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Two Circuits Found Responsible for a Cell's Ability to Adapt

BTS Science ImageUCSF researchers have identified the two key circuits that control a cell's ability to adapt to changes in its environment. Their findings could help scientists better understand diseases such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases and create therapeutics to readjust underlying biological networks. The lead author of the paper detailing this discovery is Wenzhe Ma (pictured), Li Foundation Fellow, and visiting scholar from Peking University in the laboratory of Chao Tang, PhD, UCSF Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences in the UCSF Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine. Results appeared online on August 21, 2009 in Cell.

Full story: UCSF researchers identify two key pathways in adaptive response

Desai Receives Emerging Scholar Award

BTS Science Image Tejal Desai, PhD, UCSF School of Pharmacy and Medicine faculty member, was chosen in January 2009 as a 2009 Emerging Scholar in Physiology by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, which is a news source, founded in 1984, that gathers and shares information to promote the higher education of people of color and underrepresented minority groups. Desai is an bioengineer who focuses on the design, fabrication, and use of advanced micro/nano biosystems.

Full story: Desai Receives Emerging Scholar Award

Burchard Elected to ASCI

Burchard Esteban Gonzalez Burchard, MD, MPH, was elected in spring 2009 to the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI). Established in 1908, the ASCI is one of the oldest medical honor societies in the US. More than 2,800 physician-scientists from all medical specialties are elected members of the Society based upon their records of achievement in biomedical research..

Full Story: Burchard Elected to ASCI

Protein Found that Regulates Glucose in Humans, Not in Mice

Brodsky A team of scientists, who were led by UCSF School of Pharmacy faculty member Frances Brodsky, DPhil, have found in humans a protein responsible for glucose metabolism that is not present in mice. Since mice are often used as models when studying diabetes and other diseases, the often unknown differences between mice and humans can create obstacles to direct translation of research. As a result, they need to be taken into account in understanding the progression of human disease, according to the researchers. The paper appeared in the May 29, 2009 issue of Science. Collaborators included scientists from UCSF, Harvard University Medical School, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Please see here for full story.

Full Story: Protein Found that Regulates Glucose in Humans, Not in Mice

Dr. Leslie Z. Benet Celebrates his 40th Anniversary at UCSF

Les Dr. Leslie Benet, Professor and former chair of Biopharmaceutical Sciences celebrated his 40th Anniversary at UCSF on June 19th, 2009. In a letter to his collaborators and colleagues past and present, Dr. Benet said, "I thank you for the outstanding productivity that we have accomplished over the years, allowing me to be listed as one of the most highly cited pharmacologists worldwide. Together we have published 494 papers and book chapters and our 385 peer reviewed published manuscripts have been cited in the scientific literature more than 15,000 times."

A surprise party, sponsored by UCSF alumni was well attended by current and former graduate students, researchers, post doctorals, faculty and staff who have worked with Dr. Benet over the years. UCSF alumni, Drs Phil and Laurene Wang Smith, visiting San Francisco with their daughter Malina graciously donated a cake, and Dr. Lynda Frassetto, a Clinical Fellow with the Benet Lab and current Medical Director for the CTSI Clinical Research Center donated the refreshments. The party included a toast, and Dr. Benet recalled fond stories of his early days at UCSF. Additionally, he was presented with a large black and silver medallion honoring his 40th year of service at UCSF.

News Archive

Image credit: Tejal Desai: © majedphoto.com; Esteban Burchard: © majedphoto.com; images in purple collage: © majedphoto.com; collage Flash animation: UC Regents.