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University of California - San Diego


Bioengineers identify the key genes and functions for sustaining microbial life

Researchers define the core set of genes and functions that a bacterial cell needs to sustain life, providing a foundation for new cell engineering approaches. The study identifies 356 essential genes across various microorganisms, enabling the rapid construction of genome-scale cellular growth models.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2015

Researchers find key player in diabetic kidney disease through power of metabolomics

A new study by University of California, San Diego researchers has identified a pivotal player in diabetic kidney disease and a potential biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring chronic kidney disease. The study uses metabolomics analysis to clarify a central mechanism of action involving the NADPH oxidase proteins NOX1 and NOX4.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 22, 2015

Exit dinosaurs, enter fishes

Scientists discover that mass extinction event triggered by asteroid strike led to the rise of ray-finned fishes as the ocean's most diverse and dominant vertebrates. The abundance of ray-finned fish teeth began to explode after the extinction event, becoming eight times more abundant in 24 million years.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

A tale of two whales

A new study provides the first detailed view of calling blue and fin whale distribution in Southern California, revealing a steady population trend for blue whales and an upward trend for fin whales. The research uses acoustic data collected from 2006-2012, indicating that fin whales are more likely to be detected further offshore.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateJun 25, 2015

Common antibiotic may be the answer to many multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

Researchers found that growing bacteria in mammalian tissue culture media instead of standard bacteriologic media makes them more sensitive to azithromycin. The drug is also effective when paired with colistin or antimicrobial peptides produced by the human body during infection, reducing bacterial counts by up to 99% in mouse models.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJun 10, 2015