By Date

Alumnus Di Carlo will lead new UCLA Chan Zuckerberg Initiative cell research project

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 02/29/2024 - 15:59
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has allocated a $4 million grant to support collaborative research by UCLA, USC and CalTech that will examine cellular behaviors, many of which play a key role in developing immunity to pathogens and disease. Dino Di Carlo, UCLA professor of bioengineering and UC Berkeley BS and PhD alumnus, will lead the team.
Categories: Science News

Wildfire smoke disproportionately affects California's Indigenous communities

College of Natural Resources - Thu, 02/29/2024 - 11:14
Image of a smokey forest during a wildfire February 29, 2024

A new method for measuring prolonged smoke exposure designed by ESPM's Rachel Morello-Frosch reveals the disproportionate impact of wildfire on Indigenous communities in California.

2024 Scientist Mentoring & Diversity Program

Department of Bioengineering - Tue, 02/27/2024 - 11:07
The 2024 Scientist Mentoring & Diversity Programs for Biotechnology (SMDP Biotech) and Medical Technology (SMDP MedTech) Our Program Director, Dustielyn Savage will be hosting a SMDP Info Session on March 8th at 11am PST.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://icpdprograms-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrf-mtpjoqEtZsPjTsJeS8Z5IEZjH0YgJq Interested candidates are invited to apply online at http://smdp.icpdprograms.org/.  Successful student applicants will receive fellowships to attend […]
Categories: Science News

Microfluidics: Biology’s Liquid Revolution

Department of Bioengineering - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 16:03

photo of microfluidic chip

Professor Aaron Streets was featured in this overview on the potential of microfluidics in The Scientist magazine.
Categories: Science News

Vernard Lewis’ message for the future

College of Natural Resources - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 10:49
A portrait of Vernard Lewis and Lisa Kala with their daughter Aikane Lewis and grandson Tahir. February 26, 2024

The professor emeritus of Cooperative Extension spoke to KTVU about his career and longtime efforts to inspire youth to pursue a science education.

New study shows chronic jet lag increases risk of liver cancer

College of Natural Resources - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 10:46
A photo of a person asleep on a flight wearing a mask, headphones, and neck pillow. February 23, 2024

Mice spontaneously developed liver cancer under conditions that mimicked the chronic jet lag associated with many weeks of round-trip overseas flights.

Student Spotlight: Mayuresh Visswanathan

College of Natural Resources - Wed, 02/21/2024 - 13:03
Thumbnail of Mayuresh Visswanathan February 21, 2024

The fourth-year forestry and business administration double major talks about woodworking, forestry camp, and his time at UC Berkeley.

Fu and Nayak named 2024 Sloan Fellows

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology - Tue, 02/20/2024 - 10:58

Fu and Nayak named 2024 Sloan Research FellowsCongratulations to Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology Meng-meng Fu and Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development Dipti Nayak on being named 2024 Sloan Research Fellows. They are among 9 early-career researchers at Berkeley to receive this competitive and prestigious award. Learn more... 

From zero to hero in budget-making

Department of Bioengineering - Mon, 02/19/2024 - 12:29

photo of Amy Herr, seated

Professor Amy Herr weighs in on how researchers manage budgets and the ‘boom–bust’ grant cycle.
Categories: Science News

Exploring the connections between science fiction and climate change

College of Natural Resources - Thu, 02/15/2024 - 12:06
Author Kim Stanley Robinson and his book "The Ministry for the Future" February 15, 2024

UC Berkeley professors Daniel Aldana Cohen and Katherine Snyder spoke to award-winning author Kim Stanley Robinson about climate, politics, and the future.

How a pair of Bay Area bobcats fueled one student's passion for wildlife photography

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 02/13/2024 - 11:46
thumbnail image of Vishal holding a camera February 13, 2024

Berkeley News recently interviewed fourth-year forestry and ecosystems management major Vishal Subramanyan about his work as a naturalist and wildlife photographer.

Rubinsky’s coral preservation work featured on PBS News

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 02/08/2024 - 12:18

photograph of coral in the ocean, from the Smithsonian Institute

Professor Emeritus Boris Rubinsky's isochoric vitrification method of preserving coral samples in suspended animation is part of recent emergency efforts to save dying coral reefs. The method is being used by the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Categories: Science News

Artist, Writer, and Naturalist James Prosek to visit campus

College of Natural Resources - Wed, 02/07/2024 - 10:40
A man painting a bird on a wall February 07, 2024

A guest of the Berkeley Wildlife Program and Stone Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Prosek will deliver a public lecture on Friday, February 9th.

Unpacking plant diversity and climate change in California

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 02/06/2024 - 12:29
Image of Dean David Ackerly leading virtual workshop on plant diversity and climate change February 06, 2024

Dean David Ackerly offers an overview of how California’s native flora has responded to climate change through time in a new Jepson Herbaria mini-workshop.

Want to preserve groundwater? Tax it.

College of Natural Resources - Fri, 02/02/2024 - 13:26
Image of strawberry fields February 02, 2024

Research by Professor Ellen Bruno found that groundwater demand in California’s Pajaro Valley shrank in response to long-term price increases.

The booming business of discovering your biological age

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 12:43

Conboy photo

Professor Irina Conboy and former student Alina Su have founded a new company, Generation Lab, offering an at-home molecular aging test that analyzes a person's biological age by assessing "biological noise" in their system. The test evaluates an individual’s risk for top health conditions and the pace of aging across 19 systems in the body, which can help physicians see where interventions may be most needed and effective.
Categories: Science News

Researchers make advances toward more effective IBD therapies

Department of Bioengineering - Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:18

Photo of person with hand on stomach, drawing of digestive system superimposed on top. Image by iStock.

Researchers in Professor Phillip Messersmith's lab have demonstrated that treatment with DPCA, an enzyme inhibitor molecule shown to trigger regeneration in mammals, can protect against and repair colon damage in a mouse model of colitis. This work suggests that short-term use of this small molecule drug could someday provide a restorative therapy for patients with IBD — and a path to remission.
Categories: Science News

Alum’s Wines Named to Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Top 100 List

College of Natural Resources - Tue, 01/30/2024 - 11:13
Headshot of Jim Bundschu with truck in the background. January 30, 2024

Jim Bundschu (BS '66 Agricultural Economics) revitalized his family’s 100-year-old vineyards. Today, his winery's sustainable, organic wines are receiving highest honors.

Application Now Open: IB Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program

Department of Integrative Biology - Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:12

IBSURE.interns.Hastings.2023.425.png
Justice Williams and Stephen Eun Song, 2023 IBSURE interns.

The IB Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (IB SURE) Program has now opened it's application. This program is for undergraduates or recent undergraduates who are considering a graduate degree in the biological sciences. Program runs from May 31 - Aug 9, 2024. Interested students should apply by April 1, 2024. See here for more information.

 

Categories: Science News

Student Spotlight: Shreya Chaudhuri

College of Natural Resources - Fri, 01/26/2024 - 11:57
A photo of Shreya Chaudhuri standing in front of Doe Library. January 26, 2024

The third-year environmental science and human geography student recently completed the Millennium Fellowship program through the United Nations Academic Impact initiative.