Programming in a Petri dish

An 8-part series describes how artificial intelligence, machine learning and emerging computational technologies are changing biomedical research and the future of health care, with a particular focus on work at Sanford Burnham Prebys.

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How to build a human 20S proteasome, step by step

In a paper published September 18, 2024 in Nature Communications, Jianhua Zhao, PhD, assistant professor in the Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys, and colleagues describe the construction and structure of human 20S proteasome.

Proteasomes are protein complexes that degrade targeted proteins by breaking peptide bonds, a process called proteolysis. They are part of a major metabolic function that regulates the concentration of particular proteins and prevents the accumulation of cytotoxic or misfolded proteins. Decreases in proteasome levels and activity are associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

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Sandy Liarakos named new vice president of philanthropy at Sanford Burnham Prebys

Sandy Liarakos has been named the new vice president of philanthropy at Sanford Burnham Prebys, returning to San Diego where she distinguished herself over many years in similar capacities at some of the city’s leading biomedical research and academic institutions.

“I am thrilled to return home,” said Liarakos, whose duties will include overseeing the strategic philanthropic plan for the Institute, building strong relationships with donors, corporations and foundations and working collaboratively with President and CEO David Brenner, MD.

“Sanford Burnham Prebys has long been a leader in biomedical research and education, even more now as it embarks and expands on bold plans to remedy some of our most daunting diseases. I am honored to join this visionary organization and help, with many others, to make a positive impact on patient health.” 

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Brenner receives Director of the Year award for leading “companies in transition”

Congratulations to Sanford Burnham Prebys President and CEO David Brenner, who received last night the 2024 Director of the Year award in the category of “companies in transition” from the Corporate Directors Forum, a San Diego-based network of top executives.

The award was presented in ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla.

Brenner, who became president and CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys in September 2022, was honored for his bold and dramatic vision of the Institute as a 21st century leader in biomedical research.

“This award is given to directors who have contributed significantly in times of change and have brought positive and productive conclusions,” said Lori Moore, a former award recipient and Sanford Burnham Prebys trustee in her introduction at the event.

“David is both passionate and humble. He is both a physician and a scientist. Most importantly, David leads a cultural shift at Sandford Burnham Prebys with tenacity, passion and humility! He has brought in exceptional new scientists and restructured the organization. His passion is to create a culture in our community where people synergize and find resources to work together. He indeed translates science into health.” 

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Chiara Nicoletti, PhD, garners inaugural Fishman Fund Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Award

This annual award was established in 2024 to recognize the contributions of postdoctoral fellows at Sanford Burnham Prebys.

Chiara Nicoletti, PhD, a postdoctoral associate at Sanford Burnham Prebys, was selected as the first recipient of the Fishman Fund Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Award.

This award is one of two new honors being given during the 23rd Fishman Funds awards ceremony on September 17, marking 2024 as a special year for the Institute and the supporting donors.

The inaugural Don Barach Fishman Fund Career Award adds a fourth prize in the category of career awards focused on providing professional development opportunities for postdoctoral fellows. In addition, the Fishman Fund Cynthia Schwartz Shenkman Research Excellence Award adds a new third category of honors.

This award recognizes and rewards experienced postdoctoral fellows who have achieved a track record of research excellence. It is designed to help offset the cost of living in the region, and to benefit recipients as they prepare for the next step in their careers. 

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Michael Alcaraz awarded Melvin and Phyllis McCardle Clause Scholarship

The scholarship program for graduate students was created by the McCardle Clause family’s generous donation to Sanford Burnham Prebys.

Michael Alcaraz, a fourth-year graduate student in the Sanford Burnham Prebys Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, was selected as the 2024 recipient of the Melvin and Phyllis McCardle Clause Scholarship.

“I am very excited about being chosen for this scholarship,” said Alcaraz. “I’ll be gaining mentorship opportunities from researchers in neuroscience that complement my lab’s focus on aging."

“This funding will make a big difference as my research moves forward. The scholarship also provides support for professional development, which will allow me to attend conferences to share what I’m studying and grow my network.”

The McCardle Clause Scholarship was established in honor of Phyllis McCardle Clause after her long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The award supports graduate student education in age-related neurodegeneration within the Institute’s graduate school. 

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Ceremony celebrates recipients of 2024 Fishman Fund awards honoring exceptional postdoctoral scholars

Six young scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, whose research spans genetic disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure and aging, were honored September 17 at the 23rd annual Fishman Fund awards ceremony.

The Fishman Fund was created in 2001 by Sanford Burnham Prebys supporters Mary Bradley and Reena Horowitz to honor Dr. William and Mrs. Lillian Fishman, who founded the Institute in 1976. In 2010, Jeanne Jones became a co-founder designee.

The awards are intended to support and promote early career scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys. Four career development awards provide $10,000 stipends that can be used to attend workshops, network and travel to national and international conferences to learn about the latest developments in their research fields. In addition, the prizes include a two-year fellowship award, and an honor focused on rewarding research excellence. The fund is made possible through the generosity of many donors.

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San Diego hosts the 2024 Molecular and Cellular Aging Meeting

Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Peter Adams planned the symposium in partnership with colleagues at the University of California San Diego and Altos Labs.

Researchers gathered in San Diego from September 10-11 to discuss their research findings on the causes and complications of aging at the level of the trillions of cells in our bodies—and the vast array of molecules within each cell.

Peter D. Adams, PhD, the director of the Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys, was one of the planners of the meeting, which was held at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa. Adams’ co-planners were Bing Ren, PhD, professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California San Diego, and Morgan Levine, PhD, founding principal investigator at the Altos Labs’ San Diego Institute of Science. 

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A Conversation About: Cancer and Aging

Wednesday, October 9

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Join the Institute for A Conversation About: Aging and Cancer, a panel discussion and reception featuring our expert aging researchers. Register today!

Learn more and Register >>

2024 Sanford Burnham Prebys Symposium: Molecular Medicine of Lipids

Friday, October 18

Join us for a one-day symposium dedicated to exploring advancements in lipid biochemistry and biology. This event will feature a distinguished lineup of experts in this dynamic field. Accepting abstract proposals until October 4, 2024.

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Opinion: Artificial intelligence already improving biomedical research, health care

Out of every 10,000 to 15,000 new chemical compounds identified during drug discovery, just five will make it into human clinical trials. More than 92 percent of these drugs will fail in trials, usually because they were not sufficiently safe or effective.

On average, 50 novel medicines make it to market each year, each requiring a decade or longer of effort. The development of a single drug delivered to patients can account for one-third of a scientist’s career, if they’re fortunate to find such success.

Artificial intelligence promises to make these numbers less daunting by generating hypotheses, analyzing massive sets of data and interpreting results far more quickly, expansively and in depth than is possible by the human brain alone, writes David Brenner, MD, in his latest essay in the San Diego Union-Tribune and other newspapers.  

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A polarized light micrograph captures the colorful character of caffeine crystals. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that works by blocking the binding of adenosine to its receptor, which enhances release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which in the brain supports cognitive functions and boosts muscle activity in the body.

Image courtesy of Stefan Eberhard, University of Georgia and Nikon Small World.

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