News & Events

Childhood Exposure to Bacterial Toxin May Be Triggering Colorectal Cancer Epidemic Among the Young

April 23, 2025

Ludmil Alexandrov, Ph.D., challenges traditional ideas of colorectal cancer development. new study, published on April 23 in Nature, analyzed 981 colorectal cancer genomes from patients with both early- and late-onset disease across 11 countries with varying colorectal cancer risk levels. The findings show that colibactin leaves behind specific patterns of DNA mutations that were 3.3 times more common in early-onset cases (specifically in adults under 40) than in those diagnosed after the age of 70. These mutation patterns were also particularly prevalent in countries with high incidence of early-onset cases.

“These mutation patterns are a kind of historical record in the genome, and they point to early-life exposure to colibactin as a driving force behind early-onset disease,” said study senior author Ludmil Alexandrov, professor in the Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UC San Diego, who is also a member of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and Deputy Director of Sanford Stem Cell Fitness and Space Medicine Center.

Full UCSD Press Release article

Tiny Molecules, Big Science: How RNA Research Could Transform Medicine, If We Let It

April 15, 2025

Gene Yeo, Ph.D., professor of cellular and molecular medicine at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, studies some of the smallest molecules in biology, but their impact on human health is massive.

His research centers on RNAs, or ribonucleic acids, chemical messengers that are at the crux of everything that happens within living cells. While many people are familiar with DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which provides the instructions for the development, growth, and function of organisms, RNAs are what turn these instructions into biological reality.

“When the underlying machinery is not functioning in our cells, the problems that result are huge,” said Yeo. “But this also means we have a lot of opportunities to leverage RNAs to treat diseases and support human health.”

Full UCSD Press Release article

Behind Every Breakthrough: Meet us at Phase 0: Inside the HUMANOID™ Center at UC San Diego

April 10, 2025

Pradipta Ghosh, M.D. is at the helm of the HUMANOID™ Center for Excellence at the University of California San Diego, which is pioneering the use of patient-derived-organoids — miniature, three-dimensional models of human organs grown from a patient’s cells. Many scientists utilize organoids that are grown from donor cells, such as from skin or blood, that have been reprogrammed to grow into a certain type of tissue, such as brain tissue. However, HUMANOID™ takes a different approach entirely.

Full UCSD Press Release article

Tariq Rana, Ph.D. Appointed Chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

March 12, 2025

Tariq Rana, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and chief of the Division of Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

“Dr. Rana’s exceptional research contributions combined with his leadership experience will be an invaluable asset to the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the School of Medicine. In addition to his outstanding track record as an investigator, mentor and program builder, his proven ability to build external partnerships and diversify portfolios will enhance the department's reputation and foster new collaborations,” said Barbara Jung, M.D., associate vice chancellor and dean of UC San Diego School of Medicine. “During these unpredictable times, Dr. Rana stands ready to provide the leadership we need to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead with confidence. I look forward to working with him as he builds upon the department’s outstanding reputation and continues to drive innovation and excellence in all that we do."

Full UCSD Press Release article

CMM Seminar Series

CMM hosts the weekly CMM Seminar Series in collaboration with UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences.