Mar 19, 2020

New UCI-led study reveals how skin cells prepare to heal wounds

A team of University of California, Irvine researchers have published the first comprehensive overview of the major changes that occur in mammalian skin cells as they prepare to heal wounds. Results from the study provide a blueprint for future investigation into pathological conditions associated with poor wound healing, such as in diabetic patients.

Mar 06, 2020 | UCI School of Medicine

Using new genomic technology, UCI researchers discover breast cancer cells shift their metabolic strategy in order to metastasize

New discovery in breast cancer could lead to better strategies for preventing the spread of cancer cells to other organs in the body, effectively reducing mortality in breast cancer patients.

Mar 04, 2020 | UCI School of Medicine

Zombie scanning enables researchers to rapidly study peptide-receptor interactions on the cell surface

In the past, biologically-active peptides – small proteins like neurotoxins and hormones that act on cell receptors to alter physiology – were purified from native sources like venoms and then panels of variants were produced in bacteria, or synthesized, to study the structural basis for receptor interaction. A new technique called zombie scanning renders these older processes obsolete.

Feb 27, 2020

Bifunctional nanobodies proven effective at protecting against botulinum neurotoxins including Botox

New study reveals potential for developing novel antibody-based antitoxins against botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), including the most commonly used, yet most toxic one, Botox.

Feb 27, 2020 | UCI School of Medicine

Skin and non-adhesive cells on the skin’s surface found to play pivotal role in the formation of fingers and toes

Human fingers are sculpted from a primitive pad-like structure during embryonic development. Sometimes, this process goes awry and babies are born with fused fingers or toes. A new study from the University of California, Irvine reveals new factors involved in the congenital malformation called syndactyly.

Feb 21, 2020 | UCI School of Medicine

New discovery may drive the development of better, more effective immunotherapies for the treatment of breast cancer

New cancer immunotherapy approaches are revolutionizing treatment options for breast cancer patients. However, many lead to insufficient immune responses rendering the therapies incapable of completely eradicating tumors.