September 2018
Eating in 10-hour window can override disease-causing genetic defects, nurture health
The lab of Satchidananda Panda found that mice lacking the biological clocks thought to be necessary for a healthy metabolism could still be protected against obesity and metabolic diseases by having their daily access to food restricted to a 10-hour window. The work appeared in the journal Cell Metabolism and suggests that the health problems associated with disruptions to circadian rhythms can be corrected by eating all calories within this time frame.
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Salk scientists develop new technique to heal large ulcers by reprogramming wound cells into skin cells
Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte's lab developed a technique to directly convert the cells in an open wound into new skin cells by reprogramming the cells to a stem-cell-like state. The work, which appeared in Nature, could be useful for healing skin damage and countering the effects of aging.
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Salk scientists develop method to manipulate numbers of nuclear pores
The lab of Martin Hetzer devised a way to manipulate numbers of cellular access points called nuclear pores. Targeting nuclear pores could negate aggressive cancer's resistance to multiple drugs, as higher numbers of nuclear pores in tumor cells allow them to export chemotherapy out of the nuclei. The discovery, which was published in Genes & Development, may point to ways to stop cancerous cells from proliferating out of control.
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Salk team finds that master switch controls aggressive breast cancer
Geoffrey Wahl's lab identified a genetic master switch that appears to control the dynamic behavior of tumor cells that makes some aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancers, difficult to treat. The work appeared in Cancer Cell.
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Research in yeast leads to serendipitous finding about a central nervous system disorder
The lab of Tony Hunter found that a quality control mechanism in baker's yeast cells is closely connected to hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, a debilitating disease found in children. The finding, which appeared in eLife, could have relevance for addressing multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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What's that smell? Scientists find a new way to understand odors
Associate Professor Tatyana Sharpee and collaborators discovered a new way to organize odor molecules based on how often they occur together in nature. The findings, published in Science Advances, open new avenues for engineering smells and tastes.
In additional news, Sharpee has been elected a 2018 Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) for her outstanding contributions to physics and for advancing an understanding of how neurons represent sensory signals and make decisions.
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Electron microscopy provides new view of tiny virus with therapeutic potential
Assistant Professor Dmitry Lyumkis and collaborators used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to show the structure of a version of a virus called an AAV2, advancing the virus' potential as a delivery vehicle for gene therapies. The paper was published in Nature Communications.
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New method of pinpointing cancer mutations could lead to more targeted treatments
The lab of Helmsley-Salk Fellow Jesse Dixon and collaborators developed a new framework that can combine three existing methods of finding large mutations in cells' DNA ---called structural variants ---into a single, more complete picture of cancer. The study was detailed in Nature Genetics.
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Researchers train robotic gliders to soar
Salk Professor Terrence Sejnowski and collaborators at UC San Diego used reinforcement learning to train gliders to autonomously navigate atmospheric thermals. The work was published in Nature and could inform the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Credit: Phil Richardson,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
$1.6 Million CIRM grant supports potential diabetes treatment
The lab of Ronald Evans has been awarded a $1.6 million grant by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to help bring stem-cell-derived, immune-tolerant "human islet-like organoids" (HILOs) to patients with diabetes. These transplantable cells secrete insulin in response to glucose, a process that is impaired in type 1 diabetes.
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Media mentions
Research by Saket Navlakha, Tatyana Sharpee and Charles Stevens covered in Quanta magazine:
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Updates on architectural tours
Salk is in the process of evaluating the architecture tours program. While the evaluation is in progress, we will no longer offer noon public tours. Guests are welcome on campus during business hours and will be provided with an architectural self-tour handout once they have checked in with security.
Private group tours are still available and can be arranged by request.
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Salk's donors give $48.5 million to support scientific innovation in FY18
The Salk Institute recently announced that it received more than $48 million from 1,100 individual donors and private grant makers in fiscal year 2018 to support the Institute's groundbreaking science.
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U-T highlights Lewis gift
Salk Board Chair Dan Lewis recently made a $2 million gift in support of the newly launched Conquering Cancer Initiative. Union-Tribune reporter Diane Bell covered the news.
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Salk Women & Science
The Design and Discovery Showcase will feature a dynamic presentation on the importance of microscopy in research and the parallels between art and science.
Hosted by Clodagh O'Shea, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, with special invited guest Roxana Velásquez from The San Diego Museum of Art.
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Salk Science & Music Series
The Salk Science & Music Series consists of four remarkable Sunday afternoons that bring together virtuosos from the worlds of science and music. The series' sixth year begins October 21 at the Salk Institute with pianist Wei Luo and Salk Professor Susan Kaech, who will share fascinating insights from her research on immune cells.
Single concert tickets available or purchase the entire series for a reduced rate.
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Explore Salk
We invite you to share Jonas Salk's vision by following your curiosity and exploring the foundations of biology. Please join us for a free, family-friendly day of education, experiments and exploration.
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Pedal the Cause
Salk's Cancer Center cycling group is training for the annual Padres Pedal the Cause on November 17. Each rider on Team Salk Cancer Center has pledged to raise funds for cancer research. All research funds raised are distributed locally. Join the team for a 5K run/walk or cycling routes from 25 to 100 miles .
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Thank you for joining us: Symphony at Salk
Headlined by Leslie Odom, Jr., of Hamilton fame and the San Diego Symphony, this year's Symphony at Salk was one of the best yet, with proceeds benefitting wide-ranging scientific initiatives as well as our Education Outreach programs. The Institute thanks everyone who attended, volunteered or sponsored the event for making it such an incredible success!
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Salk science wallpaper images
Looking for a unique background image for your computer, iPad or phone?
This month's image comes from a recent press release from Salk scientists in Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte's lab who have developed a technique to directly convert the cells in an open wound into new skin cells.
 
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