News Archive - Biological Sciences

Rewriting the Textbook on Gene Regulation: It’s the Big Picture That Counts

For the first time, researchers at UC San Diego have shown that changes in gene expression happen almost entirely during the transcription stage while the cells are growing. The researchers have provided a simple quantitative formula linking regulatory control to mRNA and protein levels.

Experts from 14 Nations Discuss Global Gene Drive Project Registry

UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science led 70 participants from 14 nations in a discussion on the ways in which a gene drive project registry could both contribute to and detract from the fair development, testing and use of gene-drive modified organisms.

Brain Cells Under Attack Don ‘Body Armor’ Response, Offering New Views of Stroke Damage

UC San Diego neurobiologists have discovered that cells within neurons, the brain’s transmission connectors, protect themselves with a type of body armor when faced with threatening conditions such as during a stroke. The pro-survival mechanism helps reduce brain tissue damage.

Researchers Identify Elusive Carbon Dioxide Sensor in Plants that Controls Water Loss

UC San Diego scientists have identified a long-sought carbon dioxide sensor in plants, a discovery that holds implications for trees, crops and wildfires. The researchers found that two proteins work together to form the sensor, which is key for water evaporation, photosynthesis and plant growth.

Enzyme Drives Cognitive Decline in Mice, Provides New Target for Alzheimer’s

UC San Diego researchers identify the PKCα enzyme as a promising therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease; a mutation that increases its activity led to biochemical, cellular and cognitive impairments in mice.

UC San Diego Ranked 8th Globally for Most Influential Researchers

The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional researchers who are having a significant impact on the research community as evidenced by the rate at which their work is being cited by their peers. UC San Diego ranks 8th in the world for 2022.

UC San Diego Alumna Takes the Lead in Providing Care to the Underserved

A social justice warrior who loves biology, nature and teaching, alumna Kristin Brownell MD/MPH is a core faculty member at the Family Health Centers of San Diego. She is dedicated to improving primary care for refugees, immigrants and other underserved groups.

Eight UC San Diego Researchers Among ‘1,000 Best Female Scientists in the World’

Eight researchers from UC San Diego are listed in the first-ever ranking of the “1,000 Best Female Scientists in the World” by research.com, an analytics platform that advocates for improved research quality and also ranks universities, scholarly journals and academic conferences.

UC San Diego Faculty Receive New EDI Award from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have selected UC San Diego Assistant Professors Brian Aguado and Sonya Neal as grant recipients in a new program launched to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in science.

A Chain of Inspiration: Nick Spitzer’s Golden Anniversary at UC San Diego

UC San Diego icon Nick Spitzer, known for his warm, engaging personality and a passion for teaching and research, is marking 50 years on campus. A campus celebration and new innovation award have been set to mark his lasting contributions to science and the university.