News

Four Jacobs School Faculty Receive Award to Accelerate Innovation to Market

January 16, 2025

Four Jacobs School Faculty Receive Award to Accelerate Innovation to Market

Stephanie Fraley, Nicole Steinmetz, Kiana Aran and Sheng Xu all received Accelerating Innovation to Market awards from the Office of Innovation and Commercialization. In addition, Jacobs School affiliates Erin Walsh and Nadir Weibel also received awards.  Full Story


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