First immune-evading cells created to treat type 1 diabetes
Using stem-cell technology, the lab of Ronald Evans has generated the first human insulin-producing pancreatic cell clusters able to evade the immune system. Once transplanted in the body, these “immune shielded” cell clusters, dubbed HILOs (short for human islet-like organoids), controlled blood glucose in mice without immunosuppressive drugs. The work is detailed in the journal Nature.
New molecule reverses Alzheimer's-like memory decline
A drug candidate developed by Senior Staff Scientist Pamela Maher, of the Schubert lab, and previously shown to slow aging in brain cells, successfully reversed memory loss in a mouse model of inherited Alzheimer’s disease. The new research, published online in the journal Redox Biology, also revealed that the drug, CMS121, works by changing how brain cells metabolize fatty molecules known as lipids.
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Imaging method highlights new role for cellular “skeleton” protein
While your skeleton helps your body to move, fine skeleton-like filaments within your cells likewise help cellular structures to move. Biphotonics Core Director Uri Manor and the lab of Gerald Shadel have developed a new imaging method that lets them monitor a small subset of these filaments, called actin. The work, which appeared in the journal Nature Methods, could provide a better understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction, which has been linked to cancer, aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Salk Professor Dave Schubert, head of the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, dies at 77
Renowned cell biologist and Salk Professor David Schubert passed away on August 6 at the age of 77 in La Jolla, California. He began his career at Salk as a graduate student in the lab of late professor and immunologist Melvin Cohn. After completing his postdoctoral fellowship in Paris, Schubert returned to Salk in 1970 as a faculty member, establishing the Institute’s first neurobiology lab.

Schubert was known for the development of novel screening techniques that allowed his team to identify naturally occurring chemicals that can slow or prevent the neurological damage that occurs in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
 
His life and exceptional contributions to science were highlighted in The San Diego Union Tribune and The Scientist.
Black in Neuro features Salk Postdoc Austin Coley
Austin Coley of the Tye Lab was profiled in Black in Neuro. #BlackinNeuroWeek shared daily, themed hashtags and conversations, as well as recorded and live events, to celebrate Black excellence in neuroscience.
Join the Salk Summer Challenge and get a custom Salk face mask
With the world watching—waiting—for answers to the novel coronavirus, the Salk Institute is hard at work with numerous research projects relevant to COVID-19. But these efforts require immediate and sustained funding. To answer this urgent moment head-on, the Institute has launched a summer challenge to seek those who will help us change the world and make life better for humanity.
From now until September 30, we are offering an exclusive Salk face mask for your contribution of $100 or more. Donate $250 for three masks.
Professor Thomas Albright's work was featured in 
"Paired Comparisons Could Mean Better Witness Identifications"
Professor Janelle Ayres' work was covered in "How COVID-19 sends some bodies to war with themselves"
Ayres' work was was also cited in "Why do some people weather coronavirus infection unscathed?​"
Professor Wolfgang Busch's work was featured as the video of the day in "Engineering plants to fight climate change"
Biophotonics Core Director Uri Manor was profiled in​ "The author file"
Professor Satchin Panda was a guest on Senator Bill Bradley's American Voices show to speak about "Living life according to your circadian rhythm" [starts at minute 15:15]
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This month’s image comes from a recent press release from the Biphotonics Core Director Uri Manor and the lab of Gerald Shadel. This image represents a cancer cell labeled for actin (red) and mitochondria (cyan).
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