Texas Biomedical Research Institute

It is time for a new approach to infectious disease innovation that incentivizes solving the most pressing health issues of our day. We need to fast-track discoveries from the lab into approved diagnostics, therapies and vaccines. We need mission-driven science.

Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger, M.D., shares SOLUTIONS to the BIG PROBLEM in Texas Monthly.

Bird Flu Is Yet Another Wake-Up Call President and CEO of Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Dr. Larry Schlesinger, shares his insights on how mission-driven science can help us combat infectious disease.

Texas Biomed's Prof. Luis Martinez-Sobrido and collaborators at UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Columbia University are working on a universal cocktail.

We explain how it works:

Researchers take step toward development of universal COVID-19 antibodies - Texas Biomed Texas Biomed and partners licensing new SARS-CoV-2 antibody targeting newest strains of COVID-19 SAN ANTONIO (May 28, 2024) – SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease, continues to evolve and evade current...

We are delighted to welcome our new Attending Veterinarian Kathryn Shelton, DVM, PhD, DACLAM to Texas Biomed and SNPRC!

Texas Biomed welcomes new Attending Veterinarian Kathryn Shelton - Texas Biomed SAN ANTONIO (May 9, 2024) — Wearing many hats comes naturally to Kathryn Shelton, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACLAM. This is a strength she’ll tap into as she joins Texas Biomedical Research...

For the first time, San Antonio will have a dedicated space to shine at the largest biotech conference in the world. 20,000+ visitors from all over the world will have a chance to see the San Antonio ecosystem. Grateful for our current partners. Deadline to participate is May 15.

For information about the conference and opportunities for visibility, [email protected]

UT Health San Antonio
Biobridge Global
Texas Biomedical Research Institute

It is . Our team of researchers, including Professor Timothy J.C. Anderson, Associate Professor Ian Cheeseman and Professor Vitaly Ganusov are working on expanding our understanding of this parasite and using those insights to advance healthcare solutions. With more than 249 million NEW cases of malaria and more than 608,000 deaths in 2022, it is imperative to continue this work so we can .

Today is Biomedical Research Awareness Day - BRAD! We are proud to help raise awareness about the critical role animals play in saving lives. They are a vital part of biomedical research that helps us learn how diseases impact our bodies and helps us develop new therapies and vaccines to protect both humans and animals. Without animals in biomedical research, we wouldn't have insulin, treatments for heart disease and cancer, or COVID-19 vaccines (just to list a few)!

A huge shout out to our teammates for organizing at Texas Biomed and Southwest National Primate Research Center. They provided multiple ways for staff members to express their love and appreciation for animals in biomedical research and for the people taking excellent care of them! 💙

Learn more about BRAD Day here: https://www.bradglobal.org/

It's that time! Join us for Viva Science SA 2024 this Saturday at The Witte Museum. Our Texas Biomed education team will be there with fun hands-on activities for all ages. Come on by our booth, say hi and learn a little about the research our scientists do! Don't miss out on lots of STEM activities, demos, music, science-themed artwork, food trucks and a short talk "Hip Hop Saves Lives: An Unorthodox NIH-funded Trajectory Targeting Stroke Literacy." Did we mention its FREE to attend?!

w/ UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Fiesta San Antonio

“There needs to be much more work going on to develop more diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines to handle what might be the next big problem in infectious diseases.” -- Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger, M.D., was interviewed by Texas Monthly about the current bird flu cases affecting diary cows, chickens and one worker in Texas.

No, Texans Don’t Need to Panic About Bird Flu—Yet The risk of the avian influenza sparking a pandemic remains low, but viruses evolve, and experts urge vigilance.

We are pleased to collaborate with UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University and support development of next generation diagnostics. Notably, this new tool does NOT require complicated labeling or amplification, steps that are required in the current gold standard PCR test.

“The potential is enormous,” says Jean Patterson, Ph.D., Texas Biomed Professor Emeritus and paper co-author. “The idea that you don’t have to amplify to get accurate results is a huge advance, on par with how PCR was an incredible step forward when it came out.”

The tool was described this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Samples from nonhuman primates at Texas Biomed's Southwest National Primate Research Center helped verify the tool accurately detected Zika virus and COVID-19.

Read on to learn how the tool combines nanopores and optofluidics to work faster than PCR.

New diagnostic tool achieves accuracy of PCR tests with faster and simpler nanopore system - Texas Biomed Researchers at Texas Biomed collaborate with teams at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University to verify the new diagnostic system, which combines optofluidics and nanopores, accurately tests for COVID-19...

Texas Biomed has deep experience researching influenza viruses and recently expanded it scope to study the type of bird flu currently making headlines. Our researchers are especially focused on testing currently available vaccines, antivirals and antibodies against the strain of H5N1 that has recently infected numerous herds of dairy cows, hens and one individual in Texas. While this type of bird flu has been detected in a wide range of mammals, from foxes to sea lions, this is the first time it has been detected in cows and our team wants to know why -- what genetic determinants enabled the virus to do that.

Texas Biomed researching vaccines and treatments for highly pathogenic avian influenza - Texas Biomed SAN ANTONIO (April 3, 2024) — Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) are studying potential vaccines, antivirals and antibodies against highly pathogenic avian influenza, including H5N1 strains that...

Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger shares these thoughts on today's passing of Dr. William L. Henrich, President of UT Health San Antonio:

We have lost a giant in our community and on the national stage. Bill has been a driving force in the elevation in stature of our region’s premier academic health center – his leadership literally made lives better. So many at Texas Biomed know and have been inspired by Bill and his dedication to research, healthcare and education. We will move forward with ways to honor his legacy as a friend and collaborator.

On a personal level, this is an incredibly sad day for my wife Judy and I. Bill has been more than a colleague. He has been a genuine, caring friend to us since we moved to San Antonio. It was Bill who stayed in close contact with me throughout my own cancer ordeal, and I know that he has helped so many in similar situations. Consequently, I feel a tremendous loss. We wish strength for Mary, the entire Henrich family and those within the UT Health San Antonio community during this very difficult time.

w/ UT Health San Antonio

Read more in SA Report here:

UT Health San Antonio President William Henrich has died at 77 Bill Henrich helmed one of the state's top health schools since 2009 — leading through its biggest years of growth.

Texas Biomed celebrates the achievements of all women today, and especially of women working in STEM fields or at scientific institutes!! We pledge to continue trying to narrow the gaps, with women now making up about 34% of the STEM workforce in the U.S.

Our heartfelt condolences to Joyce's family, friends and colleagues. She did so much to shape our community and will be dearly missed.

"We all loved Joyce for her wisdom, her empathy, and her Texas common sense." - NPR's CEO John Lansing

Texas has lost a public media titan. TPR’s President and CEO Joyce Slocum dies at 66 Joyce Slocum, who led both NPR and Texas Public Radio into a new era for public media, died Sunday from complications of colon cancer.

“We are so grateful for Mabee Foundation’s generous support of our Capital Campaign, which is enabling the construction of new scientific spaces that will grow our workforce and expand our research and innovation abilities.” Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger, M.D.

Mabee Foundation gifts $1 million to Texas Biomed Capital Campaign - Texas Biomed The Mabee Foundation granted $1 million to Texas Biomed for its Capital Campaign to expand and modernize its campus.

We are pleased to welcome our newest faculty member, Associate Professor Shouxiong Huang, Ph.D., to Texas Biomed. Dr. Huang specializes in the small and unusual parts of the human immune system, seeking new targets to fight diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. Learn more about his research interests and journey.

Searching for therapies in the small & unconventional - Texas Biomed Texas Biomed welcomes immunologist and chemical biologist Shouxiong Huang, PhD, as Associate Professor to its faculty.

HIGH SCHOOLERS (specifically, if you are going to be a junior or senior in the fall...): You have ONE WEEK left to apply for the Valero Young Scientist Program. Get hands-on research experience and skills this summer! Don't think you have to have taken advanced science classes to apply! We are encouraging kids from schools across with an interest in science and research to submit their applications!

Parents and teachers, please share with your students!

Valero Young Scientist Program - Texas Biomed Program Overview The Valero Young Scientist Program is an immersive, multidisciplinary program for San Antonio area high school students to learn from infectious disease researchers at Texas Biomed. Students will...

LAST CALL for college/graduate internships! Applications for our 8-week PAID summer internships are due THIS FRIDAY Feb. 23.

We have opportunities for students interested in research, veterinary care, communications, IT, HR, security and much more!

Internship Programs - Texas Biomed Texas Biomed/SNPRC offer three internship programs in the areas of infectious disease research, veterinary research & primate care & administrative support of research

Congratulations to Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, PhD, for being elected to the American Academy of Microbiology! Bravo!

Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido elected to the American Academy of Microbiology - Texas Biomed Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D., a Professor at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, has been elected a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.

We had such a great time this weekend at the Girls Incorporated of San Antonio's 18th Annual Rock IT Into the Future Science Festival at CASTschools MED High School. Our Education Outreach team and passionate volunteers talked with attendees of all ages about Texas Biomed's scientific research that aims to protect everyone from infectious diseases. We also highlighted the summer education and internship opportunities we have for students to get hands-on experience in biomedical research. AND it was awesome to see San Antonio District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, PhD at the event!

Learn more about our summer for college/grad students and our NEW! high school education program. Deadlines to apply are this month!: https://www.txbiomed.org/education-outreach/

That's a wrap on Week! More than 200 leaders from across were in Washington DC to champion the strengths and opportunities San Antonio has to offer the nation and the world. Texas Biomed President/CEO Larry Schlesinger was pleased to lead the and team, which had many productive meetings with lawmakers, federal agencies and officials.

A few highlights:
* Dr. Schlesinger introduced Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, MD, MPH, Director, Defense Health Agency, who gave a keynote address to the SA to DC delegation.
* Meeting with Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
* Mayor Ron Nirenberg welcoming the delegates to DC
* Meeting with Sean Biggerstaff, PhD, Acting Director, Research and Development Directorate, Defense Health Agency
* Meeting with U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar
* Meeting with Congressman Tony Gonzales's team

Thank you to Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for organizing this effort.

Check out the San Antonio Business Journal story about our education programs and vision for a Center for Science Education as part of the Global Center for Bioscience, currently in design phases. (Must have a subscription)

H-E-B and Valero to put big money behind Texas Biomed expansion and education plans - San Antonio Business Journal A pair of San Antonio corporate giants are putting their funding behind Texas Biomedical Research Institute and its expanding campus infrastructure and educational programming plans.

We are extremely grateful for H-E-B's generous support of our future Center for Science Education and for our ongoing summer internships.

“H-E-B is well known for its deep and longtime support of Texas teachers, students and schools, so we are honored they are our active partner in engaging the minds of our future scientific problem solvers and teachers,” says Texas Biomed President & CEO Larry Schlesinger, MD.

H-E-B makes $2 million gift to Texas Biomed Capital Campaign to fund science education programs, spaces - Texas Biomed SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 1, 2024) – H-E-B has donated $2 million to Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) to support current STEM education initiatives and the future Center for Science...

Hey high schoolers! We are excited to announce Texas Biomed has created a new summer education program just for you. The Valero Young Scientist Program will offer hands-on experience in biomedical research here at our campus during the summer. Learn more and apply today!

Application deadline: Feb. 29
Program dates: June 24-July 19
Must be a rising junior or senior (in other words, starting Junior or Senior year in Fall 2024)
Must be at least 16 years old on June 24

Texas Biomed creates new education program to support young scientists - Texas Biomed The “Valero Young Scientist Program” at Texas Biomed will provide high school students unparalleled access to learn from leading biomedical scientists.

Great to partner with Dr. Rong Hai and his team at University of California, Riverside on this project to develop a faster-acting COVID vaccine. As part of this study, Ramya Barre, a graduate student in the lab of Texas Biomed Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, demonstrated in a mouse model of infection how pre-existing immunity to influenza virus helps to protect against SARS-CoV-2. Read more about this interesting approach to vaccine development and check out the paper in the Journal of Virology.

w/ UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

New vaccine design uses immunity against influenza to offer faster protection against emerging pathogens Strategy developed by UC Riverside-led research team speeds up production of antibodies against COVID-19

Thank you to the Douglass Foundation, the Cowles family & the Texas Biomedical Forum for supporting nine Texas Biomed researchers at all career stages to study infectious diseases.

2024 Texas Biomed philanthropic research grants announced - Texas Biomed Nine Texas Biomed scientists have received more than $628,000 in philanthropic funding to study a range of infectious diseases – including Ebola virus, Chikungunya virus and tuberculosis – and develop...

Our hearts are with the family of Richard “Dick” Schlosberg III, who passed away last week. Dick joined the Texas Biomed Board of Trustees in 2010 and served as Chair from 2013 to 2016. He was an action-oriented chair whose leadership helped set Texas Biomed on its current course of success. Because of his steady hand, the Institute was in a strong position in 2020 to respond quickly to the COVID pandemic. Our Board and Institute will miss him dearly.

Air Force pilot and media executive Schlosberg dies at 79 Richard "Dick" T. Schlosberg III, a longtime publisher who was the San Antonio Report's founding board chairman, has died at age 79.

Join us next Wednesday online to learn more about Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health and the newest Customer Experience Hub here in Texas!

Learn more & Register: https://my.healthcarethinktank.org/event-5546892

Healthcare Think Tank is hosting a Zoom meeting with Dr. Larry Schlesinger, Professor, President & CEO of Texas Biomedical Research Institute, he will describe how Texas, being designated as the Customer Experience Hub location, can realize substantial success and recognition. He will also discuss the prominent role the Texas Biomedical Research Institute can play in accelerating the prospective outcomes.

Registration Link:
https://my.healthcarethinktank.org/event-5546892

Applications for summer at Texas Biomed are now being accepted! We have a wide range of opportunities for college students who have completed at least one year towards their bachelor's or professional degree. Interns will gain hands-on, real-world experience with cutting-edge research, primate care or administrative research support. It is our goal to provide all interns with a rich learning culture that encourages ongoing development of skills and knowledge. Internships typically run from June 3 to July 26. Check out the program and variety of opportunities in , , , , , , , , , and more!

https://www.txbiomed.org/education-outreach/internship-program-structure/ #

Internship Programs - Texas Biomed Texas Biomed/SNPRC offer three internship programs in the areas of infectious disease research, veterinary research & primate care & administrative support of research

CONGRATS to Alyssa Schami, who was awarded the Interdisciplinary NexGen TB Research Advancement Center (IN-TRAC) Preliminary Data Pilot Grant for her project, "Variability of Phthiocerol Dimycocerosates on the Cell Envelope of Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis."