News

UC San Diego Bioengineering Student Wins Winston Churchill Scholarship

February 16, 2018

UC San Diego Bioengineering Student Wins Winston Churchill Scholarship

Aswini Krishnan, a fourth-year bioengineering major at the University of California San Diego, has been awarded a Winston Churchill Scholarship, one of the most prestigious and competitive awards available to American students pursuing science, mathematics and engineering fields. The award provides one year of funding to pursue a master’s degree at Winston Churchill College at the University of Cambridge. Krishnan is the fourth UC San Diego student to receive the award since the program’s inception in 1963.  Full Story


Researchers develop a remote-controlled cancer immunotherapy system

January 15, 2018

Researchers develop a remote-controlled cancer immunotherapy system

A team of researchers has developed an ultrasound-based system that can non-invasively and remotely control genetic processes in live immune T cells so that they recognize and kill cancer cells. Full Story


From Class to Clinic

January 11, 2018

From Class to Clinic

It’s not every day that an undergrad­uate class influences the way surgeons prepare for operations. But that’s exactly what happened with a fresh­man bioengineering class co-taught by then-PhD student Jason Caffrey ’11, MS ’13‚ and professor Robert Sah.  Full Story


Updated brain cell map connects various brain diseases to specific cell types

December 11, 2017

Updated brain cell map connects various brain diseases to specific cell types

Researchers have developed new single-cell sequencing methods that could be used to map the cell origins of various brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. By analyzing individual nuclei of cells from adult human brains, researchers have identified 35 different subtypes of neurons and glial cells and discovered which of these subtypes are most susceptible to common risk factors for different brain diseases. Full Story


Experimental drug blocks toxic ion flow linked to Alzheimer's disease

December 5, 2017

Experimental drug blocks toxic ion flow linked to Alzheimer's disease

A new small-molecule drug can restore brain function and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The molecule, called anle138b, works by stopping toxic ion flow in the brain that is known to trigger nerve cell death. Scientists envision that this drug could be used to treat Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and ALS. Full Story


Researchers discover specific tumor environment that triggers cells to metastasize

November 21, 2017

Researchers discover specific tumor environment that triggers cells to metastasize

A team of bioengineers and bioinformaticians at the University of California San Diego have discovered how the environment surrounding a tumor can trigger metastatic behavior in cancer cells. Specifically, when tumor cells are confined in a dense environment, the researchers found that they turn on a specific set of genes and begin to form structures that resemble blood vessels.  Full Story


A Steady Increase in Women Leading the Biggest Research Grants

November 9, 2017

A Steady Increase in Women Leading the Biggest Research Grants

Eight of the top 10 research grants awarded to UC San Diego departments outside of health sciences this year are led by women. And Karen Christman, a professor in the Department of Bioengineering, is one of them. Christman brought in $2.8 million dollars in research grants from the State of California.  Full Story


UC San Diego's Biomedical Engineering Society earns top honor

November 8, 2017

UC San Diego's Biomedical Engineering Society earns top honor

UC San Diego’s chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) was recognized with the Chapter Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2017 BMES annual meeting. Full Story


Five UC San Diego bioengineering graduate students selected for prestigious Siebel Scholars program

November 3, 2017

Five UC San Diego bioengineering graduate students selected for prestigious Siebel Scholars program

Five bioengineering graduate students from the University of California San Diego have been named 2018 Siebel Scholars.  Full Story


 Immune cells mistake heart attacks for viral infections

November 3, 2017

Immune cells mistake heart attacks for viral infections

A study led by Kevin King, a bioengineer and physician at the University of California San Diego, has found that the immune system plays a surprising role in the aftermath of heart attacks.  The research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for heart disease. Full Story