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News Archive - Mario Aguilera

Three UC San Diego Professors Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 23, 2018

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the country’s most esteemed honorary societies and independent policy research centers, has elected three professors of the University of California San Diego as new members.

Three UC San Diego Professors Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 23, 2018

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the country’s most esteemed honorary societies and independent policy research centers, has elected three professors of the University of California San Diego as new members.

Researchers Develop First Gene Drive Targeting Worldwide Crop Pest

April 17, 2018

UC San Diego biologists have created the world’s first gene drive system—a mechanism for manipulating genetic inheritance—in Drosophila suzukii, an agricultural pest that has invaded much of the United States and caused millions of dollars in damage to high-value berry and other fruit crops.

Virus Found to Adapt through Newly Discovered Path of Evolution

March 29, 2018

Biologists have discovered evidence for a new path of evolution, and with it a deeper understanding of how quickly organisms such as viruses can adapt to their environment. Publishing in the journal Science, the researchers say their findings, which address longstanding mysteries of how genes acquire new functions and how mutations arise to ease transmission from one host to another, could be applied to investigations of viral diseases such as Zika, Ebola and bird flu.

Yishi Jin Named to Junior Seau Endowed Faculty Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury

March 8, 2018

The inaugural chair holder of the Junior Seau Foundation Endowed Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury at the University of California San Diego is Yishi Jin, Professor and Chair of the Section of Neurobiology in the Division of Biological Sciences. Jin’s research focuses on molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system, and regeneration of wounded nervous systems, with the goal of better understanding human neurological disorders and brain injury.

Yishi Jin Named to Junior Seau Endowed Faculty Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury

March 8, 2018

The inaugural chair holder of the Junior Seau Foundation Endowed Chair in Traumatic Brain Injury at the University of California San Diego is Yishi Jin, Professor and Chair of the Section of Neurobiology in the Division of Biological Sciences. Jin’s research focuses on molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system, and regeneration of wounded nervous systems, with the goal of better understanding human neurological disorders and brain injury.

Surprise Finding Points to DNA’s Role in Shaping Cells

February 8, 2018

Working at the intersection of biology and physics, scientists at UC San Diego have made a surprising discovery at the root of cell formation. They found that DNA executes an unexpected architectural role in shaping the cells of bacteria. Studying the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the researchers used an array of experiments and technologies to reveal that DNA, beyond serving to encode genetic information, also “pumps up” bacterial cells.

Active Genetics Technology Opens New Horizons

February 6, 2018

Employing CRISPR/Cas9 advancements, UC San Diego researchers are using new active genetics technology to reveal new fundamental mechanisms that control gene activity. The authors also provide experimental validation for using active genetics as an efficient means for targeted gene insertion, or “transgenesis,” and single-step replacement of genetic control elements.

Novel Technologies Reveal Key Information About Depleted East Pacific Green Sea Turtles

January 29, 2018

Using new technologies developed to extract life history information from bones, researchers at UC San Diego are learning more than ever about populations of green sea turtles living in the eastern region of the Pacific Ocean. While their numbers remain dangerously depleted, the new data show that green sea turtles are spending more time offshore, increasing their risk as fishing bycatch.

Discovery Offers New Genetic Pathway for Injured Nerve Regeneration

January 25, 2018

Researchers on the hunt for genes involved in regenerating critical nerve fibers came away with a surprise: The discovery of a new genetic pathway that carries hope for victims of traumatic injuries—from stroke to spinal cord damage. Although no cures exist for many nervous system injuries, if the damaged neurons do not die, “there is hope to find ways to make them stronger and help them regrow,” said senior author Yishi Jin.
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