Tulane National Biomedical Research Center

08/26/2026

Researchers at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center are working to better understand why people with well-controlled HIV can still experience signs of accelerated brain aging, and whether treating the virus almost immediately after infection could help prevent those changes from taking hold.

With a new five-year, $4.2 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, Andrew MacLean, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the TNBRC, will lead a study examining how HIV-related inflammation affects the brain over time and whether very early antiretroviral therapy can help preserve cognitive function.

Using a nonhuman primate model of HIV, the team will track inflammation, cellular aging and cognition while using advanced molecular, imaging and computational tools to identify the cells and pathways involved.

The goal is to identify new therapeutic targets that could help protect brain health as people with HIV live longer lives.

Congratulations to Dr. MacLean and his team on this exciting new award. We are grateful to the National Institute on Aging for supporting this important work and proud of our researchers’ continued commitment to helping people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.

Tulane University has received a five-year, $4.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why people with well-controlled HIV can still experience accelerated brain aging, and whether earlier treatment could help prevent it.

08/11/2026

Welcome back teachers! As the new school year gets rolling we want to remind you we offer educational field trips for 7th grade and up and our field trip calendar is quickly filling up!

You can learn more about our education and outreach by visiting the page below, which has the field trip request form.
https://tnbrc.tulane.edu/outreach-and-education

07/29/2026

Special thanks to Tulane Hospitality for treating us to a wonderful Staff and Faculty Appreciation Lunch today.

07/17/2026

Thank you to Louisiana State Representatives John Wyble, Stephanie Berault, Peter Egan, and Kim Carver for coming out to our campus this morning and giving us the opportunity to share how the TNBRC supports biomedical research that can improve lives in Louisiana and beyond.

07/10/2026

Acute kidney injury affects roughly 1 in 5 hospitalized adults and can increase the risk of long-term kidney disease.

New research from the TNBRC is revealing how the kidney works to heal after injury. Using a specialized model developed at TNBRC, researchers led by Xuebin Qin, MD, PhD, uncovered how kidney cells and immune cells communicate to restore a healthy environment and support repair.

These findings provide new insight into the body’s natural healing process and could help guide future treatments for kidney disease.

Researchers at Tulane University have uncovered new details about how immune cells rebuild themselves after being depleted, offering new insight into the body’s natural repair process and laying the foundation for future therapies for kidney disease.

06/30/2026

Every June we’re excited to welcome the LSU Summer Scholars program to our campus. The visit gives veterinary students the opportunity to explore the world of laboratory animal medicine and biomedical research and how it contributes to advancements in human and animal health.

This year we were also joined by a small group of Summer Research Program participants from the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network.

It was a pleasure to spend the day with such passionate, research-driven students, hear about their interests, and share the many career paths available in biomedical research.

06/09/2026

June is CMV Awareness Month.

CMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the United States, yet many people have never heard of it.

At the TNBRC, researchers are working to better understand how CMV affects pregnancy and why some babies are more vulnerable than others.

Recent studies have shown that CMV may affect fetal growth even when infection is not detected in the fetus itself, highlighting the important role of the placenta in protecting developing babies.

By studying how CMV interacts with the placenta and the maternal immune system, TNBRC scientists are helping advance research that could one day lead to better vaccines, prevention strategies, and healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.

Special thanks to TNBRC pathologist, Dr. Robert Blair, for providing the image below of placental tissue at the maternal-fetal interface. Different colors highlight different cell and tissue structures, helping researchers study how CMV interacts with the placenta.

06/05/2026

Yesterday, the TNBRC celebrated Mr. Ronnie Berg, who is “retiring” after 21 years of unpaid service as the public, non-affiliated member of our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or IACUC.

An IACUC is a federally required committee that helps make sure animals involved in research are cared for humanely and responsibly. The committee reviews research plans, animal care programs, and facilities to help ensure that all required guidelines and regulations are followed.

The public member is a critical part of the IACUC. This person is not employed by or connected to the institution, which means they bring an outside, community perspective to the conversation. Their contributions help to ensure that the public’s voice is represented in the oversight of animal care and use in research.

Ronnie gave his time, attention, and thoughtful perspective to this important work, and we are deeply grateful for his service to the TNBRC and our research mission.

The TNBRC is always open to new community members who may be interested in serving in this capacity, or as alternates. If you would like to learn more about this important public role, please contact us.

05/22/2026

Ah, one of our *favorite* days, and the best way to kick off a long Memorial Day weekend: our annual TNBRC crawfish boil.

A huge thanks to our tireless Employee Events Committee and facilities team for all their hard work putting this event on; to the Executive Committee for serving up heaps of crawfish and fixings; to our faithful DJ for keeping the vibe strong with great music; and to the weather for holding off just long enough for us to enjoy some sunshine and warm breezes.

05/22/2026

Gut dysfunction is a persistent challenge in HIV, even when the virus is well controlled.

A new study led by Namita Rout, PhD, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center, suggests that diet-derived compounds found in vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage may help support immune activity involved in gut repair, opening the door to further research into nutritional strategies that could support long-term health for people living with HIV.

Congratulations to Dr. Rout and the TNBRC team on this important work.

Even when HIV is controlled, damage to the gut caused by the disease can persist. A new study found early evidence that diet-derived compounds found in vegetables from the mustard family, such as broccoli and cabbage, may help support immune activity involved in gut repair.