New Delhi, July 16 -- The University of Michigan is under federal scrutiny after two Chinese scientists linked to the school were separately charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States.

The Education Department on Tuesday opened an investigation into the university's foreign funding, citing the pair of cases that were announced days apart in June. It said the "highly disturbing criminal charges" raise concerns about Michigan's vulnerability to national security threats from China.

"Despite the University of Michigan's history of downplaying its vulnerabilities to malign foreign influence, recent reports reveal that UM's research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage," said Paul Moore, chief investigative coun...