A common drug, already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), may also be a powerful tool in fighting COVID-19, according to research published this week in Antiviral Research.

New research, published online today in Developmental Cell, shows that PRC1 – a protein that serves as a telltale sign in many cancer types, including prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer – acts as a “viscous glue” during cell division, precisely controlling the speed at which two sets of DNA are separated as a single cell divides.

Juergen Hahn, the head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the highest grade of membership. Members are nominated to this position in recognition of significant experience in, and service to, the field of chemical engineering.

TROY, N.Y. — Chemically engineered peptides, designed and developed by a team of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, could prove valuable in the battle against some of the most persistent human health challenges.