November 7, 2009
Genetics and Genomics
Microbiology/Immunology
Molecular Cell Biology
Molecular Pathology
Molecular Pharmacology
Physiology
Focus Areas and Custom Option

M.D./Ph.D. Program


  News

>> Professor Roger Tsien of Biomedical Sciences awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry

>>Akassoglou lab identifies critical receptor in liver regeneration

>>Kolodner honored with Landon-AACR Prize for Basic Cancer Research

>>Three more at UC San Diego receive California stem cell grants

>>Karin lab uncovers key role of inflammation in prostate cancer metastasis

>>UCSD’s Ajit Varki to receive glycobiology’s highest international honor

>>Goldstein Lab debates on NBC News

>>Seven at UCSD receive California stem cell grants

>>Desai lab solves two central mysteries of genome inheritance

>>Bourne and SDSC Colleagues Establish Connection Between Life Today and Ancient Changes in Ocean Chemistry

From UCSD SOM

>>UCSD School of Medicine ranks second in nation for faculty-member funding

>> Cavenee wins National Foundation for Cancer Research prize

>> Cleveland lab identifies new drug targets for cancer

>>Kelsoe to lead bipolar disorder association study

Annual BMS Newsletter
 

   Calendar


   Featured Publications

While you wolf down that supersized burger, receptors on your cells are busy clearing the remnant lipoproteins that build up in your blood. These cholesterol-rich particles are extremely atherogenic, so unraveling the mechanisms behind remnant lipoprotein clearance will impact our understanding of diseases caused by high cholesterol and lipids. BMS student Jennifer MacArthur in the Esko lab has found that heparan sulfate proteoglycans are critically important in the clearance of remnant lipoproteins.

Read the paper at the Journal of Clinical Investigation

Healthy livers have the amazing ability of regeneration. Understanding the molecular details of liver regeneration may lead to new treatments for liver disease and will likely serve as an important reference system as we move into an era of stem cells and regenerative medicine. In the Akassoglou lab, BMS student Melissa Passino has recently published that proliferation of liver cells is controlled by the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, a receptor primarily known for its role in the regulation of survival and regeneration of neurons.

Read the paper in Science

How does a dividing cell know that its DNA is properly attached to the spindle before beginning mitosis? BMS student Sharsti Sandall in the Desai lab has identified a tension-sensitive protein complex that may finally answer this age-old question. This complex senses incorrect DNA-spindle attachments and relays the information to protein kinases.

Read the paper at Cell

 Featured Student

Nathan Shaner

"The BMS program encompasses a highly diverse group of investigators, surrounded by a high density of academic and industry research. This fertile intellectual environment provides countless opportunities for exploring scientific creativity."


Nathan Shaner

B. A., Oberlin College
Entered BMS: 2002
Program area: Pharmacology

HHMI predoctoral scholar

Publications

Shaner N. C., P. A. Steinbach, and R. Y. Tsien. (2005) A Guide to Choosing Fluorescent Proteins. Nat. Methods (in press).

Wang. J., N. C. Shaner, B. Mittal, Q. Zhou, J. Chen, J. M. Sanger, and J. W. Sanger. (2005) Dynamics of Z-band based proteins in developing skeletal muscle cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 61 (1):34-48.

Shaner N. C., J. W. Sanger, and J. M. Sanger. (2005) Actin and alpha-actinin dynamics in the adhesion and motility of EPEC and EHEC on host cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 60 (2): 104-20.

Shaner N. C., R. E. Campbell, P. A. Steinbach, B. N. Giepmans, A. E. Palmer, and R. Y. Tsien. (2004) Improved monomeric red, orange, and yellow fluorescent proteins derived from Discosoma sp. red fluorescent protein. Nat. Biotechnol. 22 (12): 1567-72.

Sanger J. W., P. Chowrashi, N. C. Shaner, S. Spalthoff, J. Wang, N. L. Freeman, and J. M. Sanger. (2002) Myofibrillogenesis in Skeletal Muscle Cells. Clin. Orthop. 403: S153-S162.

Ayoob, J. C., N. C. Shaner, J. M. Sanger and J. W. Sanger. (2000) Expression of Green or Red Fluorescent Protein (GFP or DsRed) Linked Proteins in Non-Muscle and Muscle Cells. Mol. Biotechnol. 17(1): 65-71.

Warner, R. E., M. H. McKinnon, J. S. Needleman, N. C. Shaner, F. D. Becchetti, D. A. Roberts, A. Galonsky, R. M. Ronningen, M. Steiner, J. A. Brown, J. J. Kolata, A. Nadasen, and K. Subotic. (2001) Total reaction and neutron-removal cross sections of (30-60)A MeV Be isotopes on Si and Pb. Phys. Rev. C 64, 044611.

Warner, R. E., M. H. McKinnon, N. C. Shaner, F. D. Becchetti, A. Nadasen, D. A. Roberts, J. A. Brown, A. Galonsky, J. J. Kolata, R. M. Ronningen, M. Steiner, and K. Subotic. (2000) Total Reaction and Neutron-Removal Cross Sections of (30-60)A MeV He and Li Isotopes on Pb. Phys. Rev. C 62, 024608.

Kolata, A. Nadasen, and K. Subotic. (2001) Total reaction and neutron-removal cross sections of (30-60)A MeV Be isotopes on Si and Pb. Phys. Rev. C 64, 044611.