FRONTIERS The immune system: a question of balance

OBSERVATIONS Rusty Gage shares his inspiration

Next Gen It's About Time Salk's Emily Manoogian on circadian rythms and life

In this issue

Frontiers

The immune system: a question of balance

The immune system is a powerful biological force—a liquid organ that permeates our bodies. Diverse immune cells are constantly on patrol, hunting for miscreants to roust: bacteria, viruses, tumors, cellular trash. The immune system keeps us safe in a hostile world…

Observations

Rusty Gage

Complacency has never been part of Fred (Rusty) Gage’s genetic make-up, neither as he has ascended to the ranks of the world’s most renowned neuroscientists nor as he’s taken the helm as President of the Salk Institute…

Next Gen

Emily Manoogian

When Emily Manoogian was growing up, “scientist” wasn’t even on her list of potential careers. First Manoogian wanted to be a Broadway tap dancer; then a gymnast; later, a lawyer; and finally, towards the end of high school, a veterinarian…

President’s Letter

“We are so very thankful for the passionate community of individuals and organizations dedicated to Salk, helping to guide the Institute and empower our researchers to transform the future of humanity as Jonas Salk did.”

Rusty Gage

President, Salk Institute

View President’s letter

Discoveries

Neuroscience

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Where brain cells get their information may determine their roles in diseasesIn the striatum, a brain region associated with action control and learning, 95 percent of neurons communicate with outside regions while 5 percent communicate only within the region. Associate Professor Xin Jin, first author Jason Klug and colleagues mapped where information to the 5 percent is coming from and, in the process, clarified the relationship of two types of neurons to psychiatric and sensory/movement disorders, respectively.See All

Cancer

Organoids reveal how a deadly brain cancer growsGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an incredibly deadly brain cancer and presents a serious black box challenge. By editing two genes in just a few cells in human cerebral organoids, first author and Senior Research Associate Junko Ogawa and colleagues generated aggressive GBM tumors. This new model could be used to study tumor progression, investigate new drugs or even personalize treatments for patients. See All

Plant Biology

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Understanding how DNA is selectively tagged with “do not use” marksAssistant Professor Julie Law and first author Ming Zhou discovered a small family of proteins that control where in the genome DNA methylation marks (chemical “do not use” signs) are added. Their work on this aspect of genetic regulation is highly relevant for processes that range from normal development to cellular defects and diseases, which can arise due to erroneous DNA methylation patterns in plants and/or humans. See All

Metabolism

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Salk scientists elucidate myriad functions of the protein ERRγResearchers in the lab of Professor Ronald Evans published two papers clarifying the functions of the molecule ERRγ (ERR gamma) on energy production and expenditure. First, in Cell Reports on March 6, 2018, Evans, co-senior author Michael Downes, first author Weiwei Fan and colleagues showed that ERRγ helps deliver many of the benefits associated with endurance exercise by activating genes that create more mitochondria (the power houses of cells). See All

Genetics

CRISPR genetic editing takes another big step forward, targeting RNAHelmsley-Salk Fellow and senior author Patrick Hsu, first author Silvana Konermann, and colleagues have created a new genetic-editing tool that targets not DNA, but RNA, and uses it to correct a protein imbalance in cells from a person with dementia. The new Salk tool, called CasRx, opens up the vast potential of RNA and proteins to genetic editing, giving researchers a powerful way to develop new gene therapies as well as investigate fundamental biological functions. See All

Immune System Biology

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Discovery reveals how cells try to control levels of key HIV proteinSalk Professor Katherine Jones, first author Muyu Xu and colleagues discovered a small molecule called JIB-04 that destroys the HIV protein called Tat, responsible for revving up the virus. The molecule, while itself too toxic to serve as a therapy for HIV, reveals enzymes in host cells that can potentially target Tat and halt this runaway replication process.See All

Spotlight

Inaugural Trailblazer Awardee Catherine Rivier

Professor Emerita Catherine Rivier was honored with the inaugural Trailblazer Award from Salk Women & Science. The Trailblazer Award recognizes outstanding achievements made by women in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Mathematics) field.

Salk takes aim at five of the deadliest cancers

The Conquering Cancer Initiative is a roadmap to the future of cancer care and will empower our world-renowned research team to transform cancer therapy. The initiative was formally launched April 20 at a special event with former Vice President Joe Biden providing a keynote address to the more than 300 people in attendance.

Salk faculty receive promotions

In recognition of their continued excellence in research and innovation, two Salk faculty received promotions within the institute. Xin Jin was promoted to associate professor and Dmitry Lyumkis was promoted to assistant professor.

Salk Assistant Professor Saket Navlakha named Pew Scholar

The Pew Charitable Trusts announced that Saket Navlakha of Salk’s Integrative Biology Laboratory is one of 22 researchers named a 2018 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, Navlakha is one of five Pew Scholars also supported by the Kathryn W. Davis Peace by Pieces Fund to investigate health challenges in the brain as it […]

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Events

The Salk Institute Council gathers to explore next-generation science

The Salk Institute Council held its annual gathering on Salk’s campus. Salk ambassadors and philanthropic leaders received the latest research updates on our scientific initiatives. Attendees had an opportunity to participate in exciting discussions surrounding these presentations in addition to dinner with faculty and leadership.

Salk Women & Science honors awardees, reveals new insights into climate research

(Pictured above) Salk Women & Science Special Award Recipients (above, left to right): Kathleen DelGiorno, Cuiqing Zhong, Neeraja Vegesna, Shani Stern, Kathleen Quach, Rusty Gage (President), Lydia Daboussi, Emily Manoogian and Isabella Farhy-Tselnicker. Not pictured: Shefali Krishna. A Salk Women & Science event took place on March 21, giving attendees a chance to hear from […]

The Heithoff-Brody Summer Scholars program

The Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars program represents a lasting expression of Jonas Salk’s desire to provide young learners with a foundation on which they can become scientific leaders. Participants are able to work in the labs, and they receive a stipend for their work, as well as hands-on experience. This year, 12 students participated […]

Salkexcellerators continue transforming science

Salkexcellerators are a dynamic group of influencers, based in San Diego and New York City, who share a commitment to supporting scientific discovery at Salk. As part of the program, they are invited to come to Salk and participate in lab tours and meet-and-greets with faculty who benefit from their generous support.