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News Archive - Biological Sciences

UC San Diego Receives $7.35 Million for Scripps Center for Oceans and Human Health

The University of California San Diego was awarded $7.35 million in funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health for a multidisciplinary program to advance understanding of marine contaminants and nutrients.

A Deep Dive Into the Genetics of Alcohol Consumption

Some people have genes that protect them from alcohol abuse. An examination of databases at 23andMe reveal that those same alcohol-protective variants have associations with conditions and behaviors that may have nothing to do with alcohol.

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.

Say Hello to Biodegradable Microplastics

Finding viable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics and microplastics has never been more important. New research from scientists at UC San Diego and Algenesis shows that their plant-based polymers biodegrade — even at the microplastic level — in under seven months.

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.

Study Illuminates the Protective Role of Fluorescence in Neon-Colored Sea Anemones

For the first time, a team of researchers at Stanford University and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography has uncovered a direct genetic link between fluorescence and color in sea anemones — those soft and tentacled tide pool creatures often encountered by beachgoers.

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.

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.

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