News Archive - Research Alerts

Using infrared heat transfer to modify chemical reactions

In a joint experimental-theoretical work, a team of researchers, including theorists from UC San Diego, have shown for the first time that heat transfer in the form of infrared radiation can influence chemical reactions more strongly than traditional convection and conduction methods.

Uncovering Clues to a Natural Gene-Editing Technique

Diversity-generating retroelements are found in the genomes of microorganisms across the globe — from the arctic permafrost to Yellowstone’s hot springs and the human gut. DGRs are able to accelerate the evolution of proteins to help microorganisms adapt to changing environments. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, Partho Ghosh’s lab at UC San Diego has figured out the first steps of this accelerated evolution by visualizing the relevant proteins and RNA.

Ketamine Use on the Rise in U.S. Adults; New Trends Emerge

According to a new study from researchers at UC San Diego, ketamine use has risen significantly since 2015. The results highlight the need for closer monitoring of recreational ketamine use.

Visualizing a Key Step in How an NRPS Enzyme Produces an Antibiotic

Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) enzymes are essential in creating important medications, such as penicillin and cyclosporine. Because of their large size, complex design and changing shapes, NRPS enzymes are difficult to study. In recent years, the lab of UC San Diego Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Michael Burkart has developed crosslinking tools to trap the enzyme at specific steps, freezing them in place, making them easier to visualize.

Enzyme Promoting Tumor Growth and Spread in Pancreatic Cancer Identified

An enzyme called MICAL2 promotes tumor growth and metastasis in the most common form of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study by UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers.

New Software Unlocks Secrets of Cell Signaling

SMART, a new software package developed by researchers at UC San Diego, can make studying signaling processes significantly easier. Results could accelerate research in fields across the life sciences, such as systems biology, pharmacology and biomedical engineering.

Evolution of Deep-Sea Anglerfish Illuminated in New Study

A multi-institutional team of biologists has produced new insights into the evolution of anglerfish, deep-sea dwellers known for their extraordinary adaptations.

Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Shows Promise for Treating Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Using neural stem cells could help treat spinal injuries once thought to be untreatable - a new phase 1 trial has determined this approach is safe.

Changes in Blood Cell Production Over the Lifetime Could Impact Leukemia Outcomes

The first comprehensive map of the dramatic changes that take place in the blood system over the course of the human lifetime could have implications for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and other blood diseases.

How Artificial Intelligence Could Automate Genomics Research

New research from UC San Diego suggests that large language models like GPT-4 could streamline the process of gene set enrichment, an approach what genes do and how they interact. Results bring science one step closer to automating one of the most widely used methods in genomics research.