SBP Discoveries
Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the March issue of SBP Discoveries. In this issue we share research advances in metabolic disorders, muscular dystrophy, heart disease and understanding the aging process. We’ve also highlighted news about SBP people and events.

We welcome your feedback.

Wishing you all the best,
SBP Communications
Sanford • Burnham • Prebys
SBP Discoveries
Monthly Newsletter  •  March 2016
Teaching stem cells to build muscle

Alessandra Sacco, Ph.D., led a study published in Cell Reports that shows why fetal muscle stem cells are better at regenerating muscle than adult muscle stem cells. The research opens the door for new approaches to treat muscle wasting diseases including muscular dystrophy.


Select Media Coverage:  Medical News Today
Science News
Fine-tuning cellular energy increases longevity

Research from the lab of Malene Hansen, Ph.D., has found a protein that extends the lifespan of C. elegans, a microscopic roundworm commonly used to study aging. The findings, published in Cell Reports, may lead to new ways to delay the onset of age-related diseases.

Read more on Beaker >>

Select Media Coverage: SeniorJournal.com

Patent awarded for new class of drugs to treat neuropsychiatric disorders

Nicholas Cosford, Ph.D., in collaboration with Brain Cells, Inc., has been awarded a patent for a novel class of drugs that may alleviate depression symptoms faster than the antidepressants prescribed today.

Read more on Beaker >>

New links between heart hormones, obesity and diabetes

Research from Sheila Collins, Ph.D., and Richard Pratley, M.D., has revealed an important relationship between proteins secreted by the heart and obesity, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The study, published in Obesity, points to naturietic peptide receptors as a new target for treating metabolic disorders.


Select Media Coverage:  Bloomberg,
American Diabetes Association
How energy starvation leads to heart failure

A new study by Daniel Kelly, M.D., published in JCI Insight, describes how muscle cells in an injured heart produce a metabolite that reduces their capacity to generate ATP — the energy currency of life. The research may lead to new drug targets to treat heart failure. 

Our People
The science of crowdfunding

Joseph  Lancman, Ph.D., a scientist in the lab of Duc Dong, Ph.D., has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Diabetes Research Connection (DRC) to raise $50,000 for his research on type 1 diabetes. 

See the video here >>

Renowned SBP biochemist, Marcia I. Dawson, has died

Marcia I. Dawson, Ph.D., professor emeritus at SBP, died recently at her home in Menlo Park, CA.  Marcia’s pioneering research helped lay the groundwork for treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma using small molecules that promote apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Welcome to our newest and recently renewed President's Circle Members!
Nancy and Matthew Browar  •  Florida Blue 
Richard P. Woltman
President's Circle
Please Donate
Events
SBP helps students "worm" up to science at STEM EXPO

On Saturday, March 5, SBP volunteers gave kids and adults an opportunity to see first-hand how tiny worms called C. elegans are used to understand the aging process.

7th Annual Rare Disease Day at SBP helps raise awareness of CDGs

The Rare Disease Day symposium on February 26-27, brought scientists, physicians, patients and families together to learn more about the fundamental science of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) and evolving clinical approaches to treat them.

Read more on Beaker >>

Select Media Coverage: KPBS, Global Genes
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