San Diego Biomedical Research Institute

We are excited to present our latest SDBRI newsletter in which we detail the research that SDBRI is doing to learn more about patients who survived COVID-19 but continue to experience symptoms for weeks or months after. We also go in-depth about exciting research being done by the Marcondes lab including the creation of new methodologies to research HIV infection. We hope you enjoy the read and, as always, we wish you the best! A PDF version can be found at: https://sdbri....org//2/06/The-Bench-and-Beyond-June-2021.pdf . . . . #June2021 #June #JuneNewsletter #SDBRINewsletter #Research #ResearchMethods #COVID19 #COVIDResearch #LongHaulers #HIV #Hyperthermia #Methamphetamine #DrugUse #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures #HIVResearch #HyperthermiaResearch

SDBRI's Dr. Cecilia Marcondes has been invited by geneXplain to present on her lab's work in creating new strategies to test gene activity profiles in postmortem HIV+ brain specimens! The webinar will take place on May19th at 9am (PST). Please register for the webinar here: https://bit.ly/3uE4cZB #HIV #HIVResearch #Epigenetics #EpigeneticResearch #RNA #RNAResearch #ResearchMethodology #ResearchMethods #SDBRI #Striving4Cures #Research #BiomedicalResearch #SanDiego #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute

SDBRI's Dr. David Gilbert has just published his study untangling a 60-year scientific mystery! His paper, published today, details his research on the DNA replication timing program and the implications that altering the program has for human health and disease. #SDBRI #biology #CellBiology #DNA #DNAReplication #ReplicationTimingProgram #Science #Research #genomics #GenomicsResearch #epigenetics #EpigeneticMechanism #DNAStructure #Chromosomes #developmentalbiology #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SanDiego #Striving4Cures

SDBRI is proud to announce that one of our Research Technicians, Breanna Lam, will be pursuing her Ph.D. in Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology this coming Fall! Breanna recently graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and has been a valued member of the SDBRI team since July 2020. Congratulations Breanna! #SDBRI #SanDiego #MIT #PhD #Biology #Congratulations #Striving4Cures

Patients who have been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive form of breast cancer, often develop metastasis in the lungs, meaning that the breast cancer cells spread into the lungs. In a recent study, SDBRI’s Dr. Wael ElShamy, wanted to pinpoint TNBC metastatic precursors that will help to identify potential biomarkers, specifically looking at the overexpression of a protein called geminin. Dr. ElShamy introduced geminin overexpression (Gem...OE) to normal cells and found possible genetic drivers that lead to TNBC tumors in the lungs. His group also identified prospective biomarkers that might help to determine which patients are most at risk of developing lung metastases. Dr ElShamy’s findings help to recognize candidate indicators of TNBC lung metastases that can lead to earlier diagnoses and more appropriate treatment plans for patients. Dr. ElShamy's paper can be found here: https://rdcu.be/cgLSC #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #TNBC #CancerResearch #Lungs #GemininOverexpression #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures

Congratulations to SDBRI's very own Richard Milner, Ph.D. for receiving a 5 year, R01 grant from the National Institute of Health to continue his ongoing research on neurological disease! Dr. Milner's research will focus on the vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) which can arise after a stroke and is the second leading cause of dementia. Dr. Milner aims to test: 1) if low oxygen levels (hypoxia) will trigger vascular leak and micro-hemorrhaging... in the brain leading to cognitive decline and how age, hypertension, and gender influence this, 2) whether immune cells in the brain (microglia) protect against vascular disruption, and 3) whether manipulation of microglial activation state can reduce hypoxia-induced vascular leak. By answering these questions, Dr. Milner aims to inform on the therapeutic potential of manipulating microglial behavior to reduce cognitive impairment. #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #Research #NeurologicalDisease #NeurologicalDiseaseResearch #GivingEveryPatientAFightingChance #R01Grant

In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are proud to celebrate our culturally diverse SDBRI scientists who share a passion for biomedical research! #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM #WomenOfSDBRI #WomenEmpowerment #FutureIsFemale #idwgs2021 #idwgs #WomenInScience #GirlsInScience

We are delighted to present our first newsletter of 2021. In this newsletter we describe how SDBRI scientists are contributing to the ongoing COVID-19 research. In addition to this, we also go in-depth about other exciting research being done at SDBRI. We hope you enjoy the read and, as always, we wish you the best! A PDF version can be found at https://sdbri.org//The-Bench-and-Beyond-February-2021-1.pdf... #February2021 #FebruaryNewsletter #SDBRINewsletter #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures #GivingEveryPatientAFightingChance #COVIDVaccine #COVIDResearch #MultipleSclerosisResearch #COVID19 #MultipleSclerosis

This past November, SDBRI’s Dr. Joanna Davies, was featured on Boston News 25 along with Mass General Brigham’s Dr. Michael Misialek to discuss a ground-breaking report about the role of the common cold in protection against COVID-19! During their interview, Drs. Davies and Misialek explain that if someone has been infected with the common cold in the last five years, they may have developed an immune response that helps to protect them against the more severe symptoms of COVID-19! They discuss the important impact this information could have on vaccine development and distribution. #COVID19 #covid19research #boston #SanDiego #CommonCold #science #Striving4Cures #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #GivingEveryPatientAFightingChance #Vaccine #COVIDVaccine #SDBRI

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or nothing at all, we hope that your holiday season is filled with joy and good health! #Winter #Winter2020 #happyholidays #happyholidays2020 #TisTheSeason #WinterLove #Christmas #Hanukkah #Kwanza #December #WinterWonderland #SDBRI #SanDiego #Striving4Cures

Our mission here at the institute is simple; we wish to give every patient a fighting chance whether it be you, a friend, or a loved one. Your donation will fund our research in the fight against, Cancer, Diabetes 1 & 2, HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neurological Disease. Any amount is appreciated, and all amounts are tax-deductible! Please visit sdbri.org/donate to make a contribution. #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #Striving4Cures #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday2020 #TisTheSeason #GivingSeason #Donate #ResearchFunding #Health #HealthSciences #CancerResearch #DiabetesResearch #SanDiego

Wishing everyone and their loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving! #Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Fall #Striving4Cures #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #ThanksgivingDay #TurkeyTime #ThanksgivingDinner

San Diego Biomedical Research Institute’s David Gilbert to be involved in new center for studying the structure of the cell SDBRI’s David Gilbert will be joining a new multi-institution research center, directed by Carnegie Mellon University and funded by the National Institutes of Health. This center will develop a better understanding of the three-dimensional structure of cell nuclei and how changes in that structure affect cell functions in health and disease. A growing b...ody of research shows that the cell nucleus is highly compartmentalized and that this spatial phenomenon relates to cell function. But scientists don’t yet understand how compartmentalized structures in the nucleus tug and tether the chromosomes that carry the genetic code, as well as other biomolecules such as RNA and proteins. The goal is to find causal relationships between the large-scale spatial genome structure and genome function, such as gene transcription and DNA replication. Once assembled, those multimodal data sets, including the multiscale navigation reference maps of nuclear organizationand the new computational tools and visualization platform created to make sense of them will be made widely available to the research community. The five-year, $10 million effort is being led by Principal Investigator Jian Ma and along with San Diego Biomedical Research Institute will include researchers at the University of California Los Angeles; the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC); Harvard Medical School; Brown University; the Allen Institute for Cell Science; the University of Dundee; and the National Cancer Institute. This work is supported by the NIH under award number 1UM1HG011593.

Our second virtual science focus meeting was hosted by Aditi Narsale, Ph.D. who presented on a technique called flow cytometry that makes use of a machine called, CytoFlex S. Almost every research group at SDBRI has some interest in using flow cytometry for their research. Dr. Narsale gave a refresher course on the basics of this complicated technology including, but not limited to, lasers types, staining protocol, detecting size, shape, and granularity, and identifying and q...uantifying extracellular vesicles (EV) by flow cytometry. In the Q&A portion following her seminar, she helped to troubleshoot and solve problems highlighted by other institute members that relate to flow cytometry. . . . . #FlowCytometry #CytoFlexS #Flow #ScienceSeminar #VirtualMeeting #VirtualScienceFocusMeetings #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures See more

Dr. Milner’s recent study aimed to clarify the therapeutic potential of activated protein C (APC) in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His study showed that APC suppressed clinical progression of EAE and mechanistic studies revealed that this was due, in part, by enhancing vascular integrity and suppressing microglial activation. Together, these studies demonstrate strong therapeutic potential for APC in the treatment of inf...lammatory demyelinating diseases such as MS. . . . . . #MultipleSclerosis #MS #APC #ActivatedProteinC #Encephalomyelitis #EAE #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures See more

Annemarie McGover, a laboratory assistant in Dr. Marcondes’ research group, was the first to present at our new, virtual, science focus meeting series. Science focus meetings at the institute typically take place once a month and represent a time for institute members to engage in science outside their specific areas of work. With the majority of our work being done at home, we’ve had some flexibility to revamp the series to take place every Tuesday! To kickstart this new ser...ies, Annemarie presented her work on biological markers of neuroinflammation in the context of drug abuse: quantifying MRP8/14 in the brain. . . . . . #BiologicalMarkers #Neuroinflammation #DrugAbuse #VirtualScienceFocusMeetings #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #Striving4Cures See more

SDBRI stands in support of Black Lives Matter We are here. We are listening. . . .... . . #TitusKaphar #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #SayTheirNames #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #JusticeForAhmaud #AdvocateForChange #NoJusticeNoPeace #Allyship #Ally #Solidarity See more

Following California’s Phase 2 for reopening, SDBRI prepared for a partial reopening, to perform essential duties. Although exciting, this presents a new challenge: how will we transition back to work safely? Following guidelines provided by the WHO, CDC, California State, and San Diego County and City, SDRBI has developed a safety plan that that was described in a mandatory online training for all institute members. Amongst the many changes that have been implemented, the mo...st significant related to reducing foor traffic by working in shifts, social distancing, wearing facial coverings at all times, and increasing hand washing stations. Specifics on how to adhere to these new guidelines were elaborated on in the training. We hope that when we are able to fully transition back, practices from this partial re-opening will allow for a smoother, safer shift. We recognize that with these new guidelines in place, it is likely to take longer to do many of the things we used to take for granted and that it might generate some frustration. We can think of many ways in which this specifically applies to operations at SDBRI, but also to the rest of the world as we muster patience in entering a phase of learning how to live and work with this new virus. In an institute-wide email, CEO Joanna Davies reminded members, we will get used to it, and things will improve. As long as the quality of our work remains high we will continue to move forward and be successful. . . . . . #WorkingFromHome #workfromhome #WFH #workworkwork #SDBRIWorkingFromHome #returntowork #training #covidtraining #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #Striving4Cures

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) promote the progression of what is considered to be one of the most aggressive types of breast cancerstriple negative breast cancer (TNBC). In a recent study, Wael ElShamy, Ph.D. reports that the overexpression of a protein called IRIS in TNBC cells leads to the recruitment of macrophages to IRIS over expressing cells and modifies them to become pro-tumor M2 type TAMs. The interaction between IRIS overexpressing cells and M2 TAMs induces an... immune suppressive microenvironment within TNBC tumors. This microenvironment favors the generation of TNBC metastatic precursors that evade the immune system. Dr. ElShamy’s findings suggests that inhibiting this interaction may inhibit disease progression and enhance patients’ overall survival. . . . . . #TNBC #TripleNegativeBreastCancer #BreastCancerResearch #CancerResearch #SDBRI #Striving4Cures #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute See more

Methamphetamine (Meth) usage is common among people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), can induce changes in gene transcription in the brain that result in impaired reward circuitry, as well as inflammatory processes. Dr. Marcondes’ latest study in a mouse model of neuroHIV, investigated the effect of the combination of Tat expression in the brain with Meth sensitization on global gene expres...sion changes in the caudate putamen, which is an area known for its relevance to behavior and HIV-induced pathogenesis. It was observed that Meth-induced sensitization alone induced a global transcriptional suppression, and that this suppression was prevented by the interaction between Tat and Meth. Furthermore, the interaction between Tat and Meth resulted in maintaining regulatory pathways that may be involved in transcription. . . . . . #HIV #HIVResearch #Striving4Cures #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI See more

We have a newly formatted triannual newsletter! In this year’s first newsletter we describe how we’ve pivoted to a work from home institute in response to COVID-19. In addition, we share some exciting SDBRI news and events. We hope you enjoy the read, and as always, we wish you the best! A PDF version can be found at https://sdbri.org/wp-cont/uploads//04/The-Bench-Beyond.pdf . . .... . . #FlattenTheCurve #April2020 #AprilNewsletter #2020Newsletter #WFHNewsletter #SDBRINews #SDBRINewsletter #Issue1Volume3 #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #Striving4Cures See more

Since making the switch to working from home in order to help flatten the curve, our stocks of surgical masks, gloves, safety glasses and disinfectant wipes are not being used. As a gesture of gratitude, respect and support for our healthcare workers who are at the front-line helping people diagnosed with COVID-19, we have donated our excess personal protective equipment (PPE) to nearby hospitals. With the sudden surge of people entering hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms, the ...need for PPE has dramatically increased. These items are critical to protect healthcare workers who, without proper equipment, risk compromising their own health as well as the health of the patients they are helping. If you or your organization has excess PPE available, including masks, gloves, gowns, booties, coveralls and other items, please consider making a contribution to your local hospital! Let’s all do what we can to be a part of the solution during this pandemic to give every patient a fighting chance. Visit getusppe.org/give and enter your zip code or search by region or state to find a local donation site . . . . . #GetUsPPE #GetMePPE #PPEDonation #DonatePPE #PPE #PPEShortage #PPEDrive #DonationDrive #SocialDistancing #FlattenTheCurve #StrongerTogether #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #Striving4Cures

Today, we hosted our monthly social hour-- one of the most well liked and highly anticipated traditions at the institute, on Zoom. The camaraderie ignited by seeing one another laugh and smile from last month’s remote social hour inspired some operational additions at SDBRI. In response to COVID-19, our institute has switched to a remote workplace, which has in turn challenged how we approach cultivating a sense of community and cohesiveness amongst ourselves. Change can ofte...n prove to be distressing, especially when it comes so abruptly. To curtail feelings of anxiety and loneliness catalyzed by the sudden transition to working from home, we’re taking several measures to support one another. In addition to hosting our monthly social hours online, we’ve also implemented a remote break room which is open daily for employees to chat and connect with one another. Additionally, our CEO has made herself available for daily office hours, inviting institute members to drop in for a quick meeting no appointments required. Although technology is efficient in connecting us, we must be proactive in taking advantage of it in order to humanize and make intimate these connections. As an instituteand more generally as a community, we’ve always been stronger together, even if that means we have to be physically apart. We hope everyone is healthy finding balance in their lives during this pandemic. . . . . . #WorkingFromHome #WFH #SDBRIWorkingFromHome #FlattenTheCurve #StrongerTogether #SDBRI #Striving4Cures

FLATTENING THE CURVE: Postponing the rate of infections for COVID-19 is a community effort!! To flatten the curve means to distribute the volume of patients in the health care system over time. In doing so, we put less of a burden on our health care systems, allowing them time to adapt and accommodate patients (including those being seen for non COVID-19 related reasons) without facilities being overloaded.... Although flattening the curve does not eradicate infections, it does however allow researchers more time to develop and test vaccines! The correct response can massively reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The goal is not to stop infections, but to slow & postpone them. Reduce the rate at which new cases occur. Flatten the curve. Postponed infections means the healthcare system can handle cases better, treat patients more effectively, meaning less deaths." . . . . . #FlattenTheCurve #FlatteningTheCurve #COVID19 #coronavirus #Striving4Cures #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #SDBRI #InformationIsBeautiful

We are excited to announce that SDBRI has ranked #11 out of 107 National Institute of Health-funded organizations in San Diego County in total funding awarded in the 2019 fiscal year. We are honored to be sharing our ranking in the top 15 with world-renowned research organizations - University of California San Diego, Scripps Research Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute! T...his funding allows us the opportunity and privilege to further our mission to find new ways to predict, prevent and alleviate the devastating effects of cancer, diabetes, neurological disease, and HIV infection, by accelerating medical advances that maintain and improve quality of life. Our team, who work with great resolve, would like to recognize that our success is the result of a joint venture with our non-SDBRI colleagues, financial contributions from the NIH, private donors and foundations, and our many community partnerships. . . . . . #NIH2019Funding #BiomedicalResearch #NonProfit See more

Congratulations to our very own James Binley, Ph.D. and Laurent Verkoczy, Ph.D. for receiving a 5 year renewal of their R01 grants totaling over $9 million to continue their ongoing HIV research! Drs. Binley and Verkoczy’s research on HIV will use virus-like particles (VLPs) as vaccines. Their research aims to promote the development of virus-fighting antibodies that can penetrate HIV’s armor of sugars and bind to common sites of vulnerability that are shared by many diffe...rent HIV strains. The goal of their work is to generate antibodies that can fend off infection by any of the highly diverse HIV strains found around the world. At SDBRI, we utilize a think-tank approach and therefore champion a collaborative environment. In this project, Drs. Binley and Verkoczy will combine their complimentary expertise on vaccine design, testing, B cell sorting, and next generation sequencing to enhance the chances of making a breakthrough discovery! . . . . . #SDBRI #SanDiegoBiomedicalResearchInstitute #R01Grant #R01GrantRenewal #ImmunologyResearch #HIVVaccineResearch #GivingEveryPatientAFightingChance #HIVResearch