COVID-19: Department of Defense awards $10 million to Sanford Burnham Prebys

DISCOVERIES

May 2020

Dear colleagues and friends,

During this time of unprecedented change, I remain incredibly proud of the scientists and staff at Sanford Burnham Prebys. Our community has demonstrated great resilience and determination to keep research moving forward despite the many challenges to daily life at work and at home.

In keeping with state and local guidance for the gradual and safe reopening of workplaces, we have adapted how we go about our work and implemented new guidelines and procedures to ensure the continued health and safety of our campus community. Critical research toward COVID-19 therapies is quickly forging ahead, while new research in cancer, stem cell therapies and other important areas is gaining momentum.

We thank you for your ongoing support and hope you and your families remain safe and well.

Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D.

President

Pauline and Stanley Foster Presidential Chair

Department of Defense grants $10 million to Sanford Burnham Prebys to develop broad-spectrum antivirals

Sumit Chanda, Ph.D., has received a $10.2 million, four-year grant from the Department of Defense to move us away from the “one bug, one drug” model of treating viruses. With this award, Chanda aims to provide U.S. military forces—and the nation—with broad-spectrum antivirals that can combat multiple types of viral respiratory diseases.

Advancing stem cell therapies for brain injury

Evan Snyder, M.D., Ph.D., teamed up with scientists at Loma Linda University Health to demonstrate the promise of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help predict the efficacy of stem cell treatments for neurological disorders. The researchers are planning a clinical trial for newborns who experience a birth-related brain injury. The study was published in Cell Reports.

Immunotherapy combination eradicates pediatric brain cancer

When immunotherapy works, it can be life-changing. But it doesn’t work for everyone or every cancer. Now Robert Wechsler-Reya, Ph.D., has shown that combining immunotherapy with a drug called tumor necrosis factor eradicates a deadly pediatric brain tumor in mice. The discovery, published in Nature Neuroscience, is expected to lead to a clinical trial for children fighting brain cancer.

WATCH

COVID-19: The researchers' perspective

Sanford Burnham Prebys’ latest Insights series featured two leading scientists on the front lines of coronavirus research: Sumit Chanda, Ph.D., and Evan Snyder, M.D., Ph.D. The researchers discussed the current pandemic and how they’re working to find treatments for COVID-19.

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Catch up with our scientists sheltering at home

Wondering how Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists have adapted to working from home? Hint: Science is still brewing—even without the beakers. Get an inside look at how our scientists are continuing their research during this challenging time.

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COMMUNITY

Community before self during the COVID-19 crisis: A Q&A with Malin Burnham

One of our namesakes, Malin Burnham, shares his perspective on the current pandemic and why supporting biomedical research is more important today than ever before.

IN THE NEWS

A scientist's visit home to China transformed into intel that sent his lab at Sanford Burnham Prebys racing to prepare for an impending pandemic.

Read how old drugs are finding new purpose in the age of COVID-19, including the Sumit Chanda's work and perspective.

Step inside the lab of Evan Snyder, M.D., Ph.D., where he and his team are using "mini lungs" to find treatments for COVID-19.

Watch >>

Learn more about Sumit Chanda's $10 million grant from the Department of Defense to develop broad-spectrum antivirals.

PHILANTHROPY

Accelerate our COVID-19 research

Only research will allow scientists to understand and stop COVID-19 and help us protect ourselves and our loved ones from viral pandemics. We are hopeful that our work will emerge as part of the larger solution to this global health crisis. To accelerate our research efforts, please consider making a donation.

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