Scientists at Scripps Research develop a blueprint for stabilizing key influenza proteins to create next-generation vaccine candidates. The new design strategy uses self-assembling protein nanoparticles to generate stable versions of the HA protein, which can be used to train the immune system to recognize and fight influenza viruses.
Scientists at Scripps Research developed an AI model called ECG-CLIP that improves heart disease detection and prediction with less labeled data. The model outperforms existing tools in various clinical tasks, including disease detection, prediction, and adverse health outcomes, with better performance in settings with limited data.
Scripps Research will establish an open-access autonomous chemistry laboratory with a $19.5 million NSF award, advancing AI-driven discovery and education in chemistry. The lab will utilize AI and automation to streamline chemical reaction discovery and optimization, making it more efficient and accessible to a broader community.
Jeffery Kelly, a Scripps Research professor, has been elected to the European Academy of Engineering for his groundbreaking research on protein folding and its link to diseases. His work led to the development of FDA-approved therapeutics for amyloid polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy.
Scripps Research scientist Tiantian Liu has received a $2.76 million NIAID New Innovators Award to study immune cell biology and develop new therapies that harness T cell responses. Her research aims to advance fundamental knowledge of how immune cells activate T cells to combat infectious diseases.
New research finds increasing nanoparticle binding strength promotes stronger and more durable immune responses in mice. By fine-tuning molecular structures, researchers aim to create better vaccines for long-term HIV protection.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have made progress toward a long-sought vaccine capable of broad protection against HIV. The new approach, called germline-targeting sequential immunization, guides precursor B cells to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies that can recognize and block many different HIV strains.
Scripps Research scientists will develop more comprehensive wastewater surveillance technologies and integrate diverse data to improve outbreak prediction. The project aims to support faster public health responses worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers at Scripps Research have created a new method to build the tough chemical bond found in carbohydrate-based drugs, such as those for treating diabetes. The new approach uses common table sugar and vinegar to create C-glycosides, which are resistant to enzymatic breakdown.
Scripps Research scientists captured high-resolution structural images of human Argonaute 2 in its cutting-ready state, identifying precise atomic interactions that determine when and where the machinery cuts. The structures reveal key amino acids driving the cutting reaction, including Lysine709 and Arginine710.
Research suggests that an anti-inflammatory molecule, IL-6, plays a role in driving excessive drinking behavior in alcohol use disorder. Blocking IL-6 reduced alcohol consumption in female mice, but not male mice or non-dependent animals. The study adds to growing evidence of brain inflammation's involvement in alcohol use disorder.
Scientists at Scripps Research have found that disabling a specific bacterial enzyme called SagA can restore the effect of vancomycin against resistant bacteria, making them treatable without needing a new antibiotic. This approach targets basic aspects of bacterial physiology and could overcome antibiotic resistance.
A team at Scripps Research has discovered that erucamide, a naturally occurring molecule, plays a key role in how the retina copes with disease. Restoring erucamide levels activates cellular responses that support retinal stability, slowing aspects of degeneration by preserving structure and function.
Researchers created a modified version of fentanyl with reduced side effects, then used it as a vaccine component to train the immune system. The resulting antibodies showed pan specificity against multiple fentanyl designer drugs, including carfentanil and furanylfentanyl.
Scripps Research team creates stereoretentive radical-radical cross-coupling, a simpler way to build chiral drug candidates while maintaining 3D structure. The new reaction uses a nickel catalyst and produces practical yields with high enantiospecificity.
Jin-Quan Yu, a leading figure in synthetic organic chemistry, has been elected Fellow of the Royal Society for his groundbreaking work on C-H activation and development of chiral catalysts. His research has far-reaching applications in drug development and medical imaging.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed an experimental vaccine that leads to broadly protective HIV antibodies in every rhesus macaque tested, a reliable outcome for vaccination alone.
Researchers discovered over 400 proteins with modified states affecting drug binding, including KRAS and NPC2. PTMs may influence therapy selection and combination, offering new opportunities for targeted treatments. The study could reshape cancer treatment and lead to more effective therapies.
Yu's research focuses on carbon–hydrogen bond activation, developing new catalysts and reaction strategies to selectively transform C–H bonds. His innovations have enabled the construction and modification of complex molecules with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and materials science.
Researchers at Scripps Research identify S-nitrosylation of protein STING as driver of chronic brain inflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this process protects brain cell connections and preserves synapses.
Researchers at Scripps Research create a nanodisc platform that preserves key parts of viral surface proteins, allowing for better understanding of antibody interactions. This approach can be applied to other viruses with similar membrane-embedded proteins, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
Scripps Research scientists develop a new approach to building branched molecular structures, overcoming a technical obstacle that limited chemists' ability to assemble complex molecules. The method, using metal hydride selection, produces more than 50 new branched compounds with an unusually high degree of control.
Researchers uncover a new way cancer cells repair broken DNA at replication forks, allowing them to survive relentless replication stress. This discovery reshapes understanding of how tumor cells repair DNA and suggests that blocking a key enzyme may be an effective strategy to selectively target cancer.
Researchers developed new drug compounds called ENDOtollins that reduce inflammation in immune cells while leaving the body's ability to fight infections intact. These compounds block a specific protein interaction in immune cells, offering a potential targeted approach to autoimmune diseases.
Researchers will investigate how a common dietary nutrient controls a hidden layer of gene regulation in cancer cells. The study aims to understand how changes in RNA modifications and methionine availability impact cancer cell behavior, with potential therapeutic implications.
Researchers at Scripps Research have developed a blood-based approach that examines protein shape in the bloodstream, distinguishing cognitively normal individuals from those with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment with high accuracy. The new test could help move diagnosis and intervention to an earlier stage.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered how the body detects light touch, revealing a key protein's unique structure and function. The study, published in Nature, sheds light on sensory disorders linked to PIEZO2 mutations, suggesting a new pathway for treating these conditions.
Scientists at Scripps Research have engineered a stabilized version of the Hepatitis C virus's E1E2 glycoprotein complex, paving the way for a new nanoparticle-based vaccine candidate. The approach uses self-assembling protein nanoparticles to display the stable proteins in a manner that amplifies the immune response.
Researchers found that some membrane-less compartments are built from tiny filaments, revealing new possibilities for therapeutic intervention in diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. The discovery suggests that targeting these structures could be effective in treating conditions like ALS and tumors.
Researchers developed a technology to measure protein production in individual brain cells, revealing unexpected patterns and correlations between cell types. The study suggests that translation plays a crucial role in coordinating memory circuits and may contribute to neurological disorders.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation antimalarial drugs, with a focus on global access and affordability. Calibr-Skaggs and Kainomyx will jointly advance promising hits through the drug discovery pipeline, with a shared commitment to open publication.
A modified fentanyl molecule with a new core structure reduces respiratory depression while maintaining its pain-relieving properties. This redesign preserves the essential anchor point for receptor activation, producing pain relief without significant side effects.
Researchers developed a DNA scaffold that ignores the immune system, eliminating off-target antibodies and promoting focused immune responses. The DNA-based vaccines led to 10 times more immune cells targeting vulnerable sites on HIV, outperforming protein-scaffolded vaccines.
A new Scripps Research study found an association between sleep variability and the risk of developing sleep apnea and high blood pressure. Participants who slept in varying patterns had more than twice the risk of sleep apnea and were 71% more likely to have high blood pressure.
Researchers found altered gene expression in the brain's stress-processing hub, and inhibiting signaling pathways reduced relapse-like behavior. However, blocking both signals simultaneously cancelled this effect, highlighting potential risks of combining treatments.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique called vCATCH to map drug binding in individual cells throughout the entire mouse body. The method revealed unexpected binding sites for two cancer drugs, providing clues about their side effects.
Researchers discover that condensates, droplet-like structures within cells, can act as tiny biological batteries that charge the cell membrane from within. This discovery has big implications for health, as many essential cellular processes hinge upon precise electrical activity.
A new nanoparticle vaccine strategy has been developed to protect against multiple filovirus strains, including Ebola. The vaccine candidates display filovirus surface proteins on engineered nanoparticles, helping the immune system recognize and respond to the virus.
Researchers discovered that certain gut bacteria are essential for building immune defenses during infancy, and a probiotic fix may be available. Administering a specific probiotic during antibiotic treatment could restore normal MAIT cell development and maintain healthy immune function.
Researchers discovered that certain cancers rely on an emergency DNA repair mechanism called break-induced replication to survive. By understanding how this mechanism works, scientists can develop targeted therapies to selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact.
A new AI system will help scientists rapidly pinpoint the most promising paths to an HIV vaccine by analyzing millions of potential vaccine designs and identifying the best candidates. The technology, funded by $1.1 million, aims to develop a long-lasting vaccine that adapts to mutations of the virus and can be delivered in a single dose.
A new Scripps Research study reveals that the uterus senses and responds to physical forces during childbirth through specialized pressure sensors. The findings could help scientists better understand conditions like stalled labor and preterm birth, guiding future efforts to develop treatments.
Ten Scripps Research scientists, spanning chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and more, have been recognized on Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers list. The list highlights researchers whose publications rank in the top 1% by citations for their field and publication year.
Scientists at Scripps Research have identified a key player in placental development - galectin-3, which binds to sugar molecules on cell surface proteins, facilitating cell fusion. The study provides new fundamental insight into placental biology and could lead to preventing or treating pregnancy complications.
Douglas W. Phillips, a seasoned finance expert with decades of experience in investment strategy and drug development, joins Scripps Research's Board of Directors alongside neuroscientist and biopharmaceutical executive Steven M. Paul. Phillips brings expertise in institutional management and stewardship to the board.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists at Scripps Research has been awarded $6.9 million to identify more effective vaccines for treating HIV. By combining cutting-edge techniques and leveraging novel mouse models, the researchers aim to create a roadmap for building vaccines that provide lasting protection against HIV.
A new digital clinical trial is testing a repurposed drug, tirzepatide, to provide relief from long COVID symptoms. The study aims to enroll 1,000 participants and explore the effect of tirzepatide on long COVID over one year.
Researchers aim to understand how type 1 diabetes manifests by studying vascular-associated fibroblastic cells (VAFs), which may play a key role in the autoimmune disease. The new grant will explore how VAFs interact with the immune system and investigate potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers aim to restore healthy gene function in brain cells to treat severe neurodevelopmental disorders. The new technology could 'turn the volume back up' on genes silenced due to haploinsufficiency, uncovering potential therapeutic targets.
A collaborative team at Scripps Research is creating the first atlas of interoception, a process by which the nervous system monitors physiological signals to maintain vital functions. The team aims to build a comprehensive framework for mapping internal sensory pathways using $14.2 million NIH funding.