News Archive - School of Medicine

From Rett and Pitt-Hopkins to ALS: 5 Rare Diseases UC San Diego Researchers are Tackling in the Lab

This Rare Disease Day (February 28, 2026), read on to learn more about five orphan conditions, the people they affect and the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute researchers fanning the flames of hope for patients around the globe.

Understanding Substance Use Across the Full Spectrum of Sexual Identity

An analysis of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveals higher rates of substance use among all non‑heterosexual groups, including people who describe their sexual identity using non‑traditional terms or who are not sure of their sexual identity.

Mapping Protein Production in Brain Cells Yields New Insights for Brain Disease

UC San Diego School of Medicine and Scripps Researchers scientists used novel technology to map protein translation in ~20,000 individual mouse brain hippocampal cells, revealing that some memory neurons produce proteins faster than others.

Artificial Intelligence Predicts Colorectal Cancer Risk in Ulcerative Colitis Patients

A new AI tool developed by UC San Diego researchers uses clinical data to predict colorectal cancer risk in ulcerative colitis patients, helping clinicians make evidence‑based care decisions and preventing treatment delays.

Airborne Toxins Trigger a Unique Form of Chronic Sinus Disease in Veterans

UC San Diego study reveals that toxin‑related chronic rhinosinusitis shows a two‑fold rise in sinus mast cells, pointing to a new therapeutic target for veterans and others exposed to smoke airway risk factor.

Researchers Rebuild Microscopic Circadian Clock That Can Control Genes

Circadian clocks play a crucial role in our health and well-being. Scientists are now getting closer to understanding how these clocks operate at their core by solving how such clocks within bacteria are able to precisely control when different genes are turned on and off during the 24-hour cycle.