DISCOVERIES

December 2022

A Phase 2 clinical trial of DS-1211 in individuals with pseudoxanthoma elasticum


A Phase 2 clinical trial has started of DS-1211 in individuals with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a rare genetic disease that causes calcium deposits in soft tissue resulting in considerable morbidity. DS-1211 is an investigational drug developed through a research collaboration between Daiichi Sankyo and Sanford Burnham Prebys


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Childhood cancer trailblazer Lukas Chavez joins Sanford Burnham Prebys


Lukas Chavez, Ph.D., has joined Sanford Burnham Prebys as an assistant professor to continue his research on chromatin and gene regulation in childhood brain cancers.


“I am delighted to welcome Lukas to Sanford Burnham Prebys,” says President and CEO David A. Brenner, M.D. “His research is at the forefront of a novel approach to treat childhood cancers that may have a significant impact on the lives of people affected by these devastating diseases.”


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Liver cancer study encourages caution with certain gene therapies


Research led by Randal J. Kaufman, Ph.D., has found that misfolded proteins in liver cells contribute to the development of liver cancer, shedding new light on the mysterious origins of one of the world’s deadliest diseases.


The findings, published in the journal Molecular Therapy, could also help improve the safety of certain gene therapies for hemophilia.


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STEM Shadow Day gives diverse students an inside look at Sanford Burnham Prebys


As part of ongoing efforts to increase the diversity of the Institute’s trainees, Sanford Burnham Prebys’ DEI Education & Training Committee hosted 36 high school and college students from historically underrepresented backgrounds for a day of lab tours and workshops.


The event was sponsored by the San Diego MESA Alliance, and more than 20 faculty, staff and current trainees came together to help make the event possible. 


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IN THE COMMUNITY

David Brenner's 1st Annual “Socktail Party”


To celebrate the season, the Institute hosted David Brenner's 1st Annual “Socktail Party”, a sock drive where employees brought new pairs of socks needed by men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness.


We collected 818 pairs of socks that were distributed to San Diego Youth Services and the Alpha Project.


Thank you to our new friends at the “Sock It To Em Team” who helped us organize this wonderful occasion—and designated Sanford Burnham Prebys an official Sock Ambassador!

IN THE NEWS

Inventing the ELISA Test


How a local La Jolla scientist, Dr. Eva Engvall, helped create the technology that allowed us to do at-home COVID-19 testing.


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Running in the family: La Jollan completes 50th consecutive Honolulu Marathon as his kids finish their first


To Dr. Jerold Chun, the marathon is a way to honor his father and bring his family together.


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Misfolding proteins bring caution for gene therapies for haemophilia


US researchers have discovered a link between protein misfolding and liver cancer, that could help improve gene therapy for haemophilia.


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Liver cancer study could help improve the safety of certain gene therapies for hemophilia


Research led by Randal J. Kaufman, Ph.D., has found that misfolded proteins in liver cells contribute to the development of liver cancer, shedding new light on the mysterious origins of one of the world's deadliest diseases.


Read more >>

Sanford Burnham Prebys announces start of Phase 2 clinical trial of DS-1211 in individuals with PseudoXanthoma Elasticum


Daiichi Sankyo initiates Phase 2 trial for drug developed with Sanford Burnham Prebys.


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The Pediatric Brain Foundation Awards $50,000 to Sanford Burnham Prebys Professor Evan Y. Snyder for Neurological Research


The Pediatric Brain Foundation, under the directorship of Rochette Dahler, founder of Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool, has awarded $50,000 to the Sanford Burnham Prebys.


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YOU MAKE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE

The accomplishments and stories you’ve read in this newsletter are possible because of your support. Every discovery we make and every life we change begins with you.


And this holiday season, you can double your impact on Sanford Burnham Prebys.


We’ve raised $25,000 in matching funds so that your year-end gift will have twice the impact!


This year we are raising money to give our researchers the gift of computational biology.


Computational biology gives our researchers the power to see things they would never see otherwise! (Our researchers had a little fun with 3D glasses to prove the point.)

Make a Gift

If it helps, here’s what our researchers are saying about computational biology:


"Because of computational biology, scientists can now target mutated cancer genes that we wouldn’t have thought possible before—it’s a game changer."

Pamela Itkin-Ansari, Ph.D.


"Computational biology helps us find our way through complex datasets that come from our research. It’s like helping us find a needle in a haystack."

Cynthia Lebeaupin, Ph.D.


"Computational biology gives every researcher the vision to see things we never even dreamed of before. Imagine what the invention of the microscope did centuries ago. Computational biology is the microscope of the 21st century. It will benefit every researcher and area of science."

Michael Jackson, Ph.D.

Thank you for making our important work possible.

Make a Gift

Christine Dittmer

Chief Development Officer

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