Dear Friends,
Salk’s scientists and staff recently worked together to define core values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. I was heartened to see that Community emerged as one of these values. One of the reasons I trained at Salk, returned as a faculty member, and recently took on the role of president is the Salk community, and in particular the vibrant interactions that I find here. Our community helps enrich our personal connections, deepen discussions, foster creativity, and strengthen our sense of belonging.
This newsletter is intended to engage you as part of our Salk community. I hope you will enjoy reading about some of the efforts and accomplishments that make this place so special. Feedback is always welcome at communications@salk.edu.
Warmest regards,
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Gerald Joyce
Salk Institute President
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A new model for understanding human brain immune cells and neurological disorders |
At the intersection of the human immune system and the brain are microglia, specialized brain immune cells that play a crucial role in development and disease. Now, Professor Rusty Gage, Associate Professor Axel Nimmerjahn, and colleagues have developed a novel organoid model—a three-dimensional collection of cells that mimics features of human tissues—to better understand microglia. Their findings highlight the importance of immune cell and brain interaction, and improve the understanding of neurodegenerative and developmental diseases, such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. |
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How aggression-promoting brain peptide works in fruit flies |
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In addition to communicating with neurotransmitters, the brain also uses small proteins called neuropeptides. Though their importance is widely recognized, the way neuropeptides move around the brain and influence neurons has remained poorly understood. Now, a study led by Associate Professor Kenta Asahina reveals the variable influence that neuropeptides can have on fly brain activity. The findings can improve the understanding of what causes human conditions, like autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit disorders. Read more »
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The Morning Bell
Hidden voices: Dr. Joanne Chory is changing the world—one seed at a time
Features Professor Joanne Chory
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National Geographic
Does eating close to bedtime make you gain weight? It depends.
Features Professor Satchin Panda
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Yahoo! News
What if we tolerated diseases?
Features Professor Janelle Ayres
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Fox 5 San Diego
Discover the history of The Salk Institute
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Features Jonathan Salk and Professor Greg Lemke
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Fox 5 San Diego
Pancreatic cancer research
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Features Assistant Professor Dannielle Engle
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Fox 5 San Diego
Transfer of immunity from mom to baby
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Features Assistant Professor Deepshika Ramanan
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Salk Institute launches collaboration with Autobahn Labs to accelerate drug discovery |
The Salk Institute and Autobahn Labs, an early-stage drug discovery incubator, will work together to identify and advance promising initial scientific discoveries through the preliminary steps of drug discovery and development. Autobahn Labs will invest up to $5 million per project for Salk discoveries that require access to drug development expertise and state-of-the-art capabilities. |
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Trainees at Salk earn prestigious awards |
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Four graduate students were awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships to support their doctoral studies: Mannix Burns, advised by Associate Professor Diana Hargreaves; Becky Chinn, advised by Professor Christian Metallo; Adam Lee, advised by Salk Fellow Talmo Pereira; and Jocelyn Olvera, jointly advised by Assistant Professor Pallav Kosuri and Associate Professor Dmitry Lyumkis. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program promotes quality, vitality, and diversity in the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States.
Additionally, Graduate Student Oren Wilcox, advised by Associate Professor Eiman Azim, was awarded an F31 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA). Postdoctoral Researcher Shira Yomtoubian, advised by Professor Reuben Shaw, was awarded an F32 NIH NRSA. Both the predoctoral and postdoctoral versions of this award support promising candidates in their training to becoming skilled, independent research scientists, with an emphasis on enhancing workplace diversity.
Lastly, Postdoctoral Researcher Yuening Liu, advised by Assistant Professor Pallav Kosuri, was awarded an Edwards-Yeckle Postdoc Professional Development Award by the Salk Institute. This award is intended to inspire applicants to explore new avenues of investigation and professional growth.
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27th Annual Symphony at Salk
Salk’s acclaimed annual concert and fundraiser will feature guest artist Jennifer Hudson performing with the San Diego Symphony. Hudson is an Emmy, GRAMMY®, Oscar (Academy Award), and Tony award winner, making her the youngest female EGOT recipient. Symphony at Salk sponsorships directly support Salk scientists in their pursuit of life-changing discoveries in cancer, aging, computational biology, neuroscience, immunobiology, plant biology, and more. Sponsorships are available now, and individual ticket sales will begin June 26.
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This month at Salk: Science and Justice Series launch |
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On May 25, Salk Professor Thomas Albright joined Peter Neufeld, civil rights lawyer and cofounder of The Innocence Project, to discuss the latest research on visual perception and memory, how that research influences forensic identification decisions, and what that means for justice in our criminal legal system. Attendees learned about the intersection and contradictions between science and law during this event. Following this first Science and Justice event, we look forward to sharing future offerings in this series. |
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This month at Salk: Brian Selznick Big Tree Event
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On May 8, the Salk Institute, Salk’s Harnessing Plants Initiative, and Warwick’s bookstore hosted an exclusive book talk and signing with acclaimed children’s author Brian Selznick, followed by a reception and children’s seed-planting activity for all to enjoy. Selznick’s book Big Tree is a trailblazing adventure brimming with more than 300 pages of illustrations, with themes like conservationism and nature-based symbiosis.
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The latest issue of Inside Salk magazine is now available. Read it online or join our mailing list for a print edition. In this issue we have a lot to celebrate, including Salk’s new president, Gerald Joyce, and the 50th anniversary of Salk’s National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. Learn how our Cancer Center originated and what makes it so special; take a deep dive into the 1979 discovery that eventually led to Gleevec, a medication that is now routinely used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia; and meet a few of the people who help make the Cancer Center the powerhouse it is today.
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Your support powers groundbreaking research, and the people who bring it to life. |
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Enjoy Salk science on your devices |
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Looking for a unique background image for your computer, Zoom meeting, iPad, or phone?
Associate Professor Kenta Asahina’s lab made key discoveries this month in understanding neuropeptides—small proteins the brain uses to communicate. Their work produced fascinating images of the fruit fly brain. The fruit fly brain below shows male-specific tachykininergic neurons (magenta), which make the neuropeptide tachykinin, and neurons that express TkR86C (green), which receive tachykinin. Learn more »
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Contact Us
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
10010 N Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
USA
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About this newsletter
Salk’s email newsletter is published monthly with updates on recent scientific publications, media coverage, awards, grants, events, and other timely information for Salk supporters and science enthusiasts.
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