Neurons involved in overdose deaths identified
It’s long been known that opioid overdose deaths are caused by disrupted breathing, but the actual mechanism by which these drugs suppress respiration was not understood. Now, a new study led by Assistant Professor Sung Han has identified a group of neurons in the brainstem that plays a key role in this process.
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SCIENTIFIC UPDATES
Benefits of time-restricted eating depend on age and sex

Time-restricted eating (TRE), a dietary regimen that restricts eating to specific hours, has garnered increased attention in weight-loss circles. A new study by Professor Satchin Panda further shows that TRE confers multiple health benefits besides weight loss. The study also shows that these benefits may depend on sex and age.
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Subtle changes in a microRNA may lead to ALS
A new study from the lab of Professor Samuel Pfaff shows how disease-related genes often have different degrees to which they are turned on or off. There is a tipping point: With only an incremental biological change around a critical threshold, a person can go from having no symptoms to being very sick. The research has implications for ALS and other neurological and psychiatric disorders as well as cancer.
IN THE NEWS
The 25 most significant works of postwar architecture
5 incredible works by architect Louis Kahn, the master of geometry​
Professor Lemke discusses COVID boosters

Why can't we sleep?
Helping the Life Science Industry accelerate R&D
After recent tragedies, bike advocates call for safer streets throughout San Diego
FACULTY FOCUS
Salk promotes Diana Hargreaves to associate professor
Salk has promoted Diana Hargreaves to the rank of associate professor for her notable contributions in epigenetic regulation, which make specific regions of our DNA accessible to the machinery of cells. She applies her knowledge of biochemistry and epigenomics to investigate epigenetic regulation in models of cancer, embryonic-stem-cell pluripotency and immune cell function.
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Professor Janelle Ayres named inaugural recipient of the Salk Institute Legacy Chair
Professor Janelle Ayres has been recognized for her contributions to advancing science through research by being named the inaugural recipient of the Salk Institute Legacy Chair. Through her pioneering work on host-pathogen interactions, Ayres has demonstrated that health is an active process, involving evolved physiological defense mechanisms, creating a new paradigm and field that she calls “the biology of health.” Elizabeth Keadle, a Salk alumna and member of the Board of Trustees, recently donated $1.5 million in matching funds to establish the endowed chair at the Institute.
Axel Nimmerjahn leads team awarded $11 million by the U19 Team-Research BRAIN Circuit Program
Salk Associate Professor Axel Nimmerjahn is leading a research team that has been awarded $11.2 million by The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, an effort that aims to investigate overarching principles of brain circuit function, including sensation, perception, decision-making and motor control. Nimmerjahn will lead an interdisciplinary five-year project investigating how astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain, process and modulate signals from neurons to better understand overall brain function.
SPOTLIGHT
Salk donors give record-breaking $100M in FY21 to fund scientific discoveries
Philanthropic donors gave more than $100 million to support bold scientific research in fiscal year 2021 (ending in June). The amount is a new record in philanthropic gifts for the Institute, eclipsing the previous record gift total in 2019 by more than $11 million.
 
Philanthropic donations helped accelerate scientific research across the Institute and propel dozens of significant scientific discoveries made in Salk’s labs during the fiscal year.
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Salk receives INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award
The Salk Institute’s Education Outreach program has received the 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Salk will be featured, along with 78 other recipients, in the September 2021 issue.
EVENTS
Thank you for joining us at Symphony at Salk
Grammy Award-nominated Josh Groban and the San Diego Symphony dazzled Salk supporters at the 25th anniversary of Symphony at Salk. The event was also the kick-off of Salk’s Campaign for the Future, which will advance Salk’s pursuit of science into the next century. The Institute is grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered and sponsored the event. It was an incredible success!
QUIZ
Which of these windows of time does Professor Satchin Panda recommend to consume calories?
8-to-10 hour
12-to-14 hour
16-to-18 hour
Last Month's Results
Which one of these artists has not performed at Symphony at Salk?
Answer: Elton John
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Looking for a unique background image for your computer, Zoom meeting, iPad or phone?

This month's image come from a press release from the lab of Rusty Gage. The image shows a composite of induced neurons (brain cells) from different individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
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