News
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Scientists program stem cells to mimic first days of embryonic development
March 20, 2025 By Emily Cerf The earliest days after fertilization, once a sperm cell meets an egg, are shrouded in scientific mystery. The process of how a humble single cell becomes an organism fascinates scientists across disciplines. For some animals, the entire process of cellular multiplication, generation of specialized cells, and their organization into an…
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Clinical pediatric cancer lab at UC Santa Cruz is cleared to accept and test patient samples
The UC Santa Cruz Colligan Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory (CCDL) will use a newly clinically validated RNA test that they have developed that could identify life-saving treatment options, particularly for pediatric cancer patients.
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New biology study reveals four novel genes required for male fertility in mice
Genomics Institute affiliate Upasna Sharma has conducted pioneering research to determine how a father’s life experiences and environment can influence the health and wellbeing of his children. Her most recent discovery could have important implications for understanding male infertility.
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Newest Genome Browser features highlight the power of generative AI and machine learning for biology
The UCSC Genome Browser has added two new datasets that leverage the power of generative AI and machine learning to interpret information about genetic variants and more rapidly assess which ones might be harmful to human health. These datasets, from AlphaMissense and VarChat, are available as “tracks” on the two most widely used human reference…
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New grant funds effort to uncover therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders
By Emily Cerf A $10.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state’s stem cell agency, will fund a multi-UC effort to better understand neuropsychiatric disorders. One in five people in the U.S. experience a neuropsychiatric disorder, with many cases starting in adolescence. Current treatments focus on managing symptoms, but there’s an…
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Innovation Catalyst Grants propel research into real-world solutions
Awardees include innovations in preclinical testing, drug discovery, and biosensors by Genomics Institute core member Mircea Teodorescu and affiliates Andy Yeh and Nader Pourmand.
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New UCOP Grant to Explore Autism Spectrum Disorder Using 3D Brain Organoid Models
The University of California’s Office of the President has awarded QB3 a $1.8 million grant by the to explore the origins of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The funds will support researchers in the “Braingeneers” group at UC Santa Cruz, UCSF, and UC Berkeley who will use brain organoids (3D models of neural networks grown from…
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25 years of the UCSC Genome Browser
When Katie Pollard first began working toward her Ph.D. in biostatistics at UC Berkeley in the late 90s, the human genome had not yet been sequenced. Then, on July 7, 2000, UC Santa Cruz published the HGCP’s first draft of a sequence online. Suddenly, a whole new field of genomics sprung into being. It was…
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Genomic analysis reveals ritual sacrifice of close relatives in ancient Moche burial site
New research by UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute core member Lars Fehren-Schmitz reveals a startling discovery that the Moche people, who lived in Peru 1,500 years ago, sacrificed related family members, including adolescents, upon another family member’s death — the first time archaeologists had confirmed such intra-family sacrifice among the Moche people. “Most of what…
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Mark Akeson elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
UC Santa Cruz Professor Emeritus of Biomolecular Engineering and Genomics Institute Associate Member Mark Akeson has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Akeson is the co-inventor of nanopore sequencing, a revolutionary method for reading DNA and RNA that has enabled some of the most significant advances in the genomics field.
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UCSC alum and current student make Forbes 30 under 30 list in healthcare
UCSC adjunct professor and alum Aviv Elor and UCSC PhD candidate Ash Robbins have been named to the Forbes 30 under 30 in Healthcare list. The two co-founded Immergo Labs to put artificial intelligence and virtual reality to work helping physical therapists in the telehealth domain. See the Forbes Profile.
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UC Santa Cruz innovators recognized for impact at 2024 Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards
Two UC Santa Cruz faculty members, Richard (Ed) Green and Chris Benner, have been selected as awardees for the eighth annual Santa Cruz Works Titans Awards, which recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the local tech and entrepreneurial community.