Dear colleagues and friends,
The latest research by our scientists reveals how the gut microbiome directs the immune system to fight cancer, identifies promising new drug targets for treating ailing muscles and provides biologists with a powerful computational tool to analyze and interpret large data sets.
The third annual La Jolla Aging Meeting, co-organized by Sanford Burnham Prebys and the Salk Institute, also took place this month and brought together more than 200 researchers to share insights into the molecular mechanisms of aging. And we’re proud to recognize Dr. Cosimo Commisso, assistant professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys, who was selected as a NextGen Star by the American Association of Cancer Research.
Looking ahead, please join us in June for our Cancer Center Open House and our next Insights event, which will feature a scientist, a doctor and a patient discussing autoimmune disease.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Pauline and Stanley Foster Presidential Chair
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Gut microbiome directs the immune system to fight cancer
A worldwide collaboration led by Ze'ev Ronai, Ph.D., demonstrates a causal link between the gut microbiome and the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. This new study, published in
Nature Communications, identifies a collection of bacterial strains that could turn on anti-tumor immunity and biomarkers that may be used to stratify people with melanoma for treatment with immunotherapy.
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Boosting muscle stem cells
Alessandra Sacco, Ph.D., published research in
Nature Communications describing a molecular signaling pathway that determines the fate of muscle stem cells—an insight that could lead to muscle-boosting therapeutics for muscular dystrophies or age-related muscle decline.
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Unlocking big-data insights
Sumit Chanda, Ph.D., collaborated with the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation and UC San Diego to develop Metascape, a user-friendly, open-access bioinformatics tool for scientists to better understand their data. The platform was described in
Nature Communications.
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Sanford Burnham Prebys and Salk co-organize third annual La Jolla Aging Meeting
Aging is the main risk factor for many of the serious diseases our society faces today, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Co-organized by Malene Hansen, Ph.D., and Peter Adams, Ph.D., of Sanford Burnham Prebys; and Jan Karlseder, Ph.D., of the Salk Institute, the third annual La Jolla Aging Meeting gathered more than 200 local scientists studying the molecular mechanisms of aging—with the goal of fostering connections and building relationships to advance aging research.
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AACR selects Cosimo Commisso as NextGen Star
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) NextGen Star program strives to increase the visibility of early career scientists at the organization’s annual meeting and to support their professional advancement. Cosimo Commisso, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in Sanford Burnham Prebys’ NCI-designated Cancer Center.
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Profile: Autism researcher whose son has autism
Fumitoshi Irie, Ph.D., and his wife moved from Tokyo to San Diego after their son was diagnosed with autism to ensure he had the care he needed. Today, Irie is a research assistant professor at our Institute and is unraveling the molecular dynamics behind autism-like behavior in mice.
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Marisa Sanchez, a Ph.D. student in the lab of Dieter Wolf, M.D., shared the story of her journey to Everest base camp in honor of her sister.
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The team behind Metascape spoke with
GenomeWeb about the platform and the benefits it holds for biologists.
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A TV segment featuring Svasti Haricharan, Ph.D., and her work to develop a diagnostic test for estrogen-positive breast cancer aired on stations nationwide.
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The Scientist selected a study by Jorge Moscat, Ph.D., and Maria Diaz-Meco, Ph.D., about how fat tissue can help cancer cells grow for the publication's Literature column.
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FierceBiotech reported on a discovery by Ze'ev Ronai, Ph.D., that reveals a clue to the cause of immuno-oncology drug resistance.
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CIRM wrote about a new mouse model created by Robert Wechsler-Reya, Ph.D., to study a deadly type of pediatric brain cancer.
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Groove for a good cause at Bring It!
Co-chairs Juli Oh and Matthew Browne, and Sarah and David Szekeres, invite you to bring your sense of humor (and fun) while you team up and boogie down for the most unique event in San Diego: Bring It! This game show–style fundraising event takes place on May 2, 2019.
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Panel: Is Alzheimer's in my genes?
Jerold Chun, M.D., Ph.D., will join a panel of experts to discuss genetic risk factors for Alzheimer
’s disease, helping separate fact from fiction. Organized by Alzheimer’s San Diego, the event will take place on May 22, 2019, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carlsbad City Library.
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Attend our annual Cancer Center Open House
Join us for a guided tour of our National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center and learn about the science, business and advocacy behind the pursuit of new cancer therapies. Guests will have the opportunity to mingle with cancer scientists, survivors and research advocates during an informal reception. The event will be held on June 13, 2019, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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Sanford Burnham Prebys Insights: Immunology
The Insights series brings together a scientist, a physician and a patient to share their unique perspectives on current disease treatments and promising research. Our goal is to inspire ideas, discussions and connections that may ultimately improve patients’ lives. We hope you can attend this interactive panel discussion about autoimmune diseases on June 20, 2019.
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Catalyst Club
Become part of a special community of Sanford Burnham Prebys supporters by joining our new monthly giving club. You will also receive a beautiful and sleek black Sanford Burnham Prebys Catalyst Club tote bag, perfect for your everyday needs.
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