February 6, 2018
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.
January 29, 2018
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.
January 25, 2018
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.
January 10, 2018
January 10, 2018 —
An unprecedented UC San Diego study integrating data from around the globe has shown that honey bees are the world’s most important single species of pollinator in natural ecosystems and a key contributor to natural ecosystem functions. The report weaves together information from 80 plant-pollinator interaction networks.
December 19, 2017
December 19, 2017 —
The combined effects of pesticides and a lack of nutrition form a deadly one-two punch for animals, new research shows for the first time. Researchers studied how honey bees fared with exposure to pesticides and limited nutrient sources, scenarios found in agricultural areas. They were surprised to find that bee deaths increased by up to 50 percent more than they expected.
December 11, 2017
December 11, 2017 —
Researchers have identified a promising new strategy to fight infections and cancer. They uncovered a novel function for a protein known as “Runx3” that is key to the development of killer T cells—immune cells important for fighting infections and cancer. The researchers believe Runx3, if properly directed, could be combined with other approaches to help T cells recognize and destroy tumor cells and enhance vaccine efficacy.
November 21, 2017
November 21, 2017 —
University of California San Diego researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and in the Section of Cell and Developmental Biology have “got mail”—of the cellular sort. They know that cells have elaborate “addressing” functions that “send” proteins to the correct compartment, but they are now learning how cells “’write” the addresses and then “read” them. This is important because cellular function depends on each molecule in the cell being where it is supposed to be. But, often, protein molecules are not made in the compartment where they eventually need to function. In a paper recently published in Nature Communications, Professor Elizabeth Komives, chemistry and biochemisty, and Associate Professor Eric Bennett, cell and developmental biology, outline their research.
November 21, 2017
November 21, 2017 —
University of California San Diego researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and in the Section of Cell and Developmental Biology have “got mail”—of the cellular sort. They know that cells have elaborate “addressing” functions that “send” proteins to the correct compartment, but they are now learning how cells “’write” the addresses and then “read” them. This is important because cellular function depends on each molecule in the cell being where it is supposed to be. But, often, protein molecules are not made in the compartment where they eventually need to function. In a paper recently published in Nature Communications, Professor Elizabeth Komives, chemistry and biochemisty, and Associate Professor Eric Bennett, cell and developmental biology, outline their research.
November 6, 2017
November 6, 2017 —
Researchers at the University of California San Diego studying how animals respond to infections have found a new pathway that may help in tolerating stressors that damage proteins. Naming the pathway the Intracellular Pathogen Response, or “IPR,” the scientists say it is a newly discovered way for animals to cope with certain types of stress and attacks, including heat shock.
October 26, 2017
October 26, 2017 —
Scientists have known that areas of the brain with similar functions—even those in different brain hemispheres—connect to share signals when the body rests, but they haven’t known how this “resting-state connectivity” occurs. Now, scientists in the Neurophysics Laboratory at the University of California San Diego may have the answer.
