Sanford-Burnham News Archive

The gene Dkk1 encodes a protein that plays a key role in increasing the population of connective-tissue cells during wound repair, but prolonged Dkk1 signaling can lead to fibrosis and a stiffening of artery walls

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that several children born with rare diseases called congenital disorders of glycosylation don't contain the mutation in every cell type -- raising new questions about inheritance, genomic sequencing, and diagnostic

MicroRNAs are identified as the missing link between the 2 defining features of muscle fitness -- fuel-burning and fiber-type switching -- providing a potential new target for interventions that boost fitness in people with chronic illness or injury

The collaborations are enabled by the Florida Translational Research Program, which provides Florida-based scientists with access to Sanford-Burnham's drug discovery technology and expertise.

An imbalance between an enzyme called neutrophil elastase and its inhibitor causes inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in mice and humans -- providing a new therapeutic target for these health conditions

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that, in both mice and humans, the enzyme PKCzeta acts as a tumor suppressor by keeping the pro-tumor c-Myc gene in check

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that the extra chromosome inherited in Down syndrome impairs learning and memory because it leads to low levels of SNX27 protein in the brain

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that a protein called Siah2 helps prostate cancer cells resist hormone therapy - making it an attractive biomarker and therapeutic target

3-D structure of HNF-4alpha, a protein mutated in a rare, inherited form of diabetes, reveals new pockets that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs

Researchers at the 2 organizations will work together to identify and validate compounds -- prototype drugs -- that show promise against clinically relevant targets

New partnership investigates potential inhibitors of furin, a protein vital to the lifecycle of dengue fever virus and other infectious tropical diseases.

Novel model for collaboration combines basic and clinical research with drug development to find new obesity therapeutics

In stroke and other neurological disorders, nitric oxide damages neurons and blocks the brain's ability to repair itself

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that tumors lacking the protein PKCz are good at surviving when nutrients are scarce—opening a new therapeutic avenue that targets cancer metabolism

Researchers use skin cells from patients with an inherited heart condition to recreate the adult-onset disease in a laboratory dish -- producing the first maturation-based disease model for testing new therapies

First fruit fly model of diet-induced type 2 diabetes shows how high-sugar diet affects the heart and reveals new therapeutic opportunities

Sanford-Burnham researchers show that protein p62 balances metabolism in fat tissue-making it an attractive target for anti-obesity therapies

Combines Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute's renowned scientific team and Intrexon's proprietary discovery platforms to accelerate human induced pluripotent stem cell research

In 11 independent studies, a consortium of ALS researchers shows that transplanting neural stem cells into the spinal cord of an ALS mouse model slows disease onset and progression, improves motor function, and significantly prolongs survival

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that microRNAs play an important role in germ layer formation—the process that determines which cells become which organs during embryonic development

Space Florida to send two experiments from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute to the International Space Station

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that carnosic acid, a component of the herb rosemary, promotes eye health in rodents—providing a possible new approach for treating conditions such as age-related macular degeneration

Sanford-Burnham researchers convince transplanted stem cell-derived neurons to direct cognitive function -- getting us a step closer to using these cells to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that brain tumors arising from different cell types might require different—and more personalized—treatment approaches

Sanford-Burnham researchers discovered that the protein appoptosin prompts neurons to commit suicide in several neurological conditions—giving them a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury

Sanford-Burnham researchers identified kinase inhibitors that lower the barrier to producing stem cells in the laboratory—cells important for disease research and drug development

Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D., cancer researcher and distinguished professor at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, has been named a 2012 Thomson Reuters Citation Laureate, placing him on the organization's list of 'Nobel class' scientists

With this award, Duc Dong, Ph.D. will explore genetic reprogramming as a means to grow replacement organs in an adult animal model

Huei-Sheng Vincent Chen, Ph.D. receives $1.58 million CIRM Basic Biology IV award to develop personalized models of inherited heart conditions using stem cells derived from patients' own skin cells

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that an enzyme known for generating toxic brain plaques in Alzheimer's disease also causes additional memory and cognitive deficits via a separate mechanism

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover molecule that controls tumor vessel maturation—a counterintuitive approach that could improve cancer drug delivery

Researchers discovered a molecule that converts stem cells into heart cells, which could be used to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients

Researchers find that the switch between healthy and failing heart depends on the way one particular heart protein is activated -- important news for drug makers targeting the protein to treat cardiovascular disease

Sanford-Burnham researchers develop a method called miR-TRAP, which allows scientists to better understand the roles microRNAs play in human development and disease,

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Van Andel Research Institute and Thomson Reuters participate in search for new drugs to treat glioblastoma multiforme

Innovative partnership between Florida Hospital and Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute will bridge research and treatment to accelerate personalized medicine in diabetes and obesity

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) is one of four beneficiaries of this year’s National High Five Day and its program, the High-Five-a-Thon for Cancer Research, taking place on April 19.

Study outlines new method to test a tumor's resistance to an experimental therapy and pinpoint the genetic culprit before testing the drug in patients—providing a new path toward personalized medicine

Sanford-Burnham study shows how the breakup of 2 proteins interferes with the immune system and demonstrates that inhibiting 1 of the errant proteins restores proper function

Researchers identify 190 genes crucial to the function of TLR7 and TLR9, cellular sensors that recognize pathogens and trigger immune responses -- providing insights that could be exploited to develop new therapies for infectious and autoimmune diseases

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover the molecular basis of autistic symptoms in children with a rare bone disorder -- findings that also provide new insights for the general autistic population

Sanford-Burnham researchers determine the first 3-D structure of the botulinum neurotoxin, together with the protein bodyguard that guides it through the body -- revealing weak spots that could be exploited to develop new counterterrorism measures

Team develops first 3D look at interaction between immune sensor and protein that helps bacteria move

The mid-term report lays groundwork for next phase of study

Sanford-Burnham researchers create a new mouse model for a particularly malignant form of medulloblastoma, and zero in on a potential therapy

Partnership will conduct collaborative research to accelerate discovery and develop new treatments in the areas of cancer and metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

Sanford-Burnham study shows that the pathway to losing fat is heavily influenced by a hormone produced in the heart

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover taste receptors in pancreatic beta cells that can sense fructose and stimulate insulin secretion

Study identifies protein kinase Cε as a molecular switch that determines tumor-promoting or -suppressing activity in skin cells

Sanford-Burnham study suggests that many antipsychotics affect metabolism because they activate the TGFβ pathway—a finding that could lead to safer therapeutics for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia patients.

The endowed chair adds to the generous support provided to Sanford-Burnham by the Herbergers in the past several years.

Study reveals overconsumption of calories increases fat storage, while higher percentage of protein builds lean body mass

Dr. John Reed and Dr. Stuart Lipton elected by their peers

Layton Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of drug discovery, has been awarded a Novo Nordisk Diabetes Innovation Award, valued at $477,500 over two years.

Layton Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of drug discovery, has been awarded a Novo Nordisk Diabetes Innovation Award, valued at $477,500 over two years.

Team to pioneer personalized medicine approach to treating melanoma

Mouse model shows that generating energy from sugar leads to fitter muscles and increased athletic ability

Sanford-Burnham scientists show that coupling a tumor-homing peptide and an anti-cancer drug drastically reduces tumors in a mouse model of colon cancer, with no apparent side effects; technique could be applied to many types of cancer.

Reducing a protein called Siah2 in mice improves mitochondrial response to low oxygen, a condition cells experience when blood flow is restricted during a heart attack.

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) is the latest research organization to partner with Pfizer, Inc. as part of Pfizer’s commitment to transforming research and development through a focus on translational medicine.

Sanford-Burnham scientists identify a crucial new component of the machinery cells use to sense dietary amino acids—a mechanism that malfunctions in cancer

Sanford-Burnham scientists reveal that a hormone called orexin prevents obesity in mice by activating brown fat, a tissue that’s good at burning calories.

Sanford-Burnham and Salk Institute scientists combine tumor-targeting peptides and nanoparticles to eliminate glioblastoma in a previously untreatable mouse model

Board of Trustees votes unanimously to support $1 increase in state tobacco tax to fund biomedical research in California

Sanford-Burnham researchers unravel how the interplay between two cellular processes—autophagy and lipid metabolism—influences lifespan in C. elegans worms.

Study reveals that insulin-stimulated glucose uptake—a process that breaks down in type 2 diabetes—requires a previously unidentified protein called CDP138

A modified form of the enzyme Cdk5 is elevated in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients, where it triggers damage to nerve cell connections

High levels of fat shut down a key enzyme that promotes glucose sensing in pancreatic beta cells—revealing a pathway implicated in the type 2 diabetes epidemic

Study uncovers several compounds that inhibit cancer cell invasion, but also reveals that cancer drug paclitaxel does the opposite—it promotes cancer metastasis

Long non-coding RNA promotes melanoma cell survival and invasion – providing a potential new diagnostic marker for skin cancer  

A gene called SOX2 acts as a stem cell gatekeeper – only cells expressing it have the potential to become neurons

Study shows how cells decide whether they have enough fat – a molecular checkpoint that, when disturbed, could lead to obesity or other diseases

Dr. Pratley will serve as Medical Director of Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute, Senior Faculty at the Translational Research Institute and Professor at Sanford-Burnham  

Generated from progenitor cells, ICSP cells are easier to produce than iPS cells and show therapeutic benefit in a rodent stroke model  

Unique computer model calculates how long a blood stem cell will live, information that could predict the outcome of bone marrow transplants

New technique removes several hurdles in generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, smoothing the way for disease research and drug development

Fruit fly study demonstrates how lipotoxic cardiomyopathy might occur in genetically obese individuals, revealing potential therapeutic targets for fat-related heart disease

Partnership to discover new medicines for Alzheimer's Disease and neuropsychiatric disorders

Protein required for early stages of melanoma development can also predict melanoma outcome

Deletion of key muscle protein inhibits exercise

The gift will create the Art Brody Innovation Fund, which will support efforts to translate basic research discoveries into new medicines

Researchers show that obesity-induced heart disease can be prevented by reducing the activity of TOR, a nutrient-sensing protein that regulates molecular circuits involved in growth, metabolism and lifespan

A protein called T-cadherin docks the fat hormone adiponectin to the heart, where it guards against stress-induced damage

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover how the enzyme SHIP regulates B cell growth in mice, findings that could impact lymphoma drugs in development

Scientists unravel the molecular link between damage-induced inflammation and muscle regeneration

Powerful new software matches aberrant proteins with compounds that could fix them

NCI core grant includes a 21 percent funding increase

Sanford-Burnham co-founder receives Distinguished Alumni Award

Sanford-Burnham scientists uncover new clues to the molecular action of memantine, a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, that show why side effects are rare

Sanford-Burnham researchers uncover new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases

Researchers reveal that JNK, a protein long known to help cells respond to stress, also controls cell cycle

Researchers uncover a mechanism that determines prostate cancer aggressiveness, providing new targets for diagnosis and treatment

Sanford-Burnham researchers redirect a known pain reliever to trigger death pathways in cancer cells

New model reveals the molecular basis of multiple hereditary exostoses and provides a tool to screen new treatments

Researchers deliver a better understanding of anti-cell death proteins and a potential antagonist to defeat them

32nd Annual Sanford-Burnham Scientific Symposium provides wealth of information on microRNAs and RNAi

Pauline Foster Makes Gift to Endow Presidential Chair

Co-administered peptide directs medicines to tumors and deep into tumor tissue, increasing drug efficacy and reducing side effects

Researchers uncover genes that may dramatically affect heart health

Molecule found in sea sponges may help control metastasis

Cancer research provides clues to rare, fatal disorder

International Effort Demonstrates Cross-Talk Between Implanted Stem Cells and Diseased Cells in Mouse Model

New understanding of CD44 receptor’s role in immune cell survival

Institute is renamed Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute to honor gift

Investigators identify host factors that help multiple influenza strains thrive and could be targeted for new antivirals

Peptide Delivers Anti-Cancer Compounds to Where They Can Do the Most Good

Better understanding of synaptic activity may support “use it or lose it” hypothesis

Protein Reduces Levels of Amyloid Beta and Tau Hyperphosphorylation, Two Hallmarks of Alzheimer’s

Dr. Paul Laikind will lead Burnham’s business development team  

Lake Nona Medical City Location Facilitates Collaboration with Burnham Institute

Dr. Jackson will oversee the chemical biology and drug discovery efforts of the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics at Burnham

Caspase-3 cleaves in unforeseen ways

Comprehensive understanding of bacteria could lead to new insights into many organisms

Competition between proteins maintains cellular balance

Researchers find vulnerable enzyme in pathogens

The partnership will bridge diabetes and obesity research and treatment

Novel mouse model reveals role of hyaluronic acid in skeletal growth and could enhance future research

Drug discovery partnership will translate basic research into new cancer drug candidates

Researchers identify phosphorylated signaling proteins in human embryonic stem cells

Caspase-8 plays an important role in proliferation and invasion of cancer cells

Cellular defense mechanism may play role in hiding virus from immune system

Appointment of Dr. Timothy Osborne as first program director to lead metabolic signaling and disease research

Study reveals mechanism that could combat congenital limb defects like Holt-Oram syndrome

Burnham Institute for Medical Research begins move to new campus

New protocol quickly and efficiently differentiates human embryonic stem cells into committed neural precursor cells

Proof of concept shown with analysis of yeast proteome

Free radicals generated by beta-amyloid proteins lead to mitochondrial fragmentation

Burnham scientists identify protein that controls differentiation in human and mouse embryonic stem cells

Antibodies bind to conserved region of the virus and may offer cross-protection against previous pandemic types and bird and seasonal flu

Recent developments at Burnham Institute for Medical Research, February 2009

Burnham Center for Chemical Genomics to be renamed Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics

Recent developments at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, December 2008

Identification of human factors may yield novel therapeutic targets for HIV

Consortium of four research institutions to be renamed Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine

The Burnham Buzz-June 2008

First Faculty Investigators to be Introduced to Boards of Burnham Institute for Medical Research and Sanford Health

The Burnham Buzz-April 2008

The two organizations will also study link between diabetes and obesity

Donation Creates Collaboration between Burnham Institute for Medical Research and Sanford Health

Discovery finds mechanism for the herb’s action in ameliorating neurological conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease

Discovery links mechanism for HIV/AIDS dementia, possibly other neurological disorders, with known cancer "checkpoint" pathway

$2.5 million gift establishes Burnham's first funded chair honoring Dr. John Reed

Burnham study sheds new light on gamma-secretase, drug target for Alzheimer's

Funding will support shared research laboratories and expanded facilities for training in human embryonic stem cell research

Nutritional Scientist Lars Bode chosen for once-in-a-lifetime experience

"Burnham at Lake Nona, Orlando" to operate in temporary headquarters at Florida's Blood Centers

COO at Burnham Institute for Medical Research earns peer recognition for leadership and mentoring

Funding will support critical understanding of brain development and demyelinating disease

"Comprehensive" grants to support long-range stem cell studies aimed at developing new treatments for heart disease and brain repair

Stem cell study, including the first successful use of human embryonic stem cells in degenerative disease, lays ground work for clinical bridge

Humans and flies share a common gene key to heart's pacing

New role for protein yields promising lead for metastasis prevention

SEED Grants will launch innovative stem cell research

Runners raise community awareness and funds for Burnham Institute for Medical Research

Mimicking platelets' clotting action ensures greater tumor-homing efficacy

Burnham-UCSB home to ”Vascular Mapping Center” founded by Burnham’s Distinguished Professor, Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D.

V Foundation Scholarship will support cancer drug discovery at Burnham Institute for Medical Research

Collaborative research award will be shared with Salk Institute, Scripps Research Institute, UC San Diego

Normal muscle function restored in dystrophic mice

Fly genetics reveal key workings of Atkins Diet

$2.1 million grant from National Institutes of Health seeds collaboration to expedite applications from human genome project

Protein Disulphide Isomerase identified as marker for disease, potential drug target

Neural Pathway Could Provide Future Drug Targets for Eating Disorders

Dr. John C. Reed recognized as the most highly-cited researcher in the field of general biomedicine from 1995-2005 and 8th most highly-cited researcher in clinical medicine

Funding will seed stem cell studies on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Potential drug approach for stroke, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders

Studies in drosophila genetics inform development of human heart

President & CEO Dr. John Reed to lead project aimed at developing accurate early-stage diagnosis, eliminating unnecessary treatment

Thought leaders gather at 2005 Neuroscience Conference in Washington, DC

Ensemble of unusual sugars offers clues to controlling inflammation

Distinguished Professor Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti to apply expertise in tumor targeting to develop nano-"homing" devices

Image of myosin-action interaction revealed in cover story of Molecular Cell

First round of Prop. 71 funding to support training in stem cell research

New findings suggest balancing Chk1 activity will produce less toxic cancer drugs

Three-dimensional culture will simulate tumor micro-environment, enable rapid testing for candidate drugs

$3M grant will support pilot project, core facilities, and training