News Archive - School of Medicine

Stem Cells, CRISPR and Gene Sequencing Technology are Basis of New Brain Cancer Model

University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers created a new type of brain cancer model for glioblastoma using stem cells, CRISPR and gene sequencing.

Algae Shown to Improve Gastrointestinal Health

UC San Diego scientists have completed the first study in humans demonstrating that a common algae improves gastrointestinal issues related to irritable bowel syndrome. The green, single-celled organism called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was found to help with diarrhea, gas and bloating.

Opioid Dependence Found to Permanently Change Brains of Rats

Approximately one-quarter of patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them, with five to 10 percent developing an opioid use disorder or addiction. In a new study, UC San Diego researchers found that opioid dependence produced permanent changes in the brains of rats.

Liver Fibrosis ‘Off Switch’ Discovered in Mice

UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers identified several genetic switches, or transcription factors, that determine whether or not liver cells produce collagen — providing a new therapeutic target for liver fibrosis.

International Research Team Confirms Potential Glioblastoma Inhibitors

A research team from SDSC and institutes in Sweden and France have published a study on the OLIG2 inhibitor as a way to improve prognoses for brain cancer patients.

Zika Virus’ Key into Brain Cells ID’d, Leveraged to Block Infection and Kill Cancer Cells

Two different UC San Diego research teams identified the same molecule — αvβ5 integrin — as Zika virus’ key to brain cell entry. They found ways to take advantage of the integrin to both block Zika virus from infecting cells and turn it into something good: a way to shrink brain cancer stem cells.

Researchers Identify Gene with Functional Role in Aging of Eye

Researchers say a gene known to be a biomarker of age plays a key role in age-associated functional and anatomical aging in mouse retinas, a finding that has direct relevance to age-related eye diseases.

American Association for Thoracic Surgery Adopts HUBzero® Cloud Platform

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) has adopted an open-source, cloud-based platform led out of the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) that addresses widely recognized challenges with historical platforms throughout the cardiothoracic surgical community.

In Mice, Alcohol Dependence Results in Brain-Wide Remodeling of Functional Architecture

Using novel imaging technologies, researchers produce first whole-brain atlas at single-cell resolution, revealing how alcohol addiction and abstinence remodel neural physiology and function in mice.

Unfruitful: Eating More Produce Will Not Cure, Stop Prostate Cancer

University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers report that patients with prostate cancer assigned to eat seven or more servings of vegetables and fruits daily saw no extra protection from the increased consumption of micronutrients, running contrary to current thought.