending a hearing on the impact of data centers held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
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In early August, the Inter-American
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Sept. 22 -- The University of Virginia School of Law issued the following news:
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Clinic Helps Spur Hearing on Human Rights Impact of Data Centers
Student Shares Insights From Recent Discussion at Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
September 21, 2026
Anya Neumeister '27
Anya Neumeister '27, a University of Virginia School of Law student in the International Human Rights Law Clinic, details her experiences working on and attending a hearing on the impact of data centers held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
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In early August, the Inter-AmericanCommission on Human Rights, also known as IACHR, held a hearing granted at the request of the International Human Rights Law Clinic and other groups on how the rapid expansion of resource-intensive digital infrastructure is affecting human rights.
The IACHR promotes and protects human rights throughout the Organization of American States, including through public hearings that gather information and elevate emerging human rights concerns pertaining to a specific topic. This hearing, held in Washington, D.C., provided an important forum for examining the effects of data center growth on communities across the Americas.
My involvement in data center research began through my participation in the International Human Rights Clinic this past year. Together with my clinic teammates Kate Harrell '27 and Micki Drucker '26, I examined the regional expansion of data centers and the consequences of their siting and operation. That research ultimately formed the foundation of a hearing request to the IACHR, co-written with partner organizations from across the region, including Media Justice, Voceras de la Madre Tierra, Observatorio Latinoamericano de Conflictos Ambientales, Accion Civica contra la Corrupcion, Memphis Community Against Pollution, Observatorio Latinoamericano de Centros de Datos, and ClientEarth.
The hearing allowed community representatives and organizers to voice their concerns directly before the commission. Professor Camilo Sanchez, the clinic's director, subsequently joined a broader group of organizers working to document and draw international attention to the consequences of digital infrastructure expansion.
In preparation for the hearing, I reviewed previous IACHR assessments to determine whether and how they had addressed the rise of data centers. That review revealed that the IACHR had already flagged consequences accompanying the expansion of projects in numerous countries, including Brazil, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay. Indeed, the IACHR identified the environmental pressures associated with these facilities and the regulatory gaps that can enable their development to continue with limited oversight.
At the IACHR hearing, community representatives from the United States, Mexico and Chile described the impacts of data center expansion in their regions. One environmental defender from Mexico, Teresa Roldan, described the severe personal consequences she experienced after vocally opposing projects in her region, including the burning of her home. Another organizer, Keshaun Person, described how a data center in the Boxtown -- a community in South Memphis, Tennessee, founded by freed slaves -- has contributed to a nearly 80% increase in smog and jeopardized residents' health.
Following the hearing, we participated in a community gathering, where organizers shared information about the proceedings and created a space for community members to share concerns and engage directly with those directly involved in the IACHR petition and hearing. This event brought together journalists, researchers, advocates, and concerned community members both from the United States and abroad. The diversity of participants fostered a broader dialogue on common challenges as well as the different issues faced by various nations and communities.
The next phase of this work will include drafting a response to the questions posed by commissioners during the hearing. Those questions addressed several important areas, including evidence of successful community resistance efforts, the health impacts reported by affected residents and potential mechanisms to allow the distribution of possible benefits to digital infrastructure to be realized more equitably. Responding to these questions will require a team effort that gives voice to affected community members and advances legal and political mechanisms that ensure greater transparency and accountability among governments and corporate parties.
While significant work remains to protect vulnerable communities from the expansion of resource-intensive digital infrastructure, this IACHR hearing opened the door for more discussions that can create targeted action. The testimonies presented both at the hearing and the subsequent community informational session helped bring greater visibility to the human rights dimensions of data center development, creating new opportunities for collaboration among advocates, researchers and affected communities.
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Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.
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Original text here: https://www.law.virginia.edu/news/202609/clinic-helps-spur-hearing-human-rights-impact-data-centers
Speaker Encourages Students at UW College of Education Dean's Fall Welcome
LARAMIE, Wyoming, Sept. 22 -- The University of Wyoming posted the following news:
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Speaker Encourages Students at UW College of Education Dean's Fall Welcome
September 21, 2026
More than 240 students, faculty, staff, friends and supporters of the University of Wyoming's College of Education attended the Dean's Fall Welcome -- an opportunity to connect as a college community at the beginning of the academic year -- and heard from Dean Jenna Shim and student-selected keynote speaker Courntney Cook Bales, an educator, content creator and teacher influencer Monday, Sept. 14, at the Marian
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LARAMIE, Wyoming, Sept. 22 -- The University of Wyoming posted the following news:
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Speaker Encourages Students at UW College of Education Dean's Fall Welcome
September 21, 2026
More than 240 students, faculty, staff, friends and supporters of the University of Wyoming's College of Education attended the Dean's Fall Welcome -- an opportunity to connect as a college community at the beginning of the academic year -- and heard from Dean Jenna Shim and student-selected keynote speaker Courntney Cook Bales, an educator, content creator and teacher influencer Monday, Sept. 14, at the MarianH. Rochelle Gateway Center.
During the event, Shim thanked the college community members for their hard work and commitment and welcomed them to the new academic year. As part of her remarks, she shared her own experience arriving in Wyoming 17 years ago and her decision to stay and build a career in the state, as well as welcoming Cook Bales during her first visit to the state.
Cook Bales, in her first university speaking engagement, drew from personal experiences and spoke about teaching, resilience and the importance of relationships in education. After her keynote, students spoke directly with Cook Bales, asked questions and continued conversations from the evening's program during a student meet-and-greet.
Cook Bales, who has about a decade of experience in education, has built a national audience through her social media content covering teachers' experiences in and out of the classroom and her popular "teacher lunch videos." She earned her undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University and her graduate degree in secondary English education from Georgia Southern University.
Her selection as keynote speaker reflected students' interest in hearing from an educator with experiences and an online presence that connect to the realities of the teaching profession, organizers say.
For more information about UW's College of Education, visit www.uwyo.edu/education/index.html.
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Original text here: https://www.uwyo.edu/news/2026/09/speaker-encourages-students-at-uw-college-of-education-deans-fall-welcome.html
SUNY-Fredonia: Liggins Named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellow
FREDONIA, New York, Sept. 22 -- The State University of New York Fredonia campus issued the following news:
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Liggins named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellow
September 21, 2026
Fellows Will Provide Support for Continued Implementation of SUNY's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion General Education Requirement
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SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. has announced the fourth cohort of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows (DEISJ).
Dr. Saundra Liggins, an associate professor in the Department of English at SUNY Fredonia, has been named to the cohort.
The
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FREDONIA, New York, Sept. 22 -- The State University of New York Fredonia campus issued the following news:
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Liggins named Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellow
September 21, 2026
Fellows Will Provide Support for Continued Implementation of SUNY's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion General Education Requirement
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SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. has announced the fourth cohort of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows (DEISJ).
Dr. Saundra Liggins, an associate professor in the Department of English at SUNY Fredonia, has been named to the cohort.
Thefellows will use their interdisciplinary expertise to update and develop courses within SUNY's diversity, equity, and inclusion general education requirements, as well as strengthen the community of practice in the DEISJ field across SUNY's 64 colleges and universities.
"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational values to SUNY's mission to remain an engine of upward mobility and student success for people from all backgrounds," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The essential work of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows ensures students receive a well-rounded education. I extend my sincerest congratulations to this year's fellows."
SUNY Trustee Marcos Crespo, chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, said, "The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellows epitomize SUNY's commitment to providing access to an excellent education that upholds inclusion and diversity. The fellows' vast expertise and continued collaboration will advance the success of our students throughout their academic journeys and beyond."
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Fellowship Program is open to all SUNY full-time faculty regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability status or any other protected class. All application submissions are assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.
There were nine fellows selected for the cohort from units throughout the SUNY system.
The 2026-2027 cohort of DEISJ fellows will:
* Develop an individual or collaborative project to support the teaching of DEISJ courses and topics.
* Gather and amplify resources for the development and teaching of General Education DEISJ courses to provide support for faculty across various disciplines system-wide.
* In coordination with the SUNY Office of the Provost, continue to survey the implementation of the DEISJ General Education requirement across the system and provide recommendations to the SUNY Office of the Provost.
* Offer directed support to faculty and campuses for developing and teaching courses that meet the DEISJ General Education requirement.
* Host regional workshops at community colleges to support the teaching of DEISJ.
* Facilitate other workshops or offer consultations upon campus and/or System Administration request.
* Participate in sustaining and growing a DEISJ community of practice.
* Collaborate with other Academic Affairs Fellows Programs to support intersections among the scope of responsibilities for each.
The DEISJ Fellows program is open to all current SUNY full-time faculty. Preference is given to applicants who are scheduled to teach a DEISJ-designated course during the 2026-27 academic year; have experience with General Education curriculum approval or assessment; have a record of working with organizations or initiatives on their home campus that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and professional experience with Title VI protections against discrimination and harassment.
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Original text here: https://www.fredonia.edu/news/articles/liggins-named-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-social-justice-fellow
Johns Hopkins: Scientists Reveal How Our Cells Conduct Emergency Repairs for DNA
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 22 (TNSjou) -- Johns Hopkins University issued the following news:
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Scientists reveal how our cells conduct emergency repairs for DNA
Two new federally funded studies offer detailed views of proteins repairing broken DNA inside tightly packed chromatin, and of the molecular toolkit they assemble at a break, with potential implications for cancer treatment
By Doug Donovan
Two new studies from Johns Hopkins University are providing scientists with an unprecedented, detailed view of how human cells repair one of the most dangerous forms of genetic damage: a break
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 22 (TNSjou) -- Johns Hopkins University issued the following news:
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Scientists reveal how our cells conduct emergency repairs for DNA
Two new federally funded studies offer detailed views of proteins repairing broken DNA inside tightly packed chromatin, and of the molecular toolkit they assemble at a break, with potential implications for cancer treatment
By Doug Donovan
Two new studies from Johns Hopkins University are providing scientists with an unprecedented, detailed view of how human cells repair one of the most dangerous forms of genetic damage: a breakthat severs both strands of the DNA double helix.
Published in Nature Communications back-to-back, the studies examine different stages of a repair process called "non-homologous end joining," or NHEJ. Together, the findings show how cells gain access to damaged DNA that is packaged inside chromatin and assemble a versatile collection of molecular tools to prepare and reconnect its broken ends.
The federally funded research could ultimately contribute to better cancer treatments and more predictable gene-editing techniques. Its immediate importance, however, lies in improving scientists' fundamental understanding of a repair system that protects the human genome every day.
"Federal support for this research has been instrumental," said Yuan He, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Structural Biophysics and Chromatin Biology at Johns Hopkins University and senior author of both papers. "Without the continued support from grants from the National Institutes of Health, we would not have achieved such an important advancement in understanding how DNA repair works."
DNA carries the biological instructions cells need to function. Damage to one side of the DNA molecule is generally manageable, but a double-strand break cuts completely through its twisted-ladder structure. If the break is not repaired--or is repaired incorrectly--the cell can die or acquire mutations and rearrangements that contribute to diseases such as cancer.
NHEJ is one of the principal systems human cells use to address this emergency. The process identifies the two broken ends, holds them together, prepares them for reconnection, and seals the break.
"These are among the very first studies to view the DNA the way it actually happens in a cell--on DNA wrapped around histones, and on broken ends that cannot be stitched together easily," said He, who has appointments in the university's departments of biophysics and biology. "This could help us design the next generation of cancer therapies."
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Key Takeaways
* A double-strand break in DNA is considered lethal and must be repaired correctly to avoid cell death or dangerous mutations.
* New research shows some of the clearest, real-world views of how the repair process proceeds.
* The research could ultimately contribute to better, more effective cancer treatments.
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Weifeng Lu, a doctoral student in He's laboratory at Johns Hopkins, is first author of the chromatin study. Alex Vogt of Northwestern University is first author of the end-processing study and a co-author of both. The work was carried out with collaborators at the University of Calgary, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the University of New Mexico.
The first study addresses a longstanding question about how this repair machinery operates inside the crowded environment of a cell.
DNA does not ordinarily float freely in the cell nucleus. It is wrapped around proteins called histones, forming structures known as nucleosomes. One way to picture a nucleosome is as thread wound around a spool. This packaging allows an enormous amount of DNA to fit inside a microscopic cell, but it can also block repair proteins from reaching a nearby break.
Two proteins called Ku70/80 and DNA-PKcs are among the first to arrive at a double-strand break. Ku grips the broken DNA while DNA-PKcs helps organize the repair response. Both proteins need a stretch of accessible DNA, but a nearby nucleosome may leave too little room for them to operate.
Previous laboratory experiments frequently studied the proteins on exposed, or naked, DNA without nucleosomes. In the new work, researchers examined a more realistic situation in which the DNA remained wrapped around these protein spools.
Their experiments showed that DNA-PKcs helps the repair machinery overcome the nucleosome barrier. Images produced through cryogenic electron microscopy, or cryo-EM, suggest that Ku and DNA-PKcs advance progressively along the nucleosome-associated DNA. That movement allows the repair machinery to work even when access to the damaged DNA is limited. Notably, the repair machinery did not evict the spool. The broken ends could be bridged with the nucleosome still in place, indicating that cells can begin repair without first dismantling the packaging around a break.
The second study explores what happens once the broken ends have been brought together.
DNA breaks are rarely clean. Their ends may be uneven, chemically damaged, or separated by missing genetic material. Before those ends can be reconnected, the cell may need to remove an obstruction, trim an overhanging section or fill a gap--much as a craftsperson must prepare two damaged pieces before joining them.
Using cryo-EM, the researchers determined how a repair protein called "polymerase lambda" attaches to the structure holding the DNA ends together. Polymerase lambda can add missing DNA building blocks to help make the ends compatible.
The researchers also observed a repair assembly containing both polymerase lambda and another protein, PNKP, which prepares chemically damaged DNA ends for reconnection. The finding indicates that NHEJ can assemble several specialized tools around the same break, creating what amounts to a multipurpose molecular repair workshop.
The findings may have several long-term applications. Radiation therapy and some chemotherapy drugs work by creating DNA damage that cancer cells cannot survive. Because NHEJ can repair that damage, a tumor's repair machinery may help it resist treatment. A more precise picture of proteins such as DNA-PKcs, polymerase lambda, and PNKP could help researchers investigate drugs that make selected cancers more sensitive to radiation or chemotherapy.
The studies do not themselves produce a new therapy or editing technique. Instead, thanks to the cryo-EM technique, they provide detailed molecular blueprints of how the cell reaches, prepares, and reconnects broken DNA--knowledge that could help researchers learn when to strengthen the repair process and when, as in cancer treatment, to impede it.
The research was supported by several grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01GM135651, R01GM144559, P01CA092584, R35GM158347). Cryo-EM data was collected at the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM and at the Beckman Center for Cryo-EM at Johns Hopkins.
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Original text here: https://hub.jhu.edu/2026/09/21/dna-repair-research-johns-hopkins/
Clinical Trials Unit Launched by University of Wolverhampton and NHS Trust to Tackle Health Inequality
WOLVERHAMPTON, England, Sept. 22 -- The University of Wolverhampton issued the following news release:
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Clinical Trials Unit launched by University and NHS Trust to tackle health inequality
22/09/2026
A new Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) designed to expand research capacity, improve patient outcomes and address health inequalities across the region will be officially launched at the University of Wolverhampton this month.
The launch event took place at the University's City Campus on Wednesday 16 September and will bring together researchers, clinicians and partners from across the healthcare
... Show Full Article
WOLVERHAMPTON, England, Sept. 22 -- The University of Wolverhampton issued the following news release:
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Clinical Trials Unit launched by University and NHS Trust to tackle health inequality
22/09/2026
A new Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) designed to expand research capacity, improve patient outcomes and address health inequalities across the region will be officially launched at the University of Wolverhampton this month.
The launch event took place at the University's City Campus on Wednesday 16 September and will bring together researchers, clinicians and partners from across the healthcareand higher education sectors to celebrate a significant milestone in the University's growing research ambitions.
The Clinical Trials Unit has been established through a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT), creating infrastructure and expertise to support the delivery of high-quality clinical research in Wolverhampton and beyond.
The project has been led by Professor Prashant Pillai from the University of Wolverhampton and Professor Tonny Veenith from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and the University of Wolverhampton.
The development of the CTU forms part of the University's wider commitment to strengthening research quality, capacity and provision across its academic portfolio. Alongside the appointment of Clinical Professors and the establishment of the Black Country Medical School, the creation of the CTU demonstrates the University's ambition to play a leading role in advancing healthcare research and innovation.
The Unit will provide researchers with the facilities and support needed to design and deliver clinical trials, helping to increase research capacity across the region while ensuring local communities have greater opportunities to participate in studies that could benefit their health and wellbeing.
Importantly, the CTU will support research that reflects the diverse population of the Black Country and wider West Midlands, helping to address health inequalities by ensuring underserved communities have access to clinical trials and the advantages they can bring.
Professor Prashant Pillai, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Wolverhampton, said:
"We are really excited to launch our new clinical Trial Unit in collaboration with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The University Strategy 2035 sets our ambition to develop high-quality, impactful research and knowledge exchange (RKE) that transforms lives, and which makes a world-leading contribution in the areas of green innovation and sustainability, health and wellbeing and inclusive communities. This CTU will provide new opportunities for our academic and research community in the University to collaborate on a wide variety of clinical trials and accelerate medical research and innovation. While many of our clinical professors already carry out cutting edge research, the CTU will bridge gaps between academic research and practical patient care."
The CTU will focus on four core objectives:
* Providing researchers with the infrastructure needed to deliver clinical trials
* Increasing clinical research capacity across the region
* Improving access to clinical trials for underserved populations
* Generating evidence to inform healthcare interventions and improve patient outcomes
Professor Tonny Veenith, Consultant in Critical Care Medicine at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Professor at the University of Wolverhampton, said:
"By co-directing the Black Country Clinical Trials Unit through the University of Wolverhampton and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, we are embedding clinical research directly into England's second most deprived Integrated Care System. Our collaborative unifies four acute trusts across a catchment of 1.5 million people, ensuring our region transforms from a recruiting outpost into a hub of scientific leadership. Historically, communities carrying the heaviest burden of ill health have been excluded from clinical trials, which represents both an equity failure and a science failure. Establishing this unit changes that arithmetic so that patients in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, and Sandwell can access tomorrow's treatments today in hospitals they already trust. As we progress toward UKCRC registration by 2030, we will ensure that national healthcare guidance is built upon the real needs of our diverse population."
The Clinical Trials Unit will work closely with the University's Black Country Medical School, which is due to welcome its first cohort of medical students in 2026. The Medical School is being developed to train the next generation of doctors while responding to the healthcare needs of the region. Research will be a key pillar of its activity, with the CTU providing a platform for clinical academics, healthcare professionals and students to collaborate on research that addresses local and national healthcare challenges. Together, the Medical School and the Clinical Trials Unit will help establish Wolverhampton as a centre for medical education, research excellence and healthcare innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/2026/september-2026/clinical-trials-unit-launched-by-university-and-nhs-trust-to-tackle-health-inequality.php
