July Discoveries from Sanford Burnham Prebys

DISCOVERIES

July 2019

Microfluidic device captures circulating tumor cell clusters

Nearly 90% of cancer deaths are due to metastases, when tumors spread throughout the body. To help scientists study this process, researchers from Sanford Burnham Prebys, San Diego State University and TumorGen MDx Inc. created a microfluidic device that captures circulating cancer cell clusters. The technology was described in AIP Advances.

Antimicrobial protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease

An immune system protein that typically protects the body from pathogens is abnormally produced in the brain during Parkinson’s disease, scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys report. The discovery, published in Free Radical Biology & Medicine , indicates that developing a drug that blocks this protein, called myeloperoxidase, may help people with Parkinson’s disease.

Digestion-aiding herbs alter gut microbiome

A study published by UC San Diego and Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that digestion-aiding herbs promoted strong shifts in gut bacteria known to regulate metabolism. This insight may lead to treatments for colon cancer, autoimmune conditions and more serious diseases.

COMMUNITY

West Coast meets East Coast in a special school visit

On a recent trip to the East Coast, Robert Wechsler-Reya, Ph.D., stopped by New York's Bay Shore High School to thank students who raised funds for his research. Wechsler-Reya is working to find safer and more effective treatments for childhood brain cancer.

Students gain real-world research experience

High school students from The Preuss School UC San Diego—a distinguished charter school for students who would be the first in their families to graduate from college—completed biomedical research projects under the guidance of Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrate postdoctoral scholars at the Fishman Fund Awards

Each year the Fishman Fund Awards are presented to outstanding postdoctoral scholars at our Institute. The prestigious awards support the recipients’ professional development and are made possible by gifts from our generous donors. We hope you can join us for the ceremony on September 19, where we honor this year’s winners.

New cancer-focused lecture series launches

Join us at the Fleet Science Center for a new lecture series to learn how our scientists are working with clinicians to take research from “bench to bedside.” The events will be held on select Sundays from August through December, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the inaugural discussion focusing on lung cancer and taking place on August 18.

IN THE NEWS

Read about breakthrough research from Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., demonstrating that stem cells can be used to grow functional hair follicles.

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Ze ’ev Ronai, Ph.D., discusses his latest study showing how the gut microbiome directs the immune system to fight skin cancer.

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Learn about research from Cosimo Commisso, Ph.D., that points to a new way to develop pancreatic cancer treatments.

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Experience our recent SBP Insights discussion on autoimmune disorders through the lens of an attending reporter.

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PHILANTHROPY

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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