News Archive - Mario Aguilera

New ‘Atlas’ Provides Unprecedented Insights on How Genes Function in Early Embryo Development

UC San Diego biologists have provided new insights on a longstanding puzzle in biology: How complex organisms arise from a single fertilized cell. Producing a new “gene atlas” with 4D imaging, the researchers captured unprecedented insights on how embryonic development unfolds.

Detecting Odors on the Edge: Researchers Decipher How Insects Smell More with Less

While humans feature a sophisticated sense of smell, insects have a much more basic olfactory system. Yet they depend upon smell to survive. Scientists have figured out how fruit flies use a simple but efficient system to recognize odors, and the answer lies at the edges of their antennae.

Researchers Discover Key Functions of Therapeutically Promising Jumbo Viruses

Viruses known as “jumbo” phages are seen as a potential tool against deadly bacterial infections. But scientists must first decipher the extraordinary makeup of these mysterious viruses. Researchers have now uncovered a key piece of jumbo phage development that helps them counter bacteria.

There is an Art to Communicating Scientific Research

UC San Diego's Research Communications Program focuses on practical training to help scientific researchers shine as they share their findings on and off camera.

Cell Division Quality Control ‘Stopwatch’ Uncovered

UC San Diego biologists have uncovered a quality control timing mechanism tied to cell division. The “stopwatch” function keeps track of mitosis and acts as a protective measure when the process takes too long, preventing the formation of cancerous cells.

New Genetic Analysis Tool Tracks Risks Tied to CRISPR Edits

While CRISPR has shown immense promise as a next-generation therapeutic tool, the gene editing technology’s edits are still imperfect. Researchers have developed a new genetic system to test and analyze CRISPR-based DNA repair and related risks from unintended but harmful “bystander” edits.

How Fear Unfolds inside Our Brains

The stress-induced mechanisms that cause our brain to produce feelings of fear in the absence of threats — such as in PTSD — mostly have been a mystery. Now, neurobiologists have identified the changes in brain biochemistry and mapped the neural circuitry that cause generalized fear experiences.

Biological Sciences Professor Terrence Sejnowski Wins Brain Prize

Terrence Sejnowski has been selected to receive the 2024 Brain Prize, the world’s largest neuroscience prize, for his pioneering work in computational and theoretical neuroscience, contributions to our understanding of the brain and paving the way for the development of brain-inspired AI.

Three Early Career Faculty Members Selected to Receive Sloan Research Fellowships

UC San Diego Assistant Professors Vineet Augustine, Abdoulaye Ndao and Monique Smith have been selected to receive 2024 Sloan Research Fellowships. They are among 126 scientists chosen by the Sloan Foundation to receive one of the most prestigious awards for early career scientists.

Researchers Uncover Mechanisms behind Enigmatic Shapes of Nuclei

White blood cells known as neutrophils feature a nucleus that is structured strikingly different than most nuclei. These unique shapes permit neutrophils to travel all over the body to combat invading pathogens. Scientists have now deciphered the shapeshifting puzzle of the neutrophil nucleus.