BCMM launches Innovator Series | |
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UCSF Innovation Ventures and the UCSF Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine (BCMM) recently launched an Innovator Series to hear from scientists in industry and academia about their work and career journey. The series aims to discuss research innovation and accelerate translation of microbiome research with clinical impact and commercial potential.
The inaugural session of the series featured Dr. Nikole Kimes, a former UCSF postdoc and current CEO of Siolta Therapeutics. Also during the event, the UCSF Office of Technology Management and Advancement’s team presented key approaches to startup development, company creation experiences, and benefits of taking a market-first approach to translating science into commercial products.
We are in the process of developing the next session of the series. Stay tuned for more details!
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Scientists gather for Bay Area Microbiome Symposium
On November 17th, 2023, BCMM hosted it's third annual symposium, this time focusing on the innovative microbiome research that is occurring across the Bay Area.
The symposium, Microbiome Research in the Bay Area, included presentations from faculty and a poster session showcasing the research of UCSF trainees. Topics ranged from insect, plant and human microbiome composition and function, approaches in multi-modal data analysis, and the role of diet on microbiome structure.
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Margôt Bacino appointed as BCMM Trainee Ambassador
The BCMM is pleased to announce that Margôt Bacino has been appointed as a BCMM Trainee Ambassador. Margôt is a graduate student in the Oral Craniofacial Sciences program and a member of the Lynch Lab. More information about the position can be found here. Congratulations, Margôt!
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Sergio Baranzini wins the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research
We are pleased to announce that the BCMM executive committee member, Dr. Sergio Baranzini, was named as the 2023 recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research. This annual prize recognizes an exceptional scientist or a team of scientists whose work in MS research has demonstrated outstanding innovation and originality. The $100,000 generously provided by the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation are to be used at the discretion of the recipient.
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Drs. Susan Lynch and Peter Turnbaugh are among the most highly cited researchers for 2023
BCMM Director, Dr. Susan Lynch, and executive committee member, Dr. Peter Turnbaugh, are among 38 UCSF researchers listed as Highly Cited Researchers for 2023 globally. The list recognizes researchers which rank in the top 1% most cited publications in their field(s) over the past 10 years, according to a new analysis of research citations by science and intellectual property company Clarivate.
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Dr. Soumaya Zlinti to join BCMM community as Assistant Professor
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Soumaya Zlitni will join our community this summer as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Experimental Medicine. Dr. Zlitni's research focuses on microbial quorum sensing within human microbiomes, aiming to uncover how communication networks shape microbiome development (or redevelopment following perturbation) and dictate host infection susceptibility.
WELCOME SOUMAYA!
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BCMM Training and Resources | |
Four BCMM postdoctoral researchers transition to faculty in 2023 | |
Dr. Margaret Alexander assumed an Assistant Professor position in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin Madison in Fall 2023. Maggie's postdoctoral work in Dr. Peter Turnbaugh's lab focused on understanding how gut microbiota members influence immune responses in autoimmunity. | |
Former BCMM ambassador, Dr. Miqdad Dhariwala is now an Assistant Professor of Microbial Infection and Immunity at Ohio State University. While in Dr. Tiffany Scharschmidt's lab, Miqdad studied the mechanisms by which commensal microbes establish a symbiotic relationship with the host in the early life period. | |
Dr. Abigail Lind recently joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Georgia Institute for Technology as an Assistant Professor. Her postdoctoral work in Dr. Katie Pollard's lab focused on genome evolution and detection of genomic regions under selection in reptiles. | |
Former postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Peter Turnbaugh's lab, Dr. Cecilia Noecker, recently joined the faculty in the department of Biological Sciences at Minnesota State University Mankato as an Assistant Professor. Cecilia's research uses microbiology, genomics, and bioinformatics to uncover the lifestyles and ecological roles of diverse microbes living in and on humans and other animals. | |
BCMM hosts K99 workshop for postdoctoral researchers
The K99/R00: Pathway to independence award from the National Institutes of Health gives an opportunity for promising postdoctoral fellows to receive both mentored and independent research support, fostering their transition into independent academic position. BCMM prepared and hosted a workshop that provided guidance on the K99/R00 application process at UCSF, provided writing tips and shared personal experiences from the former K99/R00 awardees Drs. Miqdad Dhariwala and Nicole Marino. The resources for this event are available here. Recording of this event is available upon request.
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The Quantitative Metabolite Analysis Center (QMAC) offers expanded number of metabolic panels
QMAC, administered by BCMM, is a pay-per-service facility offering support for all aspects of metabolomics analysis from data generation and analysis to training and educational opportunities. The QMAC team have developed and validated multiple custom panels for quantitation of a broad range of classes of biologically important molecules, including amino acids (e.g. tryptophan), bile acids, polyamines, and carboxylic acids. Optimized methods have expanded our lipidomic coverage to include triglycerides, diglycerides and monoacylglercides, phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol esters, lyso-phospholipids, and free fatty acids. QMAC services are open to both internal (UCSF) and external (non-UCSF) users. More info on available services and pricing provided here.
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Grants, Awards, and Appointments | | |
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American Society of Human Genetics 2023 Conference: Reviewers' Choice Abstract Award | | | | |
