Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update
Following an extended Spring Break, virtual instruction has begun for Mason students. Get information on Mason's operations and answers to your questions at Mason's Coronavirus information page.
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Mason Researchers Battle Coronavirus
George Mason University researchers are bringing their experience, expertise, and facilities to enhance coronavirus testing, treatment, and vaccine development. Below are three examples from the Mason Science and Technology Campus.
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Next Generation of SARS CoV-2 Testing
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 A George Mason University professor is part of a research team that has received a $250,000 grant from Schmidt Futures to explore and develop new ways to better diagnose the coronavirus. The grant will help Mason virologist Kylene Kehn-Hall and her colleagues from Ceres Nanosciences Inc., create the next generation of SARS CoV-2 testing.
Their work uses Nanotrap® particle technology, which was invented at Mason. The Nanotrap particle technology improves diagnostic testing and life science research by capturing, concentrating, and preserving low abundance analytes from biological samples.
Using Nanotrap particles from Manassas-based Ceres Nanosciences, Kehn-Hall and her team hope to develop testing that will result in fewer false negative results. Their collective work will help scientists better understand the coronavirus and help slow down the spread of the global pandemic.
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Mason Researcher Seeks COVID-19 Treatment
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 Fatah Kashanchi wants to know if existing FDA-approved anti-viral drugs are effective against COVID-19. A professor of virology at George Mason University, and director of the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Kashanchi and his team are experimenting with 12 repurposed drugs, some of which have been used against HIV, that are already approved by the FDA. That means if found effective against COVID-19, they can be put to immediate use.
Kashanchi performed his postdoctoral work at the National Cancer Institute/ National Institutes of Health (NIH) and has a virology background of 30 years. He is one of 16 people working on the project, including Mason students, postdocs and Kashanchi’s colleagues at the NIH. Kashanchi said five members of the group, including himself, are working at his lab on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus. Everyone else is working remotely.
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Mason Researchers Work on Unique Vaccine Development Tool
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Rémi Veneziano is an assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering. His lab is part of Mason’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI). Aarthi Narayanan is an associate professor in the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases. They and their colleagues are using DNA nanotechnology to lay the foundation for developing vaccines to block infection.
The strategy uses a plug-and-play approach. DNA information about a pathogen (like the coronavirus) could be plugged into the tool, which would speed up the vaccine creation process. If successful, the strategy would be ideal for addressing emerging diseases.
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Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services.
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New Master Plan for Mason Underway
Share your thoughts at Town Hall meetings and online
Looking to the future, Mason has begun work on a new Master Plan for the university that will guide Mason's mission for decades to come. The plan also will serve as a decision-making framework for using physical space at the Fairfax, Arlington, and Science and Technology campuses.
Phase One has begun, collecting feedback from campus and community, gathering data, and analyzing all the information collected. Phase Two is expected to begin in October, with detailed planning for mobility, new buildings, renovations, and other areas.
Now is the time to let your voice be heard!
- Participate in the online interactive mapping survey.
- Attend monthly town halls.
- Provide general input using the feedback form.
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Yoga with Pranjal
Free and virtual
Mondays & Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm (ongoing)
Next session: Thursday, April 16
Free Iyengar yoga classes focus on alignment of the body breath to gain mental and physical peace. Click to register.
Part of University Life, SciTech Campus' virtual lineup.
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Patriot Pursuit! Online Trivia
Free and virtual
Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm (ongoing)
Next session: Thursday, April 16
Test your knowledge of George Mason University with online trivia tournament! Winners receive an Amazon Gift Card. Click here to register.
Part of University Life, SciTech Campus' virtual lineup.
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Banjo House Lockdown
Free and virtual
Fridays, 7:00 pm (ongoing)
Next session: Friday, April 17
Hylton Performing Arts Center favorite and renowned bluegrass husband-wife duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn present an ongoing Facebook Live series, Banjo House Lockdown, every Friday on Béla’s Facebook page.
Part of the Mason Arts at Home lineup.
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Freedom Center Online
Virtual, Ongoing
The Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center is bringing zumba and yoga classes online! Visit the Freedom Center's Facebook page to see the latest times and watch recorded workouts.
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Following guidelines from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health, public events at SciTech Campus are on hold indefinitely. Get the most current information on Mason's operations and answers to your questions at Mason's Coronavirus information page.
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