News Archive - Biological Sciences

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.

Muscle as a Heart-Health Predictor

Study shows greater muscle area in men leads increased risk of heart disease; it’s different for muscle density.

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.

Faulty DNA Disposal System Causes Inflammation

Each cell features mtDNA, instructions that mitochondria use to create energy. When mtDNA remains where it belongs, cells remain healthy. But when it goes where it doesn’t belong, mtDNA can initiate an immune response and inflammation. Scientists have discovered the pathways behind this process.

Extra Fingers and Hearts: Pinpointing Changes to Our Genetic Instructions That Disrupt Development

UC San Diego scientists have shown that they can now predict which single-letter changes to the DNA within our genomes will alter genetic instructions and disrupt development, leading to changes such as the growth of extra digits and hearts.

Chancellor Unveils New Award Program to Boost Team-Based Research

Chancellor’s Interdisciplinary Team Catalyst Awards aim to foster sustainable, interdisciplinary collaborations and to assist teams in developing tailored funding strategies for grand scientific and societal challenges.

UC San Diego’s Bioengineering Team Uses TSCC at SDSC for Bioinformatics Tool

Over 18 million people worldwide are annually diagnosed with cancer, with each case hiding many mutations in its genome. Understanding these mutations furthers cancer research, while also providing a deeper understanding to create possible cures, therapies and prevention strategies.

UC San Diego Is Now a Bee Campus. Here’s What that Means…

UC San Diego recently became a Bee Campus USA member, part of a national program created to support pollinating organisms, boost the abundance of native plant species and reduce pesticide use. Professor James Nieh explains what the designation means for UC San Diego and the San Diego region.

Transparent Brain Implant Can Read Deep Neural Activity From the Surface

A multidisciplinary team of researchers at UC San Diego developed a thin, transparent, flexible neural implant that can capture high-resolution information about activity deep inside the brain without damaging its delicate tissue.

Terrence Sejnowski Named Scientist of the Year by ARCS San Diego

Professor Terrence Sejnowski has been named 2024 Scientist of the Year by the ARCS Foundation of San Diego. Sejnowski is being honored for his pioneering research in neural networks and computational neuroscience, achievements that helped form the cornerstones of artificial intelligence.