Salk scientists reveal most commonly mutated gene in all cancers |
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For the past 15 years, cancer researchers have been using DNA sequencing technology to identify the gene mutations that cause different forms of cancer. Now, Assistant Professor Edward Stites and his team of computational scientists have combined gene mutation information with cancer prevalence data to reveal the genetic basis of cancer in the entire population of cancer patients in the United States.
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Long-lived proteins in mitochondria of the brain stabilize protein complexes |
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating the energy that’s needed to fuel the functions that our cells carry out. Now, Professor Martin Hetzer and his team have taken a closer look at how mitochondria are maintained in nondividing cells, such as neurons, with the ultimate goal of developing a better understanding of how to prevent or treat age-related diseases.
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Uncovering how injury to the pancreas impacts cancer formation |
Pancreatic cancer is a major public health burden and is slated to become the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by the year 2030. Now, a team of scientists co-led by Professor Geoffrey Wahl have found that cells in the pancreas form new cell types to mitigate injury, but are then susceptible to cancerous mutations. The findings could help scientists develop better treatments for pancreatitis and cancer.
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Salk teams advance efforts to treat, prevent and cure brain disorders, via NIH brain atlas |
It takes billions of cells to make a human brain, and scientists have long struggled to map this complex network of neurons. Now, dozens of research teams around the country, led in part by Salk scientists, including Associate Research Professor Margarita Behrens, Professor Edward Callaway and Professor Joseph Ecker, have made inroads into creating an atlas of the mouse brain as a first step toward a human brain atlas.
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How the brain ignores distracting information to coordinate movements |
As you read this article, touch receptors in your skin are sensing your environment. But, unless a stimulus is particularly unexpected or required to help you orient your own movements, your brain ignores many of these inputs. Now, Assistant Professor Eiman Azim and Staff Researcher James Conner have discovered how neurons in a small area of the mammalian brain help filter distracting or disruptive signals— specifically from the hands—to coordinate dexterous movements. Their results may hold lessons in how the brain filters other sensory information as well.
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Call-and-response circuit tells neurons when to grow synapses |
Brain cells called astrocytes play a key role in helping neurons develop and function properly, but there’s still a lot scientists don’t understand about how astrocytes perform these important jobs. Now, a team of scientists led by Associate Professor Nicola Allen has found one way that neurons and astrocytes work together to form healthy connections called synapses. This insight into normal astrocyte function could help scientists better understand disorders linked to problems with neuronal development, including autism spectrum disorders.
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The Salk and Scripps Research to expand, sparking another life sciences boom in San Diego
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Salk Institute's role in studying the LEAFY and FT genes that affect flowering [57:39]
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‘Thinkers and Innovators’: What it will take to figure out the brain, from a neuroscience and AI pioneer
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How San Diego grew into a magnet for Nobel-quality talent in science
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Salk neuroscientist Kay Tye selected as Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator
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How neuroscientists are adapting to the ongoing pandemic
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Intermittent fasting can cut your risk of diabetes, heart disease
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Graham McVicker receives Genomic Innovator Award |
Assistant Professor Graham McVicker has been awarded a National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Genomic Innovator Award, which supports early-career scientists who conduct innovative, creative research in genomics. The award, which provides $2.85 million over five years, is in recognition of McVicker’s efforts using computational and experimental approaches to investigate how human genetic diversity leads to metabolic, cardiovascular, autoimmune and other diseases.
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Salk appoints neuroscientist Pamela Maher as Research Professor |
The Salk Institute has appointed neuroscientist Pamela Maher to the position of Research Professor to reflect her achievements conducting groundbreaking research on Alzheimer’s disease. Maher, who has been a senior staff scientist at Salk since 2004, will continue her work screening for compounds that could slow or stop the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Two of her compounds are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
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Salk Professor Tatyana Sharpee receives ASBMB DeLano Award |
Salk Professor Tatyana Sharpee has won the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s (ASBMB) 2022 DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences. The award is given to a scientist with an innovative development or application of a computer technology that can enhance research in the life sciences at the molecular level.
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Salk team launches phase 1 clinical trial for Alzheimer’s therapy |
The investigational Alzheimer’s drug CMS121, developed and studied at Salk over the last 15 years, has now moved into a phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate its safety in humans. Salk Research Professor Pamela Maher and Bill Raschke of Virogenics, Inc., will receive $4.5 million over two years from the National Institute of Aging to support the trial, and they expect the first doses to be administered to healthy volunteers in early 2022. In mice, CMS121 reverses signs of aging in the brain and prevents the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
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You can help drive cancer discoveries |
You are the “crowd” in our funding campaign. We cannot do it without support from you and others who care about science and creating a healthy future. Your gift will not only advance cancer research, it will qualify you for Salk-branded perks as a token of our appreciation.
But hurry, supplies are limited and stopping cancer can’t wait.
The live-cell imaging microscope will be able to:
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Study cancer drugs: We will be able to rapidly visualize the effects of up to 576 different cancer drugs by taking pictures of the cells every hour for every drug.
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Generate new data: The new technology can visualize thousands of cells at one time to generate previously unimaginable data on cancer metabolism.
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Accelerate scientific experiments: Regular imaging 1500 different samples normally takes a team 3 months to do. The live-cell imaging microscope can accomplish this in 2 days.
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Which one of these weighs the equivalent of a human brain?
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a small bag of potatoes (~3lbs)
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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?
This month's image comes from a recent press release from the lab of Eiman Azim. This image shows i nhibitory neuron cell bodies (red) in the brainstem with their axonal projections (green) onto the cuneate cells (blue) that transmit touch information.
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