Peter Adams, PhD, is director and professor in the Cancer Genome and Epigenetics Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys and senior and co-corresponding author of the study, Karl Miller, PhD, is a staff scientist in the Adams lab at Sanford Burnham Prebys and lead and co-corresponding author of the study. | | |
Cellular circuit controls how DNA damage is repaired, affecting risk of disease as we age
In humans and other multicellular organisms, cells multiply. This defining feature allows embryos to grow into adulthood, and enables the healing of the many bumps, bruises and scrapes along the way.
Certain factors can cause cells to abandon this characteristic and enter a zombie-like state known as senescence where they persist but no longer divide to make new cells. Senescent cells are prone to secreting inflammatory molecules that can contribute to chronic inflammation in the body. This inflammation brings greater risk for age-related diseases.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and collaborators recently published findings in Nature Communications showing that the mitochondria powering our cells also control the ability of a DNA repair protein to suppress the secretion of inflammatory molecules by senescent cells.
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Drug building blocks pave path to new sepsis treatments
The immune system typically can ramp up the body’s defenses to clear out an invading threat without issue. Glitches can happen, however, with sepsis occurring when the mustered army of cells also attacks the body’s own tissues and organs as if they were enemy combatants.
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A small molecule fragment (shown in pink) binds to an immune system enzyme, offering a potential starting point for developing new medicines. | | |
Sepsis is dangerous, particularly when it isn’t treated early, and it can lead to the even more deadly condition of septic shock—a massive drop in blood pressure that can quickly damage organs by starving them of nutrients.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys led by Lutz Tautz, PhD, a research associate professor in the Cancer Metabolism and Micro Environment Program and member of the NCI-designated Cancer Center, published findings in ACS Omega demonstrating the promise of a new approach to uncovering potential treatments for sepsis.
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Scientists used cryogenic electron microscopy to create 3D images detailing the overall structure of ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase. | | |
Future drugs may snap supply chain fueling breast cancer
Cancer cells have an insatiable appetite for energy, as they multiply more rapidly than normal cells. Greedy cancer cells hijack various cellular functions to find and exploit energy and other resources, including a group of enzymes that help normal cells maintain a balance of energy.
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These enzymes, called creatine kinases (CK), allow cells to transport energy produced at the mitochondria to where it is needed throughout the cell. Studies of breast cancer cells have highlighted the importance of a type of CK called ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK).
New research published in Structure will serve as the foundation for a collaborative team of Sanford Burnham Prebys and Mayo Clinic investigators to design and develop novel small molecules that selectively inhibit uMtCK to treat breast cancer.
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New faculty member Ahmed Mahmoud, PhD, brings heart regeneration research to Sanford Burnham Prebys
Sanford Burnham Prebys welcomes Ahmed Mahmoud, PhD, whose research focuses on helping the heart heal after injury—without forming the damaging scars that can lead to heart disease and cardiac arrest.
Mahmoud originally planned to complete his doctoral degree and enter the pharmaceutical industry to help develop new therapies. But once he began laboratory work during his PhD studies, he became captivated by regenerative biology.
He found himself particularly drawn to the heart, where tissue damage from heart attacks and chronic disease results in permanent scarring. These scars weaken the heart muscle and worsen over time.
At Sanford Burnham Prebys, Mahmoud and his team are working to unlock the regenerative potential that hearts possess early in development. By advancing discoveries in heart regeneration in mice, he hopes to pave the way for future treatments that can restore heart function in people.
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From left: David Brenner, MD, president and CEO, Sanford Burnham Prebys; Donald Kearns, MD, chair, Board of Trustees; and Lori Moore, vice-chair, Board of Trustees. | | |
Planned Giving: Make a Legacy Gift
You can make a bequest to Sanford Burnham Prebys by including language in your will or living trust leaving a portion of your estate or by designating Sanford Burnham Prebys as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.
Remembering Sanford Burnham Prebys with a bequest from your estate will help sustain and strengthen our mission of biomedical research and education for years to come. Some of the advantages of creating a bequest include:
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- A bequest costs nothing now, yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for Sanford Burnham Prebys in the future
- You retain control of and use of your assets during your lifetime
- You may modify your bequest if your circumstances change
- Gifts to Sanford Burnham Prebys from your estate are exempt from federal estate taxes. Sanford Burnham Prebys is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our Tax ID# is 95-2640129
- If you let Sanford Burnham Prebys know of your plans, we will be able to thank you now and recognize you as a member of our Legacy Circle
| | Pier Lorenzo Puri, MD, (center) stands with his lab team at Sanford Burnham Prebys. | | |
Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist’s research leads to FDA-approved drug
As Featured in the La Jolla Light, Sanford Burnham Prebys scientist Pier Lorenzo Puri, MD, has spent nearly 30 years researching Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)—a genetic disorder that weakens muscles.
His work led to the FDA approval of givinostat (Duvyzat), the first drug targeting the disease’s root cause.
“This is why I got into science—to make a real impact,” Puri said. “But science never stops. We’re already working on the next discovery.”
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🎙️🔬 Introducing The Discovery Dialogues Podcast, a new series by Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists Ani Deshpande, PhD, and Pamela Itkin-Ansari, PhD, where they explore the history of groundbreaking discoveries in life, science and medicine.
Listen to the inaugural episode, Tracing the History of Diabetes which examines the early descriptions of diabetes across ancient civilizations and traces key scientific breakthroughs, including the identification of the pancreas, the discovery of insulin and its transformative impact on diabetes treatment.
Available now on your favorite podcast platform:
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Protecting the future of biomedical research
The NIH’s proposed cap on indirect costs threatens the foundation of scientific progress, putting research institutions, scientists and public health at risk.
In a series of letters, David A. Brenner, MD, president and CEO of Sanford Burnham Prebys, helps explain the differences between direct and indirect costs of research, as well as other challenges to the productive partnership between the U.S. government and research institutions.
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A Conversation About: Aging and Alzheimer's Disease panel discussion and reception
Join us on April 16, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Victor E. LaFave III Memorial Auditorium for a panel discussion exploring the connection between aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Event highlights:
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Expert Panel Discussion: Engage with leading scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys as they share groundbreaking research and insights into Alzheimer's disease.
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Special Guest Appearance: Muffy Walker, author of the forthcoming novel Memory Weavers, will provide a brief overview of her book, with a signing session to follow.
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Networking Reception: Connect with fellow attendees, researchers and supporters during a post-discussion reception.
| | Your participation supports our mission to advance research in neurodegenerative diseases and brings us closer to innovative treatments and preventive strategies. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. | | |
Event details:
- April 16, 2025, 3:00–5:00pm
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Victor E. LaFave III Memorial Auditorium Sanford Burnham Prebys – Building 12 10905 Road to the Cure, San Diego, CA 92121
RSVP Reserve your spot today »
This program is complimentary, made possible by philanthropic support.
Please consider a gift to help extend our mission of biomedical research at Sanford Burnham Prebys, driving discoveries that improve lives.
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Elton John headlines Curebound’s 2025 Concert for Cures
Legendary icon and humanitarian Elton John takes the stage at Petco Park on May 9, 2025 for Curebound’s Concert for Cures, supporting groundbreaking cancer research.
With 300 million records sold, six GRAMMYs and two Oscars, Elton remains a global music powerhouse.
Curebound has been a dedicated supporter of cancer research at Sanford Burnham Prebys, funding innovative studies that drive progress in cancer treatment and discovery.
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🎟 All-access tickets on sale now
💰 Save 10% with code: CBSPONSOR until March 31
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