Student Perspective

Nikhil Kshirsagar

M.S. Plan II - Comprehensive Exam

News

Genetic Tweak Optimizes Drug-making Cells by Blocking Buildup of Toxic Byproduct

January 14, 2025

Genetic Tweak Optimizes Drug-making Cells by Blocking Buildup of Toxic Byproduct

Scientists led by UC San Diego have developed a new strategy to enhance pharmaceutical production in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which are commonly used to manufacture protein-based drugs for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases and much more. By knocking out a gene circuit responsible for producing lactic acid—a metabolite that makes the cells’ environment toxic—researchers eliminate a primary hurdle in developing cells that can produce higher amounts of pharmaceuticals like Herceptin and Rituximab, without compromising their growth or energy production. Full Story


Nanoscale Bumps and Grooves Trigger Big Changes in Cell Behavior

December 3, 2024

Nanoscale Bumps and Grooves Trigger Big Changes in Cell Behavior

The surfaces that cells come into contact with can influence how the cells grow, function, and communicate — shaping metabolism and even cellular health. Now, engineering researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a platform for studying the ways that nanoscale growing surfaces can impact cellular behavior. Full Story


How Artificial Intelligence Could Automate Genomics Research

December 2, 2024

How Artificial Intelligence Could Automate Genomics Research

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have demonstrated that large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4, could help automate functional genomics research, which seeks to determine what genes do and how they interact.  Full Story