News Archive - Mario Aguilera

Effects of Declining Diversity Documented in the World of Microbes

Scientists in UC San Diego’s School of Biological Sciences recently investigated how declining biodiversity in tiny ecological systems unseen to the naked eye can carry significant consequences for the health of organisms and ecosystems.

New Research Reveals How Location Influences How Our Immune System Fights Disease

A new study led by a team of scientists reveals how cells known as tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells play unique and specialized roles based on where they are located. The discovery sheds light on how such cells adapt to their location and could lead to improved immunotherapy and vaccines.

Epilepsy Patient Samples Offer Unprecedented Insights on Brain ‘Brakes’ Linked to Disorders

Specific protein receptors in the brain play a vital role in how neurons slow down or stop firing, making them targets for many disorders. Researchers have now constructed a detailed structural map of these receptors in the human brain, revealing how they assemble and how drugs bind to them.

Five UC San Diego Researchers Receive Presidential Early Career Awards

President Joseph R. Biden announced this week the recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), including five faculty members from the University of California San Diego. The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government to scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Scientists Unveil Surprising Human vs Mouse Differences in a Major Cancer Immunotherapy Target

Much of our knowledge of the protein PD-1, a leading cancer treatment target, comes from studies in mice. In a comprehensive assessment of PD-1, researchers have found that PD-1 in mice is significantly weaker than the human version, providing new information on how cancer treatments are developed.

Kimberly Cooper and Elizabeth Villa Named Pew Innovation Fund Investigators

UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences Professors Kimberly Cooper and Elizabeth Villa have been selected by the Pew Charitable Trusts as members of its 2024 class of Innovation Fund Investigators.

New Gene Drive Reverses Insecticide Resistance in Pests… Then Disappears

UC San Diego geneticists have developed a gene drive-based solution to the widespread problem of insecticide resistance. In an effort to protect valuable crops, the researchers created an “e-Drive” that reverses insecticide resistance and then disappears from the insect population.

Researchers Uncover Achilles Heel of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

To stem the surging antibiotic resistance public health crisis, scientists seek solutions inside the mechanics of bacterial infection. A new study has found a vulnerability related to magnesium availability. This limitation potentially could be exploited to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Sleep is No Light Matter for Bees

Disrupted sleep cycles are a well known problem for human health and function, and now researchers have found similar impacts on insects. A new study has found that artificial light disrupts the circadian rhythms of honey bees and poses a threat to their essential role as pollinators.

The Brains Behind Today’s AI Revolution

Professor Terry Sejnowski helped pioneer a foundation that set the stage for the current surge of AI advancements. In this interview he discusses the path of brain research that led to today’s AI revolution, how systems such as ChatGPT are evolving and the future of AI.